Cancer, the sign of cardinal water. Cancer is famed for its emotional acuity, sympathetic nature, and love of home.
Symbol: ♋
The glyph of Cancer represents the breasts (and hence the mother), the claws of the crab, and the fluid nature of emotion.
Polarity: Negative
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: The Moon
Opposite Sign: Capricorn
Favourable Colours: White and silver
Lucky Gems: Pearls and moonstones
Lucky Day: Monday
Parts of the Body: Stomach and breasts
Metal: Silver
Key Phrase: I feel
Positive Traits
Sensitive. Wants to nurture and protect others. Good memory, especially since this individual likes to live in the past. Identifies with those whom he considers “his own”. Full of feeling, absorbs impressions rapidly. Intuitive. Very deep emotions, great capacity for love.
Negative Traits
Overly sensitive: takes everything too personally. Moody. All too subjective, and has therefore little objective perspective. Passive, allows himself to be unduly influenced by others. Often hypocritical, because of a fear of confronting others directly in unpleasant situations.
No one has ever said Cancerians are easy to understand. More than any other sign, Cancer is a series of contradictions. You embody an intriguing paradox. Ruled by the ever-changing Moon, you’re introspective, intuitive, security-conscious, and exceedingly aware of your emotional environment. You’re also determined to conquer your vulnerabilities and achieve your goals.
Because you’re a water sign, you’re emotionally wide open with an intense inner focus. Because you’re also a cardinal sign, you’re enterprising and ambitious, with a strong outer focus. You may appear gentle, kind, sympathetic, and a patient listener. Then someone asks for advice, and you turn cranky, snappish, and appear to be completely indifferent to anyone’s problems but your own. You may wallow in self-pity and complain endlessly about how mistreated you are by the world. Turn another page of the calendar and suddenly you are back being helpful, solicitous, ready to do anything asked of you. You prize security above all else, yet love new adventures. You are the soul of caution but you’re also a courageous initiator who goes out of your way to push over obstacles with your driving personality. No wonder you’re known for your fluctuating moods.
Complex, fragile, unpredictable, temperamental, the typical Cancerian needs constant support and encouragement. You want desperately to be loved and approved of but resent needing approval so badly. Cancer’s big lesson is to recognize the hidden anger you carry within you and not allow this to corrode the relationships that give you the emotional support you seek. Happily, when you get what you need, you give the best you have in return. Those who make you feel secure command your undying loyalty. When you really care for someone there is nothing anyone can say about that person that will make the least bit of difference. You have a real blind spot when it comes to seeing a failing in those you love.
Your emotional sensitivity is one of your greatest assets. It serves as a barometer to the atmosphere around you, and the more tuned into it you are, the better. You’re shrewd and insightful. When you trust your intuition enough to act in accordance with it, you can steer in any direction and navigate through the roughest storm.
You also maintain a strong tie to the past, both personal and historical, and you have a powerful longing for home, family, domestic tranquility, and emotional security. Loyal, affectionate, kind, and supportive, you never give up on someone you love — and if that means clinging or being overprotective, so be it. Your ability to nurture others parallels your need to care for and comfort yourself.
At the same time, you’re intent on initiating activity. Whatever your emotions may be, you don’t let them stop you from setting far-reaching goals and resolutely going after them. Your determination is extraordinary. Despite your doubts and insecurities, you forge ahead valiantly, though not without some tears along the way. At your best, your internal awareness supports your outer ambition, just as your knowledge of the past forms a sturdy foundation for your forays into the future. The fact that you have the best memory on the planet is yet another strength.
How Others See You
Those in your circle think of you as a den mother—the one who tries to fix other people’s problems and make sure everyone is happy. They like your concern for their well-being and cherish your wise counsel. But why, even if they follow your advice, do they keep it a secret from you? Because they think you’re controlling and don’t want to be a puppet on your string. They also think you’re moody. One minute you seem to care about them, and the next you’re crabby and to be avoided at all costs. In your career, you’re viewed as someone who can quickly spot an opportunity for financial gain.
