June 22 to July 22
Gender: Feminine/Introvert
Element: Water
Quality: Cardinal
Ruling Planet: The Moon
On the day that you were born, the Sun was in the water sign of Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac. As a water sign, your ruling planet is the Moon. These two factors combine to make you a rather deeper person than you appear to be. Cancer is also a cardinal sign, making you extremely creative and imaginative. The symbol for Cancer is the crab, which describes you to a tee: hard on the surface but with a soft interior, and with claws that can give a nasty nip.
Like the crab that walks sideways, you avoid tackling problems head-on because you prefer to sidetrack them. This caution is obvious, too, when you are introduced to strangers. You keep your distance until you are confident about them, and then you absorb them into all aspects of your life, taking care of your friends just as you look after your family. You often have an instinctive understanding of children.
You're apt to be moody——on cloud nine one minute and down in the dumps the next, a tendency that makes you hard to understand. Try to control this, because it makes you difficult to live with. True to your cardinal quality, you strike out in the direction you think best and you are not easily deflected from your path. Whatever project engages your attention, you want to be in charge and you resent interference. Don't let your unyielding exterior (your shell) prevent you from seeking advice when you need it. Admit that, just occasionally, you don't know best, and avoid wrecking a valuable venture.
You're a shrewd person and have an exceptionally retentive memory, though you're apt to allow your emotions to color your thoughts. You may also be interested in the occult and are particularly impressionable to psychic influences.
Cancerians come in two types. The first is of medium height, with a tendency toward plumpness, and often has thick, dark brown hair. The second type may be small and thin, with red hair and blue eyes. Most Cancer subjects, regardless of race or color, have clear, smooth skin and lustrous hair. And finally—a beauty hint. Some Cancerians tend to worry about everything. Be warned that this could have a disastrous effect on your looks, causing frown lines, a down-turned mouth, and a miserable expression.
Cancer is not overly concerned about appearances, but always manages to look well groomed and elegant in simple, good-quality clothes. You are drawn to all the Moon colors, silvery gray and blue, and you tend to stick to them in dress and decor.
Love is something of a Cancer pastime. You're an attractive person and will have no difficulty in finding admirers. All's well to start with and you thoroughly enjoy that first fine careless rapture, until you realize that a love affair makes demands on both partners. You're not so keen on that, and you will probably withdraw unless your lover happens to be The One.
You tend to hide your emotions, but you're a romantic at heart. You long to find that perfect someone with whom you can have a long-term relationship. If you're a woman, you'll be subconsciously looking for a father for your children. If you're a man, you may be seeking a mother figure. Sometimes you tend to rush into a relationship, but because you need security, you'll usually hold back until you are sure of yourself and your would-be partner.
Despite your instinctive caution about choosing a lover, you're always reluctant to end a relationship. You won't want to let them go, even if they have passed their expiration date and forgotten your birthday. This highlights the possessive streak in your nature, something to be controlled and concealed as much as possible. It's not endearing.
The most suitable careers for Cancer are those associated with caring. Thus, nursing or one of its offshoots springs to mind. Any water-related profession will also appeal, particularly if it concerns complementary medicine or therapies. Less obviously, a career in antiques or as a historian could suit you. Why? Because your caring personality will combine with your nostalgic nature in a highly satisfactory way. You could make a great success of running your own business because you excel at anything that involves dealing with other people. Cancer can make quite a lot of money from running garage sales or junk shops. You have an inborn tendency to hoard, and such a venture enables you to clear the decks as well as make some money.
You are prone to health problems associated with the chest, the breasts, or the digestive system. Coughs and colds can be severe and difficult to alleviate. Some ailments, such as indigestion, stomach ulcers, and bowel problems can be brought about by stress. Try to avoid worry, which can play havoc with your nervous system.
Cancerian women should examine their breasts regularly in addition to having periodical medical checkups—note the plural. Don't have one checkup and, if you're given the all clear, think that you need never attend the clinic again. There's no need for alarm, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Most Cancerians are reasonably healthy, but, because you are instinctively aware of any bodily imbalances, you may tend to worry about your health. The best remedy for this is a quick visit to the doctor to set your mind at rest.
Because you are an extremely sensitive person, you will need an equally sensitive partner—one who can notice your feelings without needing to be told. You want a lover who can tolerate your occasional moodiness and one who will respect your need for personal space. Women of this sign seek a protective partner, and Cancer men look for a strong maternal instinct in their lovers. Most Cancerians can be rather touchy and reluctant to express their feelings, so your partner must be prepared for you to withdraw into your shell for no apparent reason. Face it—you're not easy to live with, but with the right person you can build a loving and long-lasting partnership.
A partnership with Capricorn is the most likely to result in mutual happiness and success. This sign will offer you companionship and may even succeed in making serious Cancer laugh. The Capricorn's common sense will help to control your own wilder flights of fancy and alleviate your tendency to worry. If you and your partner are not in the first flush of youth, or if there is a big age difference between you, this union should work particularly well. Oddly, many second marriages are Cancer-Capricorn alliances. Cancer is apt to be clinging, but this suits Capricorns well because they prefer to do everything together. Overall, a Cancer-Capricorn pairing could be remarkably successful and long lasting.
Taurus is another sign that could provide sensitive Cancer with a happy and durable partnership. You share a dedication to your home and family that will ensure a stable relationship. You both have plenty of common sense and a similar outlook on life. Another advantage here is that Taurus is something of a financial wizard so will avoid the money problems that worry Cancer so much. This couple will make wonderful parents, and, for them, the arrival of a family provides the final addition to their happiness. To outsiders, a Cancer-Taurus partnership may appear humdrum, but to the people concerned it can be blissful.
Pisces, like Cancer, is a water sign, and there is likely to be a mystical or spiritual affinity between you. You may even be convinced that you have been together in past lives, and this could mean that you will ignore present life differences concerning age, background, education, and temperament. In this relationship, hurt feelings are unlikely, as you're both extremely sensitive and therefore caring of the other person. Cancer is a little more practical than Pisces on the domestic front, though both value a quiet and comfortable home. You're both extremely loyal and, indeed, are likely to be so wrapped up in your mystical partnership that the thought of infidelity won't even cross your minds. The Cancer-Pisces relationship will be unusual in many ways, but it's likely to be permanent.
Capricorn is ambitious and hardworking. Capricorns may be self-employed as shopkeepers, writers, accountants, or farmers. Look for them in schools, too, at parent-teacher meetings. Capricorns make superb head teachers. Because this is an earth sign, their hobbies probably include gardening, so look for them at horticultural events. They're likely, too, to belong to any organization concerning “green” issues or the fate of the planet. One thing is for sure, though—wherever you find your Capricorn, he or she is sure to be a big fish in the pond.
Taurus, on the other hand, is likely to be one of the team. Taureans are not ambitious people, though success is important to them since it represents security and stability. They're clever with money, so you may find them in a bank or as the treasurer of some local organization or club. Many Taureans possess artistic or musical talent. Look for them in art groups or musical societies, and in singing classes, because they often have beautiful voices. They are drawn to the caring professions, so you may find your Taurus in a hospital or even as a vet, because they love animals. They also tend to work in the fields of beauty, gardening, farming, and catering, so look out for them in these areas.
Pisceans have a wide variety of interests and can be successful in a number of careers. They're not materialistic or ambitious and are usually content to work behind the scenes on any project. You'll probably find them by the ocean or maybe reading tarot cards at garden parties because Pisces has a strong psychic streak. Join a writers' circle or poetry group, and you'll almost certainly find Pisces among the members. Like Taureans, they're passionate about animals, and their caring nature leads them into a number of charitable organizations, professional and otherwise.
Capricorns aren't much given to gallivanting, though they enjoy a visit to a concert or a good restaurant occasionally. They're prudent people who do not appreciate any extravagant or reckless gestures on your part. They'll appreciate good jewelry because it can be regarded as an investment and insurance against hard times. Choose silver in preference to gold, and turquoise or amethyst stones. They like subdued colors and prefer “quiet” flowers like pansies to more expensive blooms. Overall, the best way to please your Capricorn lover is to provide the stable, ordered, comfortable, and economic lifestyle he or she prefers.
Taurus, too, is a reserved sort of person and prefers the quiet life. On the other hand, Taureans do appreciate anything expensive and of good quality. If you take Taurus out for a meal, ensure that the restaurant is first-class as far as food, service, and surroundings are concerned. Taurus loves delicate jewelry. Choose emeralds in a type of fragile, almost invisible setting.
Pisces loves water. Take Pisceans fishing, swimming, rowing on the river, or on a trip to the ocean. They don't like noise and crowds, so anywhere peaceful and quiet will please them. In spring, suggest a country walk to a beautifully landscaped garden or to a garden center. An early morning trip to a flower market would be the sort of unusual and interesting trip that they enjoy. When it comes to food, they love salads and fruit, and vegetarian restaurants are favored.