10 Best & Worst Cancer Personality Traits

If there's one zodiac sign everyone knows they can count on, it's Cancer. Born between the dates of June 21 to July 22, people with a Cancer Sun sign are the most nurturing folks you'll ever meet.

Cancer is the person who holds on to things, desires security, and essentially wants to spend as much time as possible in the comfort of their own home.

What is a Cancer?

Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and symbolized by the Crab. This sign is ruled by the Moon, meaning they can be moody, with their attitudes changing just like the tides.

Cancer rules emotion, and this tends to spill over into intuition and psychic ability. But this zodiac sign also rules the chest, breasts and stomach, making them very body-oriented and extremely body-conscious.

Cancer is a Water sign, meaning they are emotionally intelligent and aware of other people's feelings. Cancers are cool-headed in any situation and can keep their composure. Others see this and have great respect for them. Even though they hate fighting, they will stand up for a friend or family member in a heartbeat.

Cancers are most well-known for being tender-hearted, meaning they are understanding and sympathetic towards almost everyone, and make wonderfully supportive friends. They are natural nurturers with parental instincts. Cancer will go to great lengths to make sure their loved ones are taken care of.

On the downside, Cancer's moodiness can be overwhelming. They may be an upbeat entertainer one moment and withdrawn the next. Their ever-changing emotions make Cancer an interesting person to know, but sometimes their loved ones feel they're walking on eggshells due to their unpredictable mood swings.

Cancer's awareness of their own emotions, and knowledge of how easily they can be hurt, makes them likely to be considerate of others. They express their concerns in a motherly way.

Though they are caring and sensitive, don't let that fool you into thinking you can walk all over them. Their intense emotional strength is what empowers them to be so supportive of others.

5 Positive Cancer Traits

1. Loyal

Loyalty is one of Cancer's best personality traits. They are a ride-or-die type of person. That is, once you gain their trust, which could take some time.

Cancers will do whatever it takes to help the ones they love. They are devoted due to their strong emotional intelligence and empathize with the people around them.

2. Humorous

Cancers are funny, believe it or not. It's more of a dark sense of humor type of funny and mostly self-deprecating, but funny all the same. They can laugh at almost any bad joke out there.

3. Intuitive

Cancers trust their gut. When it comes to decisions, they rely more on intuition than logic. By being able to easily read people, it allows them to make the right decisions and avoid being deceived.

4. Charming

People with the sign of Cancer can be charming when they want to be and have a tendency to light up a room. The charm of Cancer is what draws people to them, and they are typically good at meeting new people.

5. Protective

This sign is extremely protective of their friends and family. Though they don't love confrontation, when it comes to the people they love, they will tear down anything causing their suffering.

5 Negative Cancer Traits

6. Moody

Cancers are emotional — sometimes too emotional. They are famous for having a temperamental mood that can change in a snap. Cancer's mood changes like the tides or the moon phases, simply because they care deeply. They wear their heart on their sleeve, which is admirable.

7. Paranoid

Cancers want to know everything that's going on, so if they don't, they get extremely paranoid. They also become suspicious easily and feel like something is "off" when, in reality, everything could be just fine.

8. Flighty

Being a Water sign, Cancers are sometimes seen a flighty. Like the waves, they come and go and are never still. Cancers also have a fear of being misled, which explains why they act this way.

9. Self-pitying

Cancers don't take too kindly to criticism. If you say one mean thing to them, they will likely let it ruin their day. These crabs are natural brooders and hurt their self-esteem by doing so.

10. Vindictive

Just as they will let what you said to them ruin their day, they won't forget what you did. Cancers have a tendency to get back at those who have rubbed them the wrong way. They can become incredibly petty, so be careful when you come across an angry crab, as they are great manipulators.

Tips for Relating to a Cancer Personality

1. Don't be sneaky.

Cancers can become super-suspicious of you, especially if they don't trust you or have just met you. Be upfront with them and never hide secrets from them, because they will be able to feel something is wrong.

2. Show your understanding.

Try to be understanding with them when they get moody. Cancer will respond to sympathy more than criticism. So, if you said something in the heat of the moment you didn't mean, tell them that.

3. Be honest.

It's hard to get Cancer to trust you. Add lying and you'll never get them on your side. Instead, be open and honest with them and they'll be the most dependable person in your life.

Best Cancer Compatibility & Relationship Advice for Cancer

Cancers are flirtatious and seductive. They make loyal partners who expect the same, are fully engaged once they trust you, but are vicious lovers when it comes to revenge. Their ideal partner is someone who won't cheat, as they are completely committed to ruining lives if someone should dare.

That's why, when it comes to Cancer compatibility, their best matches are their fellow Water signs, Pisces and Scorpio, and Earth signs, Taurus and Virgo.

Cancer and Pisces

The best love match for Cancer is Pisces, as these two see a kindred spirit in one another and tend to get along quickly.

Cancer gives Pisces much-needed structure, while Pisces offers Cancer necessary emotional support. These signs understand how important a kind word can be, as well as the extent to which thoughtless actions can affect others.

Although these two seem like a match made in heaven, they do have their problems. When life gets hard, they may not have what it takes to stand strong and face their issues. They both have a tendency to become depressed and prefer to avoid, rather than confront, harsh realities.

Cancer and Scorpio

This is a good pairing because of how much Cancer and Scorpio have in common. Both signs are highly emotional and empathetic, extremely loyal, and will go above and beyond to make the other feel loved.

Cancer and Virgo

This pairing is harmonious and Cancer and Virgo bring out the best in each other. These signs are supportive and provide the stability each needs.

Cancers can become moody and have emotional depth, which is okay in this paring; Virgo has the patience and understanding to not only deal with it but to ground Cancer until it passes.

One negative of this pairing is that both signs can be critical, which can lead to irritation.

Cancer and Taurus

Cancer tends to have a soulmate-level relationship with Taurus, as both are very much into their physical pleasures and leading a good life. Both are sensitive, caring and loyal, and despite Taurus' rough outer shell, Cancer knows intuitively that they mean well.

Their sex life is fulfilling, in particular, because Taurus understands Cancer’s needs the most. In addition, they both value having a comfortable home, and seek security in relationships. With a bond built on trust, they are unlikely to be unfaithful.

Jamille Jones is a freelance writer who taught English in Hiroshima, Japan for two years. She's an Asian culture enthusiast, chocolate addict, video gamer, and loves teaching for the heck of it.