Crab Lore and Enduring Love

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.

The Tropic of Cancer (think summer), represented by crab, is the northernmost latitude at which ol’ Sol is directly overhead at noon. Alternatively, the Tropic of Capricorn (think winter), represented by sea goat, is the southernmost latitude for the same scenario. Cancer and Capricornus are the two dimmest constellations in the nighttime sky. The brightest of the five dim stars of the crab constellation is Acubens, an Arabic word meaning the claws.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

Our heavenly constellations were named by the early peoples of this bountiful Earth. Eventually the Greeks applied their legends. The mythological story of the Cancer constellation is thus. The goddess Hera commissioned the crab to distract her hated stepson Heracles (Hercules) while he battled the Hydra water monster. The crab pinched the toe of Heracles, but it was for naught as the demi-god crushed the creature underfoot. (That little crab didn’t stand a snowball’s chance!) For its unsuccessful but valiant attempt, Hera honored the crab by placing it in the heavens. Our little Crab, which occupies a small portion of the Beehive Cluster and is one of the Zodiak, resides just to the left and north of the Hydra Constellation.

Who by His understanding made the heavens. His love endures forever.

The sun to govern the day. His love endures forever.

And the moon to govern the night. His love endures forever.

According to astrological lore, the cancerian is intuitive, sidestepping, and crabby – be careful you don’t get pinched. Regulated by the moody moon, the crab’s emotions shift as often as the tide. This scuttling crustacean carries its shell shelter upon its back. As such, many cancerian homo sapiens I know tend to be overly protective of home, and especially of family. No, its not easy being a cancerian. Or a crab, as few could argue its unattractiveness among the animal kingdom. And several varieties are prized for their tasty flesh. My cancerian-born stepson, who currently aspires to be an Animal Cop, refuses to eat his coastal dwelling bretheren. I find that amusing and comforting.

And who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

My dear Hubs, my adorable stepson and I celebrate birthdays within three weeks of each other. How enchanting that three sensitive souls dwell under the same roof, especially when the moon is changing phases. We run the gamut, from animated dinner conversations to retreating within our shells. To our credit, assets include heaping hospitality, good humor, gentleness (one Fruit of the Spirit!), an affinity to nurture, and a shared love for parties. Especially of the birthday variety! Happy birthday to all fellow cancerians. Which of the following notable crabs said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”:

• Ernest Hemingway
• Helen Keller
• Dan Aykroyd (‘May I have 55 words with you?’ -Beldar)
• Nathanial Hawthorne
• George W. Bush
• Ringo Starr
• John Quincy Adams
• Mike Tyson
• John Glenn
• Nikola Tesla

Scroll down for answer. But first, a word or two from God our sponsor:

• Crabgrass
• Mr. Krabs and the Krabby Patty
• Hermit Crabs
• King Crab
• Blue Crab
• Crab Dip
• The Crab Nebula
• Horseshoe Crab
• Dungeoness Crab
• The dread Coconut Crab (a fearsome species)
• Snow Crab
• Crab Rangoon
• Crab Apples

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. -Psalm 136

Thanking God for His enduring love and for another birthday,

Jamie Crabbycakes

 

Answer: US Pres. No 6, JQA