The Cancer Man: Overview & Personality Traits
The Cancer Man’s personality is full of contradictions.
He is soft, loving, considerate, and nurturing to those he cares deeply for – but always remember that those born under the sign of the Crab have a hard shell to protect their vulnerable underbelly, and pincers to protect themselves when they feel attacked.
Ruled by the moon, Cancer men may be uncommonly in touch with their emotions, able to take on roles that many of their male counterparts would be utterly lost in, like romance and parenting. You will find that chivalry is not dead with this sentimental and poetic knight in shining armor – if you can get him to take the armor off.
Deeply sensitive and easily wounded, your Cancer may not give you another chance to do him wrong once you’ve hurt him. Cancer men have long memories, and never forget once they’ve experienced a slight. Tread lightly and be kind to this Crab, and you will be rewarded with undying loyalty.
A male Cancer’s intuition is highly developed, but that can sometimes be limited to people residing within his own den. This sign is all about their own tribe, and sometimes need to be lured out of their shell and their comfort zone in order to really grow. A Cancer man can be consumed with longing and nostalgia for things of the past – which, if channeled creatively, can inspire him to explore history and the world of myth. If not, you may encounter a barnacle-encrusted relic of former glory days who fears progress and change. Beware when you hear a Cancer constantly bemoaning the loss of “how it used to be.”
As long as this crustacean is willing to scuttle toward the future, you’ll get to see him come into his own power – trusting in his gifts of sensitivity and giving kindness.
The Cancer Man: In Love & Sex
When in love, The Cancer Man is a dedicated lover. He’s a total dream come true for someone who loves to receive affection. He can come off as the ultimate Prince Charming, making extravagant professions of adoration and writing flowery love letters to court you. But, once comfortably ensconced in a committed relationship, the connection can become more cozy than steamy. Cooking you dinner and settling in for a night of Netflix may become more his habit than hot bedroom action so that chemistry needs to be stoked, and intimacy kept vibrant with lots of touch and the willingness to always go deeper.
Cancer men can be mama’s boys, so be prepared to meet his (and hope that you pass muster!). And, know that he’s the ideal candidate to bring home to meet your parents: His manners will be impeccable at dinner, and he’ll have already charmed your mom and dad into thinking he’s the best guy you’ve ever dated by the time the appetizers arrive.
Men born under the sign of the Crab can be more attached to a romantic ideal than to reality – so the man you meet online or long-distance may be very different than the one you get to know. Are you compatible with your Cancer man? Find out here. Cancers can be incredibly possessive and jealous – always fearing that what they have will be taken from them or slip away. It’s often the case that extremely jealous people can become cheaters themselves, so make sure you set clear boundaries about what both of you want from your commitment.
The Cancer Man: Home Life & Family
Cancerian men are natural homebodies, deeply attached to their personal space, which they like to feel cushy and comfy, with a deep, soft sofa to lounge around on. They’ll often prefer to eat their meals here, rather than stand on ceremony and have proper place-settings and sit stuffily at the table in angular chairs.
Once at home, a Cancer man wants to feel at ease and completely unwind, usually while wearing sweatpants or a robe. Even though smoking jackets and slippers have fallen out of style, you might see a Cancer man rocking this look while sitting in his big cozy chair near the fire.
Usually excellent cooks, Cancer men prefer eating at home to going out, delighting in simple repast and filling comfort foods like soups and stews. Cancers are drawn to relics of yesteryear, and often have a longing for the traditions and tastes of days gone by – so you may see his home crammed with antiques and family heirlooms. He will hold onto passed-down possessions for their sentimental value, even if they are no longer beautiful to behold.
The Cancer dad is characterized by warm, loving traits. He’s always ready to cuddle and comfort his progeny. These natural-born nurturers are often found readily spooning mush, changing diapers, and rocking little ones to sleep. Being a stay-at-home dad would suit most Cancer men just fine – they would rather be home with the kids, cooking and caretaking, than out being a provider (which they can often take far too seriously). Mama’s boys themselves, a Cancer man usually has a very close relationship with his mother and will want to take care of her at home in her elder years, rather than letting her go live in a nursing home.
The Cancer Man: Work & Money
It’s not very common knowledge, but the intense work ethic of a Cancerian man is quite a powerful force.
These men can be laser-focused workhorses, especially if they’re intent on supporting their children or loved ones. Bringing home the bacon is taken very seriously for this sign, and their role as breadwinner sometimes forces them into overwork.
Cancers can easily get into a vicious cycle of working their butts off for long shifts, and then coming home to collapse and recover before doing it all over again, ad nauseam. When they vacation, they prefer to do so for longer than most people (at least a month at a time) so that they can fully immerse in relaxation. Six months of grueling work with no time for fun is doable for them, as long as they have a dangling carrot luring them toward the promise of lazy days on the beach. This extremism can result in burnout and neglect of their own needs, and friendships outside of their partner and children frequently fall by the wayside when a Cancer man is in work-mode.
These men often end up working in the family business and will take on a role within that established structure to keep the tradition alive, even if it’s not their passion. They do best with working for or with good friends, though they will always be most loyal to their significant other and family – all other considerations come second. Working from home can be desirable for a Cancerian – it’s where they feel safest, and have control over their personal work environment – though sometimes they feel too isolated from being part of a team, a set-up in which kindred-seeking Cancers thrive.
Work relationships will often feel like a family to a Cancer man. His personality allows him to easily develop a closeness with his co-workers that feels supportive and caring.
The Cancer Man: Gift Guide
Cancer men are a pleasure to shop for because they genuinely love receiving gifts and romantic displays of affection – especially if you give them something that has special meaning for you. They adore old things and unusual treasures, especially if they know for certain that no one else has what they have. Ruled by the moon, Cancer men are generally more in touch with their feminine nature and inner anima than most guys – so you can have fun finding them cute clothes and accessories with which to adorn themselves. They usually enjoy receiving jewelry, especially handcrafted silver rings, cuffs, and pendants. These men will often wear scents that seem more flowery or sweet than most guys feel comfortable sporting – so lavender, verbena and all gourmand scents like chocolate or spice will usually go over well here.
Cancer men will eschew anything they perceive as tacky, but paradoxically rescue odd things from the trash all the time. Kitchen implements like copper pots, good knives, and beautiful wooden cutting boards will please domestic Cancers, who make excellent cooks. Hand-woven blankets and fine rugs will delight a man who loves to make his home a bastion of comfort and sweetness. If you decide to take him out of his natural environment, drive him to the seaside for the weekend.
Cancer men love the beach and are happy to spend hours combing for washed up treasure, or just watching the ebb and flow of the surf.