Cancer is known for its Moon rulership. Cancer’s special relationship with the Moon is revered in many ways. In fact, there are certain religious and spiritual sects that honor lunar energy and use it for everything from horticulture to manifestation. The phases of the lunar cycle are connected to Cancer and the Triple Goddess experience of the Mother, Maiden, and the Crone which have great significance, especially in the Wiccan spiritual tradition. Read on to find out more about the Triple Goddess experience and how it relates to the sign of Cancer.
In exploring moon worship, there is a definitive connection between feminine energy and the womb. This is most commonly correlated with the menstrual cycle which is roughly 28 to 29 days. Those who are interested in learning more about the significance of their menstrual cycles and the connection to lunar energy are encouraged to embrace and study their own personal menstrual cycles in relation to the various phases of the lunar cycle as menstruation occurring at different times of the lunar cycle has specific meanings and reveals much about the current state of a person’s life.
It is through the Triple Goddess experience of the Maiden, Mother, and the Crone that the fullness of the lunar feminine womanhood experience is explored.
Cancer, the Celebration of Lunar Energy & The Triple Goddess
Many are familiar with the triple moon symbol which is also known as the triple goddess symbol. This symbol consists of two crescent moons with a full moon in the center. The moon positioned on the left side represents the waxing moon which is correlated with the Maiden. The full moon which is in the center represents the stage of Mother. The crescent moon located on the right represents the waning moon, and it’s correlated with the experience of the Crone. The triple goddess symbol has numerous meanings from showcasing the totality of the lunar phases while also representing the stages of womanhood specifically as it relates to youth, reproduction, and the wisdom of the elder woman.
While the experience that is associated with Triple Goddess energy is often connected to Wicca, lunar energy in of itself has been celebrated since the beginning of time by various cultures. The actual term Triple Goddess was made popular by the poet Robert Graves in his mid-twentieth century in book The White Goddess.
The Triple Goddess & Phases of Womanhood
Those interested in learning more about Cancer energy especially as it relates to femininity and womanhood are encouraged to study the link between the lunar cycles as they relate to the female body, menstruation, and the phases of a woman’s life. The following is an overview of the phases of womanhood, Maiden, Mother, and Crone, and the applicable experiences that are associated with each phase.
The Maiden
Represented by the first crescent of the Triple Goddess symbol, this phase of womanhood is represented by the waxing moon. In relation to the experience of womanhood, this correlates to youth and innocence. There is newness, curiosity, and freedom associated with the waxing lunar cycle. It is during this phase that women enjoy the bounty of their youth…acquiring life experience along the way. This phase of womanhood is associated with menarche and the general experience of menstruation.
The Mother
The full moon disc is associated with the Mother of the Triple Goddess symbol. As the zodiac sign Cancer is considered the mother of the zodiac, this can also relate to the fullness of birthing a child. For those that do not utilize this experience for childbirth, this period is related to creative realization. This is the phase of womanhood that is marked by fertility, love, maturation, and the expression of creativity. This phase of womanhood is associated with pregnancy.
The Crone
The final crescent of the waning moon of the Triple Goddess symbol is the Crone experience. This is where a woman is considered wise due to her lived experiences. She has experienced the youth of the Maiden, the maturity that came with being a Mother, and now in the dusk of her life, she is the counsel that is revered for her lived wisdom. In many cultures, the Crone experience is associated with grandmother energy. This phase of womanhood is associated with menopause.
Honoring the Triple Goddess Experience
It is through understanding Cancer, the lunar cycles, and the Triple Goddess experience that there is an understanding that there is a time and season for everything. The Cancerian approach to time is related to the cycles of female reproduction. There is a season of youth (Maiden). There is the season of responsibility and fullness (Mother), and there is the season of wisdom (Crone). During this Cancer season, it is important to consider how we navigate our lives and consider whether we are aligned with the flow of lunar energy.
The following are ways to honor the Triple Goddess experience via lunar energy.
-Track the lunar phases and use this energy for manifestation.
-Embrace menstruation as there is a powerful cosmic lunar energy associated with the menstrual cycle. The very process of menstruation holds great creative abilities when harnessed consciously.
-Consider the phase Triple Goddess experience in its entirety and where we are along this lunar journey. Are we making the most of the Maiden, Mother, and/or Crone portion of our lives?
-Learn more about the significance of lunar and female energy. Its expression varies across cultures, and the study of goddess energy offers much understanding into the power of feminine energy.
The moon shines brightly upon us and offers the fullness of her illuminating energy through the darkness. May the Triple Goddess experience provide clarity and understanding of the significance of the experience of womanhood in its many expressions.
