Super Astrology: Gemini, Cancer, and Leo – Oh My!

By Frank Somma and Laura Ashley

Summer is here – and what better way to spend these long, hot days than with our favorite super heroes?

In an astrological perspective, during the summer months there is a lot of unusual and exciting celestial energy filling the night skies that have an incredible effect on our days.

When the Sun is in Gemini (May 21-June 21) we endure a period of two-sides. This is a time to see the other side of the coin, or let the other shoe drop. For instance, if you cannot find work you may find yourself employed by Gemini’s end, or vise versa; if you have been unhappily single, Gemini’s planetary position may be what brings the next special someone into your life.

During the Cancer phase (June 22- July 19) we discover the “crab” within. Mostly, we either stay in our shells, or air-conditioned homes, and work on delayed/belated projects or simply sleep. When out of our shells, we could be out just about anywhere with anyone. This is a social time of year- yet mostly in a mandatory sense, i.e. “I have to go here because…” With this attitude, it is likely to find the Cancers that attend such events to be the one with the saddest of faces and loudest confrontations.

Leo is the longest sign in play for the entire year (July 20-August 22). This makes Leos one of the most popular signs, so don’t be surprise if there’s at least one in every group of friends you have. Leos rule the heart and therefore let theirs lead their lives. They are also great actors, which may be why this period of time can be somewhat dramatic.

Keeping all this in mind, let’s review some of our favorite superheroes and their first appearance-birthdays we will celebrate this summer.

“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” – The world’s best super hero betrayal of a Gemini yet! Superman, who made his first appearance with DC Comics in June 1938, is the epitome of Gemini and all it represents. This air sign (the man of steel’s favorite form of transportation) rules the arms, and are noted athletes. Superman is no stranger to strength, and lives a double life- much like a Gemini is made to do- as himself and Clark Kent. This dual existence is what leads this Gem, and many others, into a world of secrecy. They can never be fully truthful, even to those they love.

As I researched some more of our favorite superheroes – I was not at all surprised to find the Sandman as our token Cancer. His first appearance was with DC Comics in July 1939 where he became infamous for his one weapon of choice, a sleeping gas. His only true powers are his prophetic dreams which come encrypted, leaving the Sandman unable to make fully accurate interpretations.

The real hype of the Sandman’s Cancer-like qualities, for me, came when I read the following excerpt from his Wikipedia:

“In his early career, Dodds (the Sandman) was frequently aided by his girlfriend, Dian Belmont, who is aware of his dual identity. Unlike many superhero love interests, Belmont was often, though not always^] portrayed as an equal partner of the Sandman, rather than a damsel in distress. Later stories would reveal that the two remained together for the duration of their lives, though they never married.”

The astrologer in me cannot help but label the Sandman’s relationship as typical of a Cancer male, most of which need and depend on their women to carry them through much of their life- without any lawful, or even faithful, commitment. For the most part these women (ironically, most often Leos) tend to their men like they are in fact heroes, when in actuality, they are the strong ones. I think given more time to investigate, one would be able to see that the Sandman is nothing without his woman by his side, in classic Cancerean fashion.

Another apparent Cancer superhero I’d like to present is Dr. Strange.  This character, created by Stan Lee, made his first appearance in Marvel Comics in July 1963. The name alone caught my eye as I searched for the Cancer heroes we know must be out there. I thought this name fitting since Cancers, as a rule, have a tendency to be somewhat strange. The second week of Cancer, July 3-9, is actually entitled, “The Week of the Unconventional” which is precisely what Dr. Strange, and those born in this week, represent.

Aside from his noted lover, Clea (a Cancer trait we’ve already discussed) Dr. Strange put the cement in his Cancer shape when I read the following from his Wikipedia:

“’Doctor Strange’ stories showcased surrealistic mystical landscapes and increasingly head-trippy visuals that helped make the feature a favorite of college students.”

Comics’ historian Mike Benton wrote,

“The Dr. Strange stories of the 1960s constructed a cohesive cosmology that would have thrilled any self-respecting theosophist. College students, minds freshly opened by psychedelic experiences and Eastern mysticism, read Ditko and Lee’s Dr. Strange stories with the belief of a recent Hare Krishna convert. Meaning was everywhere, and readers analyzed the Dr. Strange stories for their relationship to Egyptian myths, Samarian gods, and Jungian archetypes.

“People who read ‘Doctor Strange’ thought people at Marvel must be heads [e.g., drug users],” recalled then-associate editor and former Doctor Strange writer Roy Thomas in 1971, “Because they had had similar experiences high on mushrooms. But … I don’t use hallucinogens, nor do I think any artists do.”

This all only satisfied my Cancer fever, making Doctor Strange one of my favorites of his kind.

Last, but certainly not least, everyone’s favorite superhero and Leo- Spiderman! Spiderman made his first appearance in Marvel Comics August 1962. Looking back on what we already know about Leo’s, Peter Parker does very much live his life by following his heart. After all, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Some of the most ingenious Leo qualities embedded in Peter Parker’s life include: parental issues (growing up an orphan), brilliance, strength, and popularity- not only is the Amazing Spiderman a member of the Avengers and Fantastic Four, he is also the most commercially successful superhero of all time. He is the only comic book character of his kind to participate in television, film, and even Broadway- much like a Leo should be.

I hope you enjoyed this triple header-summer signs edition of Super Signs. Please stay tuned for more this September as we explore the many heroes and villains in Virgo.

Comic zodiac images courtesy of Deaver Park Press, whose blog can be found here: http://deaverparkpress.com/zodiac/