Cancer Season — Branded

Let's turn the season of feeling into a moodboard

I’m starting a new series where I create a moodboard for the current sun season, combining my knowledge of astrology with graphic design as a creative exploration. If you have a lot of Cancer placements, feel free to pick elements that resonate as a form of inspiration for your own brand. My end goal is to create moodboards for each sign as an artistic reference point.

Glassware by Sunday Shop, Into the Quicksand by Costas Spathis, Curvy text edge by Rowan Made, Emily Knutsen Branding by Amarie Lael, Ottilia Branding by Rowan Made, Alma Branding by New Material, Country Kitchen by Establish Design, Hands in Water by Tiffany Roubert, Quilt Patches by Hosanna Revival, Cozy Bedroom by I Tam I Tu, Bonne Fete Mark by Rowan Made, Woman and Moon Illustration by Honey and Rust, Gaisson Branding by Labels Studio, House Illustration by Ryn Frank.

It’s Monday. Usually, I’d be working. But I’m sitting outside under a tree instead because I’m in the middle of my summer sabbatical. This respite comes after a morning of tending to our garden and home. I’ve pulled weeds and cleaned a window and moved pieces of furniture this way and that, all of it putting a smile on my face.

It’s all very Cancer season.

Cancer, the sign of creating a safe physical space in this world. Taking care of yourself and the place you call home.

My husband joins me under the tree. He’s brought out a plate of cheese and crackers and cucumbers and hummus. Plus a little chair for our toddler to join us. As he settles himself into his place and clumsily grabs for a snack, I tear up at how wholesome is.

Again, Cancer.

Heart burst open, feeling feeling feeling.

Cancer wants us to feel. Cancer wants us to heal. And when we need it, Cancer encourages us to find refuge so that we can do all of this safely before we once again bear our heart and soul to the world.

It’s the deep sigh after coming home from a challenging day at work. The lure of alone time after a gathering of many humans. A cathartic cry. A loving hug.

Cancer is soft and sensitive, but only in the best way.

So let’s make Cancer visual …

When I make these moodboards, I do so intuitively, starting with a little bit of Pinterest and ending with a lot of shuffling inspiration on my artboard until everything looks and feels just right.

For this particular Cancer season, I was leaning a bit more deep with my selects, particularly in the color zone. To be honest, I thought this was going to end up having more of a vintage summer vibe with the light blue of calm, clear water and the palest of pinks. Instead, I couldn’t stop bringing in deeper blues and creams because I guess that’s just how I’m feeling this season. But! You could just as easily add or swap in a light pink OR light purple to this palette. Those would both still say Cancer to me.

For typography, I focused on traditional serifs, transitional type (like the Alma and Emily Knutsen selets), and type that utilized curvy elements, as Cancer ebbs and flows and has a nostalgic reverence to it.

For illustration, you’ll see lots of references to home, flowers, and water. The moon would be great as well as that is Cancer’s ruler.

For photography, there’s more water for this water sign. I particularly loved the person coming out of the water and the hands reaching beneath the surface, as it feels like a metaphorical dance with the emotional world. I also pulled a few images of literal homes. A cottage-core-esque kitchen and a cozy bedroom, complete with maybe too many pillows and lots of art. Whatever makes someone feel safe and secure is absolutely perfect.

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And that’s it for this season! As someone with a Cancer moon, I am FEELING this moodboard on a personal level. I don’t use blue in my own branding (I opted for light purple as it fits better with my chart as a whole), so it was fun to play around with these particular colors for a change.

If you have any Cancer placements within your own chart, let me know how this resonates AND if you think you’d lean more towards blues, creams, pinks, or purples in your own version of this moodboard.

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