Linda Goodman is renowned best selling astrologer who has written books on Astrology and in depth knowledge of Signs, which has redefined the way of Astrology.
This post is based on Linda Goodman’s Book “A NEW APPROACH TO THE HUMAN HEART LINDA GOODMAN’S LOVE SIGNS” for the Love Compatibility of Cancer and Capricorn.
CANCER
Water – Cardinal – Negative
Ruled by the Moon
Symbol: The Crab
Night Forces – Feminine
CAPRICORN
Earth – Cardinal – Negative
Ruled by Saturn
Symbol: The Goat
Night Forces – Feminine
They were the most ordinary questions –
“What was the colour of Mother’s eyes? Which was taller, Father or Mother? …
(A) Write an essay of not less than 40 words on How I spent My Last Holidays, or The Characters of Father and Mother compared ..
(1) Describe Mother’s laugh;
(2) Describe Father’s laugh;
(3) Describe Mother’s party dress “By the way, the questions were all written in the past tense.
As with all 7-7 Sun Sign Pattern Earthlihgs, the Crab and the Goat are 180 degrees apart on the karmic wheel of Life. In astrology – for that matter, also in astronomy and math – 180 degrees is half a circle or an opposition. Now, in human contact, a Sun Sign opposition need not be negative. It very often is, but it need not be. Will all Crabs and Goats please read that last sentence over several times?
An opposition indicates that two opposing forces are “at war.” In this case, those forces are the Moon and Saturn, rulers of Cancer and Capricorn, respectively. It’s hard to imagine anything farther apart than the Moon and Saturn. Among other things, the Moon (Cancer) represents dreams, change, movement or travel, memories, reflections, softness, and dependency. Among other things, Saturn (Capricorn) represents realities, stability, caution, waiting, determination, hardness, and self-sufficiency. Like all other blends of the 7-7 vibration, sooner or later (hopefully sooner) a choice must be made by Cancer and Capricorn as to which of these opposing forces, consisting of the Lunar and the Saturnine, will become the dominant force of their association – or the association it self will become a battlefield over which symbolic cannon balls are shot back and forth indefinitely.
And so, the Crab and the Goat must decide whether the Moon or Saturn is to rule their relationship, even though they may still choose to be individually ruled by the Moon and Saturn both – and equally.
I realize this all sounds terribly complicated. No one ever claimed a 7-7 vibration is easy to work out harmoniously. But my great grandma used to say that “nothing gained easily is really worthwhile.” Will all Crabs and Goats please read that sentence over several times also?
There is a desirable side to any kind of opposition, which is that opposites do complement one another. Each has what the other yearns for – needs, wants, desires – and is therefore secretly anxious to acquire. Just form a mental image of that, if you will. Two people, each possessing what the other wants. If neither is selfish, if both are generous – if they give to one another and share equally – what could be happier? It’s rather nice to be someone’s “magic genie” and have that someone be your genie too, at the same time, supplying all your needs, while you supply his (or hers). It’s the same with the polarities of anything on Earth. Take a thermometer. You have Hot, and you have Cold. When they meet in the middle, you have Warm – the temperature of eternal Spring. Lovely thought! And that’s just what can happen when Winter (Saturn) and Midsummer (the Moon) meet each other halfway.
Yes, Cancer symbolizes Midsummer, just as Gemini symbolizes late Spring and early Summer, Leo symbolizes Summer in full bloom – and Virgo symbolizes Indian Summer. This seasonal Sun Sign conceptual is fully explained in “The Twelve Mysteries of Love” in the front section of this book. But it may be important to remind the Crab and Goat of it again here.. that Cappy means Winter and the Crab means Midsummer.
Despite the opposition of their Sun Signs and Lunar-Saturnine rulers, and in addition to the complementary nuances of opposites being a plus to their association – Cancer and Capricorn are alike in certain ways, as much alike in these ways as they are different in many others. Both the differences and the similarities are strikingly pronounced in this particular 7-7 vibration.
They were both born under the Negative-Feminine Night Forces, meaning that each has a soft inner core, and is rather good at hiding the softness – meaning, too, that the feelings and emotions of both run very deep. They are also both Cardinal, therefore both Cancer and Capricorn like to lead. The Goat prefers to lead unobtrusively; likewise, the Crab tends to lead in subtle ways, and so their mutually shared leadership motivation may be hidden when they first meet. It will not remain long hidden.
It’s difficult for an association to contain two leaders of equal stature. Consequently, something will have to give a little. It will more likely be the Crab. For a while, however, it’s an amusing scene for the astrologically alert to watch from a distance. Picture, if you can, two “leaders” each attempting – in great secrecy – to lead the other, without letting the other suspect that he or she is being led. Gradually, each of them becomes aware of the leadership motive of the other, never mind how cleverly hidden – and then the quiet, yet intense and determined battle for supremacy between them begins. Truly, it is as fascinating to observe as a movie – more fascinating than most films Hollywood has been making recently. (For meditation purposes, Gerald Ford is a Crab; Richard Nixon, a Goat.)
Throughout all these carefully mapped strategies, it would behoove the Crab to remember the Goat’s sure-footed reputation – and it would behoove the Goat to remember that the Crab always takes a step or two sideways and backward before advancing straight ahead. It will be a thrilling battle of wills. There won’t be as much fanfare as with the Fire and Air Element oppositions in the other 7-7 Sun Sign Patterns (Cancer is Water, Capricorn is Earth) but quiet and steady contests can contain more suspense.
Some of the traits of the Crab and the Goat are neither similar nor dissimilar, but simply supportive of each other. For example, Cancer likes comfort and security in great abundance. Capricorn is intensely ambitious, and since ambition has a way of being one of the quicker routes to all degrees of comfort and security, this is one thing which may hold these two together, as well as attract them initially.
They are both attached to yesterday, the Moon-ruled because of a liking for history in general, plus a sort of personal nostalgia – the Goat because of the lessons to be learned from experiences of the past and a touch of hero worship. (Actually, Cappy admires the achievers of past and present equally, but yesterday’s heroes and heroines have more glamour.) They also share a strong attachment to the family hearth and relatives. Cancer leans toward sentiment for the maternal, Cappy leans toward sentiment for both the maternal and the paternal, the whole family tree – especially if a coat of arms hangs from one of the branches. Some Goats are decidedly snobbish about fame and prestige – the whole status trip. It’s hard to detect behind the typical Capricorn’s shy smile and gentle manners, but it’s there.
It’s not uncommon to find the combination of the Crab and the Goat involved in renovation of historical landmarks, laying cornerstones, heading a drive to establish a museum, writing history books, building business empires, collecting antiques, or actively engaged in local or national politics. This is a couple often found in bookstores (as the owners, of course) and especially in banks (on the board of directors). As individuals, the Crab may be drawn toward marine activities, near the water, while the Goat tends to climb the highest mountain of achievement in his or her vicinity. Capricorns abound in the jewelry business and junkyards. Goats, you see, have an odd way of finding something practical, something of value, in anything from diamonds to rusty parts of an old car. Strangely, they are also tuned in to art, one of the few aesthetic experiences that attracts them. But the typical Capricorn has no time for pop art like Andy Warhol’s tomato cans and tubes of toothpaste. To a Capricorn, art should be solid and substantial. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Rembrandt – these are artists. Picasso and Dali are joking, aren’t they? Art, like everything else in life, is a serious matter to the Saturn-ruled. Imaginative Cancerians, although differently motivated, also appreciate the beauty of fine paintings and works of art, including music, and so lots of the people you see strolling through metropolitan galleries and attending concerts will be Crabs and Goats.
If the Cancerian and the Capricorn are children, the same rules apply. They’ll both excel in history class, and both Cappy and the young Crab will start early mowing lawns or delivering newspapers to earn money to stash away in their sock drawers.
Many Capricorns are by nature somewhat cold and suspicious, thanks to Saturn’s stern influence, and sympathetic, sensitive Cancer can provide a healing balm of love and understanding for the Goat. Cancer’s devotion to home and family will please Capricorn, who is equally loyal to family ties.
Unless one or both were born with the Moon or Ascendent in the Air or Fire Element, these two will never burn dollar bills for fun. Very few, if any, Cancerians and Capricorns are found resorting to public welfare or food stamps. Not only are they clever in financial matters, they also share a rather severe Puritan work ethic. They feel alike concerning the subject of money. Both enjoy stacking up lots and lots of it, and both prefer saving it to spending it. If any two people need to meditate on poet Kahlil Gibran’s words on the subject of working for material gain, they are Cancer and Cappy. They would benefit immensely from an attempt to comprehend that man must “work with love” or it is better that he sits outside the gates of the temple and “takes alms from those who do for bread baked without love is a bitter bread, that feeds but half man’s hunger.”
At first glance, those words will startle both the Crab and the Goat. Work for love? People work for money, not love. If a person also happens to enjoy his or her work, so much the better, but the first consideration is the financial compensation, isn’t it? No, it is not. To work with love is the first consideration, the cash return is secondary. And therein lies the problem. It isn’t that the Moon-ruled and Saturn-ruled don’t understand craftsmanship and laboring with the heart, as well as with the hands: It’s a matter of priorities. And these two are charged with the duty to make a strong effort to change them.
One of the most delightful things about the pairing of these undeniably divergent creatures, the Crab and the Goat, is that the outwardly controlled and stern, but inwardly gentle and lonely, Capricorn can find an escape from his or her seriousness in the rich and refreshing humor of the Moon people. Cancerian laughter is contagious, irresistible. There’s something about the Crab’s sense of the ridiculous that brings a merry twinkle to the eye of the Goat. Cancer clowns – Cappy grins. And the steadfast Capricorn heart, so sadly locked much of the time by the disciplined emotions, begins to warm, then to beat a little faster.
Few people ever guess the true extent of the Goat’s wistful longing to escape Saturn’s invisible restrictions, for such longing is also – even especially – kept under strict control. The compassionate smile of a Moon Child, who so well understands what it means to be lonely, can be an open door to a new and brighter world for Capricorn.
As for the Cancerian (unless his or her Luminaries are in negative aspect) from the first moment the Crab feels that powerful magnetic tug from his (or her) opposed Suns – in the classroom or office, in the family circle, the circle of friendship, or within the eternal circle of love, the searching Moon Child will have found a safe home, protected by the tough but loving billy goat.
