Cancer depicts the One who gathers God's people, holds them, and safely leads them into eternity. The names of the constellation and its stars speak of many gathered, of children and lambs, of secure holding, and of a refuge.
Full interpretation
Verifiable historical, etymological and topographical statements are accompanied by sources. The theological conclusions are the project’s interpretation according to its published methodology.
The constellation of Cancer is connected with the image of the one who holds, binds, and safely leads. Its ancient names reveal precisely this thought.
The name Al Sartan means "the one who holds or binds." The Syriac Sartano also means "holding." The Greek Karkinos conveys the sense of "holding" or "enclosing." The Egyptian Klaria is associated with the image of a fold or pen for cattle, that is, a safe place for the flock. In Sumerian, the constellation was called AL.LUL — "crab" or "cancer."[Hunger & Pingree · MUL.APIN][Rogers · Origins][Вавилонские звёздные каталоги][Stellarium · MUL.APIN][Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
However, the main meaning of the constellation is revealed not through the image of the animal, but through the idea of safely bringing God's flock through.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The names of the stars form a coherent narrative.
Ma'alaph — Ma'alaph means "gathered thousands." This is an image of the multitude of people whom God gathers to Himself.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Tegmine — Tegmine means "holding." Together with the name Sartano, it emphasizes that God not only gathers His people but also holds them firmly.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
Al Himarein — Al Himarein means "children" or "lambs." God's people are depicted as children of the Heavenly Father and as a flock belonging to the Shepherd.
Acubene — Acubene means "shelter" or "hiding place." This is an image of a safe place to which God brings those He has gathered and preserved.
If the meanings of the constellation's name and its stars are combined, a clear picture emerges:
He will gather many. He will hold and keep them. They will be to Him as children and lambs. He will safely bring them into shelter.
Next to Cancer are the Great and Little Bears—the Great and Little Flock, images of the Church and Israel. On the celestial map, Cancer seems to lead both flocks. Therefore this constellation is connected with the rapture and the final salvation of God's people.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
There will come a moment when God will gather the faithful and bring them out of the present world. He will not leave them in the midst of judgment, but will preserve, hold, and safely bring them into a new universe—into eternity.
At the same time, the Great Bear, the image of the Church, comes to Cancer and to the Lion through the Little Lion—the image of God the Son. This underlines that the path of God's people to salvation and eternity is opened only through Jesus Christ.[Kunitzsch & Smart][IAU · имена звёзд]
The constellation of Cancer therefore speaks of God as the Shepherd who gathers His children, keeps them, and brings them home.
