Often misconstrued as the cry baby of the zodiac, this cardinal water sign is not one to play with which is why their symbol is the crab. Born between June 21st and July 22nd, Cancer season carries us into the summer months. Ruled by the Moon, this zodiac sign is notorious for its changeable emotions that seem to synchronize with the lunar phases themselves. As sensitive as they can be, more often than not, the emotions that they express are not always their own.
Due to their sponge-like nature of absorbing other people's energies, Cancerians easily run the risk of becoming an unknowing host to energy vampires—a.k.a. emotionally incompetent individuals. Throughout their lives, people with strong Cancer placements eventually learn the art of strengthening their energetic boundaries which ultimately protects their tender hearts and even their physical vessel.
Associated with the fourth house of the astrological wheel, Cancerians strive to create security for themselves—both emotionally and physically. Oftentimes, these individuals are found tending to their quaint abode or caring for their family members and close friends. Generally, their nature is pretty calm which is why they typically prefer enjoying the peace of their home unlike some of the more extroverted zodiac signs.
Given their empathic nature, it's vital for those with strong Cancer placements to prioritize solitude so they can recharge their energy after being in an overly-stimulating environment. Once they rejuvenate themselves, they're back to being the supportive caregiver to the ones they love the most.
The Cancer Zodiac Sign: An Overview
Cancer rules the chest, breasts, and stomach which is how they received the reputation of being the Mother of the zodiac. Their keen ability to just know what someone needs makes them thoughtful and devoted partners whether in romance, friendship, and even business. It is thanks to their ruling luminary, the Moon, that they are deeply intuitive and, for some, even psychic. If a Cancerian is under any stress, however, their intuitive hunches can easily be misinterpreted and muddled by their own suppressed emotional wounds.
There's no coincidence that they're associated with the crab who has the ability to relentlessly latch on to whatever it gets its claws on. The same goes for these sensitive souls who don't have the easiest time letting go. Once they experience some pain or heartache, it can take a while for them to bounce back given their nostalgic nature.
Although this zodiac sign isn't typically viewed as the most adventurous of the bunch, they're far from the wet blanket that are often labeled as. Initially, Cancerians can be cautious but once they feel secure within a relationship or environment, you'll see a whole other side to them that radiates. As the first water sign of the zodiac, these individuals actually have a very youthful demeanor about them when they're not busy playing mommy or daddy for those around them.
Keep in mind that they can be a bit unpredictable at times due to their lunar influence; however, their malleable energy will keep you mesmerized just like the light of the Moon.
Cancer Best & Worst Personality Traits
Best Cancer Traits:
- Empathetic
- Nurturing
- Intuitive
- Protective
Worst Cancer Traits:
- Vindictive
- Clingy
- Indirect
The Cancer Zodiac Sign in Career
Fueled by their big hearts, Cancerians can often be found working in caring professions or charity. Their instinctual desire to support and nurture others makes them excellent nurses and childcare providers. Whether they want to have their own children or not, these individuals are motivated by the idea of passing the baton off to the next generation which makes sense as to why their astrological house is also associated with our ancestors.
In addition to them working in fields that require their compassion and devotion, Cancerians are naturally creative as well. Their ability to tap into the collective unconscious allows them to put words to emotions that most can't. Channeling their feelings into music, poetry, or some form of art can be extremely therapeutic, and even lucrative, for these talented water signs.
Given their homebody nature, their artistic abilities are often utilized in their home. Interior design, architecture, and real estate are all supportive avenues for them to explore. This zodiac sign embodies the ability to turn a house into a home.
The Cancer Zodiac Sign in Love
When it comes to love, Cancerians seek security. They are also attracted to people with strong family values. Best believe, they will definitely judge you by the way you treat your mother. You'll get some extra brownie points if you make an effort to connect with their parents as well. If a Cancer allows you into their precious space trust that, in due time, you will become an extension of their own family. It may take a little time for these cautious lovers to warm up to you but once they put down their guards, you can trust that you'll have a devoted partner for life.
Like most Cancerians, they've gone through their fair share of heartache so don't let their hard exterior fool you. At the core, they're as soft as a pillow.
They just don't allow any ol' body to access that part of themselves. Given their indirect—and sometimes passive-aggressive—nature, it's important for a Cancerian's partner to be just as perceptive as their crabby lover. They may not always tell you when something is wrong and more often than not, they hope you'll just "get it" like they often do. Once you start to learn the changing rhythms of their lunar energy, you'll be able to navigate their moodiness with ease and grace.
In love, these sensitive lovers are generally compatible with other water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) as well as Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Famous Celebrity Cancers
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
- Solange
- Jamie Foxx
- Saweetie
- Fantasia
- Missy Elliott
- Jaden Smith
- Tia and Tamera Mowry
- Forest Whitaker
For a more in-depth look into what is in store for your zodiac sign each month, read our monthly horoscopes.
Featured image by Taylor Hill/Getty Images
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Again, the answer never changes because, if there is one thing that Shellie Reneé Warren is gonna get, it’s 6-8 (sometimes nine) hours of sleep. However, since my chronotype (check out “Ever Wonder What Personality Traits Make Someone A 'Morning Person'?”) means that I like/prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I will sleep for the night for five hours and take a nap in the day. And y’all, that is just fine with me because I am well aware of the fact that napping does everything from give me more energy, heighten my alertness and even make me more creative to decrease stress levels, strengthen immunity, and reduce my chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
My problem is I will oftentimes go “overboard” with my daytime zzz’s. What I mean by that is, in order to get the most out of a nap, they say thatyou shouldn’t sleep for longer than 25 minutes or so; otherwise, you could wake up feeling sluggish (I don’t but…). Also, it can make resting, soundly, at night a bit of a struggle.
So, what are you saying, Shellie? We should get quickies in? Yeah. And it’s funny that the word “quickie” would come up because just like a sex quickie can do wonders for you (and it can — check out “12 Super Solid Reasons To Have A Quickie Every Single Day”), it’s a full-circle moment when I say that something that can improve the quality of your sex life is to have a power nap (a nap that lasts between 10-30 minutes).
Wanna know how the two things correlate? Honestly, it’s no secret that sleep and sex work together to optimize both (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”). Today, though, we’re going to tap into how a nap, specifically, can have you partaking in some of the best sex that you’ve experienced in a minute. I’ll explain.
Naps Reduce Stress
GiphyIf you’re feeling super stressed out right now, you are not alone. There is plenty of data out here that says that most of us are stressed for at least a couple of reasons at a time — and that can impact your sexual health on a few levels. For one thing, it can bring about feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Stress can also throw your hormone levels off (including your cycle) which can weaken your libido. Stress can make you want to put distance between you and your partner (yes, literally).
Stress can also make it challenging to get aroused or to have an orgasm. And just what can help to decrease stress? Taking a nap. Since sleep has a way of helping you to “get off of the clock” and relax a bit, that can lower your stress levels and “reset” your body so that you are calmer — and that, in turn, can do wonders for your sex drive and ultimately your sex life.
Naps Improve Your Mood
GiphyThere is one person in my life, and fairly 80 percent of the time, she’s in a super good mood. Oh, but let that girl go without sleep, and…who is this woman? LOL. There’s research behind why this happens. When a person is sleep-deprived, it messes with their brain chemicals, and that can amplify emotions like anger, restlessness and sadness. In fact, one study revealed that people who had their sleep disrupted throughout the night, they ended up having their positive outlook on life reduced by about 30 percent.
And geeze, who wants to have sex when they’re not feeling very good? Anyway, since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your moods, your sleep patterns, and your libido and sleep is what helps to keep it in balance — by taking a nap, not only can it help you to feel better, it can also increase your desire for sex (it can also build up your endurance which is also…sexually beneficial).
Naps Increase Your Focus and Concentration
GiphySomething that some of my clients bring up is how, when it comes to having sex, sometimes the flesh is willing while the spirit is weak because, although the desire for intimacy is there, so much is going on that they aren’t able to get still enough to focus on experiencing copulation with their partner. This also tracks because, when you don’t have enough rest, your brain finds itself not working in harmony and that can make it hard to do everything from approaching life with a sense of flexibility to making necessary decisions.
Certain data also reveal that a lack of rest can cause you to have a really poor attention span and not process things in context (the more you know). So, if you really want to get some yet it’s hard for you to focus long enough to make it happen, ask your bae to lie down with you and take a nap. Between the sleep and the snuggling (check out “Fall's Coming: 8 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cuddling”) — you may wake up with your mind and body totally on the same page. #wink
Naps Can Make You Feel Better About Your Body
GiphyEven if, overall, you feel really good about your body, I think that we all have moments when we feel less attractive than others — and who wants to have sex when they don’t really feel…very sexy? Well, something else that sleep, in general, can do is increase your confidence in your body.
For one thing, if you want to lose a few pounds, sleep can actually make that happen by helping your body metabolize the glucose (sugar) that’s in it so that you can better manage your appetite. Other studies go on to share that since sleep deprivation can impact one’s mental health and emotional stability in a negative way, of course, getting enough rest would increase body positivity.
Shoot, science even goes so far as to say that insomnia can cause people to have an elevated level of dissatisfaction when it comes to their body image. Don’t take their word for it, though. Look in the mirror before a nap. Then look in a mirror after waking up from me. Do you feel better? I’d be surprised if you don’t.
Makes Your Brain Bigger…Which Could Make Your Orgasms Better
GiphyI saved the best for last by design. Now if you’re wondering how in the world a nap can improve (and possibly increase) your orgasms — oh, there is a method to the madness…trust. For starters, the saying that your biggest sex organ is your brain? That isn’t a myth. Long story less long, the brain is what houses your central nervous system and that is what controls how men and women sexually function (yes, literally).
And since the brain also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin during sex and brain activity significantly increases in women during sexual activity (especially right before she orgasms) — well, would it trip you out to know that when you take a nap, your brain actually expands? A bigger brain (that’s healthy) can potentially intensify your sexual experiences (and your climaxes) — and who doesn’t want that to go down?
____
Like I said earlier, I never have to be convinced to get a nap in. However, if your sex life has been a bit stagnant lately, you’ve been feeling a little sluggish and you’re not sure what to do — I’m hoping that a nap can get you right.
There’s enough science to prove that it can. All you need to do is give it a shot.
Now where’s your pillow and sleep mask, chile?
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