Self-protective, loyal, sensitive, instinctive, intuitive, introverted, cautious, shrewd. Click here for your personal reading

June 22 - July 23

Basic Personality

As the sign for Cancer, The Crab, suggests, the classic Cancerian personality is self-protective and territorial, especially in the guardianship of home and hearth. Here is the strong influence of the Moon, the Cancerian's ruling planet. Whether female or male, Cancerians can often have an 'earth mother' sensitivity towards others, especially those in the family or close friends. Generally instinctive rather than analytical, subjective or even enigmatic rather than impartial or necessarily factually orientated, Cancerians nevertheless can be shrewd, especially when their intuition teams with instinct in business or in their ability to asses others' motivations.

Almost all Cancerians battle a tendency to worry, fueled in part by a vivid imagination, especially in relation to 'worst-case scenarios'. Here again is the influence of the Moon, Cancerians' ruling planet, which encourages their self-protective instincts. Some astrologers point to the Cancerian tenacity, perseverance and determination in adverse situations as their greatest strength. In this regard they tend to learn from past experiences, which often form the basis for present action. The proclivity of many Cancerians to cling to their possessions, hoard things like the proverbial magpie, or to take literally the adage that 'a dime saved today is a dollar tomorrow', is another manifestation of their self-protective habit. This and their characteristic reticence often leads others to see them as mean or hard. However, the 'hard shell' exterior exhibited by many, is just that. Underneath most are soft, or at least sensitive people who may well be easily hurt, and they take advantage of their hard shell exteriors to protect their emotional vulnerability until they are sure you will not take advantage of them. On the other hand, if they are particularly stressed, they may become like the crab represented by their sign, snapping and nipping, hurting others with their sharp verbal attacks, then withdrawing into their shells.

Cancerians can be passionate and sensual lovers, and are almost always caring and loyal partners, especially in a permanent relationship, as well as caring and protective parents. They tend to focus their powerful emotions on the primary relationship, and if you are the lover of a Cancerian, you will have experienced this and you will probably be aware of the romantic side of your partner, too. Sometimes Cancerians are so emotionally involved with a partner, that their instinct to protect becomes stifling. They are usually on the look out for permanent relationships so that they can establish, maintain and protect their own 'territory' and raise a family. The greatest challenge for you as a Cancerian is to take full advantage of your intrepid nature and bravely look for opportunities to set aside the tendency to be too self-protective and to show your softer side.