Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

Cancer is the fourth Sign of the Zodiac. After the exploration of Self, the physical world, and the intellectual world by the first three Signs, Cancer people turn to nurturing the family group. They are emotional and traditional, interested in heredity and ancestors, and this is reflected in their desire to care for relatives and propagate the family line. Their lives are generally centered around the home, including hereditary property and "family roots." As the fourth Sign, Cancer also rules the fourth House: the House of Home. The Astrological Symbol of Cancer is the Crab. Like the Crab, Cancerians go through life with a strong shell around them that is not easily broken. If necessary, they can retreat into their shell until it's safe to come out, but sometimes they become moody and refuse to leave. They can, quite literally, be crabby. In general, Cancerians are the first people to express emotion in any given situation -- the first to laugh and the first to tears. In this way, Cancer exemplifies the Cardinal Quality assigned to it. They are strong willed and persistent, and the rare occasions when their sympathy and kindness doesn't get them what they want they aren't above using emotional manipulation -- tears or sulking -- to get it. Within the Zodiac, Cancer is opposite Capricorn, the Sign of Social Status. While Capricorn is about how the world perceives you, people born under Cancer are more interested in their family and home life. They tend to be very protective of loved ones. They usually aren't ambitious, preferring the gentle and passive side of life. Cancer is ruled by the Moon. In ancient times, the Moon was perceived as the Great Mother, responsible for nurturing all life. It represents fertility and instinct. The Moon controls the tides and all water on Earth, and it has a strong effect on human emotions. People born under Cancer tend to be more sensitive to the movement of the Moon through the Zodiac than other Signs are, their moods changing with the Moon's passage. They may be brooding or touchy when the Moon is passing through incompatible Signs, but strongly intuitive when the Moon is in a favorable Sign. Because of the maternal aspect of the Moon, Cancerians tend to have a strong need to protect themselves and their families. Generally domestic and peaceful, they have strong emotional drives and won't sit still when loved ones are threatened. Despite their general timidity, they can be patronizing when people cross them. The Element associated with Cancer is Water. Water Signs are emotional: they tend to respond to the world through emotion, rather than physical action, practicality, or intellect. Cancerians are very intuitive, and emotion is a key part of their lives. They may be sentimental, often becoming collectors of things that remind them of family or the past. They need to be careful not to hoard things, however, and they can be possessive of what is theirs. They are thrifty, and dislike wasting money on frivolous things. Because of their strong emotions, people born under Cancer may tend to live in the past. They are easily hurt, so they attempt to protect themselves from the emotional stress of the present by rehashing the past instead. Their warm and caring nature is very sensitive to other people's harshness. It is important for Cancerians to learn not to jump into self-protective mode at the first sign of trouble, because their need for security can prevent them from discovering new things. Because they are the nurturers of the Zodiac, people born under Cancer have a strong association with food. Additionally, they are very imaginative and sensitive, making many Cancerians excellent amateur chefs. Some go on to make a career out of cooking! They also tend to be more patriotic then other Signs, largely due to their strong emotional attachment to the place of their birth. In their leisure time, Cancerians tend to enjoy physical exercise, finding that sweat helps them counter the stress inherent in their emotional natures. They often enjoy team sports because of the feeling of family within a team. Water sports also appeal to them. Artistic endeavors, written or on canvas, allow them to channel their swirling emotions into productive output. In love relationships, Cancer is caring, devoted, and romantic. Cancer rules the breasts and stomach. People born under Cancer may suffer from stomach and digestive problems more often than people born under other Signs. The Moon is silver and white, and these are Cancer's colors as well. The great strength of the Cancer-born is in their devotion to family. Their emotional orientation to life help them understand the difficulties their loved ones must work through. Their affectionate natures make them among the most caring characters of the Zodiac. What Signs are Cancer compatible with?