Cancer Astrology
Symbol: The Crab
Dates: June 21st to July 22nd. If you were born within three days of a sign change you may belong to a cusp of two zodiac signs
Element: Water Sign
Quality: Cardinal
Natural House: Fourth
Ruling planet: The Moon
Traits · Horoscope · Compatibility · Personality
Cancer is the 4th zodiac sign, ruled by the Moon, and connected to the Fourth House. Cancer, Latin for crab, is in a dark region of the sky, and is the faintest constellation in the Zodiac, with only two stars above the fourth magnitude: Acubens (The Claw) and Al Tarf (The foot). Cancer is visible in the Northern Hemisphere in the early spring, during March at 9 PM and can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere during autumn.
In Ancient Egypt, Cancer was associated with the Goddess Isis, protector of children.
Cancer is represented as the primary water sign, followed by Scorpio and Pisces. The water signs show clear indications of adaptability and getting out of tough situations, just like water can take the shape of any container and can also flow out of any place, provided it finds the smallest of cracks.
Other than the four elements (Water, Fire, Earth, and Air), the twelve signs of the Zodiac are also classified through the zodiac qualities. There are three qualities in astrology: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Cancer is a cardinal sign whose polar opposite is Capricorn.
Cardinal signs are the initiators. They are the pioneers and the project starters and are the ones to get things moving. The Cardinal quality is representative of new beginnings and fresh energy, as Aries season is the at start of the spring, Libra season is at the start of fall, and Capricorn season is at the beginning of winter.
14 Cancer Traits
The peculiarity of the horoscope sign of Cancer is its imagination. They are not only creative, but also dreamers who often have their head in the clouds. They are visionaries who often project themselves into the future by letting their imagination run free. Cancer people are also nostalgic and love to dive back into their past and remember childhood memories.
The human body parts corresponding to the sign of Cancer are the chest and the stomach. It is a female sign that has a preference for white and black. The weekday that suits them best is Monday. Their lucky numbers are 5, 17 and 30.
1. Creative
As a water sign, Cancer natives experience life through their emotions, and they let their feelings guide them. Cancerians possess a strong ability to transmute the emotions they feel into beautiful works of art. Some of the most prolific musicians and artists are Cancer’s, as they possess the strength to express their emotions through an art form.
2. Big dreamers
Cancer’s have big dreams and goals that they want to accomplish in life. As they let their emotions guide their actions, when they have their heart set on something, they are emotionally committed to achieving it. A Cancer will push through all the hardships and challenges that life throws in their way, and they will dedicate themselves to their cause no matter what.
3. Sentimental
In astrology, the sign Cancer represents a strong connection to the home, family, and childhood experience. A Cancer’s early childhood memories are extremely important to them, and they have a sentimental attachment to anyone or anything that reminds them of their childhood and home life. Cancer’s never forget a dear memory, and they never let go of anything that takes them back to a memory of the past.
4. Motherly & altruistic
Both men and women of the Cancer zodiac sign are incredibly affectionate, caring, and nurturing. Cancer’s care a lot about the physical and emotional wellbeing of others, and they go out of their way to ensure that the people they care for are looked after and have all their needs met.
5. Family people
With Cancerians, family always comes first. Cancer’s are the backbone and the foundations in their family, and a Cancer takes great pride in caring for and providing for their family. A Cancer’s emotional state is linked to the emotional state of their family and loved ones, and they can only truly be happy when their loved ones are happy.
6. Loyal
When a Cancer commits to someone or something, it is for life. They emotionally invest themselves in their commitments, and failing and disappointing their loves ones is their worst nightmare. It can take a Cancer some time to warm up, open up to and trust new people, but once they do, they are a loyal friend or companion for life, and they will stand behind those they love through all the difficulties.
7. Protective
Cancer’s are extremely brave, and they always protect those that are weaker and those that cannot protect and look after themselves. A Cancer will put their happiness and wellbeing at risk for those they love. Cancer’s are incredibly protective of their homes, what they have worked for, and their loved ones. They will put a fight and will not back down if these things are threatened.
8. “Crabby” & moody
Cancer is symbolized by the crab. Just like the crab retreats into its shell when it is faced with danger, Cancer’s can close themselves off and become very grumpy and moody when going through challenges when they are feeling emotional. Cancer’s have a habit of retreating into isolation when faced with difficulties, and they do not come out until they have processed their emotions and feel confident again.
9. Overly emotional
Cancer’s let their emotions guide them through life, and due to this, they can sometimes let emotions get in the way of logic and practicality. When a Cancer becomes overly emotional, they can see things through their clouded emotions, and they struggle to see the reality in a situation. Due to this, they can often lack an objective view of themselves, as everything is viewed through an emotional filter.
10. Old-school & outdated
It is tricky for a Cancer to adopt new points of views and perceptions. A Cancer’s understanding of life is usually linked to how they were raised, and due to this, Cancer’s prefer to live their lives according to the values they were taught when young. In a rapidly evolving and changing world, being so old school can be tricky as this causes the Cancer to struggle to adapt to new age concepts and ideas.
11. Overly sensitive
Is it challenging to be frank and direct with a Cancer, as they can quickly get offended. Cancer’s can often see constructive criticism as a personal attack, and this can cause them to become overly defensive and sensitive, even when others aren’t trying to harm them.
12. Resentful
Cancer’s pour their hearts into the people and things they are passionate about, and when their love is not reciprocated, and they get taken advantage of, they can become very bitter and spiteful. A Cancer has a huge heart that gives so much, but the moment they can see that what they provide is being taken for granted, they close themselves off and stop themselves from becoming emotionally involved and invested any further.
13. Holds onto the past and keeps grudges
If a Cancer has been wronged, they can’t forget it. A Cancer can hold a grudge their entire lifetime. It is challenging to get a Cancer to open up and forgive in some cases, as they tend to cling onto the past and their past negative experiences. Cancerians are constantly reminding themselves of how things went wrong, and they hold onto their pain and heartache for years.
14. Clingy
Once a Cancer forms an emotional connection with a person, they can’t let go of that person. Even when a Cancer is stuck in a toxic relationship, they will stay in a bad situation because they have invested themselves emotionally. A Cancer will put themselves through a big amount of heartbreak and pain due to their overcommitment and loyalty, and they struggle to realize when it is time to let go.
Cancer Personality
Cancer care very much about their own roots. They’re not the kind of people who deny their own origins, because family has a prominent place in their life. Cancer natives show a special dedication to children and procreation.
Too focused in the past and future, Cancer tend to forget about the present. That is why their loved ones believe they have lost touch with reality. They can even neglect, or even run away from, their responsibilities and obligations. Being stubborn and obstinate can sometimes make them capricious and whimsical.
On a romantic side, Cancer are very sensitive and emotional. They will try to camouflage this vulnerability with modesty and shyness. Although they are not very talkative, Cancer people cannot bear loneliness. They feel the constant need to interact with the world in order to feel safe.
Woman
Cancer women have great femininity. This can be reflected by their dress code, the way they express themselves, gestures or simply behavior. This is a woman confident about her sensuality and who can show her femme fatale side without complex.
That said, even if eyes are drawn to her, she keeps a kind of simplicity. Never yielding to any excess, she knows how to maintain balance and stability in her life. On an emotional side, Cancer women are more discreet. They are rather reserved and want to preserve their privacy. They are particularly cautious in their choices and decisions.
She has a close connection to family feelings. Indeed, a Cancer woman finds happiness with members of her own family, whom she trusts completely. Her family guarantees her a certain form of security that allows her to flourish and unveil her full personality. She is not only a loving wife, but also a devoted mother who wants to give her best to make her children happy.
A Cancer is an open-minded woman. That’s why she usually has a lot of friends and acquaintances. Meeting new people allow her to improve herself both culturally and intellectually. She doesn’t like to judge others, because she is naturally tolerant and understanding.
This is a woman who knows how to be attentive and generous to her loved ones, but especially to her family. For her, all relationships must be based on mutual exchange and especially on sharing. She takes a liking to give things away without necessarily waiting for something in return. What drives her is above all the feeling of having pleased her loved ones by giving the best of herself.
A Cancer woman is also a woman with overflowing imagination. She tends to focus all her fantasy side into creation. She also has a penchant for artistic creation. Despite her dreamy side, she is not the kind of woman to lose focus or lose touch with reality. A Cancer woman is a serious and orderly woman, with a keen sense of organization.
But her need to put everything in order and organize everything leads her to be considered as too perfectionist. The main flaw of the Cancer woman is her naive side. She is easily influenced because it is ready to believe anything that she is told. She can also be fickle and temperamental sometimes when she does not get what she wants.
Man
The man Cancer is renowned for his wisdom. He is a well-educated, polite, courteous and respectful man. He knows how to make the right decisions and fully assumes his responsibilities and obligations. He tends to lecture his loved ones though, especially his family. If it does so, it is because he wants to fill the protector role towards his entourage.
He is a man who has the particularity of being very understanding. Indeed, he is endowed with a great sense of how to listen. That’s why his loved ones are used to turn to him in times of trouble. He knows how to comfort and raise the morale of people and above all does not hesitate to help when needed.
A Cancer man is a very nostalgic person. He feels the constant need to recall his childhood and adolescence memories. He assumes that it is imperative to know where we come from and be aware of everything we have been through before knowing where we are going. This detour in the past allows him to regain his confidence and get himself together especially in some difficult times.
He is also seen as a very discreet man, sometimes distant even. People say he’s shy. But in reality, it is a false shyness that mainly hides some distrust towards other people. Indeed, it is hard for him to open up to people because very few people receive his trust. The restraint and caution he has shown are mainly the result of his need to protect his intimacy.
Behind this cold and distant façade also hides a hypersensitive man. Cancer men are literally tough men with a tender heart. They are emotionally fragile men who need to be reassured. Case in point, it is mainly this sense of emotional comfort he will try to look for in a relationship.
A Cancer man is rather difficult to pin down. Although he is not very open with people, he feels the need to interact with the outside world. This is a man who cannot stand loneliness, because he quickly feels abandoned, forgotten, and rejected. Leaving him alone for a while could make him anxious, or even hysterical.
But Cancer men don’t just have positive qualities. They are also extremely demanding men. Even if they try to avoid conflicting relationships as much as they can, this does not prevent them from throwing temper tantrums when something does not suit them. This kind of behavior sometimes leads them to speak in a virulent or offensive way.
In Friendship
The native of Cancer is naturally hospitable. It is someone you can count on, especially in the most difficult times. Cancer are very understanding people. They do not hesitate to help those in need. They also know how to comfort and give good advice in moments of distress.
However, Cancer are rather demanding when it comes to friendship. For them, friendly relationships with others should primarily be based on trust, respect and mutual loyalty. They have a very hard time with lies and hypocrisy.
Family is extremely important for Cancer people. Their attachment can be seen through a desire to help, but especially to protect each and every family member. This form of protection involves mainly moral, but also material support.
Family also implies children! Cancer people are personally sensitive to anything related to fertilization and birth. Cancer are fascinated by this kind of human conception. Moreover, in the education of their own children, Cancer can demonstrate a huge paternal or maternal instinct.
At Work
Cancer is a water sign, so it will be particularly drawn to occupations related to aquatic life. They are therefore likely to become sailors or fishermen/women. Of a very welcoming and hospitable nature, they can make a career in the field of restaurants, hotels or real estate.
People born under the star sign of Cancer like to take care of other people. That’s why natives are generally drawn to medicine and professions related to social and humanitarian values. They are fascinated by research and history. Curiosity among Cancer natives will guide them towards a career as historians, archaeologists, or antiquarians.
Cancer Horoscope
Compatibility with Other Signs
In love Cancer will find peace with people who have clear aims of settling down in life. The best match for Cancer is usually an astrological sign belonging to the element of water or earth.
