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cancer mythology

In mythology Cancer is often associated with the Greek myth of the Lernaean Hydra, one of The Twelve Labours of Hercules and the mythical figure of Perseus, from the Greek myth of Medusa. Cancer is also associated with the Greco-Roman goddess Selene/Luna and sometimes the goddesses Artemis/Diana and Hecate/Trivia.

The Crab is the first symbol of the zodiac to be placed there by an immortal other than Zeus. The deed was done by a servant of Zeus' queen, Hera. This crab was also not a particularly benevolent creature while on the Earth. It was originally called Carcinus, which is Greek for 'crayfish.' It dwelled underwater, and was huge and rather malevolent.

This crab was sent by Hera to plague the Greek hero Heracles, who she hated. Heracles was in the middle of the Twelve Labors, his punishment for crimes committed as a young man. In a fit of madness -- which was placed on him by Hera herself -- he had killed his wife and young sons.

The gods decreed that even though he wasn't entirely responsible for the crime, he would need to spend many years atoning for his sins. They put him in the service of his brother, Eurystheus, who was more than happy to set him to task after task, all of which seemed impossible to accomplish. Heracles was no ordinary man, and in the course of his labors he gained glory, renown and the favor of most of the Olympians. Hera, however, remained implacable in her hatred.

At the time when Hera sent the giant crab to attack Heracles, the hero was fighting a much more terrible foe. This beast was the Lernean Hydra. It was a giant firebreathing snake with many heads. Each time Heracles cut off one head, two more would grow back in its place. Hera thought that Heracles would be too busy fighting the Hydra to pay attention to the giant crab, or that if the crab distracted him, the Hydra would have an opportunity to finish him. Unfortunately for the crab (and the Hydra), Hera was mistaken.

Heracles killed Carcinus easily, then turned his attention back to the Hydra. Hera, who had watched the incident, did not forget the animal that had died at her command. She placed it in the heavens to show that she was grateful for its efforts.

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