If you have a Cancerian in your life, then you get no dull days.
Cancers, like their animal representatives, are masters of both emotional and material worlds.
But don’t let their tough exterior fool you! Because they also feel as deeply as the sea.
There is so much to learn about this cardinal water sign. So without further ado, let’s look at all you need to know about the Cancer personality traits.
1) They are naturally nurturing and domestic
Cancers are known for their emotional depth. They make great homebodies because of their nurturing and domestic personalities.
They deeply value familiarity and security, two things that make up a good home.
If you are in a relationship with a Cancer, you may notice how your partner thrives more indoors.
Their energy is soothing and fills you with a gentle warmth that feels safe.
They are people who cherish a good, welcoming environment. They become their best selves when they feel comfort and assurance. And they want the same for those they love.
You will notice that when a Cancer expresses their love, it’s in the form of inviting you over.
They throw amazing sleepover parties. They are very hospitable. And they know how to make everyone who enters their territory feel at home.
If they do go out of their comfort spaces, they prefer places that offer elevated versions of comfort.
You will find them having staycations in a really nice hotel by the beach. Maybe renting a humble cottage in the mountains.
Or basically anywhere they can kick their shoes off and put their feet up.
2) They are born caregivers
Mother crabs bury themselves in the sand for days after having her eggs fertilized. Only her eyes are visible above the sand to watch out for predators.
In the same way do Cancers care for people they hold in high regard.
They will keep you close and care for you the best way they know how.
You will notice them fawning over you. They will offer you the best version of affection you will find from anyone.
They are also amazing huggers. When you are within their embrace, it is like being back in your mother’s womb.
This is why Cancers can be great parents.
True to form, they value family over anything else. And their concept of family is wider than what anyone expects.
Once they connect deeply with a person, they will immediately consider that person to be family.
And from then on, you’ll be able to experience being cared for in the best possible way.
3) They are greatly empathetic and intuitive
Cancerians know how to tap into the depth of emotions.
Because of this, they have this special understanding of how empathy works. In fact, you won’t ever meet anyone as empathetic and intuitive as a Cancer!
Just by being around you, they will have a sense of what you’re going through.
How, you ask? Well, it’s through their ability to feel all emotions. And by “all,” I mean all. Even yours.
They have that level of sensitivity to people’s emotions that kind of feels like a superpower.
Spend enough time with them, and you will notice how great they are as listeners.
They will make you feel heard and seen. They will validate everything you say, while still offering meaningful insights that can help you improve.
Being with a Cancer friend, relative, or lover makes the heart so much fuller.
4) They are the cardinal water sign
What does it mean to be a cardinal sign?
Well, in simple terms, they are the beginners of each season. Cancer in particular, starts summer, landing near the summer solstice.
What this means is they tend to always be on a high when it comes to the qualities of being a water sign.
This explains their tendency to be too emotional. Which comes in the territory of being huge feelers.
Being a cardinal sign, a Cancer is a known leader and initiator. But the main influence behind their initiative is, of course, their intuition.
This can go one or both ways.
When a project they start requires more logic and analysis, then you can bet that the project is not going to last long. (That is, unless they are partnered with a fixed sign).
But if their project is based more on passion and creativity, then you will definitely see a Cancer thriving. Their projects will bear a lot of expression and emotion.
Chances are, the results of these projects will make you feel things, too!
Overall, Cancers can be great leaders. They just need to know their own strengths.
5) They may seem tough, but that toughness is fragile
Like a crab, Cancerians exist with shells. And for people who don’t know how to deal with their shells, Cancers may appear a little too distant.
But like this crustacean, this shell is actually kind of fragile. With the right tools and pressure, you will be able to reveal how soft a Cancer really is inside.
This is why they stay around quality people. Because these people are not fazed by their tough exterior.
And their chosen persons are thoroughly selected.
Why, you ask? Well, that’s because a Cancer will never just let anyone know that their tough exterior is not that hard.
Or else it may be used against them.
And just as Cancers are nurturing and caring of the people they care for, so are those people towards Cancers.
They influence the way each person in their inner circle processes his or her emotions.
When you are around a Cancer, you won’t be able to help but feel things, too.
Maybe not as much as a Cancerian, but more than your usual.
6) They give up a lot of themselves for others
Cancers enjoy giving gifts. It’s one of their most notable characteristics.
In fact, they love giving so much that they sometimes give up so much of themselves.
They will offer the last slice of pizza for you. They may give you the blanket during winter even if they themselves are freezing. They may skip a date just so they can support you as a friend.
And they’re more than happy to do these things…and more!
Depending on the Cancerian you know, they may or may not know they are doing this.
Which is why Cancers tend to be taken advantage of. They are prey to people who only know how to take instead of give back.
And this is how their less than appealing side can be triggered.
Apart from this, if a Cancer is not careful about their actions, they may just cross a really delicate boundary.
This is also why some Cancerians are blamed for love-bombing their partners.
If you’re a Cancer who is like this, all you need to do is be aware of what you are doing.
And if you can’t help but give, then spread out that energy! Give to more people around you, instead of focusing on just a single person.
7) They can be too moody
You know what they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Such is the case when you are close to a Cancer.
Sure, they usually have your back when it comes to understanding emotions.
But they drink from such a deep well of emotion that… sometimes you just end up at the receiving end of it all.
You know what they say: Loving a Cancer is a double-edged sword.
If you are someone who cannot handle all the vulnerability of a Cancerian, then maybe don’t tread too deep where you can’t swim.
Otherwise, for the emotionally receptive, a Cancer’s occasional moodiness is nothing but a bump in the road.
Because on the other side of all the crying and the sulking and the overjoyous celebrations… you will be filled with so much love that you never run out.
8) They tend to be vindictive
People think that Scorpios are the vindictive ones. Which in a sense is true.
But a Scorpio’s thirst for revenge leans more towards payback and justice (albeit they do it in a manipulative way).
Meanwhile, a Cancer’s brand of vindication is more explosive and full of passion.
It’s wild like a stormy sea and as hard to get out of like a whirlpool.
From the sound of this, you definitely don’t want to be at the receiving end of it.
But they don’t become vindictive with just anyone. Instead, they exact revenge on people who threaten their and their loved ones’ sense of security.
A Cancer won’t just demand an eye for an eye out of nowhere, especially if you are someone they value.
On the other hand, they are actually very understanding and forgiving!
Just don’t push it too far. Or else you will definitely find yourself drowning in the wave of their wrath.
9) They tend to be a little self-conscious
Cancers value self-preservation a lot. They want security from the world and from the people around them.
This is why they have a tough exterior. Because not just anyone is allowed to see them vulnerable…unless they so choose.
But the truth is, beneath all that toughness is someone who is constantly self-conscious.
They may mask it underneath overexpression. They may try to smile too widely or act like they don’t care… and they would succeed! Because they are so used to handling emotions.
But the truth is, they are their own worst critics.
One of the reasons why they are so reassuring and supportive of the people they love is this:
They are often misunderstood because they are very expressive.
That’s why not a lot of people know how to handle when they criticize themselves.
But if you’re patient enough, and you try to get to know a Cancer, you’ll know just how to reassure them.
I promise: If you get through all the expressiveness, you’ll find that it’s actually very easy to reassure them.
That’s because they wear their hearts on their sleeves.
10) They are fiercely protective
In order to protect its young, a crab attaches its eggs to its body. This protects the little ones from potential predators.
Cancerians protect the people they cherish in a similar way.
If you are one of the lucky ones they consider close to their heart, then you won’t ever have to worry.
Cancers are the fiercest protectors. They know how to snip their claws at anyone who would dare cross you.
Besides that, they will shield you with their tough exterior. All while you enjoy the softness of their core.
Their protectiveness can even go as far as siding with you even when you are the one at fault!
They wouldn’t care about the weight of what you did. What matters is that they stay loyal to you until the end.
Popular Cancerian celebrities
Cancers take over your favorite films and shows! With their range and depth of emotions, they are the perfect actors.
Here is a list of popular Cancerian celebrities.
- Lana del Ray (June 21)
- Meryl Streep (June 22)
- Solange Knowles (June 24)
- Ariana Grande (June 26)
- Khloe Kardashian (June 27)
- Kathy Bates (June 28)
- Missy Elliot (July 1)
- Pamela Anderson (July 1)
- Margot Robbie (July 2)
- Lindsay Lohan (July 2)
- Sofia Vergara (July 10)
- Kristen Bell (July 18)
- Selena Gomez (July 22)
Is your favorite part of this list?
What are the best jobs for Cancer?
With a Cancer’s sensitivity to their emotions and their passion for nurturing and caring for others, what careers best fit them?
Check out this list below:
- Social work
- Teaching
- Hospitality
- Health care
- Midwifery
- Nonfiction writing
Which signs are the most compatible for Cancers?
1) Pisces
When a Cancer and a Pisces meet, they are instantly attracted to each other.
Not just physically, but on a deeply emotional level.
Cancers will understand a Pisces’ need to express themselves. And a Pisces will be able to convince Cancer to go with the flow and explore creative ways to express romance.
Together, they will make for a couple that expresses a lot of physical touch and words of affirmation.
2) Scorpio
Together, a Cancer and a Scorpio is a match made in the abyss.
When these two signs fall for each other, they can understand and get past all the mystery and tough exterior the other one holds up.
And they will respect that.
Aside from that, they can easily explore the depths of each other’s personalities without question.
And neither of them will ever be scared of what skeletons the other hides in their closets.
Instead, their relationship will be filled with acceptance. So they won’t have any problem spending a lot of quality time together.
3) Capricorn
When you put a Cancer and a Capricorn together, you get a balanced relationship.
Their love for each other can temper and moderate the other’s extreme qualities.
A Cancer can help a Capricorn open up a little bit. And the Capricorn will have no problem becoming more expressive.
In return, a Capricorn can help a Cancer be more grounded with their emotions. With a Capricorn’s logical and pragmatic nature, a Cancer can learn how and when to channel certain feelings.
Together, they just help each other out become the best versions of themselves. This is their greatest act of service.
Final words
A Cancerian personality is not for the feeble-hearted. But their presence is definitely for people who find strength in vulnerability.
Having a Cancer in your life is like treading the waves of the oceans—both calm and turbulent. But the entire time, you will feel safe within their embrace.
So if you are at the receiving end of a Cancer’s expressive affection, consider yourself lucky!
Not everyone will be able to experience (much less understand) how a Cancer can fill any heart to the brim.
