Rashi · Karka (Cancer)
Kark rashi in English: Cancer, ruled by the Moon
Karka (Kark) is Cancer, the 4th rashi. Its lord, element and nature, the nakshatras in it, the planets exalted there and the Sade Sati dates for a Moon in it.
In short
Kark rashi in English is Cancer. Karka is the 4th sign of the Vedic zodiac, 90°–120°, ruled by the Moon. It is a movable, water sign and holds Punarvasu (pada 4), Pushya (all 4 padas) and Ashlesha (all 4 padas).
Karka rashi at a glance
| Karka (Cancer) | |
|---|---|
| English name | Cancer |
| Sanskrit and Indian names | Karka; Hindi Kark, Kannada Karkataka, Tamil Kadagam, Telugu Karkataka |
| Position | 4th sign, 90°–120° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Lord | Moon |
| Nature | Movable (chara) |
| Odd or even | Even: female |
| Element | Water |
| Humour | Phlegmatic (kapha) |
| Limb of Kalapurusha | The heart |
| Strong by | Night |
| Direction | Not given in the verse |
| Rises | With its back |
| Feet | Many-footed |
| Guna | Sattva |
| Nakshatra padas | Punarvasu (pada 4), Pushya (all 4 padas) and Ashlesha (all 4 padas) |
| Planets in dignity | Jupiter is exalted here, most of all at 5°; Mars is debilitated here. |
How BPHS describes Karka
BPHS describes Karka as bulky, pale red in colour, many-footed, strong by night, and found in forests. It rises with its back. It is linked with learned people (Brahmins). (BPHS ch. 4 sl. 10-11.)
In the body of time, Kalapurusha, Karka is the heart (sl. 4). These are qualities of the sign, used to read whatever falls in it; they are not a forecast for people born with the Moon there. When Karka is the rising sign instead, see Karka Lagna for its house lords.
Planets exalted and debilitated in Cancer
Jupiter is exalted here, most of all at 5°; Mars is debilitated here. A planet is exalted in one sign and debilitated in the sign opposite (BPHS ch. 3).
Sade Sati for a Karka Moon
Sade Sati for a Cancer (Kark) Moon is the 7½ years Saturn takes to cross Gemini, Cancer and Leo, the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from the Moon. The next Sade Sati for a Cancer Moon is May 2032 – Jul 2039. The Sade Sati guide explains the three phases.
Questions about Karka rashi
What is Kark rashi in English?
Kark rashi (Karka in Sanskrit) is Cancer in English. It is the 4th sign of the zodiac, 90° to 120° of the Vedic (sidereal) zodiac.
Who is the lord of Kark rashi?
The Moon rules Karka (Cancer), its only sign.
Which nakshatras come in Kark rashi?
Karka holds 9 nakshatra padas: Punarvasu (pada 4), Pushya (all 4 padas) and Ashlesha (all 4 padas).
Which planet is exalted in Cancer?
Jupiter is exalted here, most of all at 5°; Mars is debilitated here.
When is Sade Sati for Kark rashi?
Sade Sati for a Cancer (Kark) Moon is the 7½ years Saturn takes to cross Gemini, Cancer and Leo, the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from the Moon. The next Sade Sati for a Cancer Moon is May 2032 – Jul 2039.
Is Cancer a fire, earth, air or water sign?
Cancer is a water sign, movable in nature, and female (BPHS ch. 4 sl. 5).
Keep learning
- All 12 rashis Rashi by date of birth, lords, elements and nakshatras.
- Mithuna (Gemini) The rashi before this one.
- Simha (Leo) The rashi after this one.
- Moon in astrology The lord of Karka.
- Cancer compatibility How a Karka Moon sign matches every sign.
- Kark rashi 2027 What Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu bring a Karka Moon in 2027.
Sources
- BPHS ch. 4 sl. 3 (the 12 rashis), sl. 4 (the limbs of Kalapurusha), sl. 5 (movable, fixed and dual; odd and even; the humours) and sl. 6-24 (each sign described).
- BPHS ch. 3 (sign lords, exaltation, debilitation and moolatrikona), as coded in Astrojar's engine.
- Sade Sati dates: computed by Astrojar's engine (Lahiri ayanamsa, Saturn's sidereal ingresses) as of 18 October 2026.
Chapter and verse numbers follow R. Santhanam's English translation of BPHS (Ranjan Publications). About the text.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
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