Cancer is the 4th sign of the zodiac.  It is the sunsign associated with the fourth house, and the Moon is it's "planet".

Cancer is cardinal, which is astro-talk for active and dynamic. Therefore the Sun, the life force itself, is quite strong here. The soul energy may also be indicated in this arena, inasmuch as it is the roots of our being. I believe our genetic coding, as well as our cellular and soulular evolutionary path is depicted by the scenarios of the 4^th house as well as the sign of Cancer. In this way of seeing the chart, the ruler of the fourth house would be very important in determining the intention of the incarnation. Check which sign is on the 4^th house cusp and then read in depth about that planet, its zodiac sign, position and aspects for insights into this vast and rather mysterious situation.

Cancer Sun's love and revere home and hearth . Any sunsign in the fourth house is a very soulful placement for the Solar urge, driving purpose deep into the psyche of the self.

The Mother is indicated by the fourth house. The type of mother a child has may be known by both planets in the fourth and the sign that is on the cusp of the fourth house cusp.

Lets check out Madonna and child. Madonna has Sagittarius on the cusp of the fourth house. She is enthusiastic about motherhood and will no doubt travel extensively, expanding her child(ren)=s knowledge of the world, all typically Sagittarius. Her Jupiter, which rules the sign Sagittarius, is in Libra conjunct the nodes and Neptune in Scorpio. She is a glamorous mother whose evolution (soul = 4^th house) is right out there for all to see, also a Sadge type quality. Saturn is also a tenant in the 4^th house in Madonna's chart.

Her daughter will probably be put to work by the mother, as well she will not doubt be quite disciplined in her mothering ways, so that her strict diet and exercise regimes will no doubt be transferred to Lourdes and her new baby.  Her desire for many children is also indicated by Jupiter (the God of excess).

The position of the Sun in either Cancer or the fourth house often shows a bond to the family heritage, heredity and ancestry. Unless other planetary conditions mitigate the forth house, most likely family traditions and holidays spent with loved ones will be high priorities. Feelings run deep and those with Sun in Cancer or the Fourth house can be very sensitive to their surroundings.

If you know your chart look at the element which is on your 4th House Cusp.

Fire in/on the 4^th.

Fire often equates with self assertion and creativity in Astrological lore. It is rather incongruent with water, but may be the very reason why it is helpful to the 4^th house energies. Fire seems to alleviate the sensitivities and shyness of the 4^th. Leo energy simply is too busy enjoying life to indulge in the sensitivity, and yet it often can use the deep resonance of the 4^th to pull a soulful performance, story or heroic response to life. Sagittarius in highly incongruent with the fourth and may be a harmonic resonance factor in assisting individuals to live communally. The belief systems of these individuals often encourages them to bound with a a new family. This can often be the church, or even the Brownies or Boy Scouts. If your child has this placement please encourage healthy bonding with those whose joy of discovery is resonant with their own. Aries's involvement with the 4^th is quite dynamic. Many women with this placement opt for self-development over raising a family. Men with this combo are also highly motivated. Young children with Aries involving the 4^th will express needs within their early environment for individuation. Do not smother mother these children.

Air in/on the 4^th depicts a soul in need of constant intellectual stimulation. An easy combination, the soul uses the mind to explore the depths of its sensitivities. In Gemini it does so by gathering data, in Libra by gathering people and relationships, and in Aquarius by joining a group and comparing its ideologies.