In love, Cancer looks for depth and closeness. See who Cancer builds the best relationships with, which pairings need more work, and how Cancer matches with each of the twelve zodiac signs.
- Dates: June 21 – July 22
- Element: Water
- Modality: cardinal
- Ruling planet: Moon
Cancer – character in love
Cancer is a cardinal Water sign ruled by the Moon. It is one of the most emotional signs of the zodiac: it is guided by intuition, memory and the need for closeness. Home and family are the centre of its world.
Cancers have vivid imaginations and great sensitivity, which makes them easy to hurt. They protect themselves with a hard shell – at first they may be reserved and cautious, but once they trust someone they open up completely.
How does Cancer love?
In love Cancer is protective, caring and extraordinarily loyal. It remembers the little things, looks after shared rituals and creates a warm atmosphere. Its challenge is moodiness and a tendency to withdraw when it feels unappreciated – instead of saying plainly what hurts, it may sulk.
A single Cancer often flirts cautiously but can surprise with wit and tenderness. It looks for a partner who makes it feel safe – someone with whom a real home can be built.
Who is Cancer most compatible with?
Cancer connects most easily with Scorpio and Pisces. Relationships with Taurus, Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn also tend to go very well.
- Cancer and Scorpio – dream match (trine – same element)
- Cancer and Pisces – dream match (trine – same element)
- Cancer and Taurus – very good match (sextile – complementary elements)
- Cancer and Cancer – very good match (same sign)
- Cancer and Virgo – very good match (sextile – complementary elements)
- Cancer and Capricorn – very good match (opposition – opposites attract)
Cancer compatibility with every zodiac sign
Cancer and Aries
★★☆☆☆ Challenging match · square – tension and friction
You may feel you are constantly in conflict. The truth is you have similar goals, just completely different ways of reaching them. Aries acts at once, you feel first. Once you understand that, quarrels turn into conversations – and there is no shortage of passion between you. See how Aries loves →
Cancer and Taurus
★★★★☆ Very good match · sextile – complementary elements
Others may not understand your relationship, but you understand each other very well. Taurus gives you stability and calm, you give Taurus tenderness and the warmth of home. It is a natural, lasting pairing built on loyalty. See how Taurus loves →
Cancer and Gemini
★★★☆☆ Promising, needs work · neighbouring signs
Gemini talks a lot and fast, you prefer to express feelings through gestures. You may feel Gemini does not take you seriously. Remember, though, that words are not the only language of love – in time you will find a common way, and its lightness can do you good. See how Gemini loves →
Cancer and Cancer
★★★★☆ Very good match · same sign
You may fear that someone so similar will soon bore you. In fact it is pure pleasure to be with someone who understands your needs without explanation. Just be careful not to shut yourselves up in one shell together – and not to sulk at the same time.
Cancer and Leo
★★★☆☆ Promising, needs work · neighbouring signs
Leo is warm, generous and protective – in its own, more theatrical way. You give Leo faithfulness and a peaceful home, Leo gives you a sense of being special. Thoughtful Cancer helps Leo keep its balance, and Leo teaches Cancer to be bold in showing feelings. See how Leo loves →
Cancer and Virgo
★★★★☆ Very good match · sextile – complementary elements
You are both shy about showing emotions and both afraid of being hurt. By sharing those fears you give yourselves a great chance of happiness. Virgo takes care of practical matters, you take care of the atmosphere. A quiet, very good pairing. See how Virgo loves →
Cancer and Libra
★★☆☆☆ Challenging match · square – tension and friction
Your warmth and unconditional love give Libra the comfort it needs. Libra, however, lives more socially and avoids heavy emotions, while you need depth. This is a square – it calls for talking about how much closeness and how much freedom each of you needs. See how Libra loves →
Cancer and Scorpio
★★★★★ Dream match · trine – same element
Water with Water – an intense, deep, almost telepathic understanding. Scorpio helps you discover your inner strength, and you give Scorpio a sense of security it would never admit to needing. One of the most beautiful pairings for Cancer. See how Scorpio loves →
Cancer and Sagittarius
★★☆☆☆ Challenging match · quincunx – different languages
At first you may misunderstand each other: Sagittarius seems carefree to you, you seem overly cautious to Sagittarius. You may prefer someone more responsible. On the other hand, Sagittarius can show you the world from a completely different side and help you overcome your fears. See how Sagittarius loves →
Cancer and Capricorn
★★★★☆ Very good match · opposition – opposites attract
This is your opposition: you are the heart of the home, Capricorn is its foundation. Capricorn may seem cold on the outside, but it is loyal and responsible. If you also share physical attraction, over time you will find you have a lot in common – especially the dream of a stable family. See how Capricorn loves →
Cancer and Aquarius
★★☆☆☆ Challenging match · quincunx – different languages
This relationship may take a long time to develop. Aquarius needs space, you need closeness, and you have to discover your partner step by step. In the long run, though, each of you can meet the other’s needs if you accept your differences. See how Aquarius loves →
Cancer and Pisces
★★★★★ Dream match · trine – same element
Together you can sail off into the sunset. You are water creatures who understand each other without words: tenderness, intuition, romance. Pisces is one of the best partners for Cancer – as long as one of you occasionally remembers the practical side of life. See how Pisces loves →
Challenging pairings – how to make them work
Cancer finds it hardest with Aries, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius – signs that value action, lightness or independence more than emotional closeness. Cancer gains in such relationships when it says plainly what it needs instead of waiting for the partner to guess.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best partner for Cancer?
According to classical astrology, Cancer gets along best with Scorpio and Pisces. Pairings with Taurus, Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn are also very good.
Which sign is the most challenging for Cancer?
Relationships between Cancer and Aries, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius require the most work. They are not doomed – they simply need patience and an open conversation about needs.
See also the compatibility chart for all zodiac signs and the guide to signs, elements and modalities.
Check your own match in the zodiac compatibility calculator – based on both partners’ birth dates.
Daily, weekly and monthly horoscope: Cancer horoscope.
First published (Polish original): 14 January 2009. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.