Welcome to July’s planner pages with the biblical focus of the Zodiac constellation Cancer.

Cancer constellation

The Zodiac constellation of Cancer the crab is the tenth constellation, and marks the 11th month of the Biblical story in the night sky. This year the dates for Cancer are June, 20-July 18, 2023, which according to the Hebrew calendar is the month of Tamuz.

To us the word Cancer is one of dread and disease, but in Latin the word cancer comes from the root word meaning to hold or encircle. In Arabic the name of the constellation was Alsartan meaning Who holds or binds. The Greek word for the constellation is Karkinos which means holding, encircling. The concept of holding is the focus of the meaning of the constellation.

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O Lord, you protect me and save me;
your care has made me great,
and your power has kept me safe.

Psalm 18:35 GNT

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In Ancient Babylonia Cancer was represented as a Tortoise with its shell a place of safety and hiding. The Ancient Egyptian Dendera Zodiac features this constellation as a sacred scarab beetle, a symbol of immortality, and afterlife. Similar to a butterfly, a scarab beetle goes through a chrysalis stage and then transforms into a winged creature, a picture of resurrection. Cancer was later portrayed as a crayfish or crab with its big claws, symbolizing one who holds tightly and securely rather than a literal water beetle or crab.

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But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did;
let them break out in joyful song. May You keep them safe
— their love for You resounding in their hearts.

Psalm 5:11 VOICE

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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
No one can snatch them away from me,
for my Father has given them to me,
and he is more powerful than anyone else.
No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

John 10:27-30 NLT

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The humanity and divinity of Yeshua/Jesus is shown in the symbolism of the crab who is at home both in the water and on the land. Jesus Christ, from heaven, came to earth to live, die, and be resurrected.

The Stars of Cancer

There are 83 stars that are considered a part of the Cancer constellation and is a dim constellation. One star is of 3rd magnitude and seven are 4th magnitude. The brightest star at one end of the crab is called Tegmine which means holding. The star in the lower large claw is named Acubene, meaning sheltering or hiding in Hebrew and Aramaic.

There is a bright cloudy star cluster of more than 40 stars in the middle of Cancer called Praesepe, meaning multitude or offspring. Modern astronomers have named it the Beehive Cluster.

The meaning of the names of Cancer the crab point to a place of protection, being held and sheltered, and together.

For me, Gemini represents a personal unity with Christ, and the Cancer constellation takes it a step further with also representing unity and safety with other believers who are in Christ and held by Him.

The Hope of Cancer

In John 17 Jesus/Yeshua prays for his disciples and for us:

I do not ask you to take them out of the world,
but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One.
Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world.
Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth.
I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.
And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they,
too, may be truly dedicated to you.
I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me
because of their message. I pray that they may all be one.
Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.

John 17:15-21 GNT

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Praise the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Christ!
God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy.
We have been born into a new life that has a confidence
which is alive because Yeshua Christ has come back to life.
We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance
that can’t be destroyed or corrupted and can’t fade away.
That inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
since you are guarded by God’s power through faith
for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time.

1 Peter 1:3-5 NOG

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Gemini Planner journal pages

Page details

Gratitude pages

Workflow pages

Ending weekly-daily calendar pages

Cancer download available!

There is a digital download available of the Cancer constellation from a biblical perspective that I used in the planner journal pages. https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop

click here to go to the shop

If you are looking for planner set-up inspiration, you will find numerous Planner blog posts and Word of the year tutorials from previous years in the blog menu.

Digital downloads used

Monthly moons digital download: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/monthly-moon-banners-journal-kit-download

Cancer constellation collage sheets digital download:
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/cancer-constellation-collage-sheets-digital-download

Thank you for joining me on this night sky discovery
sparking with light, mystery, and hope in the midst of darkness.

The invitation is still waiting for the response to all who see it,
even written in the stars.

Be blessed with abundance of hope!
Valerie

Bibliography

God’s Voice in the Stars, Zodiac Signs and Bible Truth by Ken Fleming https://amzn.to/3SYRbX3

Looking Up by Troy A Brewer https://amzn.to/3R3nIJP & https://shop.troybrewer.com/looking-up/

The Witness of the Stars by E.W. Bullinger https://amzn.to/3PEUu2P &
FREE ebook: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49018

Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Hinckley Allen https://amzn.to/3cbw4QI

The Stars, a new way to see them by H.A. Rey https://amzn.to/3c7Ap7l

Materials & Supplies

Digital Art Downloads used in the pages are available in my shop

Monthly moons digital download: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/monthly-moon-banners-journal-kit-download

Cancer constellation collage sheets digital download:
https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop/cancer-constellation-collage-sheets-digital-download

STENCILS

Stars stencil with stars mask edge 9x12”
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-Stars-Stencil-Stars-Mask-Edge-V-Sjodin-p/l843.htm

To see all stencils I’ve designed visit:
https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-valerie-sjodin-s/2044.htm

Watercolor paint is applied over stencils with a damp cosmetic sponge. You can watch how to stencil in a journal like this on my blog in the ‘2021 Plan with me‘ posts listed in the main blog menu.

SUPPLIES

160 gsm dotted notebook
Pentel P205BP2-K6 Sharp Mechanical/Automatic Pencil, 0.5mm, Black, 2 Count: https://amzn.to/3m3lPgX Kneaded eraser: https://amzn.to/3m0wDwp
Staedtler permanent pen set: https://amzn.to/3yQ2Ixy or
Micron pen set: https://amzn.to/3jpWOup or other waterproof pen set
White Posca paint pen/s: https://amzn.to/3hhmV75
Sakura 57387 3-Piece Gelly Roll Blister Card Metallic Gel Ink Pen Set, Gold, Copper, Silver https://amzn.to/3AbUJMT
Cosmetic wedges: https://amzn.to/2IVno1J
Extreme Elmers glue stick: https://amzn.to/3IZTynk
Misc. Washi tape
Coliro M600 Artist Mica Watercolor Paint Set – Metallic Watercolor Paints (6-Color Set, 30mm)
Watercolors: Indigo (Qor brand used)
Ruler
Craft knife
Spray bottle for water
Small Scissors - https://amzn.to/2U7BgeS (comes in set of 5)
TAPE RUNNER Premium Double Sided Adhesive Tape Runners. Acid Free, PAT Approved, 5 cartridges: https://amzn.to/3CltwtP

I only recommend and link to products I've used and am happy with. The above links are affiliate links, meaning if you click from here and order, I get a small commission. It costs you nothing. Win/Win! Thank you!