Cancer, the Crab

Hebrew name: Sarton.

Arabic name: Al Sartan, “who holds or binds together.”

Syriac name: Sartano, “who holds or binds.”

Greek name: Karkinos, “holding, encircling.”

Egyptian name: Klaria, “the folds, the resting places.”

Accadian name: Su-kul-na, “the seizer, or possessor of seed.”

Latin name: Cancer, from the Arabic, Khan = “an inn;” and Cer = “encircling.”

Description: The original picture has been lost. The Egyptian picture seems closest to the original, where Cancer was called Klaria, “the cattle-folds; the resting places.” This fits best with the star names and the other constellations.

Biblical Meaning: Cancer pictures the Messiah’s possessions encircled and held fast. The Church or Bride is encircled and protected in a resting place. This pictures the purpose of marriage, which is to bind two together, as we see in Gemini. But Cancer focuses more upon the place of rest that such a marriage brings and upon the time of the great Sabbath-rest millennium during which this takes place.

Stars in Cancer:

1. Tegmine, “holding.”
2. Acubene, “the sheltering, or hiding place.”
3. Ma’alaph, “assembled thousands.”
4. Assellus North and Assellus South, the two asses, making it the sign of Issachar (Gen. 49:14).

Rev. 7:9

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands.”

Psalm 91:1

“He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Cancer:

1. Ursa Minor, the little bear, is actually the lesser sheepfold.
2. Ursa Major, the big bear, is actually the greater sheepfold.
3. Argo, the ship carrying the pilgrims to safety at home.