On this page: Cancer Personality Overview * All Things Associated with Cancer * Famous Cancers
Cancer Traits: compassionate, creative, generous, home-loving, imaginative, intuitive, moody, nature-oriented, nostalgic, nurturing, outdoorsy, patriotic, practical, protective, relationship-oriented, resourceful, security-conscious, self-indulgent, sensitive, shrewd, tenacious
Cancer Personality Overview
Cancers Are Pragmatic, Conscientious, and Shrewd
Typical Cancers are reliable and conscientious. They have plenty of common sense and a practical outlook on life, as well as a talent for making money and investing it wisely.
Cancers tend to have a lot of good business ideas, so they often start their own companies or seek other self-employment options. Businesses involving foods and beverages, hospitality, children, animals, or boats are particularly favored for this sign.
Cancers are good problem-solvers. Unfortunately, this causes some of them to become bossy or even controlling because 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.
Cancers Are Fiercely Protective
Although they are usually gentle, Cancers often turn ferocious when threatened and their physical and emotional strength can be surprising. They are aggressively protective of friends and family, and will not tolerate anyone saying bad things about those they love.
Cancers are also fiercely protective of the weak and vulnerable in general, and many take in and nurture strays. They are particularly good with vulnerable people and animals because they can to intuit the needs of others and provide the support they require.
The Cancer Personality Is Relationship-Oriented and Self-Sacrificing
Most Cancers need a mate, a nest, and children to make their lives complete (unless they have rising signs such as Sagittarius or Aquarius that incline them toward roaming). Because they they tend to be generous and compromising in their relationships, they can establish harmonious partnerships with compatible individuals, though freedom-loving types may find Cancers too needy.
Unless they have their ascendants in more fickle signs, Cancers tend to be loyal, not only to lovers, family, and friends, but also to their countries of origin or the nations they choose for their homes. This loyalty often manifests as a fierce patriotism.
Most Cancers are homebodies, but they are also sociable with those close to them (though some are very shy outside of their social circles). They prefer to live with close friends, family members, or partners rather than on their own and enjoy social activities that take place in cozy venues (home or a small local pub) or bring them out into nature.
Cancers have a tendency to spoil their mates, children, and animals, and they are often the ones to take care of various extended family members as well. They need to be needed, so they are compelled to nurture or rescue others. Because they are naturally sympathetic and quick to help those who are sick and suffering, Cancers are at risk of being exploited by unscrupulous people who fake problems for personal gain.
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 other factors in their natal zodiacs incline them to be more selfish, Cancers tend to put others first and don’t take care of their own needs, which can cause resentment and bitterness.
Typical Cancers Are Sensitive and Creative
Many Cancers are physically tough and although they may seem emotionally tough as well, this is usually a mask to hide their vulnerability from others. Cancers react intensely to insults or cruel words, but they are quick to forgive if the other person shows kindness or remorse. They often overreact to criticism because words can wound them more deeply than blows. When hurt, a Cancer will usually retreat for awhile.
Cancers are prone to worry and moodiness, and their tension may be experienced as a stomach upsets or other physiological symptoms. Some grow depressed from dwelling on real or imagined slights. However, although they tend to complain vociferously about minor problems, Cancers often meet major life challenges with quiet stoicism. Overall, they are far better at withstanding physical hardship than emotional hardship.
The sensitivity of the Cancer personality may be the key to Cancerian creativity. Cancer is a creative sign and many Cancers have artistic talents. Music, writing, and photography are common strengths, but they also tend to be excellent cooks and have green thumbs, and many have a talent for arts and crafts or DIY.
Cancers Tend to Be Past-Oriented and Nature-Loving
Cancers spend a lot of time thinking about the past. Many have an interest in the ancient past as well as their own pasts, which makes them good historians, and they have a tendency to indulge in nostalgia. Typical Cancer hobbies include collecting antiques, furniture restoration, restoring old cars or boats, archaeology, or other activities related to different historical periods.
Typical Cancers also love outdoor pursuits such as hiking, climbing, swimming, camping, or sailing. If other elements in their natal zodiacs incline them to be cautious, Cancers are more likely to prefer gentler pursuits such as nature walks, picnics, or low-risk sports, whereas those whose ascendants, moon signs, or other natal zodiac elements incline them toward risk-taking are more likely to favor dangerous sports.
The Cancer Personality Dichotomy: Active Versus Passive
There are two types of Cancers—the active and the passive. The first type is usually active on behalf of other people or animals. Active Cancers will labor tirelessly on behalf of a friend, partner, family, a good cause, a career, or a hobby, but without such a focus, this sign has a tendency to be lazy.
Passive Cancers can sit around for hours socializing, drinking, watching TV, or listening to music. They are prone to self-indulgence when not taking care of others, so they may overeat or abuse substances if they don’t channel their energies into families, causes, or engaging activities.
The Cancer tendency toward activity extremes can also be seen in the cleanliness their houses (or lack thereof). Cancer homes are typically either extremely tidy or complete disaster areas, but rarely somewhere in between. While some Cancers live out their lives in the predominantly active or passive state, many Cancers swing back and forth between the two extremes.
The Atypical Cancer Personality
The sun sign isn’t the only element that influences personality. Aspects and planetary placements, particularly the moon sign and rising sign, are also important. For example, a Cancer with Aquarius rising will be less traditional, domestic, sensitive, and possessive, and with Sagittarius rising, the secure home base is less important, and there is a strong urge to travel to foreign lands. Leo or Aries rising increase the likelihood that a Cancer will be interested in sports or some sort of patriotic service (such as the military), while Gemini rising makes a Cancer more outgoing and intellectually minded, with an intense thirst for knowledge.
There are many websites that offer free chart calculation to determine other planetary placements and aspects. Learning these other planetary placements is recommended, as it provides a more comprehensive personality profile.
All Things Associated with the Sign of Cancer
Ruling Planet: moon
Symbol: the crab
Element: water
Quality: cardinal
Metal: silver
Gemstones: moonstone, lapis lazuli, pearl, alexandrite (June), ruby (July)
Parts of the Body Ruled by Cancer: breasts/chest and breastbone, upper digestive tract, stomach, pancreas, womb in females
Number: 2
Associated Places: United States, Canada, Holland, Scotland, New Zealand, Amsterdam, Milan, New York, Manchester, Venice, Algiers
Animals: owl, cat, crab, catfish, unicorn, all animals with shells
Trees: willow, holly, oak
Plants and Herbs: cardamom, white rose, flax, lettuce, chickweed, larkspur, acanthus
Foods: pumpkin, lettuce, turnip, cabbage, mushroom, olive
Colors: pale blue, ocean colors, silver
Other Cancer Associations: mothers and children, cookwear, plants, boats, pools, souvenirs, photographs/photo albums, movies, home appliances, gardens and gardening tools, glasswear, patriotism, agriculture and produce, history, nostalgia, food, fertility, pregnancy, the ocean
Famous Cancers
- 50 Cent
- Abigail Van Buren
- Adam Savage
- Alan Turing
- Alex Trebek
- Amedeo Modigliani
- Andrew Wyeth
- Angela Merkel
- Anjelica Huston
- Ann Landers
- Ariana Grande
- Ariana Huffington
- Barbara Stanwyck
- Benazir Bhutto
- Bill Blass
- Bill Cosby
- Bill Watterson
- Billy Mays
- Billy Wilder
- Bob Dole
- Camilla Parker Bowles
- Carl Lewis
- Carlos Santana
- Carly Simon
- Chris Pratt
- Cindi Lauper
- Clifford Odets
- Cory Doctorow
- Courtney Love
- Dalai Lama
- Dan Ackroyd
- Dan Brown
- Danny Glover
- Darren Shan
- David Brinkley
- Dean Koontz
- Donald Sutherland
- B. White
- Erich Maria Remarque
- Ernest Hemingway
- Estee Lauder
- Forest Whitaker
- Francoise Sagan
- Franz Boas
- Franz Kafka
- Fred Savage
- Frida Kahlo
- Gary Busey
- Genevieve Bujold
- George Bush Jr.
- George Orwell
- George Sand
- George Steinbrenner
- George Washington Carver
- Georgio Armani
- Gertrude Lawrence
- Ginger Rogers
- Gregor Mendel
- Gustav Klimt
- Harrison Ford
- Helen Keller
- Henry David Thoreau
- Henry VIII
- Herman Hesse
- Hugo Boss
- Hunter S. Thompson
- Ingmar Bergman
- Irving Stone
- J. Abrams
- Jack White
- Jacques Derrida
- Jaden Smith
- Jaden Smith
- James Brolin
- James Cagney
- James Whistler
- Janet Leigh
- Jean Cocteau
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Jessica Hahn
- Jessica Simpson
- Jimmy Smits
- Johannes Gutenberg
- John D. Rockefeller
- John Dillinger
- John Glenn
- Jordyn Wieber
- Josh Hartnett
- Joss Whedon
- Julian Assange
- Juliette Lewis
- Julius Caesar
- Karen Black
- Kathy Bates
- Kenneth Star
- Kevin Bacon
- Kevin Hart
- Khloe Kardashian
- Kris Kristofferson
- Kristen Bell
- Kristi Yamaguchi
- Lana Del Rey
- Larry David
- Lena Horne
- Lil Kim
- Linda Ronstadt
- Lindsay Lohan
- Liv Tyler
- Lizzie Borden
- Louis Armstrong
- Lucy Arnaz
- Marc Chagall
- Marcel Proust
- Margot Robbie
- Mary McCarthy
- Mel Brooks
- Merv Griffin
- Meryl Streep
- Michael Phelps
- Michelle Kwan
- Michelle Rodriguez
- Michelle rodriguez
- Mike Tyson
- Mindy Kaling
- Montel Williams
- Nancy Reagan
- Natalie Wood
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Neil Simon
- Nelson Mandela
- Nelson Rockefeller
- Nikola Tesla
- Olivia de Havilland
- Olivia Munn
- Orville Redenbacher
- Oscar de la Renta
- Pablo Neruda
- Pamela Anderson
- Patrick Stewart
- Paul Anka
- Peter Singer
- Phoebe Cates
- Phyllis Diller
- Pierre Cardin
- Princess Diana
- Ralph Bellamy
- Randy Couture
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Richard Branson
- Richard Lewis
- Richard Simmons
- Ricky Gervais
- Ringo Starr
- Robert Heinlein
- Robin Williams
- Rose Kennedy
- Ross Perot
- Rube Goldberg
- E. Hinton
- Samuel Colt
- Selena Gomez
- Sir Edmund Hillary
- Sofia Vergara
- Steve Lawrence
- Susan Hayward
- Sylvester Stallone
- Tobey Maguire
- Tom Cruise
- Tom Hanks
- Vera Wang
- Vin Diesel
- Wanderlei Silva
- Will Ferrell
- Willem Dafoe
- William Makepeace Thackeray
- Wolfgang Puck
- Woody Guthrie
- Yul Brynner
Learn More
Read about other sun signs: Aries * Taurus * Gemini * Leo * Virgo * Libra * Scorpio * Sagittarius * Capricorn * Aquarius * Pisces
Read about moon signs: Aries Moon * Taurus Moon * Gemini Moon * Cancer Moon * Leo Moon * Virgo Moon * Libra Moon * Scorpio Moon * Sagittarius Moon * Capricorn Moon * Aquarius Moon * Pisces Moon
Learn more about astrology: Astrology FAQ
Cancer image courtesy of Graphics Mouse, www.freedigitalphotos.net.