Cancer Personality Traits, Compatibility & More

A loyal, compassionate nurturer who is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

If your birthday falls between June 21 and July 22, you are a sensitive, compassionate Cancer. Cancer is the fourth zodiac on the wheel, placed in between Gemini and Leo. Compared to their highly independent neighbors, Cancers are much more nurturing. They enjoy spending quality time with their family and friends because they grow lonely easily. They crave companionship. Anyone who falls under the Cancer zodiac sign enjoys helping out others. They would rather tend to their loved one’s needs than worry about what they need themselves. Cancers are givers, so they are always thinking of thoughtful ways to improve the lives of the people around them, even if it means making life harder on themselves.

Cancer Personality Traits / Characteristics

Cancer traits are mostly positive. Cancers are selfless, protective, and family-oriented. They spend most of their time worrying about their loved ones, whether that’s a partner or relative or pet. Either way, they are more concerned with how they can help others than how they can help themselves. This is why they’re always running around doing favors and buying little presents to surprise people with out of the blue. In addition to being thoughtful and attentive, this sign is incredibly protective, so they won’t let anything hurt their loved ones. They can act surprisingly fierce when they feel like someone they care about is in danger. Cancers are also super affectionate, so they aren’t going to make you wonder how they feel. They will compliment you, support you, and encourage you on a daily basis. They want you to feel loved and appreciated at all times.

Cancer Strengths

• Loyal: One of a Cancer’s biggest strengths is their loyalty. They take their commitments seriously and try their best to never break a promise. Cancers are never going to hurt someone they care about on purpose — and if it happens by accident, they will do everything in their power to make it up to you.
• Empathetic: Because of their emotional depth and understanding, they have a profound ability to relate and empathize with others. Cancers make everyone around them feel seen, heard, and validated.
• Thoughtful: Cancers highly value their close relationships and love finding ways to make them feel special and cared for. Cancers are highly thoughtful and known to be great gift givers because of it. They make sure to understand the people they love on a deep level and put a lot of effort into making those people feel loved in the best way possible.
• Imaginative: Cancers are emotional but have trouble outwardly expressing their feelings which is why their mind becomes a very imaginative place. They are highly creative individuals whose inner world is unique and extraordinary.
• Supportive: Cancers will stick by your side through thick and thin; they mean it when they say they would do anything for you. Whenever you call, they will show up without needing an explanation. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the night or if they’re busy with other things because they will drop everything for you. They are your biggest cheerleader and your strongest pillar to lean on.

Cancer Weaknesses

• Grudge-holder: Although their sensitivity can be a strength at times, it can also cause them trouble. Cancers take every little comment to heart, so if they catch you saying something rude or breaking a promise, they are never going to be able to look at you the same way again. They might choose to forgive you, but they will never forget what you’ve done — and there will be multiple fights about the same exact thing throughout the course of your friendship or relationship. They will never let go of the pain or uncertainty you put them through.
• Pessimistic: Sometimes a Cancer’s emotions have too strong of a hold on their mind and tend to cloud their judgment. Because of this, Cancers have a tendency to view the world in a pessimistic light; searching for the worst outcome because it’s what they fear.
• Insecure: Cancers secretly care a great deal about how they are perceived by others, especially those they care about. This can lead to some insecurities. Not to mention, a Cancer’s memory is long so they never forget an insult someone has told them. Instead, they internalize it and struggle to unsee themselves in that light.
• Moody: Another way a Cancer’s whirlpool of emotions can manifest is in extreme moodiness. Their minds and hearts are plagued with so many feelings: their own, their loved one’s, the emotions of those around them on the street. They are empaths that feel so deeply and this can push them in and out of various moods depending on the energies they’re picking up.
• Reserved: Cancers are overly cautious because they’re intelligent, self-aware individuals who know how sensitive they are. They fear someone getting close enough to hurt them and overwhelm their caring heart. Because of this, their walls can be very high at first and they tend to come off a bit reserved.

Things That Make Cancer Happy

Cancers are highly imaginative home-bodies that adore and prioritize alone time or time with their dearest loved ones. They are happiest when letting their vast inner world roam wild or while immersed in activities that calm their busy mind.

Here are some ideas of activities that make a Cancer feel most fulfilled:

• Being in Nature: Surrounding themselves in nature (most likely in or by the water) is one of Cancer’s favorite pastimes. They love hiking, lying by the ocean, and reading in their local park. Being outside in the fresh air and natural environment helps bring peace to their mind and body.
• Creative Endeavors: Painting, playing an instrument, making candles, cooking a refined meal, etc. all bring Cancers immense joy. Working with their hands and letting their emotional mind run wild provides them with so much release.
• Small Group Hangouts: Cancers keep a small circle close to them and spending time with these folks brings a natural smile to their face. They love hosting quaint dinner parties or picnicking with friends in the park. Any time connecting with their loved ones is worthwhile.
• Alone Time at Home: What Cancers secretly love most is time alone in their sanctuary (a.k.a. their house). Being with their creature comforts puts them at ease and allows them to move about their routine without any pressure. Here, they can unwind and be completely natural.

Cancer Dislikes

Cancers struggle to open up and hate being put on the spot. Public speaking is not their strong suit, nor are large social gatherings where they need to connect with various strangers and reveal portions of their life. Being so open makes them feel vulnerable, criticized, and exposed.

Cancer Aesthetic/Style

Cancers are ruled by a feminine moon, which is why they typically dress in a more feminine style. They prefer silhouettes with soft shapes and muted colors because they don’t want to draw too much attention to themselves. This is why their power color, which embodies and highlights their personality, is silver, like the surface of the moon. This color is clean and pure, much like their personality.

Overall, this sign would rather blend into the background and dress for comfort than wear what’s trendy. Cancers usually enjoy shopping for thrifted items because they are far from materialistic. They would rather get a good deal than spend money on themselves that they could be spending on others. 

Cancer Career Paths

Cancers thrive in career fields that allow for a lot of solo time because they are fiercely introverted and incredibly independent individuals. However, it is important to note that their kind and welcoming nature also makes them great coworkers and teammates.

Cancers are hard-working and highly value the work that they put forth as it feels like a reflection of themselves and their character. This is also why they work well in careers that allow them to portray their values and care for others because it reflects their empathetic and moral nature. They are happiest in fields that also allow for time in nature or creative thinking because both of these things put their mind at ease and allow them to be the best versions of themselves.

Top career paths for Cancers:

• Politics
• Veterinarian
• Gardener
• Wedding photographer

Cancer Humor

Because of a Cancer’s sensitive and empathetic nature, they don’t jive best with crass or sarcastic humor. Instead, they favor the silly things in life, and with their closest friends, they can unleash a goofy side of them that lightens the hearts and loosens the laughs of everyone in the room.

What All Signs Can Expect During Cancer Season

During Cancer season each year, all of the signs will feel extra emotional. They will crave connection, whether that means meeting new people or reconnecting with old friends that they’ve lost touch with over time. This is the perfect season to work on building deep, meaningful relationships. As the Cancer sign knows all too well, you should never neglect the people who matter the most. They always make sure that they are vocalizing their feelings for others, and that their actions are matching their words. Anyone with a Cancer birthday will never let a day go by without reminding their loved ones how much they matter.

Cancer Relationship Compatibility

Cancers typically aren’t interested in short-term situationships or flings. They are searching for their forever person so they can start building a home together. This sign craves consistency and reliability. They want a stable life where they feel comfortable and safe. Cancers are as loyal as they come, and they expect their partner to remain faithful as well. They are sensitive and take little slights to heart, so they won’t last with a partner who makes them feel insecure or compares them to others.

Most Compatible Signs

Cancers would work best with a fellow water sign like Pisces or Scorpio because they are both emotional. They care deeply about others and want to make their partner as happy as possible. Cancers also make great matches with earth signs like Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn because they all want to settle down and start their own version of a family, whatever that might mean to them.

Most compatible signs for Cancers:

• Pisces: Pisces and Cancer are considered twin souls of the zodiac because they have a profound, natural understanding of one another. Their inner worlds are aligned as they both resonate with others easily and feel the world very deeply. Together, they build steadfast relationships that last for decades because their lives intertwine so easily and their communication is impeccable.
• Scorpio: Scorpios are also water signs and understand a Cancer’s emotional depth. However, Scorpios are a bit harder than Cancers and help to balance out a Cancer’s tenderness. Scorpios act as protectors of Cancers and together they have intimate, loving conversations of great meaning. Their love is significant and everyone around them can see it.
• Taurus: Taurus’ are earth signs that can be very opposite from Cancers and their emotional nature. Tauruses are much more logical and grounded in the present which helps balance out a Cancer’s tendency to approach the world with such woe. Taurus is also very earthy and creative which allows them to bond with Cancers and share many common interests, pushing their connection to grow stronger than ever. Together these signs have a lot of fun and build a life they adore.

Least Compatible Signs

Cancers can mostly relate to anyone, however, they struggle the most to connect with fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius). These signs are much too spontaneous for them and are direct to the point of being harsh sometimes, in the eyes of a Cancer. Cancers love being at home while fire signs love to travel and push the boundaries of their comfort zone. While Cancers can be friends with fire signs, a relationship with one can be trying because their desires out of life are vastly different.

Least compatible signs for Cancers:

• Aries
• Sagittarius
• Gemini

Cancer in Love and Dating

These signs aren’t interested in playing the field and take their commitments seriously. Once they enter a relationship, Cancers will put one hundred percent of their effort into keeping it strong. They are highly communicative and loving once they know you and feel comfortable letting their walls down. However, it might take them a bit longer to open up than most which is why they need a partner who is patient and kind.

Unfortunately, it can be easy for a Cancer sign to get involved in one-sided relationships since they are usually the ones who care more, but when they find a compatible sign (their Cancer soulmate) everything will feel equal. They will be receiving as much love as they give.

Key traits of a Cancer in love:

• Loyal
• Communicative
• Emotional
• Loving
• Reserved
• Thoughtful
• Caring

Cancer Family Members

Family is Cancer’s #1 priority and their goal in life is to create a safe, loving home. Cancers are homebodies and keep a very tight-knit circle so it’s quite apparent that the closest people to them are their family (and they want to keep it this way). As parents, they are empathetic and kind as the day is long and will seamlessly guide their children throughout the wavy roads of life.

Qualities of a Cancer family member:

• Protective
• Loving
• Thoughtful
• Caring
• Soft

Cancer Friendships

Cancers keep a close circle of friends that they struggle to stray from. Typically these are people they’ve known since their childhood, allowing them to feel incredibly comfortable around them. They value the opinions of their friends immensely and would do anything to support these friendships and keep them stable.

If you have a close friend that’s a Cancer, consider yourself lucky, because they are one of the most understanding and loyal friends of all the zodiac.

Top signs for friendship compatibility:

• Taurus
• Pisces
• Scorpio

Cancer Symbology

Cancers are tied to symbols that signify their emotional nature and thoughtful mind.

Cancer Symbol/Glyph

The Cancer symbol is meant to resemble a crab body and claws. In order to draw this, you should first create an oblong shape for the body. Then add two dash-like lines for the arms. You can also draw the Cancer symbol as a sideways 69 which is also meant to resemble crab claws.

Cancer Animal

Cancers are represented by the crab because they are reserved and hide inside of their shells. They protect themselves and isolate themselves in order to avoid rejection or heartbreak. Like crabs, the Cancer animal, they are also highly sensitive to their environments. They need to surround themselves with people who make them feel comfortable and safe because they are influenced by outside energies. Their sensitive side makes it hard for them to associate with people who are overly negative or critical.

Cancer Birthstone

The Cancer birthstone is the ruby. This is a precious red gem that is said to spark confidence. This is something that a Cancer desperately needs because they tend to criticize themselves constantly and overthink every situation. This gemstone is meant to bring them balance so that they have the confidence and courage to chase after what they deserve in life.

Cancer Element

Cancers are grouped under the water element, along with Scorpio and Pisces. Water signs are known for being sentimental and sensitive. They feel their emotions deeply and genuinely care about everyone around them. These signs are loyal to a fault, so they are never going to abandon or betray the people they love the most. Their compassion and dedication make them excellent partners and friends.

Cancer Modality

Cancers are a cardinal sign because their season marks the beginning of summer. These signs are known for being ambitious and self-motivated. Cancers in particular are always willing to put effort into their relationships and friendships because they want to make others happy. They aren’t going to get lazy because they want to give their loved ones everything they deserve. This sign might not think of themselves as a leader, but when it comes time to protect their favorite people, they will do whatever needs to be done.

Cancer Planetary Ruler

Cancer is unique because instead of being ruled by a planet, it is ruled by the moon. The moon represents emotions and intuition, which explains why Cancers are so in tune with their emotions. They are also skilled at reading body language and can guess what others are thinking with accuracy. The moon is also associated with childhood and maternal figures, which is why Cancers are one of the biggest nurturers in the zodiac.

Cancer House Ruler

Cancer signs are ruled by the fourth house on the astrological wheel, which represents the home and family. This house involves your relationships with your parents, with the place you call home, and with the place where you originally came from. It encourages you to reflect on your relationship with the people who raised you and your roots.

Cancer Tarot Card

The tarot card associated with Cancer is The Chariot. This card suggests that you aren’t going to take a straightforward path. You’re going to experience ups and downs that will take you in directions you never imagined. But that’s okay because even though your path might change, just like your goals or your emotions, you can still reach the same finish line.

Cancer Part of the Body

The parts of the body ruled by Cancer are the chest and stomach. This is because Cancers are maternal creatures. They want to support and nourish everyone that they love, much like your chest keeps newborns fed and your stomach keeps you fed. 

Astrology Big Three — Cancer Edition

A common astrological term is your “big three,” which consists of your sun sign, moon sign, and rising sign. Your sun sign represents your core traits while your moon sign speaks to your emotional landscape and your rising sign displays how you appear in the world.

Your sun sign is coordinated by the day you were born. For example, someone who is a Cancer sun sign is born between the dates of June 21 and July 22. Your moon sign is coordinated by the placement of the moon on the exact time you were born. Your rising sign, also known as your ‘ascendant sign,’ is calculated by the exact time of your birth on your birthday. All of these signs can be found by having your full birth chart calculated.

Cancer Sun

Those with their sun in Cancer are known to be very sympathetic, friendly, and protective of those they love. They are huge homebodies so their space is sacred to them.

Cancers are very in touch with their emotions which is why they are often viewed as sentimental or sensitive. Being sensitive comes with many positives such as having a great deal of compassion for those around them. However, it can also cause Cancers to be a bit moody and guarded as they fear others taking advantage of their natural empathy.

This whole page is actually dedicated to Cancer sun signs so if you want to know more, keep reading.

Cancer Rising

If you’re a Cancer rising, you are emotionally strong and compassionate. You are able to push aside whatever problems you’re facing in order to help others deal with their problems. You always put the well-being of others ahead of yourself because you are a protector. When it comes to your family, there is nothing that you wouldn’t do for them. You normally aren’t fierce or combative, but if someone threatens a loved one, you will go to battle. You will do anything you can to keep them safe.

Cancer Moon

If you’re a Cancer moon, you are empathetic. You cannot stand to see others in pain because you feel what they’re feeling. Their sadness rubs off on you, but so does their happiness. That’s why you will help out in whatever way you can. You are a giver who is much more comfortable helping others than receiving help from others. Since you care so deeply about your loved ones, and even strangers on the street, you’re always busy doing favors. You support others in whatever way possible.

Famous Cancer Celebrities

Some notable people with a Sun Sign in Cancer include:

• Selena Gomez, actress, 1992
• Ariana Grande, singer, 1993
• Milo Ventimiglia, actor, 1977
• Kristen Bell, actress, 1980
• Tom Hanks, actor, 1956
• Sofia Vergara, actress, 1972
• Will Ferrell, actor, 1967
• Post Malone, singer, 1995
• Kevin Hart, comedian, 1979
• Kevin Bacon, actor, 1958
• Chris Pratt, actor, 1979
• Meryl Streep, actress, 1949
• Lindsay Lohan, actress, 1986
• Linda Cardellini, actress, 1975
• Busy Philipps, actress, 1979
• Fantasia Barrino, singer, 1984
• Nick Offerman, actor, 1970