Glyph: The crab’s claws symbolise the clinging nature of this sign. However, the glyph also suggests the nurturing quality of the breast.
Date: June 21-July 20
Ruler: Moon
Natural house: Fourth
Quality: Cardinal
Element: Water
Polarity: Negative
Exaltation: Jupiter
Fall: Mars
Detriment: Saturn
Keywords: Nurture, emotionality, defensiveness, sympathy, vulnerability, clinging, tenacity, ambition, moody, protective, touchy, clannish, shrewd, insecure, nostalgia, sentimental, and manipulative.
Appearance: A typical Cancerian has a pale moon-face and light brown hair. The body tends to be short and stocky with, in women, a generous bosom. Pale and watery eyes peep shyly sideways under lowered lids. The characteristic stance is protective, with hands crossed over the midriff. Cancer chooses clothes that are comfortable and familiar. This sign wears a favourite outfit until it literally falls to pieces.
Personality: The great nurturer of the Zodiac, Cancer is never upfront or showy, which makes this personality easy to overlook. What lies beneath the crab’s shell is well hidden and hard to fathom. Closely aligned to the phases of the Moon, Cancer swings between kind, caring and compassionate, and tough, prickly and self-pity. There is a distinct clash between the ambitious and outgoing part of the sign and the soft, sensitive aspect that desperately yearns for approval. Cancer wants to be part of family and community, but also craves success and is prepared to alienate people to achieve it. Home is of vital importance to Cancer. Any disruption at home causes an emotional angst that affects every other part of life. Moving house is a major trauma. Sentimental and nostalgic, Cancer treasures everything from the past. What others see as clutter, for Cancer it essential to his/her feelings of security.
Likes: Home, anything to do with water, items of sentimental value, good food.
Dislikes: The limelight, emotional independence in others.
As a parent: Flowing with maternal feeling, Cancer is a caring and solicitous parent who provides a loving home environment. However, at times, the love can be possessive that it hinders development. A Cancerian parent stands by heart in mouth if a child is the least adventurous, and will become ferocious if that child is threatened by danger, real or imagined.
As a child: The emerging Cancerian needs a stable, protective environment to learn and the constant reassurance of parental love. This is an affectionate child who wants to remain close to his or her parents. A great deal of encouragement is necessary to help young Cancers spread their wings.
Leisure activities: With a firm emphasis on homemaking, activities such as needlework, knitting, DIY, collecting antiques visiting flea markets and dinner parties are all typical of the sign. Cancer’s strong affinity with water shows itself in sailing, fishing and swimming. Favourite sport is wrestling. This kind-hearted sign also finds time for charity work.
Suitable gift ideas: Cancer values anything from the past. Hence, antiques or a night out to see an old film is both excellent ideas. Silver or pearl jewellery or sweet-smelling white flowers are appreciated, as is a photograph of the family.
