The Cancer Sign – Zodiac Sign Dates and Personality

Learn about the Cancer zodiac sign and personality. Explore good traits, strengths, weaknesses, and much more.

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cancer zodiac sign

Cancers are an emotional sign. They care deeply, so their emotions are extreme. When they’re in a bad mood, they act like it’s the end of the world. But when they’re in a good mood, they’re a delight to be around. Here is everything you need to know about the Cancer sign.

Cancer Traits

Element: Water 

Date: June 21-July 22 fourth sign of the zodiac 

Planetary Ruler: Moon

Quality: Cardinal 

Color: White

Most compatible with: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio 

Least compatible with: Aries, Libra

Cardinal zodiac signs: Libra, Aries, Capricorn

Daily Horoscope

Sunday December 22, 2024: Emotional rollercoaster? This could be one of those days when you swing from Zen to Total Meltdown Mode, but it's all good – honest! Don't fight it—let those feels flow. Take a break if you need to, step outside, and grab something comforting. It's not weakness; it's self-care on turbo. Trust that you're in the throes of a process where you'll come out stronger and ready to rock once you've recharged.

astrology stars and signs

Cancer Symbol and Sign

crab on rock

Cancers are represented by crabs because they have frequent mood swings. Their emotions can change on a dime. They can switch from being in a good mood to a horrible one in a moment. Little things set them off, so it can be hard to have a serious conversation with them.

Cancer is ruled by the moon. This means their personality can change with the moon phases. However, their deep emotions aren’t always a negative thing. They care a lot, which is why they’re so generous and kind. They genuinely want the world to become a better place.

Cancer Element 

Cancers are a cardinal water sign. The other water signs are Scorpio and Pisces. These three signs are extremely sensitive and creative. They care deeply and are highly intuitive. Water signs cannot stand to see anyone suffer, so they always do their best to help anyone who needs it. These signs get along best with earth signs. This is because water nourishes the earth.

Cancer Traits

Lunar eclipse illustration

Astrology can reveal a lot about Cancer personality traits and their inner thoughts. If you are considering a relationship with a Cancer sun sign, here are a few things you should know about them:

Good traits

Cancers are nurturing, motherly, and fiercely protective of the people they love. They would do anything for their family members and friends. Cancers have high emotional intelligence and always stick to their own beliefs. If someone messes with their loved ones, they will handle the situation ASAP. Normally, they cannot stand confrontation. However, they will fight when it’s necessary. Cancers care more about their friends and family than they care about themselves.

Bad traits

Cancers are more sensitive and insecure than the other signs in the zodiac. Since they have such low self-esteem, they will twist your words and assume the worst from you. You might be giving them a compliment, but they will find a way to be offended by your words.

Cancers also retreat into their shells when they feel overwhelmed. Although they love their closest friends, they have trouble dealing with new people. They are terrified of getting hurt, so they try to keep to themselves. They are homebodies who would rather read than go out on the town.

Strengths

Cancer thrives in creative situations. They have wild imaginations, which makes them excellent storytellers and chefs. Cancer rules the stomach, so they love making home-cooked meals and desserts.

They also get along well with children because they are kids at heart. They don’t mind getting on the floor and playing with toys. They’ll act silly if it’ll cause someone else to smile.

Weaknesses

Cancers are pessimistic and indulge in self-pity. No matter how good their life is going, they will look at the negative side of life. They imagine the worst-case scenarios because they want to be prepared for whatever goes wrong. Cancers are complainers, so they can make even the best day dreary. If you’re an optimist, you might have trouble coping with their whining.

Likes

Cancers love the woods, the water, and the beach. It doesn’t matter whether they’re alone or with a group of close friends because they enjoy spending time in nature. Cancers are happiest when they’re able to go for a long walk or take care of animals. They are nurturers at heart, so they love dogs, cats, and every other pet they’re able to find.

Dislikes

Cancers aren’t fans of new people. They have a close circle of people they trust with their lives. However, they’re suspicious of everyone else. They don’t want to let someone new into their heart and end up getting hurt. Although they love people overall, they see the worst in strangers. They prepare themselves to get offended.

Romance

horoscope globe

Cancers are only interested in serious, committed, romantic relationships. They aren’t the type to have one-night stands or casual flings. A Cancer sign wants to be the only person you have your eyes on. They get jealous easily, so they won’t want to compete for your attention.

If you aren’t sure whether you want them or someone else, they are going to encourage you to leave. They want a partner who is one-hundred percent sure about them. They’re already overthinkers, so they won’t want to worry about you breaking up with them for someone new.

For a Man

Cancer men are spiteful. They hold grudges for long periods of time. If you hurt their feelings, they are going to get revenge. They probably won’t yell and scream at you because they dislike confrontation. Instead, they will act passive-aggressive or guilt-trip you.

Even though a Cancer might claim that they’ve forgiven you for your mistakes, they will never forget what you’ve done to them. Years down the line, they will bring it up in arguments. They will never truly get over it.

For a Woman

Cancer women are devoted. Once they fall for someone, they fall hard. All they will want is to spend time with their partner. Cancers don’t like too much space. They want quality time together, and they want reassurance their partner is happy. Otherwise, they will start to panic.

Even if they go one day without hearing their partner loves them, they will expect the worst. They’re always prepared to get their heart ripped out of their chest. They are pessimistic in every area of life, but especially when it comes to love.

Cancer Love and Romance

brown and white printed textile

Cancers are one of the most loyal signs in the zodiac. Once they find the love of their life, they will stay faithful. They would never dream of cheating on their partner or lying to their face. Cancers spoil their partners because seeing them happy makes a Cancer happy.

This sign cares deeply about other people’s feelings. In fact, they care more about whether other people are happy than whether they are happy themselves. This could become problematic because they never practice enough self-care.

Cancer Friends and Family 

Cancers are sentimental. They love following family traditions and passing them down from generation to generation. They also keep photo albums and ticket stubs because they want to preserve as many memories as possible.

Cancers are nostalgic for the past and have a hard time moving on with their life. Sometimes, they can stay stuck in the past for an unhealthy amount of time. This can cause old heartaches to linger. However, on the plus side, once a Cancer warms up to you, they will be a lifelong friend.

Cancer Money and Future

Cancers are adaptable, creative, and self-sufficient. They are also hard workers, so they will excel in any field. However, they are happiest in stable positions where they receive a regular paycheck. They don’t like surprises, so they won’t want to wonder when their next paycheck is coming. They want to feel secure.

Although Cancers prefer working alone, they also work well in groups because they are excellent listeners. However, they don’t make the best leaders. Cancers don’t want to take the lead on projects because they don’t want to be responsible for managing everyone else. They would rather obey orders than give out orders.

Attracting a Cancer Man

Many Cancers are shy and insecure. They rarely walk over and start a conversation with a stranger because they’re worried they’ll get rejected. If you want a relationship with a Cancer man, you need to make the first move. Even if you make it obvious you’re attracted to them, they’re going to be too afraid to ask you out. You need to take the lead if you want a relationship to develop.

Attracting a Cancer Woman

Cancers are resistant to change. They are terrified of the unknown, so they would rather have things stay the same. If you want a relationship with a Cancer woman, you need to remain patient. Don’t expect her to move quickly.

She needs time to feel comfortable with you. If you pressure her into taking the next step before she’s ready, she is going to retreat into her shell. You need to let her set the pace of the relationship. Make it clear you’re interested, but don’t push her.

Cancer Enemy

Cancers tend to have a hard time getting along with Aries and Sagittarius. These signs are incredibly blunt. They blurt out whatever is on their mind, which might upset a Cancer. Cancers need to be treated gently. They don’t want to hang out with people who are too crass.

Plus, Aries and Sagittarius prefer honesty. They cannot stand little white lies. However, Cancer will lie in order to spare someone’s feelings. They also lie to get their way. They’re surprisingly manipulative when they want something badly enough.

Cancer Energy

Cancers’ energy is soft, sweet, and sensitive. They want what’s best for their loved ones and would do anything to support them. They are incredibly encouraging and supportive.

Cancers might wear a shell for protection, but they are extremely soft on the inside. They aren’t afraid to cry and are in touch with their emotions.

Cancer Rising Sign

orange crab on body of water

The ascendant is the astrological sign that is ascending on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. You can figure out yours by completing your birth chart with your birthdate, birthplace, and birth time. If Cancer is your rising sign, here is what you should know:

Man

You have high walls that you rarely let down for others. You are timid when you meet new people because you don’t want to get close to someone who will hurt you. You’re cautious with your heart, so you move slowly in relationships. You want to be sure you can trust someone before you commit to them. This is because you’ve been hurt in the past and don’t want history to repeat itself.

Woman

You are kindhearted and charitable with your time and money. When someone asks you for a favor, you won’t hesitate to help them. You will go out of your way to make sure they are okay, even when it’s inconvenient for you.

Your goal is to make the world a better place one step at a time. If you can brighten even one person’s day, then you’ve done your job.

Cancer Rising Traits

You are incredibly creative and intuitive. However, you might get lonely at times because you push people away. Your sensitive heart makes it hard for you to trust new people, so you shut them out. You are overprotective of your heart, but this backfires on you. It leaves you alone.

Cancer Birthstone

Cancer’s birthstone is a ruby. Rubies are red gems that represent confidence. However, Cancer also responds to other gems. They are emerald, pearl, and moonstone.

globe desk on table

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About the author

January Nelson

January Nelson

January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. January graduated with an English and Literature degree from Columbia University.