Cancer Personality

Cancer Traits: Compassionate, resourceful, tenacious, imaginative, protective, nurturing, moody, sensitive, practical, domestic, outdoorsey, protective, crabby, patriotic, relationship-oriented, empathic

Unless the ascendant falls in a more unreliable sign, Cancers tend to be trustworthy and responsible. They are usually good prospects as business partners, as well as for friendships and romantic relationships.

Business Sense

Cancers have a lot of common sense and a practical outlook on life, which makes them good business people and shrewd investors. They have a talent for making money and investing it wisely. Many Cancers start successful businesses and most have a lot of good business ideas. Businesses involving liquids, food, hospitality, children, animals or boats are particularly favoured.

Passionate and Protective

Cancer people are quick to blow up and quick to forgive. They are aggressively protective of friends and family, and will not tolerate anyone saying bad things about those they love. Although they are usually gentle, Cancers can turn ferocious when threatened and show a surprising amount of physical and emotional strength. They are fiercely protective of the weak and vulnerable, and many take in and nurture strays. Cancers are particularly good with vulnerable adults, animals and children, able to intuit their needs and provide the support they require.

Relationship-Oriented

Most Cancer people need a mate, a nest and children to make their lives complete. Their placid, giving natures often create marital harmony, though some freedom-loving individuals might find Cancerian love smothering. Unless the ascendant is in a more fickle sign, Cancers tend to be loyal, not only to lovers, family and friends, but also to their countries of origin, which manifests as a fierce patriotism.

Most Cancers are homebodies, but they are also sociable with those close to them (though some are painfully shy outside of their inner circles). Although they prefer to live with others, these others are generally close friends and family members rather than casual acquaintances.

Self-Sacrificing

Cancers have a tendency to spoil their mates, children and animals. They are often the ones to take care of various extended family members as well. Cancers need to be needed.

However, some Cancers devote their entire lives to their mates and their children at the expense of developing their own talents. This can lead to a martyr complex if they’re not careful. Unless the ascendant falls in a fire sign, Cancers often put others first and don’t take care of their own needs, which can cause resentment and bitter arguments.

Extremely Sensitive

Cancers usually overreact to criticism because words can wound them more deeply than blows. When hurt, a Cancer will usually retreat for awhile. Cancers may seem tough or crabby, but this is a mask designed to hide their vulnerability from others. They are prone to worry and moodiness, and their tension may be experienced as a stomach upset, heart palpitations or tightness in the chest.

Some Cancerians grow depressed as a result of the self-pity that comes from dwelling on real or imagined slights. Interestingly, they have a tendency to complain a lot about minor problems but meet major traumas with quiet stoicism. Cancers can withstand physical hardship but they have trouble with emotional hardship.

Intuitive and Empathic

Cancers are highly intuitive. Many Cancers have a strong, almost psychic link with at least one family member, if not all of them. In general, they tend to be good at assessing the moods and feelings of others and offering comfort if needed.

Cancers are very empathic and quick to comfort those who are sick and suffering. Many Cancerians get taken advantage of by unscrupulous people because they can be quite gullible and eager to help.

Active Versus Passive

There are two types of Cancerians—the active and the passive. The first type is usually active on behalf of other people or animals. Cancers will labor tirelessly on behalf of a friend, partner, family or a good cause, but without such a focus, this sign has a tendency to be lazy.

Cancer people can sit around for hours socializing, drinking, watching TV or listening to music. This tendency toward extremes can also be seen in the cleanliness of a Cancer house (or lack thereof). Cancer homes can either be extremely tidy or complete disaster areas.

Past-Oriented

Cancers spend a lot of time thinking about the past. They tend to have particularly powerful relationships with their mothers (either extremely good or extremely bad) and with other women in their lives.

Many Cancers have an interest in the ancient past as well as their own pasts. They indulge in nostalgia, which makes them good historians. Common Cancer hobbies include collecting antiques, furniture restoration, restoring old cars or boats, archeology and other activities relating to the past.

Controlling and Addictive

Cancers are good problem-solvers, which leads some of them to become bossy and even controlling as they can see what should be done in a given situation and feel that they are pushing others into doing things for their own good. This tendency needs to be overcome, or family and friends will grow resentful.

Cancer tends to be an overindulgent sign, which can lead to alcoholism in some cases. Cancers love to feed their friends and family, and will often consume too much themselves as well. In addition, they can become addicted very quickly to cigarettes or drugs if they try them.

Creative, Domestic, and Nature-Loving

Cancer is a creative sign and many Cancerians have artistic talents. Music and photography are common strengths. Cancers also tend to be excellent cooks and have green thumbs, which makes them pleasant household companions.

Many Cancers love outdoor pursuits such as hiking, climbing, swimming, camping, or sailing. If the ascendant falls in a more cautious sign, the Cancer will likely prefer gentler pursuits such as nature walks and picnics, whereas an ascendant that favours risk-taking can create an interest in extreme outdoor sports.

Famous Cancers

Harrison Ford, Louis Armstrong, Ingmar Bergman, Bill Blass, David Brinkley, Yul Brynner, James Cagney, Pierre Cardin, Marc Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Tom Cruise, Olivia deHavilland, Oscar de la Renta, Princess Diana, Duke of Windsor, Merv Griffin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Susan Hayward, Ernest Hemingway, Lena Horne, Franz Kafka, Helen Keller, Rose Kennedy, Kris Kristofferson, Ann Landers, Gertrude Lawrence, Janet Leigh, Mary McCarthy, Amedeo Modigliani, Clifford Odetts, George Orwell, Marcel Proust, Erich Maria Remarque, Nelson Rockefeller, Ginger Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Francoise Sagan, George Sand, Carly Simon, Neil Simon, Barbara Stanwyck, Irving Stone, Donald Sutherland, Sylvester Stallone, William Makepeace Thackeray, Henry David Thoreau, Mike Tyson, Abigail Van Buren, E.B. White, James Whistler, Billy Wilder, Andrew Wyeth, Tom Hanks, Phyllis Diller, Ringo Starr, Steve Lawrence, John Glenn, Julius Caesar, Paul Anka, Lucy Arnaz, Dan Ackroyd, Kevin Bacon, Ralph Bellamy, Karen Black,  James Brolin, Genevieve Bujold, Gary Busey, Henry VIII, Nancy Reagon, Meryl Streep, Bill Cosby, Pamela Anderson, Beck, Mel Brooks, George Bush Jr., Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe, Woody Guthrie, Jessica Hahn, Anjelica Huston, Ann Landers, Juliette Lewis, Richard Lewis, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Courtney Love, Tobey Maguire, Carlos Santana, Fred Savage, Jimmy Smits, Patrick Stewart, Donald Sutherland, Montel Williams, Robin Williams

Further Reading

To read profiles of other sun signs, visit the Main Astrology Page.

References:

• Bugler, Ashford, Chubb, & Zapp. (1992).The Complete Handbook of Astrology.
• Fenton, S. (1989). Rising Signs.
• Woolfolk, J.M. (1992). The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need.

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