Cancer Stats:
Dates: June 21 – July 22
Element: Water
Modality: Cardinal (Action, Dynamic, Initiative, Great Force)
Symbol: ♋︎
Birthstones: Moonstone, Emerald, Ruby & Pearl
Ruler: The Moon
Polarity: Negative (Passive, Yin, Receptive, Feminine)
House: 4th House (Home)
Astrology: the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.
The concept of Astrology has been around for millenia. Throughout history, almost every culture and period has been fascinated by the movement of celestial bodies through the sky, and how those movements may impact our lives.
If you’re skeptical about the zodiac, you’re probably a Tuarus. Seriously though, I get it.
What I don’t get is the person at the party that rolls their eyes and groans when the zodiac gets brought up, but will gladly talk on end about how they are 25% Ravenclaw, 75% Slytherine. Don’t take it too seriously. Think of it as a sorting hat situation, but with 12 houses instead of 4.
The way I see it, talking about the zodiac is a great ice breaker. It moves the conversation from, “Seen anything good on Netflix?” to topics that revolve around personality, aspirations, likes & dislikes, romance & compatibility, dreams, desires, fears…you know, deeper stuff.
Knowing a bit about your sign might even surprise you! Also, it makes a great jumping off point for gift giving. Do you have a co-worker, relative or friend that you have no idea what to get for their birthday? That’s a great start! You know their birthday, therefore, their sign.
This list is for all things CANCER. What’s it mean to be a Cancer? As we move through this list, you’ll get the idea.
1. A Place for Memories
Cancerians are known to be sentimental. They understand that life has its high-highs and low-lows. When life is good, a Cancer knows those moments must be treasured. There’s nothing more sacred to a Cancer than fond memories, but they also understand that memories are fleeting. If the Cancer in your life isn’t particularly crafty, this is a great way for them to store and revisit all the moments they cherish.
2. Another Place for Memories
Not only do they love to look at photos, Cancerians love a good inside joke. A best friend of mine is a Cancer, who gave me one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever received: A collection of photos from some of our adventures. Each photo had a scribbled note for context (Remember when we…) or a funny joke that had us crying at the time (like, BeeMeeMeeMee…trust me, you had to have been there. I almost died).
If you have a Cancer as a friend, you need to know that they aren’t compiling memories just for today, or a year from now. They’re recording memories for when y’all are old and gray. A scrapbook is an important tool for a Cancer, particularly if they enjoy crafty DIY stuff. They’ll turn it into a keepsake not just full of photos, but also ticket stubs from their favorite concert, leaves from the park polaroids of their friends from a photobooth at a wedding they went to
3. F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Cancerians are obsessed with those they love. A cancer takes great pride in their friends and family (or chosen family), carefully curating who they let into their lives. A cancer also loves knowing that you’re thinking of them, because they’re often thinking of you.
They worry about you.
They wonder what you’re up to.
They hope you’re having a good day.
They hope you find love.
They hope you remembered to eat breakfast.
They hope you catch the jerk stealing your lunch from the breakroom.
That’s how much they care — in matters big and small.This touch lamp is a great way to communicate to your loyal Cancer that you’re thinking of them. You simply give it a tap, and it’ll light up their lamp (across town, or across the world), and let them know they’re on your mind. They’ll really appreciate that.
4. Home Sweet Home
In the zodiac there are 12 houses, and each house rules a particular trait. Cancer reps the 4th House, which corresponds with home life. Think of what represents the sign of Cancer — the crab.
A hermit crab loves it’s home so much, it doesn’t leave home without it. To a Cancer, not only is home a sanctuary (a place of peace, rest & security)…their home is their natural habitat. While, for other signs your home may just be where you lay your head, or store your stuff — for a Cancer, a home is where they live. But like, live live.
Homey gifts are great for a Cancer. The homier the better. It’s not like Cancer’s don’t like to go out into the world. They love an occasional adventure. However, when they’re at home, no one knows how to get cozier and luxuriate better than a Cancer in their shell.
5. Security
This one may come out of left field, but hear me out. A Cancer’s home is their safe place, their happy place. They can’t always be home though, and there’s no worse feeling to a Cancer than being away from home, in an unfamiliar place.
A portable door lock is a great, practical gift for anyone in your life who travels frequently, but particularly for a Cancer. Perfect for hotels, dormitories, apartments, short-term rentals, Airbnbs, bathrooms, bedrooms, or private rooms.
Not only does this show that you’re thinking of them and their safety, the peace of mind of knowing your beloved Cancer is safe no matter where they stay is a gift for you too!
6. Epic Cancer Dinner Parties
SMIRLY Cheese Board and Knife Set
The Cancers I know in my life love to host and entertain. I mean, c’mon, they love their family and friends, and they love their home, so what’s better than a dinner party at their place? They also have a nurturing streak, meaning, they love to feed people!
There’s nothing better to a Cancer than a dinner table surrounded by friends with full bellies, laughter, memories and a nice bottle of wine or two. They won’t want to just plop the food down on a plate either! They often enjoy the ritual and presentation that goes along with entertaining friends.
This cheese board is a perfect way to make gathering together something special, and it also gives your Cancer the opportunity to be sensitive and creative with their selections: there will be smoked gouda because it’s so-and-so’s favorite, there will be Daiya because so-and-so is vegan, etc…It’ll give them the opportunity to thoughtfully spoil those they love. And then everyone leaves! That’s a great night for a Cancer.
7. Do you remember?
While Cancer’s love a good party game, they aren’t known as the most competitive sign in the zodiac. Have you ever played Monopoly with a Cancer?
If they win, cool.
If they lose, coooool.
This is a “game” that may be more to their liking. It’s not really a game per se, in that there is no scorekeeping, and there is no winner. So what’s the point?
It’s a trip down memory lane that’s sure to make you laugh, make you a little misty eyed, and perhaps learn something new about your friends and family. Cancer is a water sign, and in the zodiac, water is the element that governs emotion, emotions are closely linked to memories…you get the idea.
8. The Sign of the Moon
The moon is the celestial body associated with Cancer and serves as a great way to visualize the Cancer personality. There are so many facets to our moon, just like Cancer.
The moon can be romantic and mysterious.
The moon can be so bright, all you can do is stop and stare.
The moon provides connection – no matter where you are, if it’s night, you know that you and your loved ones can look up and see the same moon in the sky.
Many cultures have names for different moon stages as the moon heralds changes in the seasons (Snow Moon, Planting Moon, Harvest Moon etc.) The moon can even be a bit spooky! Just like the many faces of the moon, Cancerians are ever-changing, emotionally complex creatures. They can be bright and shining one moment (like a full moon), then reclusive and a bit dark the next (like a new moon). Cancers usually have a deep connection with all things lunar, and will definitely appreciate this little lamp.
9. Moody, Moody Cancer
Yeah, Cancers can be moody. They can be crabby, they can be cranky. It’s because Cancer is one of the most emotionally intuitive of the zodiac.
They’re deeply connected to their emotions, and emotions shift and change — sometimes dozens of times a day. It’s not something to be ashamed of! It’s what can make a Cancer such a great friend to have.
If you’re upset, they’re upset.
You’re excited, they’re excited!
Bad breakup? A good cancer friend will be by your side, right after they pick up all the junk food they know you love.
There’s something retro and mysterious about mood rings and it’s a symbolic way of showing you embrace a Cancer’s emotional side.
10. Cancer and Self-care
Cancer can be like the good mom of the zodiac. They often spend so much time worrying about everyone else’s needs, they’ll forget about their own. They feel their emotions so deeply, it can spill out into other aspects of their lives. They’ll often pick up and carry the emotional burden of others around them.
Cancer’s are also pretty sensitive when it comes to criticism, so if you’re going to give them a book from the self-help category, make sure the title isn’t something that can be (even remotely) interpreted as a judgement or a dig.
This book covers both bases: it’ll give them some tools to use their emotional sensitivity in positive ways, and the title is positive and uplifting. Who doesn’t want to thrive?
“Thriving as an Empath was created to help you grow and flourish without internalizing the emotions and pain of others. “These self-care techniques have been life-saving for me and my patients,” writes author Dr. Orloff. “I feel so strongly about regular self-care because I want you to enjoy the extraordinary gifts of sensitivity―including an open heart, intuition, and an intimate connection with the natural world.” This book has big Cancer energy.
The Starter Pack 