An Introductory Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Cancer

The name derives from Latin, meaning literally, the crab. The ruler of the fourth sign of the zodiac is the Moon, the Crab, its symbol. The glyph has varied interpretations. This is often seen as representing the breasts, indicating the area of the body ruled by Cancer, as well as the fundamental nurturing nature of the sign. This is also seen as two crab's claws, intertwined in a way which represents the dual nature of the Cancerian personality. In this form, it can be recognized as reflective of the Asian Yin and Yang symbol.

The Cancerian character is the most perplexing of the Astrological signs exhibiting personalities which run the entire gamut of human emotion. Cancer folk can range from the timid, shy, dull and withdrawn to the cheerfully friendly, stunningly brilliant and even infamous, think Henry VIII or P.T. Barnum. On the average these children of the Moon are fundamentally conservative and home-loving by nature, appreciating the security of a cozy base in which to retire when the stresses of living become too much to bear.

The twelve signs of the zodiac are ordered by their constitutional natures and their elemental natures. The constitutional nature indicates the manner in which we engage the world or face circumstances in life. The constitutions are grouped in three squares. Cancer is one of the Cardinal signs of the zodiac along with Aries, Libra and Capricorn. The Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. The Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

The constitution of a Cancer framed through a cardinal nature demonstrates the qualities of an energetic, outward directed individual positively engaged with the world. Driven by a desire for progress, sometimes impatiently, Cancer cardinals will adapt one way and then another to outmaneuver impediments, much as a Crab will move side to side until it gets where it is going. Cardinal sign natives are concerned with stimulation from without guided by a yearning to satisfy their objectives. This externally focused constitution finds cardinal signs quite comfortable dealing and cooperating with others. Of the cardinals Cancerians seem to recognize intuitively that the swiftest path to the realization of any venture is through interaction and collaboration.

The zodiac is also divided into four "triplicities" which are: the fiery, the earthy, the airy and the watery. These are the elementary natures of the astrological signs. Cancer shares the element of Water with Scorpio and Pisces. Each of the Water signs relates and responds to the world through emotional filters first and foremost. With a hunger for external stimulation and a native tendency to process all they experience through their feeling centers Water signs make sympathetic friends and partners. This heightened sensitivity often leaves Water folk vulnerable. Cancerians, however, utilize a tough and seemingly impenetrable exterior “shell” to defend their soft empathetic core. In relation to Cancer consider some Water qualities such as fluid, dynamic, adaptable, pervasive and  saturating.

Sun Sign Personality Traits for Cancer

Cancerians possess strong paternal and maternal instincts. The term nest is an appropriate label for the Cancerian home, because it describes a natural and comfortable type of residence. A retreat for the family, where you can put up your feet and feel at home. Appearing formidable and thick-skinned, Cancerian's have an unemotional demeanor, appearing uncompromising and obstinate. This is the facade they use to mask an insecure nature. Their intimates, however, may see a different character, one with sympathy and sensitivity to other people, especially those they love.

Cancer is an energetic, purposeful and tenacious type. Shrewd and intuitive by nature, Cancerians sometimes project a wisdom which reflects their philosophical view on life. Cancer is able to identify with the feelings of others because of the keen sensitivity of their nature. This capacity for tuning in to others can inspire sympathetic understanding, however, it may also express itself through mimicry or parody. They respond foremost to the urges and dictates of their feelings, thus, the Cancerian can be moody, sulky and inclined to self-pity. Cancer tends to absorb their environment and is over-imaginative by nature. Care should be employed here, as that vibrant sensisitivity makes one prone to be a victim of fantasy. Strongly influenced by childhood memories, Cancerians have a tendency to live in the past.

One of the interesting contradictions in the Cancerian nature is that they are prone to a sense of personal inferiority on one hand, and on the other they project their views, opinions and behavior to be impeccable and beyond question or criticism. A Cancer native will seldom resist the opportunity to discuss and project their world view. Whoever originally stated that “living is for learning and learning is for sharing” may indeed have been born a Cancer. By nature, very giving and selfless, Cancerians need to be alert to falling into the role of martyr in certain situations. The world contains far too many individuals who will take all and more that a Cancerian offers.

The overall nature of Cancerians is deeply emotional. Although private and reserved, they possess sensitivity and sympathy. Rarely will a Cancer stand on pretense. What appears to be a front is nothing more than a protective shell. Within this tough armor often resides an intuitively compassionate individual yearning for a deep exchange of love and understanding.

Where is the Planet Mercury in Your Birth Horoscope?

Of all the planets within our solar system, Mercury is nearest to the Sun. There is a direct correspondence to this fact in the mapping of an individual's birth chart. With the exception of the Moon, Mercury has the fastest revolution through the zodiac. Mercury's proximity to the Sun insures that its placement will always be near to or on par with the subject's Solar sign.

We are often able to determine where Mercury was at the time of our birth without consulting an astrologer. By reading the three potential profiles, it is often uncanny how clearly one of them will fit to us. I thought you would enjoy trying this out for yourself. You can explore the three positions of Mercury through the following links:

Mercury in Gemini Mercury in Cancer Mercury in Leo

I am always interested to know what you think and discover. Feel welcome to write! Material is currently being developed on the other planets. If you are interested, we would be pleased to keep you updated on their progress. Just send me a brief request!

Vocational Interests Suited to Cancer Tendencies

Their abilities fit them for a range of careers. Always interested in what people are thinking, they have an intuitive sense that makes them good journalists, writers or politicians. They do well in the public sector, and may serve in anything from welfare and nursing to catering. Their love of good living and comfort is personified in many excellent chefs and housekeepers. Cancer has a penchant for trade or business. Being superior organizers, with a sense of value and economics, they are often successful in industry. The Cancer's love of the past make some of them great history buffs, and others, astute antique and curio collectors. Other suitable vocations are real estate, and the service fields of gardening and caretaking. True to their native element, many Cancers are involved in marine activities.

With a natural flair for the dramatic, many Cancerians make life choices that provide outlet for their artistic talents. Whether playing a role for stage or screen, one place these folks will always shine is performing before an audience. It may be an outward manifestation of that keen sensitivity or merely a native aptitude for immitating the mannerisims of others, call it what you will—Cancer connects. Some of the most successful and enduring carreers in Theatre and Cinema and Music were born within this Sun sign.

Reknowned Cancererian performers include Hollywood Golden Age legends like Barbara Stanwyck, James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland and Yul Brynner as well as more contemporary stars such as Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Isabelle Adjani, Robin Williams and Tom Cruise. Others have expressed their sense of drama behind the scenes on stage and film. Cancer has given birth to great showmen, directors, designers, choreographers and producers; among them, P. T. Barnum, George M. Cohan, Jean Cocteau, Ingmar Bergman, Bob Fosse, Sydney Pollack.

Music is a natural outlet for the deeply emotional Cancer. A short list of Moon Children who have enjoyed distinguished carreers expressing their stormy moods for our musical entertainment include Lena Horne, Ringo Starr, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Carly Simon, Don Henly, George Michael, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Chris Cornell, Lana Del Rey, Solange, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.

Insights Into Cancer Relationships

In their personal relationships Cancerians are a mixture of toughness and tenderness. Emotional, romantic and sentimental on one side, and tenaciously possessive and loyal on the other. Even when they have affairs, their first loyalty is to their partner and family. Cancer natives tend to tred a narrowly focused worldview of which they can be very expressive. “Live and let live” is a cliché rarely spoken by a Cancerian. Possessing a retentive memory and disinclined to forgive slights and hurts a Cancerian will never let you forget an error. Like a beach crab, with pincers raised, a slighted cancer will come at you again and again to avenge a perceived hurt. Conversely, Cancers are fiercely loyal to those who show them a good turn. The children of the Moon are driven by their emotional nature and in this respect can be the best of friends and the worst of slighted friends.

The Lore of Cancer in Mythology

Mythology is closely interwoven with Astrology. Despite all that we do not know about the origins of either lore it is certain that starwatching began with passion on humanity's first night beneath the open sky. Somewhere in time, shapes were perceived, figures imagined, names given and stories were told about the densely populated tapestry of the heavens. All elder cultures throughout the world developed tales of the constellations which over time were imbued with meaning to explain various phenomena of our existence within the cosmos.

Astrology and Mythology serve a similar function in this regard. We benefit from Astrology not so much as a tool of fortune-telling but as a directional guide to understanding who we are individually and what our unique role ought to be in this life. As Carl Jung stated, “Astrology claims only that we each possess the qualities of the year and of the season in which we were born.” To discern just what those qualities are is as fascinating to each of us as the night sky.

The association of Cancer with water dates back to the shadowy dawn of astrology. The image of the crab is Babylonian in origin. In Egypt, this sign was represented by two turtles, and sometimes as an obscure water creature, known as Allul.

The later placement of the crab within the zodiac is related to a minor chapter in Greek mythology, within the Twelve Labors of Herakles. The first labor of Herakles' (Hercules to the Romans), had been to kill the Lion of Nemea, (See Leo). Next in line was the fearsome, many-headed Hydra, a great sea monster, living in the marshes of Lerna. Hera, the goddess who sent Herakles to these tasks, often encouraged his failure. During his battle with Hydra, Hera commanded a nearby crab to attack Herakles and draw his attention away. Without hesitation, the little creature took a claw-hold of a conspicuous toe. This act cost the crab its life, for Herakles abruptly crushed him. Impressed by its loyalty and courage, Hera placed the crab's image in the night sky.

Image: Hercules versus the Hydra; engraved by Cornelis Cort in 1565 for his Labors of Hercules (Herakles) series.

The Hydra had been a favorite to Hera, and was equally honored by the goddess. Not far from Cancer in the sky, lies the vast, chaotic constellation named for the great beast. Cancer itself, is not a brilliant constellation. At its heart, however, is a lovely star cluster, sometimes known in astronomy as the Beehive. The name derives from the appearance of a swarm of stars in a dance of activity.

• Henry VIII (June 28, 1491)
King of England: 1509–1547


• Dr. John Dee (July 13, 1527)

English Hermetic Philosopher, Alchemist, Astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I

• Saint John of the Cross (June 24, 1542)

Spanish Carmelite Priest, Mystic, Poet; The Spiritual Canticle, Dark Night of the Soul

• Jean Jacques Rousseau (June 28, 1712)

Swiss Enlightenment Philosopher, Author; The Social Contract, Confessions

• John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767)

Sixth President of the United States

• George Sand (July 1, 1804)

French Novelist; Indiana, Simon, Mauprat, Consuelo, La Petite Fadette

• Nathaniel Hawthorne (July 4, 1804)

American Novelist; The Scarlet Letter, House of the Seven Gables, The Marble Faun

• Giuseppe Garibaldi (July 4, 1807)

Italian Military Commander, International Revolutionary

• P. T. Barnum (July 5, 1810)

American Entrepreneur, Showman, Founder of Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus

• Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817)

American Transcendentalist Philosopher, Naturalist; Civil Disobedience, Walden

• Camille Jacob Pissarro (July 10, 1830)

American Novelist; The Scarlet Letter, House of the Seven Gables, The Marble Faun

• James Abbott McNeill Whistler (July 14, 1834)

American/English Illustrator, Painter