112 Spiritual Astrology
manifestation of this is the condensation of steam into
water. During summer the waters of this earth are raised
to a state of ‘air’. As soon as the Sun enters Cancer, all the
vapour in air is suddenly condensed into clouds and
comes down as rain. For this reason the sign Cancer is
esoterically linked up with Hyades, which are called the
‘stars of the flood’. There is a very close relationship
between Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio and Capricorn.
When vapour is condensed into water, there is an
emission of heat (a union of fire, water and air) which is
called latent heat. In Capricorn, the opposite sign of
Cancer, the Sun starts his northern course when hot
currents of air are produced. Then water evaporates and
the latent heat is reabsorbed. Latent heat in water is
utilised as vital heat (Badaba-gni) to germinate seeds,
stimulate ova the impregnation of which forms the basis
for the return of souls to birth. Cancer is therefore called
the gateway for the souls to enter into the cycle of birth.
A set of angels called Pitru-s preside over this activity. Pitru-s
are among the cosmic de-va-s who are lunar by nature. The
sign Cancer is represented by a beetle in the Denderah
zodiac. The allegory of this insect is that it changes some
lower forms of other insects into beetles. This symbolises
the activity of bringing forth the seed principles into egos.
The atoms of the mineral kingdom are raised to the plant
kingdom through this sign.
At the point of the solstice which marks the
beginning of Cancer, the Sun appears to recede from his
northern-most direction towards the south. This is called
the beginning of the southern path just as Capricorn is
called the beginning of the northern path. At this point
the Sun appears to move sideways. This resembles the