Karka (Cancer)
कर्क · Water · Movable · ruled by Moon
Karka (Cancer) is a movable water sign ruled by the Moon, and the sign where Jupiter is exalted. A Karka Moon is traditionally associated with deep feeling, care for family, strong memory and intuition. The Sun moves through sidereal Karka from about 16 July to 16 August.
What is Karka like as a Moon sign?
Karka is the Moon’s own sign, so emotion is its native language. Like the crab, it has a protective shell and a soft interior: Karka people may seem reserved until they trust you, then become fiercely loyal. Being a movable sign, Karka is not passive — it takes initiative on behalf of family, home and the people it feels responsible for.
Strengths
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- Loyal, nurturing, protective
- Excellent memory
- Creates a sense of home wherever it goes
Growth areas
- Not taking every remark personally
- Letting go of the past
- Asking for care as readily as giving it
Which careers suit Karka?
Caregiving, hospitality, food, education, counselling, real estate, history and public service traditionally suit Karka — work where looking after people or preserving things matters.
How does Karka approach love?
Karka is devoted and attentive and builds relationships around family and shared memories. It needs emotional reassurance; partners who express feelings openly help Karka feel safe.
What do classical texts say about Karka?
Jupiter is exalted at 5° Karka and Mars is debilitated at 28°, which is why tradition contrasts Karka’s wisdom-through-feeling with difficulty around open aggression. Punarvasu (pada 4), Pushya and Ashlesha fall in Karka.
Which nakshatras fall in Karka?
How compatible is Karka with each sign?
| Sign | Sign-level points (of 12) | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Karka & Mesha | 11 | Supportive with effort |
| Karka & Vrishabha | 7.5 | Mixed — growth through difference |
| Karka & Mithuna | 1 | Challenging — needs conscious work |
| Karka & Karka | 12 | Naturally harmonious |
| Karka & Simha | 12 | Supportive with effort |
| Karka & Kanya | 8 | Supportive with effort |
| Karka & Tula | 7.5 | Challenging — needs conscious work |
| Karka & Vrishchika | 4 | Supportive with effort |
| Karka & Dhanu | 4 | Challenging — needs conscious work |
| Karka & Makara | 7.5 | Mixed — growth through difference |
| Karka & Kumbha | 0.5 | Challenging — needs conscious work |
| Karka & Meena | 4 | Supportive with effort |
What else do people ask about Karka?
Who is the lord of Karka rashi?
Karka (Cancer) is ruled by Moon. It is a movable water sign.
What are the dates for Karka rashi?
In the sidereal (Lahiri) zodiac the Sun is in Karka from about 16 Jul – 16 Aug. In Vedic astrology, though, “your rashi” normally means your Moon sign, which changes every 2¼ days and needs your birth date, time and place.
Which signs are most compatible with Karka?
On sign-level Vedic factors (element, lord friendship and Bhakoot), Simha, Mesha, Kanya score best with Karka. A real match also depends on both people’s nakshatras.
Which nakshatras fall in Karka?
Punarvasu (padas 4–4), Pushya (all padas), Ashlesha (all padas).
Go beyond your Moon sign
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