Traditional
Cancer Traits
Emotional and loving
Intuitive and imaginative
Shrewd and cautious
Protective and sympathetic
On the dark side....
Changeable and
moody
Overemotional and touchy
Clinging and unable to let go
Cancer! About Your Sign...
The Cancerian character is the least
clear-cut of all those associated with the signs of the zodiac. It
can range from the timid, dull, shy and withdrawn to the most
brilliant, and famous Cancerians are to be found through the whole
range of human activity. It is a fundamentally conservative and
home-loving nature, appreciating the nest like quality of a secure
base to which the male can retire when he needs a respite from the
stresses of life, and in which the Cancerian woman can exercise her
strong maternal instincts. The latter tends to like and to have a
large family. `Nest like' is an appropriate adjective for the
Cancerian home, for its inhabitants tend to favor the dark,
mysterious but comfortable type of house which has something of the
air of a den about it, a place which belongs to the family rather
than existing as a showcase to impress visitors.
That is not to say that the Cancerian
is unsociable, just that for them there is a time to socialize and a
time to be solitary, and this is part of the apparent contradiction
in their nature. Outwardly they can appear formidable -
thick-skinned, unemotional, uncompromising, obstinately tenacious,
purposeful, energetic, shrewd, intuitive and wise, sometimes with a
philosophical profundity of thought verging on inspiration. Their
intimates, however, may see a very different character, one with a
sympathetic and kindly sensitivity to other people, especially those
they love. They are able to identify with the situations of others
because of the keenness of their imaginations. They are often
over-imaginative and prone to fantasy, sometimes trying to shape
their lives to fit some romantic ideal. They are appreciative of art
and literature, and especially of drama, where the spectacle and ebb
and flow of action and feeling particularly excite them. They may
themselves possess considerable literary, artistic or oratorical
talent. Their sharp ears and talent for mimicry can sometimes give
them success on the stage, though their tendency to be emotional may
make them overact. Interestingly - because they give the impression
of being down-to-earth - they are often fascinated by the occult and
are more open to psychic influence than the average. If they can
reconcile the personal conflict of their urge to be outgoing with
the reserve that causes them to withdraw into themselves, then at
best they can inspire a generation, especially the youthful part of
it, by their idealism. A job in which they can express this, and in
which they can do well, would be as a leader in a youth
organization.
In their personal relationships they
are mentally a mixture of toughness and softness, often emotional
and romantic to the point of sentimentality in their fantasies; but
in real life and in marriage, their loving is not so sentimental but
tenaciously loyal. Even if they have affairs (and they may do so,
for the male in particular is open to sensual stimulation), their
first loyalty remains to spouse and family, of whom they regard
themselves as the protector. Both the Cancerian man and woman love
unreservedly, giving much and asking little in return - in fact, one
of the most important lessons they have to learn is how to receive
gracefully. They are too easily influenced by those they love and
admire, and swayed by the emotion of the moment. They are also loyal
friends, the negative side of their faithfulness being clannishness,
the narrow patriotism of "my country right or wrong"; and
closing ranks in suspicion and coldness toward outsiders.
Cancerians have a retentive memory,
particularly for emotionally laden events which they can recall in
detail for years afterwards. they are strongly governed by childhood
memories and since they live intensely in the past in memory and in
the future in imagination, a chance meeting with someone for whom
they had an unrequited love, even if they thought they had conquered
the feeling, will easily rouse the emotion all over again.
The Cancerian has many potential
faults. They can be untidy, sulky, devious, moody, inclined to
self-pity because of an inferiority complex, brood on insults (very
often imagined), yet are easily flattered. They can be tactless and
difficult yet, because they are normally ambitious, they will curry
favor by floating with majority opinions, outlooks and fashions of
the day. As a result they often change their opinions and loyalties
and, indeed, their occupations, and lack stability. They are easily
corrupted and, because they are convincing romanticizers, can make
successful confidence tricksters. Their romanticism in another sense
make them ardent supporters of causes, for example a football team
with whose heroes they can identify in a world of fantasy.
Their abilities fit the Cancerian for
a wide range of occupations. As they are interested in what people
are thinking and able to judge what they can safely be told, they
can be good journalists, writers or politicians, though in this last
capacity they are more likely to remain in the background rather
than attain prominent positions of power. They may, indeed, change
their party affiliations. They can serve in other departments of
public affairs, especially those which involve looking after others,
for example in any kind of service from welfare and nursing to
catering - their own love of comfort and good living makes the
Cancerian an excellent chef or housekeeper. They sometimes have a
penchant for trade or business and are often successful as a captain
of industry. This is because they are excellent organizers with a
good sense of value and economy which they may combine with a flair
for inventiveness and originality. The romantic side of their
natures make them enjoy grubbing about in places where exciting
discoveries may be made (old stamp collections in attics, etc.), and
if they can do this professionally as a secondhand dealer or
specialist in antiques, they will be happy. More common occupations
which suit some subjects of Cancer are real estate broker, gardener
and sailor.
Physically they are average to below
average in height, with a fleshy body and short legs in comparison
with the rest of them. Their hair is usually brown, their faces
round, their complexions pale, their foreheads prominent, their eyes
small and blue or gray in color, their noses short, perhaps
upturned, and their mouths full. They sometimes walk clumsily.
Possible Health Concerns...
Cancer governs the chest, breasts,
elbows, stomach and digestion, womb and female reproductive organs.
Cancer, which can affect any part of the body, is sometimes said to
have taken its name from this sign, which can therefore afflict its
subjects with imperfections anywhere. This is incorrect, however,
the derivation of cancer being the Latin cancer meaning
gangrene as well as crab. nevertheless, Cancerians are said to be
liable to breast cancer and to suffer from pleurisy, dropsy, piles
and varicose veins. The excitability mentioned above can lead to
weak digestion, gastritis and other stomach ills, and there is a
tendency to coughs and weakness of vision.
