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Karka rashi is Cancer ♋︎कर्क · Cancer in English, Karka in Vedic astrology
Karka rashi, also written Kark, Karkat, Karkataka, Kataka, is the sign called Cancer in English. The Sun is in Cancer from 21 Jun – 22 Jul by Western dates and in Karka from about 17 Jul – 16 Aug by Vedic dates. Names for Karka start with Hi, Hu, He, Ho, Da, Di, Du, De, Do.
A cardinal water sign, and the only one ruled by the Moon. Cancer is associated with home, family and memory: protective of its people and sensitive to the mood of a room.
Cancer at a glance
| In English | Cancer ♋︎ |
|---|---|
| Western dates | 21 Jun – 22 Jul (tropical zodiac) |
| Vedic name | Karka rashi (कर्क); also spelt Kark, Karkat, Karkataka, Kataka |
| Name letters | Hi, Hu, He, Ho, Da, Di, Du, De, Do (rashi by name) |
| Sun in Karka (Vedic) | about 17 Jul – 16 Aug (sidereal, Lahiri) |
| Element | Water |
| Quality | Cardinal |
| Ruling planet | the Moon |
| Opposite sign | Capricorn |
| Same element | Scorpio, Pisces |
| Nakshatras in Karka |  Punarvasu (pada 4) Pushya (all four padas) Ashlesha (all four padas) |
When the Moon is in Cancer
The Moon spends about two and a half days in Cancer each month. The mood people tend to notice: its own sign, so feelings sit close to the surface. Home, food and old photographs pull harder than usual. Where is the Moon today?
Western Cancer and Vedic Karka
Western astrology measures signs from the seasons (the tropical zodiac); Vedic astrology measures them from the stars (the sidereal zodiac). The two are about 24° apart now, which is why the Sun is in Cancer from 21 Jun – 22 Jul but in Karka from about 17 Jul – 16 Aug. Your Moon sign can differ between the two systems for the same reason. Find yours in both.
The Cancer card
You feel the mood of a room before anyone speaks. Make one corner comfortable, a cushion and the kettle on, then invite someone to sit there with you.
Cancer has its own birth card in the online deck. It stays face down until you add your birth date to today's reading, then it joins your collection.