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withdrawn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.
