Cancer: 21 May - 20 June*
On the upside:
As a water sign, Cancer is often perceived to be rather reticent … not so! This is one of the cardinal signs, meaning Cancerians like to take action. They actively care for and nurture others, most commonly their own offspring, but this extends to anyone in their life whom they perceive needs looking after. They are strongly motivated by emotion, and live in an instinctual world ruled by the ebb and flow of their moods and feelings, which can move and change as quickly as the phases of the Moon, which rules this sign. Cancer clings to family tradition, as well as objects from the past, as these are familiar and make it feel secure. For Cancer, family obligations are paramount.

Possible downsides:
By nurturing others, Cancer is on some levels feeding his or her own need to feel needed. If faced with a situation where they can’t nurture others, Cancerians may resort to emotional manipulation to get what they want. This might be done in such a subtle way that you don’t notice, for Cancer dislikes confrontation. The crab approaches its goals sideways on, then grabs with its pincers and hangs on for dear life, until its obstacle or opponent gives up and goes away. Cancerians tend to cling to the past and to people they know, and can be over-dependent on others.

The bottom line …
Cancer’s fluctuating moods mean that he or she will at times need to retreat until he or she feels ready to face the world again. Cancerians need to be allowed by those close to them to be secretive, as part of their protective shell. Give them time, space and patience, and you will find yourself receiving affection, empathy and the benefit of their creativity in return.

A Cancer might have said:
"Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody." Mark Twain.

Famous Cancerians:
Giorgio Armani; Robin Williams; Barbara Cartland; Kathy Bates; Pamela Anderson; Harrison Ford; Richard Branson; Tom Hanks; George Michael; Nancy Reagan.

*The Sun goes into and leaves each zodiac sign at slightly different times each year. As a general convention, Sun sign columns use the approximate date range for each sign. If you are unsure which sign your Sun is in, ask an Astrologer.