The Cancer Man Ultimate Guide

cancer men personality traits

Cancer Man: June 22 – July 22

Hunting for information on the Cancer man? Hoping to find out about his approach to love and life? Are you curious about what sex is like with the Cancer man?

If you are answering yes to these questions, you’ve come to the right place. This page is all about Cancer Sun Sign men, including their personality traits, how they love and the way they attach to others in relationships.

In the traditions of horoscopic astrology, the Cancer man is one of the least understood of the Zodiac signs. Moreover, finding accurate information about his traits unique can be difficult.

Sadly, some try to lump together male Cancer traits with females. That’s a shame because while they share the same sign, they express themselves differently.

My hope in writing this piece is to help change the narrative.

Pisces man planets
Cancer Sun Sign Men Revealed

Visitors to Guy Counseling know that from time to time, I will pen articles on the Zodiac signs as a way of encouraging personal insight.

In truth, psychology and spirituality intersect at a crossroads called psycho-spirituality. This is a ten-dollar term used to describe the relationship between psychological constructs and spiritualism.

The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung often pulled upon spiritual principles as part of his healing work; something he linked to a theory called the active imagination (Davidson, 1966).

Cancer, Astrology and You

One need not believe in astrology in order to benefit from learning about the Zodiacs. In my experience, all spiritual teachings offer something to learners, provided there is an open mind.

All that I will present here is based on research, coupled with mythology recorded in the ancient texts. Additionally, scholarly citations have been included where necessary.

In this article, you will learn about:

  • Cancer sign background
  • Cancer men traits (positive and negative)
  • Earth’s moon as a ruling planet of Cancer
  • What Cancer men are like as friends
  • Cancer men and careers
  • Cancer men and money
  • General temperament of Cancer men
  • Intellectual traits of Cancer guys
  • Cancer men and compatibility
  • Sex with a Cancer man
  • Dating a Cancer guy
  • How to attract Cancer men
  • Cancer men arousal zones
  • Health issues and Cancer men
  • The Cancer constellation
  • Famous Cancer sign men
  • Myths about Cancer men
  • Resources for learning

Before diving in too far, you have a right to know who is authoring this piece. I am not an astrologer nor a “psychic”. Instead, I’m a counselor and educator who enjoys writing about these kinds of topics.

To demonstrate I am not bias, you should know that I am a Scorpio male.

To help start your journey off, I’ve included a chart below that breaks down several of the positive and negative traits of Cancer men.

Later in this piece, I’ve expanded on these characteristics in greater detail.

Cancer Men Personality Traits

Cancer Man TraitsPositiveNegativeTrait Intensity
EmpathicxHigh
Communications xHigh
CaringxxHigh
DevotedxMedium
Loyalx High
CreativexHigh
ReclusivexMedium
Trouble saying noxHigh
Addiction pronexLow
CompassionatexHigh

Cancer Sign Overview

In the traditions of horoscopic astrology, Cancer is considered the “Fourth House” of the astrological universe. A “house” is nothing more than a theoretical construct that holds certain traits. In turn, these traits are gifted to those born under its shadow.

If you were to open the door to the Fourth House and walk inside, you will feel the presence of warm, nurturing energy. Additionally, you would intuit that you are welcomed and feel a sense of love.

More: Learn about the Cancer Symbol

It is not known how many people are Cancer sun signs however, scientific evidence suggests the number is low. This makes sense when one considers that most births happen in late summer, meaning August and September (Melina, 2010).

Cancer Zodiac signs are born between June 22 – July 22.

Cancer: A Water Sign

If you are a Cancer or know a man who is, be aware he is a water sign. There are only three zodiacs that fall under this Trigon; Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Water signs are characteristically known for possessing specific traits. These include:

  • Emotional sensitivity
  • Empathic (some say psychic) abilities
  • Highly intuitive

If you are wondering what a “water sign” means, I’ll tell you straight out. The mystics assigned each of the Zodiacs a symbolic element.

For example, Capricorns are “Earth Signs”. Aquarius born people are “Air Signs”. Leos are “Fire Signs. Think of these as metaphors as opposed to something literal.

For our purposes, Cancer males are deep – like the oceans they live in. This is how they are able to feel and intuit so much in others.

Cancer Men Traits and Personality
Cancer Men Are Ruled by the Moon

Cancer Man Traits: Positive and Negative

Positive Traits:

  • Compassionate
  • Protective
  • Caring
  • Nurturing
  • Patient
  • Talkative
  • Charitable
  • Empathic
  • Animal Lover

Negative Traits:

  • Overprotective
  • Prone to worry
  • Moody (crabby)
  • Pessimistic
  • Prone to depression
  • Clingy
  • Nags
  • Weak verbal filter
cancer sun sign men explored
The Moon Has Influence on Cancer Sun Signs

The Moon: Cancer Man’s Ruling Planet

It is not possible to give the specific traits of the Cancer man until we first examine his ruling planet: The Moon.

While it is true in astronomy that the moon is not a true planet, in the world of ancient alchemy, it is (Burnett, 2013).

Located approximately 29,000 miles from where you are right now, this celestial satellite was caught in earth’s gravitational orbit some 4.5 billion years ago.

Science tells us the moon is linked to our planet’s flow of tides, human hormones and female menstrual cycles. In fact, the word menopause is based on the Greek term, meno (moonpower) (Hauck, 2009).

How Cancer Came to Be?

Legend has it that Cancer’s joint spiral galaxies once touched and caused a cosmic rift. A nearby moon was dislodged from its orbit and was caught up in a powerful kinetic wave.

Cresting atop this energy ribbon was the metaphorical crab, absorbing wisdom as it rocketed through the cosmos.

Just before it established a stable orbit around our planet, the Crab was zapped from its parental constellation with a bolt of lighting. This infused him with with deep psychic powers.

Cancer Men: Traits That Stand Out

The key traits that stand out about for Cancer men are threefold: 1) Emotional, 2) Protective and; 3) Caring.

If you meet a guy who is born under the Cancer sun sign, there’s a better than good chance he’s a homebody. This is mentioned as a compliment. Like the crab’s protective shell, Cancer men like being in familiar, safe places.

On this point, you need to know these men keep their living spaces in meticulous condition. Some might even say they are obsessive about it.

On the karmic level, this makes sense. That’s because for Cancer sun signs, it’s critical they live in nurturing, supportive, and safe environments.

This is not to say Cancer men don’t like the outdoors because they do – a lot. They gravitate to water and love activities like boating, canoeing and river camping.

Cancer Men and Animals

Another key trait that stands out Cancer males is there love of animals. For reasons that escape my level of awareness, animals seem to bond with these men in an uncanny way.

Ancient lore suggests some of this may be due to the sign’s empathic abilities. I’ve personally gone on wilderness trips with other guys and watched wild animals, like squirrels, rabbits, coyote and deer walk right up to these guys without an ounce of fear.

Moreover, Cancer men are suckers for taking in injured wildlife. Something deep inside of them commands that they nurture these creatures back to health.

In this way, Cancer men are like another water sign, Pisces.

The universal sign of cancer is the crab
Cancer zodiac represented by the crab

 

Cancer Man as a Friend

If you are looking for a loyal friend that will be in your life for many years to come, the Cancer male is your guy. Gaining their trust however, takes time. That’s because by nature, this sign is guarded with an eye for sincerity.

Translation: Cancer men can tell who is being authentic and who is being fake. If you are transparent about who you are, they’ll trust you. Try to be hide something from them and they’ll know right away. Water signs all have this capability.

Most will have friendships that can be traced back to early childhood; relationships they’ve nurtured and invested in for decades.

One important piece of information to keep in mind is the protective nature of Cancer when it comes to friendships. They don’t handle criticism of people they care about well. It is just part of their cosmic DNA.

Finally, Cancer guys love to listen and talk. Not in the narcissistic way but instead via two-way communication. In fact, they thrive on this big time.

Cancer Men and Money

Like their personality, Cancer men are cautious with money. They aren’t impulsive spenders and aren’t ones to throw down a bunch of cash for the latest techno-gadgets.

The only exception might be products related to home. Because of their homebody persona, they like to live in safe, restorative and comfortable environments. Spending money on furniture and appliances, even if they cost a ton, are just fine by this sign.

For Cancer males, specifically, you need to know they also spend money on their man-caves. While the sign itself is very family unit focused, the males need a place to retreat for restorative purposes.

Think of their man-caves as a place they go to regenerate. Because they absorb a lot emotionally, they need a safe place to chillax.

Cancer Males and Careers

Analytical, patient and caring are the personality trademarks of Cancer males. They excel when they are able to lean into their unique gifts; intuitiveness, communication and caretaking.

Good career choices for this sign include:

  • Teacher
  • Professor
  • Counselor
  • Doctor
  • Veterinarian
  • Nurse
  • Helping professional

Finally, Cancer men are natural born writers. While it may take time for them to discover this gift, once they do, they excel. That’s why many journalists happen to be Cancer.

As an aside, Cancers (men and women) do particularly well when working from home so they can be close to family. However, if the male is single and lives alone, he should be working outside of the home.

The reason is simple: Cancers unintentionally isolate. If they don’t socialize, they become vulnerable to depression.

Finally, in the metaphoric sense, crabs work extremely well together in groups. If you have a Cancer male on your team, he’s going to do everything possible to help the group succeed.

cancer man love and sex compatibility
Cancer Male Traits Revealed

Cancer Man Personality and General Temperament

You’ll find most all men who fall under the Cancer sign have an even temperament. While it’s true the guys tend to be emotional, that doesn’t mean they wear it on their sleeve.

Until they get to know you, Cancer men are like Scorpio guys in that they conceal their feelings. But once they come out of their protective shell and trust you, they are an open book.

In this way, Cancer men are similar to Pisces males; a sign known for its emotional transparency.

While it is their nature to be social, it’s fair to say most of the males exhibit introverted qualities. They prefer one on one situations and small groups.

If given a choice, they will avoid large crowds and or places where the masses congregate. You may be wondering why?

Like Scorpio and Pisces, Cancer is a water sign and therefore gifted with empathic abilities. Being exposed to a bunch of people at once can be overwhelming. In turn, this causes the symbolic crab to retreat into his shell.

Finally, Cancer signs (men and women) are nocturnal creatures. It is thought part of this relates to the moon’s influence on circadian rhythm; also known as the human body clock.

The Moon’s Influence

When exploring the temperament of this sign, the moon must be factored into the equation. The mystics tell us that more than the other Zodiacs, Cancer is deeply impacted by the position of the moon.

Ancient lore suggests when the moon is full, Cancer men reach their emotional peak.  During this small window of time, they are vulnerable to mood changes.

Just as the tides on earth are influenced by the gravitational tug of the moon, so are the emotions of Cancer born guys.

The real impact of the moon on Cancer men can be felt sexually. This will be covered more as you continue reading.

Cancer Man Intellect

Cancer men are curious about the world around them. They have strong intellects and gravitate towards conversations about what is happening in the here and now. Current events, sports and political issues that focus on social justice are all of keen interest to the males.

Because of Cancer’s empathic powers, there is a high degree of emotional intelligence; a fancy term used to describe a person’s ability to “get” what another person feels.

Using their metaphorical pincers, Cancer guys take in information on three different levels:

  • Emotional
  • Psychological
  • Spiritual

Conversations can run the gamut from tawdry gossip to ancient belief systems. There’s really no limit to what they are capable of conversing about.

Cancer Men and Anxiety

Like all water signs, Cancer struggles with anxiety. They tend to worry about everything, particularly if it relates to a family member, like a spouse, parent or child.

This aspect of their personality is imprinted into their persona. It is why Cancer men are so fiercely protective and will fight to the death to defend loved ones.

While this may seem like an attractive trait at first glance, it can also be a negative. That’s because Cancer guys can worry so much that they worry themselves into knots. They also tend to nag.

Additionally, because Cancerian men are prone to anxiety, they sometimes make comments that they later regret. In many ways, the struggle with a verbal filter.

In relationships, the men also take on an anxious attachment style, fearful of being hurt or abandoned. The key to working through the crab’s anxiety is remaining calm while keeping communications open. This will help to ameliorate the intensity of their feelings.

But here is the deal – at the end of the day, this is a man that worries a lot about the people he loves. It’s best to accept this as part of his energy. Trying to change this trait is pointless.

Cancer Man Personality Summed Up

Cancer is a sign of family and relationships with chip for emotional intuitiveness. The men specifically are logical, analytical and emotional, all at once.

Because they are a cardinal sign, they can adapt to and even empower change.

When you think of Cancer men, think homebodies. They put a premium on relationships with family being of great importance.

Cancer men outdoors
Cancer Men have a spiritual with nature

Compatibility for Cancer Men

Cancer will generally get along with most all signs however, the men seem to do best in long term relationships with just a few.

Here are the three “best matches” for Cancer men:

Scorpio: Both are empathic, intuitive and intellectual. Cancer can handle Scorpio’s ability to be vindictive where Scorpio can help Cancer through its worrisome cycles. In many ways, it is thought both water signs are the perfect match. See Scorpio and Cancer post.

Pisces: Cancers and Pisces are thought to be an extremely good match. Both are empathic and both are intuitive. Pisces will mirror some Cancer traits because Pisces is a mutable sign. Arguments are rare between the two water signs. Additionally, Pisces can handle the Cancer man’s fluctuating moods around the time of full moon; something other signs may struggle with.

Taurus: Because Taurus is an earth sign, the goat helps to keep the crab centered. And because Taurus is also a homebody, the two complement one another. Taurus has the strange ability to keep Cancer in its place when emotions run high. Additionally, the centered energy of Taurus translates into Cancer calmness.

The mystics suggest some signs do not go well together. For water signs, this is very much the case.

In the case of Cancer men, here are two that can be problematic.

Aries: The feisty, competitive and aggressive nature of Aries makes it difficult for the Cancer man. Additionally, Aries is an extroverted sign which can conflict with Cancer’s homebody nature.

Libra: An air sign, Libra is highly intellectual and analytical and tends to relate on this level with mates. For Cancer men, this can pose problems because in the absence of an emotional connection, he struggles to relate.

Dating a Cancer Man

Should you date a Cancer man, you’ll need to keep the following in mind.

  • Slow to trust but once they do, they bond quickly and powerfully.
  • Prefers activities that don’t involve big crowds. Think movies, theater, quiet coffee shops and restaurants. They also do well with outdoor activities, like walks on the beach or on a nature path.
  • Get ready to talk a lot with a Cancer guy. He thrives off communication. Moreover, whatever you talk about needs to be genuine because he’ll be able to easily tell if you are being fake.
  • The men like to romance their mates in a very traditional way. Many describe the guys as old school types.
  • Cancer guys are charmers. You need to know they will charm you to disarm you. In turn, this allows them to use their metaphorical pincers to probe your emotions.

Sex with Cancer Men

Significant research has been conducted on sex with Cancer men based on narrative reports (Shaughnessy, 1990). When you think of intercourse with Cancer men, the proponderence of evidence suggests the guys relate on an emotional level.

Moreover, it is said that as the moon cycles through it’s 27-day cycle, male Cancerian sexual energy intensifies. At full moon, the men become sexual werewolves.

The following characteristics seem to be pronounced with this sun sign:

  • Requires emotional attachment for bonding/mating.
  • Sexual intercourse tends to be passionate and powerful
  • The men take on a dominate role and rarely are submissive
  • Not into quick hookups and prefers longer, intimate experiences.
  • Prefers more traditional “vaninalla” type encounters and not a fan of dirty talk.
  • May be slow to engage in a sexual experience but when it happens, it is marked with high passion.
  • Should arguments occur, Cancer men will engage in “makeup sex” however, there are limits. Example, don’t look to the bedroom for emotional healing if you cheat on a Cancer guy. He’s not going to go for it.
  • Sexually, Cancer men are singularly focused on their mates. If you are one to try new experiences, like Aquarius sun signs, it’s not going to be a good match.

More: Learn about Aquarius men

Cancer Sun Signs Revealed
Harvest Moon: Cancer Guys Revealed

How to Attract Cancer Men

In general, Cancer men will be drawn to genuine personality types that can show emotion with ease. Because he is shy by nature, it can be difficult to tell if he likes you.

The best way to grab his attention is to make eye contact. If you notice he’s looks back and establishes a connection, that’s a good sign.

Once conversation begins, just be yourself. He’ll use his symbolic pinchers to get a sense of you, primarily accomplished through questions.

Finally, because Cancer is a water sign, he will intuitive much from your touch. A simple graze of your hand against his will communicate volumes.

While this may seem like an amazing trait, it can also be a curse. That’s because if Cancer males don’t sense anything emotional from you, they’ll scurry away.

Cancer Men Arousal Zones

Ancient lore suggests that Cancer men have certain body parts that act as arousal zones. These include:

  • Lips
  • Ears
  • Palms
  • Bellies

The hardest part of a crab’s body is the top shell. The most vulnerable part is his soft underbelly. It is thought that by initiating contact with the abdomen, passionate energy is released.

Health Issues and Cancer Men

Overall, Cancer sun sign men keep themselves in good health. There are certain conditions, however, the guys are vulnerable to.

Most of these relate to anxiety; a trait that is part of the Cancer persona. These include:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Ulcers
  • Colitis
  • Back problems
  • Weight gain
  • Alcohol abuse

Cancer Sign Constellation

If you are curious about the Cancer constellation, be sure to check out this video. Knowing some of this information can help  shed light on how this sign thinks, behaves and operates.

Famous Cancer Men

  • Tom Cruise
  • Harrison Ford
  • Jared Padalecki
  • Patrick Stewart
  • Richard Branson
  • Will Farrell
  • John Quincy Adams
  • Mike Tyson
  • Tom Cruise
  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Taylor Kinney

There are several myths floating around about Cancer men that simply aren’t true. Below, I’ve mentioned the biggies.

  • Cancer men aren’t dominant
  • Cancer sun sign guys don’t cry
  • If a Cancer man has green eyes, he’s highly psychic
  • Most cancer men don’t like to swim
  • Cancer men don’t like wearing men’s colognes
  • Cancer men aren’t good business leaders
  • Cancer men aren’t compatible with other Cancers
  • Moonstone has a Viagra effect on Cancer men

Cancerian Man Resources

If you are looking to learn more about Cancer men, there are several resources available online. One book that I highly recommend is: Cancer Sun Sign SeriesWhat’s nice about this read is the straight-forward, easy to understand format the author uses.

Cancer males are specifically explored as part of the narrative.


 

Cancer Guy Poll

As a pathway to understanding, I’ve published a poll above on Cancer men. It’s not scientific so keep this in mind when you assess the results.

Summary

Cancer men are loyal, intelligent, and faithful. They are also very wise.

When you think of a Cancer guy and relationships, conjure up mental scenarios of long term, family oriented situations. If you found this material useful, please share with your friends.

Thank you for visiting Men’s Culture

Additional Reading on Men and the Zodiac

Taurus Men: Traits and characteristics

Capricorn Men: Key Traits

Leo Men: Learn Key Characteristics

References:

Burnett, C. (2013). The Astrologer’s Assay of the Alchemist: Early References to Alchemy in Arabic and Latin Texts. Retrieved from Ambix: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/amb.1992.39.3.103?journalCode=yamb20

Davidson, D. (1966). Transference as a Form of Active Imagination. Journal of analytical psychology.

Hauck, W. (2009). Idiot’s guide to alchemy. New York: Alpha Books.

Melina, R. (2010). In Which Month Are the Most Babies Born? Retrieved from Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/32728-baby-month-is-almost-here-.html

Shaughnessy, M. (1990). Effects of Birth Order, Sex, and Astrological Sign on Personality. Psychological Reports.

About Aaron McBride 28 Articles
Aaron McBride is a Seattle based freelance journalist. He enjoys writing on men's topics, outdoor activities, grooming, and wellness. He's also got a thing for penning pieces on spirituality and astrology. Look for posts that are off the wall and sometimes bizarre.