Cancer Love Compatibility Traits

Cancer's Love Style

Sensual, passionate, and super in tune with their bodies, Cancers are highly attuned to love and physical sensation—as long as they can trust enough to let down their barriers and allow another person into their world. Cancer can be cagey about the dating game, and engaging in the getting-to-know-you game, either on text or through conversation, can feel like torture for sensitive Crabs. Cancer much prefers discovering and checking out potential partners in low-stress settings, such as in a class, as neighbors, or at a local coffee shop.

Cancers sometimes get frustrated that their partner doesn't know everything that's going on in their internal life, and they can easily put up walls and say it's all good when everything is clearly the exact opposite. In order to truly connect, Cancers must be patient with their partner and voice their emotional needs—and these lessons can have a steep learning curve for this sign. Crabs want a partner who can bear witness to their emotional ups and downs, yet they can lash out if their partner tries to "fix" things. Sometimes, all Cancer needs to do is vent.

In bed, Cancer is happiest with long, passionate lovemaking. While props, toys, and shower sex can all be fun, Cancer's absolute favorite is any position that allows plenty of eye contact with his or her lover. Crabs want to cuddle after sex (if they feel trusted and in love), and they're always up for a lazy day spent entirely under the covers.

This sign plays for keeps, and believes in in his or her partner. Sometimes, Crabs may struggle with letting a relationship end, and their breakups may have to happen several times before they accept that it's really over. On the flip side, Cancer takes loyalty very seriously, and a breach of loyalty, however small it seems, can be a deal-breaker for a Cancer.

Bottom line: Cancer loves to be loved, and loves love itself—but communication and conversation are what really allow this sign's bonds to flourish.

Best Zodiac Love Matches for Cancer

Taurus: Steadfast and passionate, Taurus is a fixed sign that can help ground cardinal Cancer. Both Taurus and Cancer are very connected to their physical bodies, and share an intense, almost psychic, sensuality. For Taurus and Cancer, even brushing each other's hand can create an electric current. Taurus can help inspire Cancer to action, while Cancer can help Taurus tune into deeper emotions.

Pisces: Cardinal Cancer and mutable Pisces both have intense emotional reservoirs, so they both understand that sometimes people need to cry just because, and that an epic fight doesn't necessarily mean a relationship is over. Imaginative and intuitive, Pisces and Cancer are happy in their collective heads, and they delight in dreaming up many future life scenarios. Taking action is an altogether different matter, but luckily for this couple, Cancer is good at rallying people to make dreams a reality.

Scorpio: When these two water signs meet, the magnetism between them packs the cosmic wallop of a strong electric charge. What holds this couple together is their fierce loyalty and their understanding that emotional eruptions aren't necessarily a sign of being a bad match, but more likely a sign of their intense connection.

Want to know more about your love matches? Check every zodiac sign's love compatibility.

Favorite Date Nights for Cancer

Bring out the reservations, white tablecloths, and red wine, because Cancers love to keep their dates traditional, and having their date pick up the tab signals they're cared for and loved. Cancer hates surprises and would much rather know about plans weeks in advance. Cancer also hates being thrust into the spotlight, which is why it's key to keep any engagement plans private.

When it comes to love, Cancers prize any time they have with their significant other. Unexpectedly bringing a friend can hurt a Cancer's feelings and make him or her feel like the relationship is less of a priority. To the Crab, relationships often come before friendships—and sometimes even family. Showing that they're number one in your book can go far.

Cancer also loves nights at home. Cuddling on the couch, watching movies, and talking are all key, and this kind of cozy intimacy should be built into every week. What matters to Cancer isn't so much what you do, but how present you are doing it—darkening the room, lighting candles, and putting phones away to truly connect (preferably with lots of cuddling) are all critical gestures in making a Cancer feel loved.

The Deal with Cancer and Fire Signs

Emotional, intuitive Cancer just can't help bonding (and bonding fast!) with those intense fire signs: Sagittarius, Aries, and Leo. And when fire and water meet, expect sparks, steam, tears, epic fights—and even more epic makeup sessions.

While water signs love to explore, dwell, and pontificate on their emotions, fire signs are all about action. Fire signs want to fix things, which can spell disaster for a water sign like Cancer. Crabs prefer to let their emotions to wash over them and feel their feelings before they commit to action. That's why Cancer and fire signs often lock into misunderstandings, with each side simply unable—or unwilling—to understand where the other is coming from.

But within this misunderstanding and mystery is exactly where the passion lies. Water signs are excited by fire signs' get-up-and-go attitude, while fire signs are drawn to Cancer's seemingly endless reserves of compassion.

So can a Cancer settle down with a fire sign? Yes, but first this watery soul needs to understand the unique communication styles of a fire sign. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius may not be able to intuit what Cancer needs, and it's incumbent on the Crab to let his or her fire sign partner in on those Cancerian emotions. If Cancers won't let a fire sign in, they can't expect those signs to interpret their actions or read their minds.

Finally, a Cancer and a fire sign have over-the-top magnetism with each other, and they'll bring each other to the outer reaches of pleasure. Super in tune with their bodies and sensuality, their passionate flings belong in record books, even if the relationship doesn't stand the test of time.

How to Seduce a Cancer

Falling in love with a Cancer? Join the club. Compassionate, intuitive, and blessed with the ability to make you feel like you're the only other person in the solar system, a Cancer is a clear choice for a partner. However, this sign is incredibly choosy and wants to make sure that you're worthy of him or her. Cancers aren't looking for a fling, and they will hold a grudge if you cross them. Here are a few other things to note as you're trying to capture a Cancer's heart:

Be genuine. Cancer hates pick-up lines, and can smell insincerity a mile away. Do some research on your Cancer by checking his or her Instagram profile or Twitter feed—the Crab won't think you're a stalker and will appreciate that you took the time for a virtual background check.

Go deep. Even on a first date, don't be afraid to share favorite childhood memories, most painful moments, and "Why are we really here?" discussions. Cancer loves diving deep into the mysteries of life and will spend hours talking about feelings.

Make time. Cancer thrives when there's plenty of time to hang out as a couple. Although Cancers treasure their friends and family, they need "just the two of us" time to recharge and reconnect, and a busy schedule filled with other friends can knock Cancer off kilter—and your seduction off track. A relationship with Cancer is a time investment, but you just know that it'll be worth your while.

How to Make Love to a Cancer

Passionate, intense, and eager for a complete meld of mind and body, Cancer loves head-to-toe pampering and pleasuring, and considers slow, leisurely foreplay just as essential as the main act.

Cancer deeply feels every inch of his or her body, and needs a lover who can sensuously touch every inch of skin. As a water sign, the Crab gladly starts lovemaking in the shower or bath, or trading long, luxurious massages. Cancer may be happy to talk for ages in other situations, but once clothes come off, this sign is more than satisfied communicating in sighs and moans.

To make love to a Cancer, give generously. Endless oral sex, touching everywhere, and uninhibited body worship will pay off—and this generous sign will happily return every favor. Cancer loves trading off roles in the bedroom, and may be dominant or submissive as the mood dictates. Subtly playing with power balances through BDSM exploration can be fun for Crabs, as it engages both their body and mind in the bedroom.

When it comes to positions, Cancer isn't interested in bells and whistles, and far prefers a position that allows plenty of eye contact, such as the coital alignment technique (CAT), a twist on missionary where the partners are both at eye level. Finally, Cancer can't get enough of lazy, naked days and mornings in bed, so making sure to allow plenty of skin-on-skin contact and naked cuddling is essential to keep your favorite Cancer as happy as possible.

If You Love a Cancer Woman

Let her feel. Cancer women have deep emotional reserves and use them to lavish love on their partner, but in order to feel safe, Cancer needs permission to feel without sensing that her partner is trying to "fix" them. Crying doesn't mean that a Cancer is "broken" or weak. Cancer women need their partners to recognize their emotional strength and resilience, and to understand that sharing emotions is their way of sharing love. It can't be emphasized enough that Cancer women don't want a partner to "fix" their problems—they want their partner to listen and provide nonjudgmental support.

How to Communicate With a Cancer Woman

Be honest with yourself. Before you can effectively communicate with a Cancer woman, check in with yourself to know how you feel, where you stand, and who you are. A Cancer woman cannot abide dishonesty, especially when people are dishonest with themselves. A Cancer woman will happily stand beside you 100% if you're fighting for what you believe in, but she feels disengaged if she senses that you're living your life to make someone else happy (even if it's her). Honesty goes far in this bond.

If You Love a Cancer Man

A Cancer man may seem cool and aloof, but trust that he's incredibly emotional under the surface. There's a reason why Cancer's spirit animal is the Crab. He needs that tough shell to survive and endure the world around him. If you love a Cancer man, let him come out of that shell on his own, because asking what's wrong or otherwise prodding him will only make him turn inward. A Cancer man needs his space, and giving it to him—and trusting that he'll be faithful—will go far in this relationship.

How to Communicate With a Cancer Man

Don't just talk. Feel. Talk is just one way that Cancers communicate. There's also touch, listening, and simply being present in the same room. A Cancer man communicates just as much with caresses and hugs as he does with his words. To effectively communicate with a Cancer man, get to know all of his emotional vibrational frequencies. This includes understanding when he's ready for conversation or when he needs a little more time to digest information on his own.

Should You Marry a Cancer?

Yes! Smart, soulful, and achingly romantic, a Cancer ensures that passion, love, and romance will be hot, hot, hot even when you're both old and gray. Of course, Cancers have their infamous moods, but learning how to navigate those emotional waters and giving your Crab space when he or she needs it will only make your connection stronger. Cancer will always have your back, even when it feels the whole world is turned against you, and this sign couldn't care less about material things. Reversals of fortune won't bother your Cancer mate, and he or she will always buoy you up while helping you stay in tune to the emotional side of life.

3 Signs That Cancer is Playing for Keeps

Intense and soulful, Cancer can easily make you feel like the only person in the room. But remember: They can apply that same charm to everyone, from their boss to their neighbor to their barista. Here's how to tell that you're truly the only one in their orbit.

They meet your friends. Cancers far prefer spending time with you rather than anyone else, so if they agree to meet your old friends, especially at a loud bar or house party, it's a sign that they're willing to go out of their comfort zone to make you happy.
They apologize. Cancers can be stubborn, especially when it comes to emotion-driven arguments that aren't really anyone's fault. By taking the step of saying they're sorry, even for something that's NBD, it's a sign that they're willing (and want to!) compromise with you.
They make something creative for you. Notoriously creative, Crabs are also notoriously private—and you may not even know about their creative streak until months into a relationship. Sharing a drawing, poem, or lines in their journal is a sign that they think of you as someone who belongs in their life.

Cancer Relationship Red Flags

Emotional Crabs aren't shy about sharing all of their feelings with people they trust—but when they put up walls, it means trouble. Pay attention to when the Cancer you love says "nothing" is wrong—especially if he or she doesn't explain the full situation later. Passionate Cancers also communicate with their body, so if they begin resisting physical advances or stop initiating sex, it can indicate a larger problem in the relationship.

How Cancer Deals With a Broken Heart

"What? I'm fine." This is a familiar refrain when Cancer is going through a breakup. To everyone except the people in their innermost circle, Cancer seems like he or she has everything together: following a schedule, hitting the gym, business as usual. But with their closest friends, Cancers will fall apart, expressing their fears and doubts, crying freely. Cancer knows it's key to let those emotions loose, but fears doing it with people who may judge the waterworks. In general, Cancer always feels the effects of a bad breakup, and even years later will have a tender spot for old what's-his/her-name. A song, poem, or scent of a favorite shared food can drag Crabs back into a melancholy mood for hours, even if the breakup is ancient history and they're currently in a good relationship.

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