Cancer Sign Dates, Traits, & More

ByMelissa Martinez

Everything You’ve Ever Needed To Know About The Cancer Zodiac Sign

Easily the most sensitive of all the signs and the moodiest and temperamental. Obviously, this is either further enhanced or lessened by the placing of the other planets, etc. They possess a strong nurturing instinct and home is the keyword here – even a wide traveling Cancerian will always have a very strong homing instinct and need to feel the domestic lure and security that only home can give. Even more so than Taureans, cancers love collecting things as they go through life – things that will remind them later of their past. They love dwelling in the past.

They worry a lot, but usually, it is over domestic matters, unlike Virgos who worry about everything. A chief characteristic of the emotional water signs is intuition, which can be markedly pronounced in them, many becoming clairvoyants. Cancers in particular ‘feel’ their way through life.

It as if Cancers are protected by an outer shell, like the crab that portrays their sign, and many people find it difficult to penetrate this defense to find the true person within. However, they are renowned for their soft, caring nature which is why they love home building and forming deep lasting relationships so much. they do tend to be very touchy though, and the fire signs in particular find them extremely difficult to deal with. The other thing that they have in common with the crab is that of addressing matters from a ‘sideways’ approach rather than head-on, as a fire sign would.

Cancer Dates: (born June 21 – July 22)

Placement: 4th Zodiac Sign
House Ruled: 4th House: House of Home and Family
Constellation: Taurus
Element: Water
Quality: Cardinal
Symbol: The Crab
Ruling Planet: Moon
Detriment: Saturn
Exaltation: Jupiter (ancient)/ Neptune (modern/disputed)
Fall: Mars
Masculine / Feminine: Feminine
Key Words:  “I Feel”
My Pleasures: Cooking, comfort, children
My Pains: People who can’t understand my emotions and forgetfulness
Qualities: Sensitive, family-oriented,
What Cancer think about themselves: What more can I do for my children
What others think about Cancer: Children and family first
Chinese zodiac sign counterpart:  Goat or Sheep

Introduction

Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the Crab. Cancers symbol or glyph represents the protective claws of the crab. The Sun is in Cancer from around 22 June until around 22 July each year. Cancer is classified as being of the negative polarity (passive and receptive), of the water element (emotional, sensitive, and intuitive), and of the cardinal quality (outgoing and enterprising). Cancer shows a defensive attitude, expressing sensitiveness, associated with an urge to protect and to nourish. Like the crab, the characteristic Cancer type is highly sensitive and easily hurt within, though outwardly giving the impression of an impenetrable shell of self-assurance and toughness.

Possessing a strong nurturing tendency, Cancer is resourceful and tenaciously protective of its own emotions, as well as those of its own family, clan, or country, which provide it with a sense of security and belonging. Cancer is the sign of motherhood and produces in both sexes a parenting instinct that is caring, protective, and indulgent. Even unmarried Cancers adopt friends or co-workers in an extended family situation. Cancer often finds it hard to break away from early upbringing and from the family traditions it has experienced. Cancer is emotionally sensitive and needs security and a womb-like shelter to withdraw into whilst it restores its self-confidence. Cancer is sympathetic, imaginative, and sentimental, though sometimes moody and reserved, frequently retreating or putting up a protective barrier when it feels threatened in any way. Cancer loves to collect things and is quite nostalgic, identifying strongly with the past.

Cancers outgoing urge is at odds with its emotional and indrawn nature, and this conflict is resolved by its regulation to periodic rhythms of advance and retreat, like the tides of the sea or the phases of the Moon, which is its ruling planet. Cancers nature may become too emotionally sensitive or unstable, being at times very touchy, moody, crabby, timid, or inclined to self-pity. Cancer can also be too clannish and over-protective of what it perceives to be its own kind.

Physically, Cancer rules the chest, the breasts, the female reproductive system, and the stomach and alimentary system generally. Cancer may have a tendency to digestive and gastric troubles, womb afflictions, breast disorders, and growths. Cancer is especially associated with, or “ruled” by, the Moon.

Good Side of Cancer

  • They always want to try and help people out, by doing so it helps to uplift their own well-being.
  • They are really good when it comes to judging somebody’s character. This usually happens within the first meeting.
  • They make really good parents. They become very attentive and loving to their children.
  • When it comes to emotions are very receptive to other people. They want to listen and help when they can.
  • The people that they love are very important to them. So you’ll find that they are very protective over their loved ones. Even more so for their mate.
  • They have The Uncanny ability to see how a person will develop in the future. This goes back to the ability of them being able to judge somebody’s character. It helps them to navigate the waters when it comes to what comes ahead in a friendship or relationship. Sometimes they don’t heed their own advice though.

The Bad Side Of Cancer

  • The emotions of other people sometimes bring them down. This can cause them to have mood swings that can be harsh.
  • Sometimes they can become quite possessive over objects or friends that mean alot to them.
  • When they’re having an argument with somebody, they will always remember the bad points later on. They have a hard time trying to let things go. It stays with them.
  • Sometimes they can feel quite guilty because they know that they can be selfish at times. They hate hurting someones feelings even when its their own trait that can cause it.

Cancer Life Path

When you Cancerians are playing your game of life positively you are very nurturing and caring souls, aware of others and your own needs, supportive, psychic, home-loving, and tender. Known to be the Mothers of the Zodiac. On the other hand, when using the energies negatively, you can be very insecure, clingy, fearful. oversensitive moody and have bouts of depression. You may feel that your family will dop apart if you are not there to take care of them, and so often you will neglect your own needs to nurture your family and loved ones. However if this continues for too long, you will begin to feel resentful. You need to find a balance of nurturing yourself and others equally.

You often sidestep through life like the crab carefully checking outside to see if it is safe to take that next step forward in life, so your first check to see if it is safe to move on only to run back into safety, that familiar place where you feel comfortable. You really do like your home and family and feel safe in your home environment, and even though you may travel a little you need to have a secure home base to come back to.

Because you live in your feelings, you unconsciously seek sympathy, attention, and affection from others. You have a strong need to feel secure because your home and family give you a great sense of security you want to be first with those you love or you can be very unhappy. You need to release your loved ones, to live their own lives. You are so compassionate towards others, that at times you get emotionally attached and allow yourself to get hooked on others’ problems. You need to be aware of this one as it can cause you lots of unnecessary pain.

Major Life Lesson:- To allow other people to develop in their own way and time.

And to take responsibility for your own emotions.

Health issues:- Maybe in the areas of ( if using your Cancer energy dysfunctionally ) Stomach, Gall Bladder, Uterus, Breasts. You may develop Cancer in the above areas if you do not become aware of and deal with any unresolved Mother issues.

Loves:- Helping people in need, family dinners, your home, and catering.

Hates:- Squabbles in the home, the conflict between work and family, and being homeless.

Careers:- Working from home, Childminding. Woman’s fashion, Cooking, and Gardening

cancer

Cancer Zodiac Symbol

The Cancer zodiac symbol is representative of the crab. The symbol itself looks a lot like a downward-facing 9 with an upward-facing 6 on the bottom.

The first thing this zodiac symbol represents is the claws of the crab. Just like the crab, once Cancer people grab hold of something or someone of importance to them, they rarely let go.

They are very tenacious in this way; however, they can tend to hold on to situations or people much longer than is good for them.

The Cancer zodiac symbol also represents the breasts. This is because Cancer rules over the breasts.

This is indicative of Cancer’s natural ability to nurture others in a very loving and tender way. In fact, Cancer rules over motherhood so these people are wonderfully giving of themselves to others.

On the other hand, Cancers themselves can be very much in need of the nurturing they so readily give to others. If these needs aren’t met, it can result in them feeling very clingy and needy.

The Cancer zodiac symbol represents the highest truth for Cancer people.

This is to learn to nurture and love the person staring back at them in the mirror in the same manner that they do so for others. In this way, they have done their part to heal the world, one person, at a time.

Cancer Personality

The Moon rules Cancer and it symbolizes our feelings, emotions, dreams, subconscious, our inner selves, our moods, and even our sexuality; how we handle relationships and our emotional responses to given situations. It gives us our sensitivity, making our family and home of primary importance. The Moon reflects our Sun’s inner light projecting to the world our personality, and also symbolizes our domestic environment, babies, small children, our mother, and other important women in our lives. Feelings are what motivates Cancers and any situation that overwhelms them they will retreat into their protective shells.

People born under this sign are called Moon Children because the many changes of the Moon affect these people. Their moodiness is well known even if they’re a bit hard to understand. One time they will be the life of the party, laughing and joking around and no one loves a practical joke more than a Cancer.

Then they can go completely south with their melancholy and depression. If they bite your head off for asking for walking in front of them you’ll know they’re going through their crabby stage. Fortunately, these moods don’t last long.

They love to collect things, especially historical or antique mementos, and even after collecting so much stuff they could open their own second-hand shop, they will outright refuse to part with any of it. They are just too sentimental over anything that belongs to them.

Cancers are compassionate and caring people whose deepest need is a stable and harmonious home. To them, it is a respite from the harsh world. While they are romantic they can also be very insecure causing them to be jealous and possessive. Like Aquarians, Cancers need time for solitude and need their time to be alone. They love their homes and Cancer women are the most maternal women of the zodiac. With their sensuality heightened, Cancer men can be prone to having affairs but yet remain steadfastly loyal to their spouses. Both sexes are very unselfish in giving their love. Like Taureans, Cancers need relationships that are committed and well defined. They are very family-oriented and are close with family members, especially their mothers. They love children and make wonderful parents.

They also make very loyal friends as well. Once a Cancer decides to love you, they will not let you go. It is almost impossible to lose the friendship of a Cancer.

They are great organizers, have an innate sense of value, and are dependable. With their imaginations in overdrive, they have an affinity towards anything artistic and literary. You would think drama was their middle name the way they always seem to have it in their lives. They are usually great money managers but must be careful not to get swayed by the moment in financial matters.

The Cancer sign covers June 21 to July 22. It is the fourth zodiac sign and is represented by the crab. Cancers possess extremely complex characters. Despite this, they are caring and always put their families first. People born under this sign hate confrontations, often hiding behind extroverts and brash exteriors to protect themselves. Still, even with this strong façade, Cancers are not really aggressive. They’re extremely protective of those close to them, especially kids. At work, Cancers might appear super confident, but at home, they require constant displays of affection and love.

cancer traits

Cancer Career or Work

Cancers are very responsible and sensitive people, with a great deal of nurturing in their nature. They will be well suited to jobs or careers that require them to care for and nurture items or others. Having this skill doesn’t just mean they need to have a career in child care or working with pets at a veterinary clinic. In addition to being excellent business managers or executives, these individuals can multitask extremely well. It is well known that these people give good advice and are very protective of those around them. As well as being able to handle responsibilities efficiently, they are capable of thinking creatively and coming up with Creative Solutions to problems. They would be best suited as social workers who help people solve their problems. An outdoor caretaker such as a gardener or landscaper. An individual working in the field of nursing or child care. A manager of human resources for a business. A person who works as a lawyer or advocate. Lastly, an individual that works as a teacher or an educator.

Famous Cancer Men/ Famous Cancer Women

Cancer eminent personalities male

Some of the many popular celebrities that are included in the star sign of cancer are Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel, Forest Whitaker, Josh Harnett, Harrison Ford, Steven R McQueen, Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Justin Chamber, and Will Ferrell.

Cancer eminent personalities female

There are many female celebrities that fall into the category of the Cancer zodiac sign. Some of them are Pamela Anderson, Liv Tyler, Selma Blair, Jerry Hall, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, Pamela Anderson, Diane Kruger, and Anna Friel.

Constellation of Cancer

The fourth constellation (5th according to astronomers), Cancer, lies further away from the Milky Way than Gemini. Within Cancer, there are many beautiful galaxies as well as multipart stars, however, they are faint with no more than 4th magnitude. The Sun passes through the constellation of the crab from late July until early August. Cancer is also associated with the Hercules constellation family.

Mythology

Hercules was battling the horrific nine-headed water snake, Hydra. Queen Hera, who had a great hatred for Hercules, sent the brave little crab to distract Hercules in hopes that he would fall victim to the great Hydra. The crab got one little snap of Hercules’ toe before being crushed by his heel. Queen Hera was so proud of the courage of the little crab’s attempt, that she placed him in the sky to be forever right above the Hydra.

Cancer Decans, 1st, 2nd and 3rd

cancer decans

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION