Everything You Need To Know About Dating A Cancer

Cardinal water sign Cancer has a reputation in the astrological community for being difficult to date. Although they have strong, influential energies as a result of their cardinal modality, the flowing nature of their element makes them emotionally fluid, creative, and intuitive (via The Cut). Cancer relies on the connection and support of others, particularly in romantic relationships, in order to thrive. Cancerians are complicated people with rich, inner-emotional lives and a great capacity for love. Few astrological signs are as caring, nurturing, or generous with their time and energy as Cancer. Astrologer Valerie Mesa told Women's Health, "They strive to make the people around them feel as safe as possible, and they expect the same in return."

Just like all signs, Cancer has a darker side that requires compassion, patience, and tolerance. However, if you can handle them at their worst, you will be rewarded with great, lifelong love. If you have your eye on this sensitive, sometimes complicated, emotionally-available sign, the following guide will teach you everything you need to know about dating a Cancer.

The Cancer archetype is nurturing, giving, and kind. According to Astrology.com, Cancers possess great empathy and will always sense what their partner needs long before they are even aware of it themselves. They use their superb powers of observation and their innate understanding of their own emotions to help their partners navigate theirs. Cancer's goal is to enrich their partner's life and nurture a safe space where their emotions and fears can be freely expressed.

They love to take care of others and will ensure their significant other always feels safe and comforted. You never have to worry about your own friends and family not liking your Cancer beau. Cancerians exude warm, easy-going energy that makes people feel as though they've met before. Although they are not extroverted or gregarious, they are extremely welcoming. They love gathering friends and loved ones into their homes and are famous for hosting beautiful parties.

Cancers are profoundly sensitive beings as well. They approach every interaction with tenderness and love. This also means they require someone who will listen to what they have to say and provide validation at a moment's notice (via Vice). In addition to emotional understanding, Cancer values loyalty. Once you have breached the hard outer shell of these cautious crabs, they will go to the ends of the earth for you. They are also protective of their partners and will defend them with everything they have.

Cancer is ruled by the moon, a planet that represents our unconscious mind, habits, and emotions (via CafeAstrology.com). Unlike the masculine and action-oriented sun, the moon has a feminine energy associated with reflection and reaction. It is all about thought, intuition, imagination, and introspection. As a result, Cancer is a sign with a veritable kaleidoscope of emotions that meld and swirl within at all times. Swedish astrologer Stefan Stenudd told Elite Daily this is the reason Cancer's mantra is "I feel."

The moon's rulership is also largely responsible for Cancer's less cozy emotions. Cancer's mood can change on a dime with an average day experiencing a multitude of highs and lows. Astrologer Lady Cazimi explains that the moon's changing cycles and constant ebb and flow create rapid experiences which are exhibited in Cancer's fluctuating moods. They can be sweet and loving one moment and crabby or intense the next. Their sensitive natures also allow for easily hurt feelings which can turn into perpetual grudge-holding and passive aggression. If you ever break a Cancer's heart, they won't hesitate to show you their vengeful side.

The intensity of Cancer's moods and emotions is often a challenge for their romantic partners. The ferocity of their love can sometimes come off as clingy and they are prone to bouts of jealousy and pessimism. They also tend to overthink every interaction and conversation the two of you have, which means they require plenty of patience and understanding.

"Cancer is a highly intuitive, highly sensitive, and highly emotional sign that takes time to open up and trust," astrologer Kristina Semos told Bustle. They are extremely cautious about opening their heart to new people, which some people view as playing hard to get. Cancer will also hide their true feelings from their crush or significant other. This sign will never make the first move. They also don't like to communicate about what's bothering them because they are worried they will be a burden on their partner (via Ask Astrology). It takes a lot of patience and gentle encouragement to make Cancer comfortable enough to be themselves.

As a cardinal sign, Cancers are highly independent people that don't mind being on their own. They can be mistrustful of the intentions of others, and the level of control they can adopt when alone versus with another person is sometimes preferable. A single Cancer is likely to retreat into their shell and enjoy alone time at home in lieu of going out to meet new people.

When a Cancer does finally open up, they wear their heart on their sleeves. They are warm, generous, thoughtful, and supportive partners that strive to make their loved ones feel comfortable and secure. They also don't ask for much except to feel safe and secure in return. When it comes to going on dates, introverted Cancer prefers home-cooked meals shared over candlelight and cozy nights spent watching their favorite movies.

A Cancer woman is shy at the beginning of a romantic relationship. Some people view this as being standoffish, but her guarded nature is just a way to protect herself from people that aren't looking for a real relationship. According to liveabout dotcom, a Cancer lady has a small circle of trust that can be difficult to break into. She is protective of her feelings and will not tolerate someone who doesn't respect them.

There are a few telltale signs that a Cancer woman is falling hard. According to Sarah Scoop, a smitten Cancer woman will always make time in her busy schedule to see you or help you when you need it. She will always return phone calls and text messages, and will never leave you feeling abandoned or ignored. She will also file away little details about you in her brain, like the way you take your coffee or your mom's birthday. When a Cancer woman is in love she will show her affection through physical touch. Emotional inner worlds make Cancers very passionate people who celebrate genuine intimacy.

Generally, Cancer women need someone that is as loyal, dependable, and loving as they are. They also need a partner who wants to spend time with them, as they are prone to bouts of jealousy if they don't get enough attention. When a Cancer woman is happy, she will often neglect her family and friends because she gets so focused on her significant other's needs.

Men born under the Cancer sign are tender, sensitive, and family-oriented partners. The term "Prince Charming" is often thrown around when referring to Cancer men because they are as close to perfect as an imperfect person can be. They regularly anticipate their partner's needs, approach conflict with consideration and sensitivity, and are endlessly helpful. You are always safe with a Cancer man due to their protective and nurturing natures.

Although they have a depthless well of emotions coursing through them at all times, Cancer men are generally patient and affectionate. According to Astroyogi, these men will never shy away from showing their lover how much they adore them. They are dedicated to fulfilling their partner's physical and emotional needs, and will express their new love with love letters, extravagant floral arrangements, and grand romantic gestures. In return, they need to receive thoughtful gestures and be listened to. Be sure to hold space for your Cancer guy to express his insecurities and feel comfortable being vulnerable, because he won't volunteer that information straight away.

If a Cancer man feels their relationship is being threatened, they may express their concern through possessive and jealous behaviors (via Astrology.com). They are not the type of guys to joke about having an open relationship and won't ever be caught flirting inappropriately with others. However, they fear their partner will. When they are spiraling, remind them they are the only guy for you and plan a special date night to prove it.

Most people get the impression their Cancer crush is guarded and reserved, and therefore may not be open to love. According to Co-Star, their shell of shyness is simply a form of protection for the emotional romantic they are at their core. This astrological sign has many insecurities and fears about being loved. They are afraid of being cheated on and of having their heart broken after giving a relationship everything they have. And while they are initially mistrustful and cautious about a romantic partner's intentions, they desperately want to love and be loved in return.

When Cancer finally falls in love, they fall hard. Astrologer Alberto Toribio told Today, "[Cancer] falls for people in a quick and sudden burst." One moment they're wary and hiding their true selves behind a mask, and the next they're stuck to the object of their affection like glue, ready to give that person everything they desire. It can be a bit like emotional whiplash for their partners, but is ultimately an exciting experience.

Cancer exhibits an abundance of tenderness and charm when they fall in love, loving the heady rush of butterflies and cherishing the feeling of being swept off their feet. However, Cancers should beware of using new love as a crutch for their own faults and insecurities. When a Cancer falls in love, they get swept up in the relationship and neglect their own needs and loved ones.

Few zodiac signs are as good at long-term relationships as Cancer. Not only are they faithful and willing to make sacrifices for the good of the relationship, but they are also tenacious about commitment. Popularastrology notes that this sign is extremely unlikely to cheat because they cherish their relationship and the well-being of their partner too much. Following through with deceitful behavior is unfathomable to them. As long as they receive affection, emotional intelligence, and respect from their long-term partner, Cancer is a happy camper.

According to Exemplore, Cancer is very good at romance and love. Because romantic experiences are important to them, they make sure to give those same experiences to their partners. They are great at planning sentimental dates full of thoughtful details, and they will give special gifts that make their partner feel adored years into the relationship. They are also sensual and passionate people that enjoy flirting and charming a smile onto their partner's face.

Having a relationship with a secure foundation is important to keep Cancer feeling grounded. Without this, they begin to feel lost and miserable. As a result, Cancer will ignore tension and negative elements in their relationships, preferring to believe the best in their partner and avoid confrontation (via Co-Star). When serious conflicts inevitably arise, Cancer may react with a surprising bout of anger or passive aggression. Once this emotion passes, they will talk it out and find a solution that works for both parties.

Relationships end for any number of reasons. However, no matter who's at fault or the reason for the separation, Cancer does not handle break-ups well. Even if they know in their hearts a relationship isn't working, they will try to hold on to it and their significant other as long as they possibly can. They don't mean to be dramatic or over-complicate the situation, they just don't want to lose someone who played such an important role in their lives.

According to AstroReveal, breaking up with Cancer requires an abundance of care. After all, this sign is sensitive, emotional, and extremely fearful of being hurt by the person that they love. It is vital that everyone's feelings are communicated clearly, and that the breakup conversation is respectful. No matter how carefully a Cancer's ex breaks up with them, Ask Astrology notes that Cancerians are easily triggered by memories of the relationship. They will spend weeks mourning the breakup with sad songs, scrolling through photos on Instagram, and every Sandra Bullock movie ever made.

Although they are committed to commitment and hate the thought of causing someone pain, Cancer will occasionally take the initiative and break up with their partner. If they feel unsafe, unsupported, or uncared for, Cancer will cut ties and look for someone new. Furthermore, if they find out their partner has been unfaithful, Cancerians will not hesitate to move on.

Cancerians often find their soulmates in intelligent, logical, dependable Taurus. According to Betterhalf, Taurus is as committed and loyal to their romantic partners as Cancer is. They both believe in long-term relationships and marriage, and look forward to facing the challenges of the world with the other person by their side.

Together, Cancer and Taurus are good at communicating their emotional needs. They have no trouble ensuring that their partner feels supported and cared for, and will have wonderfully stimulating conversations. Astrologer Kyle Thomas explains that Taurus has a deeply sensual, romantic, and passionate side that complements the sensuality and grace of Cancer (via Kyle Thomas Astrology). Both signs are protective of their partners, generous with their time and affection, and possessive qualities that make their partner feel a secure sense of belonging.

This perfect match is not without its obstacles, however. Taureans are stubborn individuals who like to live life on their terms. Both signs struggle with jealous tendencies as well. To make their relationship work and their partner feel comfortable, Cancer and Taurus will need to work on compromise and forgiveness. Taurus needs to learn to exercise patience and flexibility, while Cancer must try to avoid clinginess and overwhelming their partner with a daily deluge of emotion. Together, they will need to put their grudge-holding tendencies aside and work together on building the relationship of their dreams.

Libra is a challenging but ultimately beneficial match for Cancer. Each sign navigates the world differently, but they have similar goals when it comes to a long-term relationship. According to Astrotalk, both signs desire a relationship built on security and harmony. They value committed relationships and have a high degree of trust in one another. Both signs want their partners to feel contentment and satisfaction, and they work hard at providing care and intimacy (via PrepScholar).

Communication is this couple's biggest weakness. Both have their own unique styles of communication which don't always jive together. For example, Libra approaches a difficult situation from every angle, weighing the pros and cons and analyzing it to death instead of going with their gut. They tend not to understand the complex emotions and intuition Cancer brings to a problem. Libra sometimes feels that Cancer is nagging them instead of caring for them, while Libra has a tendency to disregard Cancer's feelings. Together, this pair needs to focus on addressing their issues in an organized and mutually-respectful way before they will be able to move forward happily.

Zodiacsign.com explains that a Cancer-Sagittarius pairing is unlikely to occur because they want extremely different things out of life and love. Their personalities often clash, and they struggle to understand each other on a deep, emotional level. Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign, which means they are flexible, go-with-the-flow people that experience violent bursts of passion. According to My Pandit, this free-spirited sign requires surprise and spontaneity. On the other hand, Cancer is a cardinal water sign whose needs and wants directly contradict that of its fiery counterpart. Cancer wants loyalty and security. They long to feel settled and require commitment from the get-go.

Generally speaking, this pair drives each other nuts. Where Cancer needs emotional security and reassurance, Sagittarius needs freedom and space. Cancer likes things to be chill and relaxed, and would rather stay at home than leave. Sagittarius is much more reckless with their time, money, and emotions. They have an insatiable curiosity for life and adventure that cannot be fulfilled from the comforts of home.

However, sometimes opposites attract. Each of these signs is good at seeing past the faults and shortcomings of others. When this happens and the pair can accept each other for who they are, they create a blend based on adventure and tranquility. It is vital for this couple to focus their efforts on compassion, kindness, and compromise if they are to make their relationship work long-term.

The least compatible signs for Cancer are Aries and Aquarius. Aries is a cardinal fire sign that will struggle to connect on the emotional level that sensitive Cancer requires. "Aries do not prefer too much emotional behavior, like that of Cancer," astrologer Emily Newman told Well+Good. "...when both partners are faced with a challenge, Aries likes to battle and win, whilst Cancer prefers to hide." Aries have daring, bold, and independent personalities. They are also very rational and approach situations with reason rather than emotion. These two signs may be attracted to one another physically, but their personalities are too different for long-term success.

Fixed air sign Aquarius is also a fairly incompatible match for Cancer. Like Aries, Aquarius doesn't rely on their emotions to make decisions. According to Tarot.com, they are far more comfortable with intellectual pursuits than they are with physical or emotional ones. They thrive in their alone time and give their partner the same space, something that emotional Cancer cannot abide by. Aquarius doesn't understand how to give reassurance and validation to Cancer, which will leave Cancer feeling neglected. This pair will consistently struggle to meet one another in the middle, and can't give each other the right kind of support or care.