Everything you need to know about Cancer Zodiac Sign
Cancer in a nutshell: They are in touch with their emotions, intuitively know who to take care of anyone, yet can be successful leaders even on a worldly scale. How is that possible?
What makes a Cancer a Cancer? What is Cancer’s attitude towards each subject of life? And what is the highest and most positive manifestation of Cancer in each area of their life?
This post is for everyone who has Ascendant, Sun, or Moon in Cancer or anyone who desires to understand the sign in-depth.
Please note that for analyzing the sign Cancer in-depth, I use the Whole Sign House System– the most ancient one. It might be confusing for the first time to read about Cancer while all the other 11 signs are mentioned. Every Zodiac sign is built up by the 12 Zodiac Signs, in other words, it consists of the other 11 Zodiac Signs as well. Different signs of Cancer rule each area/subject of life. And that makes Cancer a Cancer.
You can find the keywords for each house and each Zodiac sign that rules that particular house so you can make even more analogies with them. And those keywords will help you to think in analogy as professional astrologers do.
Symbol: the crab
Ruling planet: Moon
Color: silver, light pink
Body parts/ organs: breasts, stomach, pancreas
Element: water
Modality: Cardinal
Cancer’s main domains
Being a mother, mothering, nurturing, taking care, sheltering the weak, and those who cannot take care of themselves. Emotions, intuition, intuitively knowing what others need. And that is their superpower. If you are familiar with astrology, you know the so-called leadership signs- Leo, Aries, Sagittarius, or Capricorn- although Cancer people have a fair share of skillset to be leaders. Amongst the most successful people and leaders, there are a lot of Cancers, for a reason.
Why is intuition their superpower? They intuitively know what society needs. As a mother knows what her newborn baby needs or wants. They feel in their stomach how to take care of people and what they need. This is the most highly recommended success tip for Cancers: listening to their intuition and thinking about what society needs. Cancers can do it the best.
The sign’s ancient symbol was a shell, now the Krebs. The shell because it is a protective environment, safe and that is a Cancer domain to provide a safe, warm, protective enrolment for those who cannot take care of themselves, kids, sick or old people. It’s hard on the outside but soft inside; just like the crab, it has a protective shield on its back.
Ruled by the Moon
Makes a memorable first impression. Moon rules only one sign, just like the Sun, while the rest of the planets rule two Zodiac Signs. Meaning: Cancer and Leo people make the most memorable first impressions. People somehow remember them.
The most famous people, and celebrities have a Moon on an angle or it aspects Ascendant ruler. That Moon gives them the “familiar face.” How many times did it happen to you that you felt that you knew a celebrity just by seeing them in a picture? That must be because of their Moon, or aspect of the Moon.
This sign rules emotions, moods, feelings- mood swings. The mood swings are due to the ability to feel everything more in-depth or stronger, pick up the feelings of others, and read the moods of others.
As the Moon has its cycles in Cancer’s life, everything fluctuates. There are constant ebbs and flows, dry and fertile periods. So it is advisable to learn to live by the cycles of the Moon and the cycles of life in general. Then their life becomes easily predictable. Here you can read more about the Moon.
Other domains:
House, real estate, safe place, shelter, feeding catering, nurturing, taking care, home, country of birth, tradition, family, nostalgia, history, protection, dog, privacy, gardening, farming, security, dairy products, breastfeeding.
The sensitive organ of Cancer is the stomach. So that is why they should eat light food because it directly influences their mood. So if they feel moody or down or emotionally overwhelmed, they’d better eat light food, plant-based food, because it helps them feel better and lighter.
Cancer tends to dwell in the past. The reason probably is they intuitively feel or know that there is something in the past, something they can learn from. It might be true. However, one of Cancer’s main lessons is to learn to move on; life is happening in the present moment.
The solar month of Cancer begins when the Sun moves to Cancer, which is the beginning of summer. Talking about the cardinal sign- cardinal change- when the month of Cancer begins, it changes seasons, the summer starts.
The appearance of Cancer is having a round face, moody watery eyes, average height, and again having a memorable first impression.
2. Cancer and money, resources, self-wroth
2nd house: money, resources, food intake, where to invest your money, how you spend, self-worth, how to make money, right approach towards money, values,
Leo: being a leader, shining bright, enjoyments, having fun, self-confidence, being proud,
Finances
For Cancer, the sign Leo falls on their 2nd house cusp. Leo is very generous as the king is generous with whom he loves the most. Therefore if Cancer loves someone, he/she generously spends money on that person. (Spending money on a loved one is sort of an expression of their love towards that person. So beware if Cancer is stingy with you…!)
2nd house is what the native spends money on. Cancer spends money on anything that gives them self-confidence, on children- Leo’s domain too- and on their family too.
Being in a leadership position of sorts- again, Leo analogy- is a great approach for Cancer to make money. (As it was stated above, Cancer has the ability to be a great leader. Their 2nd house enables them to benefit from leadership positions financially. Another possible scenario: being in a leadership position gives them self-confidence.)
Values
Cancer values anything that is Leo’s domain. Such as self-confidence, pride, dignity, all the shiny materials, gold, and luxuries. Leo is the sign of kings and queens, Afterall. 2nd house is the food intake. Therefore Cancer values food, good food to be specific. That is why Cancer is known to be a great chef, good at catering, and feeding others. Because Leo is the 2nd house -food- is where they can shine.
Self-worth
Wherever Leo is in the natal chart, it is the area of life where one gets self-confidence. Once a Cancer becomes financially well-off, he/she has better self-worth and self-confidence. However, if Cancer has financial difficulties, it directly negatively influences their self-worth and self-confidence.
As 2nd house’s domain is the family lineage, Cancer is proud of their family, especially if their Sun is well-placed and well-aspected in the natal chart.
3. Cancer and communication, business, skills
3rd house: the mind, logic, thinking, communication, teammates, siblings, how to communicate, skills, teammates, neighbors, close friends,
Virgo: health, organization, being critical, work, situations out of balance,
Communication, making connections
The sign Virgo rules the 3rd house of Cancer. Therefore, in communication, in daily interactions, Cancer tends to behave as a Virgo. Such as having critical thinking. Constantly has critical thoughts about themselves as well as of others too. Therefore, being critical in communication is not something unfamiliar to Cancer.
Virgo rules worry too. Therefore, Cancer tends to worry a lot of.
On a positive note, fault-finding, and critical thinking can be their advantage as Virgo is a practical and logical sign. Therefore, Cancer has a logical, practical, and reasonable thinking process. Also, the fault-finding, knit-pinking- attention to details attitude can be fairly beneficial for them if channeled in the right way.
Virgo rules organizing anything. Cancer people can organize their toughs, and their environment, or be organized when it comes to their own business- 3rd house domain.
Business, skills,
As it was mentioned above, Cancer is organized in business matters. Therefore, their skill to pay attention to details is beneficial for all sorts of activities.
Virgo is the sign of perfection and/or striving for perfection. Therefore, Cancers are great at businesses that require giving advice or improving/ making something better. Cancer can pay attention to details in administration, advertising, writing, speaking, etc., in all the 3rd house domains.
The sign Virgo rules work and work environment too. Cancer people can work with their siblings (3rd house) or work in small groups.
Siblings, teammates, daily environment,
The sibling might be a Virgo or has Virgo qualities, Such as someone who helps others, works in the medical field, or is a narrow specialist. Or has Virgo qualities, such as critical, perfectionist, judgmental, helpful, etc.
Having Virgo in the 3rd house makes Cancer critical and judgmental with their environment, siblings, teammates, and classmates. However, the more positive manifestation is that Cancer provides practical help or advice for those around them daily.
For Cancer, the 3rd house and 12th house are connected through the ruling planet, Mercury. 12th is the subconscious mind and invisible world mind while the 3rd is the conscious mind and Mercury rules thinking. So Cancer can have sudden insights, and downloads of information. Said to be a sign which has excellent intuition. Well, due to the influence of the 12th and the 3rd house.
Though the 12th house is isolated while the 3rd house is the daily environment, Cancer might feel isolated frequently or have a job in a secluded, closed environment. Another possible scenario is that the 3rd house activities are sort of tiring for Cancer- the 12th is to sleep.
4. Cancer and home, being a parent, mother
4th house: home, emotional security, one of the parents, mother or primary caretaker, how is as a mother, home environment, early family life, where to live, parenting style, native as a parent,
Libra: beauty, harmony, balance, one on one relationships, negotiation, art,
Home environment, ideal place of living
For Cancer, the sign Libra rules their 4th house. If you were wondering why Cancer prioritizes a harmonious and pleasant nest/home, Libra’s influence in their 4th house is the reason. Cancer has a desire for a balanced, nicely furbished, harmonious, and peaceful home environment- Libra analogy. And Venus rules Libra; therefore, their home must be beautiful. They even like luxurious homes.
Other possible scenarios: Cancers are great at interior design and have a good sense of style when furnishing homes or decorating homes. Being an interior designer can be their job. Or they can make money with their home. As the 11th house- gains and the 4th house-home is connected through their ruling planet, Venus.
Cancer can be gainful by having homes, renting homes, providing shelter, or anything connected to lands and properties.
Cancer considers friends -11th house- as a family- 4th house- and welcomes friends in their home. Or likes to be social at home by having guests.
Mother, native as a parent
The mother might be a Libra or have a Libra-like personality, such as a peacemaker, kind, sweet, charming, diplomatic, or beautiful parent. Or the mother was in Libra career field, such as designer, negotiator, artist, judge, lawyer, etc.
As the 11th and 4th are connected, the mother might be a goal setter, a goal-oriented person, or highly social, pursuing group activities and social events.
Cancer as a parent is a fair parent. Sweet, kind, charming with the family, and prioritizes peace, and harmony at home and in the family in general.
Emotional security
All the Libra domains give Cancer emotional security, such as one-on-one partnerships, romantic relationships, and marriage. Peace, harmony, beauty, and art also gives them emotional security or emotionally stabilize them. If they lose their emotional security, they should strive for these things.
5. Cancer and having fun, hobbies, child, self-expression
5th house: creativity, being in the spotlight, taking risks, 1st child, inner child, creative endeavors, having fun, enjoyments, how do you love, fall in love, romances, dating, hobbies, how you have fun, entertainment, romantic matters, self-expression, hobbies,
Scorpio: significant transformation, the dark night of the soul, trauma and therapeutical healing, crisis, other people resources, control, power struggle, death, and rebirth,
Hobbies, having fun
How does a Cancer have fun? In a Scorpio way, as Scorpio falls on their 5th house cusp. Cancer can have fun intently, and passionately, but might be secretive about it. Or Cancer can even be obsessed with having fun or with their hobbies. As Scorpio rules their 5th house, their hobbies require research, or it is something sort of dangerous such as riding motorbikes. Or other typical Scorpio-like activities, such as astrology, tarot, uncovering taboo topics, psychology, etc.
Dates, romances
Cancer does not like to show off their partner, and they keep their romantic interests a secret. So their love life is always a mystery, or they prefer it that way. Also tends to be possessive with their romantic lovers/dates/love interest.
Power struggles, jealousy, and protectiveness are repeating patterns for Cancer when it comes to dating. However, they can be extremely loyal to those who they love.
How to tell if a Cancer is in love with you? They are not afraid to show you their kinky side, so to speak. Cancer is not fond of public displays of affection. They prefer to show their affection and love in privacy, behind closed doors.
Wherever Scorpio is in the natal chart, that area of life is like the tip of the iceberg. So much more is going on there as it is visible to others. Therefore, for Cancer, a lot might be going on in their private life, but no one is aware of it.
Self-expression
The self-expression of Cancer can be intense and mysterious due to the Scorpio influence. And calculate their expression. Remember Virgo is on their 3rd house cusp; their communication might be critical and can have “biting words,” and their self-expression can be manipulative as well.
Child of the native
The first child of the native might be a Scorpio or has Scorpio character traits, such as mysterious, secretive, possessive, liking to dig deep, and investigate, having significant ups and downs in their life, a daredevil. Or work in a Scorpio career field such as in emergencies, as a healer, with taboo topics, psychologist. There might be power struggles with the child of the native, or the native is secretive, possessive, and protective of the child.
The 5th and the 10th house are connected through Mars. It means that Cancer people can make a career out of their hobbies, and have a career or job that is creative, or healing, and transformational.
Wherever Scorpio falls in the natal chart, it is the area of life where the native has the biggest ups and downs, trauma and also psychological healings, and transformations as well. Cancer can transform the most by having a child- the sign of Mother, mind you- or by having romantic experiences or by having certain hobbies.
6. Cancer and work, work environment, health
6th house: health and healing, daily routine, work environment, office, pets, diet, weaker body organs/body parts, enemies, employees, people in a lower social class, helping others,
Sagittarius: generous, easy access, allowing, good karma from a past lifetime, meaning, higher purpose, high ideals, and goals, positive thinking, foreign matters,
Work and work environment
Sagittarius falls in the 6th house cups of Cancer. If you were wondering why Cancer is known for being helpful, protective, nurturing, and good at taking care of people who cannot take care of themselves is the Sagittarius influence in their 6th house. 6th house is the house of the act of service, and all the people who need help, need to be fed, sheltered, nurtured, and taken care of. As Sagittarius is the sign of being jovial, charitable, and having higher purposes and goals, Cancer is naturally good at being of service. Cancer is very good with those lower than them on the social ladder or with those who need to be taken care of, fed, sheltered, etc.
Another possible scenario with having Sagittarius on the 6th house cusp is that either Cancer works in a foreign country, or their work needs to have a higher purpose; it needs to give them meaning. Or works in a Sagittarius career field, such as being a teacher, guide, etc.
The 6th house rules all the situations that are out of balance and conflicts too. As Sagittarius rules philosophy, Cancer has a philosophical approach toward those situations. 6th house shows the enemies the native has. A Cancer rarely has a difficult enemy as they have developed good karma in that area of their life as Sagittarius is the sign of good karma.
Wherever Sagittarius is in the natal chart, the native has fortune or opportunities in that area of their life. For Cancer, it means they can have great opportunities or fortune when it comes to their work. As Sagittarius has accumulated good karma from a previous lifetime, Cancer benefits from their good karma when it comes to work, work environment, and jobs.
Employees
Cancer is permissive with the employees. Allowing and treating them fairly. As Sagittarius is a generous sign, Cancer is generous with its employees and everyone who works for them.
Health
The weaker body parts for Cancer- besides the stomach, breasts, and pancreas,- are the thighs, liver, and lower back. Too much indulgence, fatty food, alcohol, and enjoying life as Sagittarius would do has affected their health badly.
The 6th and 9th houses are connected through the ruling planet Jupiter. One possible scenario is that their job 6th house is connected to foreign countries or higher studies, and academic studies. Another possible scenario is that they have a philosophical, high-minded/higher perspective on all the 6th house matters such as service, debt, imbalanced situations, discords, enemies, etc.
Wherever Sagittarius is in the natal chart, that area of life is where the natives find their meaning and purpose. For Cancer is to be of service, to help, to help the vulnerable, to teach, to take care of sick, poor people, or work with animals.
In other words, the 6th house makes Cancer a caring sign as it is. Isn’t it fascinating how other Zodiac signs make one practical Zodiac sign as it is?!
7. Cancer and marriage, committed relationships, business partnerships
7th house: marriage and business partner, committed partnerships, contractual relationships, approach towards relationships, the public
Capricorn: structure, duties, responsibilities, hard work, career,
Marriage, Spouse
The 7th house for Cancer is under the influence of the sign Capricorn. Capricorn represents time, longevity, and endurance but karma, delays, and obstacles as well. If Cancer gets married before their first Saturn return, before the age of 28-29, their marriage is karmic, or their first marriage is karmic. For some, it might even be delayed. However, Capricorn gives longevity to the marriage.
Another possible scenario with having Capricorn on the 7ht house cusp is that Cancer might attract a significantly older partner or a partner who is either a Capricorn or has Capricorn personality traits. Such as career-driven, workaholic, cold, distant, serious, has a professional look or has more responsibilities, a leader or authority figure. Or the partner is more mature.
Wherever Capricorn falls in the natal chart, it gets better and improves with time.
The drive to get married to Cancer is for security, stability, and status. Remember when they are in love, they are passionate, possessive, kinky, jealous- Scorpio-like- but when they want security, stability, they get married and turn to the 7th house.
Capricorn is a serious, cold, career-driven sign. The marriage for Cancer is not for fun or for pleasures, and it is for having mutual responsibilities, security, or even working together.
Business Partnership
Business partnerships can be lasting as well and require a lot of hard work. Cancer approaches business partnerships with being cautious and fearful. Cancer better have a mature, older, or more experienced business partner.
The 7th and 8th houses are connected to Cancer through their ruling planet Saturn. It might mean that the spouse- the 7th house- is busy dealing with finances, providing security for the family, – the 8th house matters-, resources. The 8th house is the 2nd from the 7th, mind you. Or the marriage ends suddenly and goes through ups and downs. Aquarius is the sign of sudden developments and sudden changes too.
Related Article: Cancer Relationship Compatibility
8. Cancer and transformation, life-altering events,
8th house: shared resources, mutual finances, inheritance, traumas, intimacy, therapeutic healing, healing from traumas, occult, death, and rebirth, significant transformations, conceiving a child, crises,
Aquarius: weird, unpredictable, social jump, friends, big groups, gains, economic,
Transformation, crisis situations,
How does Cancer go through transformations and life-altering events? In an Aquarius way. Since Aquarius falls on their 8th house cusp, those events might happen with them unexpectedly, in a surprising way though they can have sudden healings and sudden developments when it comes to transformations. What helps them going through a crisis? Knowledge as Aquarius rules knowledge, science, astrology, and understanding the situations/events intellectually.
As Aquarius rules friends and big groups of people, being around friends or joining like-minded groups helps Cancer go through such situations and to heal.
Joint finances, resources
Cancer shares mutual resources with the spouse due to the same ruling planet—sudden developments in mutual finances or sudden changes. Or Cancer can get a sudden inheritance, unexpected inheritance. What helps them when it comes to mutual finances and joint resources? Good connections, networking, and using all sorts of technology.
9. Cancer and higher studies, belief system
9th house: higher studies, higher-minded topics, belief system, foreign matters, cultures, religion, teacher, gurus, university, higher studies, long-distance travels, meaning, purpose,
Pisces: something hidden, savior, compassionate, illusion, magical manifestation, escaping reality,
Belief system
The 9th house for Cancer is ruled by Pisces, the most allowing, permissive, and spiritual sign. That is the reason Cancer tends to have a more spiritual belief system, an all-embracing, forgiving, and compassionate worldview.
As Pisces rules fairy tales and angels, they might even believe in fairies, angles, and literally fairy tales.
For them, the Universe or the higher power is forgiving, allowing, compassionate, and all-embracing. Cancer believes in unity and acceptance. Not religious does not like those strict rules and dogmas. They don’t need that; Cancer feels the power of the Universe, God, or the higher powers. They don’t have to understand it intellectually.
As Pisces rules confusion and 9th house rules goals, Cancer might be confused when setting goals.
10. Cancer and career, vocation, reputation
10th house: vocation, career, reputation, one of the parents- father, worldly achievements, authority figures,
Aries: initiation, competition, being competitive, fights and arguments, independence, leadership position
Career, vocation
The sign Aries is on the cusp of the 10th house for Cancer. Wherever Aries is in the natal chart, it is the area of life where the native is driven, has the motivation, and puts lots of energy into those subjects of life. Cancer is driven and puts a lot of energy into their career, reputation, and worldly achievements. Aries is a sign of leadership, therefore having Aires in the 10th house makes Cancer good at leadership positions or striving for such.
Having Aries in the 10th house makes Cancer driven, motivated, and initiative in their career. Aries are competitive; therefore, Cancer is competitive in their career or has a job in competitive fields such as an athlete, entrepreneur, or even a politician.
As it was stated at the beginning, Cancer is able to achieve a lot and to be successful due to the Aries’s influence in their 10th house.
Authority figures
Cancer people have Aries-like bosses who are on a lower level, aggressive, fiery, angry bossy, pushy, etc. Having Aires in the 10th house on a higher level, or the better manifestation is to be a competitive leader, an entrepreneur, a pioneer of sorts, and fight for a good cause. That is why Cancer is better off being their own business, having their enterprise because if they have a boss, he/she is Aries-like.
11. Cancer and friends, goals, networks, and groups
11th house: friends, large network, gains, big goals and wishes, interconnected systems, big groups,
Taurus: stability, simple pleasures of life, comfort, beauty, money, nature,
Friends, groups
Taurus rules the 11th house for Cancer. Cancer tends to have Taurus-like friends, either, Taurus friends or people who are naturally beautiful, wealthy, good with materials, work in banking with finances, catering, or anything that is Taurus-ruled.
Taurus is a loyal sign; therefore, Cancer has the merit to have long-lasting loyal friendships.
As Taurus rules all the sensual and simple pleasures, Cancer can enjoy those with their friends, such as eating good food, and wine, going out in nature, visiting luxurious places, etc.
Taurus is a fix sign which lacks changes. Therefore Cancer prefers to have long-lasting friendships which stay the same for a long time. Can financially benefit from the friends.
Setting goals
As Taurus is a sign that rules finances, Cancer is prone to have financial goals, goals to establish a financially stable life. Their goals don’t change for a long time as Taurus is a fix sign.
12. Cancer and relaxing, escaping reality,
12th house: subconscious mind, dreams, sleeping, escaping reality, addictions, hidden enemies, something that is hard to have access to.
Gemini: communication, thinking, skills, learning, more than two, being curious,
Relax, escape reality, rest
As Gemini falls on the 12th house cusp of Cancer. Gemini is the sign of thinking, and all sorts of communication, therefore in the 12th house, which is relaxing, and sleeping, it is hard for Cancer to relax and fall asleep because they have many thoughts. Disconnecting from the daily hustles is hard for them because of the constant thinking. And 12th house is the past, and Cancer tends to think, and talk about its past. Cancer rules nostalgia for a reason, mind you.
What can help them to relax? Journaling, speaking with someone, walking in nature before going to sleep, or walking as a form of meditation, and watching documentaries.
Doing something in small groups is r also relaxing for them.
Gemini rules short trips, and the 12th house gives Cancer a lot of short trips to foreign countries or to the home country. Or traveling to shorter times or shorter distances.
Celebrities born under the sign:
Ascendant in Cancer: Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Angelina Jolie,
Sun in Cancer: Nikole Tesla, Elon Musk, Angela Merkel
Moon in Cancer: Lewis Hamilton, Duke of Cambridge, Kris Jenner
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