The Cancer child is a loving little individual...some might even say a typical "mama's baby." Usually very placid and serene with a sympathetic disposition, this little one may be quick to lose his or her temper when annoyed or irritated, which leads to a snappy and frequently sharp tongue. Though easily hurt on a personal level, the Cancer child has difficulty in grasping the fact that his or her tantrums can cause hurt to others. The moods of this child wax and wane like the Moon, but he or she will be blessed with powers of observation and a remarkable memory...the emotions forming rich and colorful images. This child is almost sure to be something of a "cry-baby" and it will be necessary for any caregiver to learn to laugh and cry with this little one. He or she must be kept safe and protected from the fears inherent in this child...whether real or imaginary. A great deal of attention, understanding and emotional empathy will be necessary. It is also important to encourage his or her artistic and creative tendencies and promote the growth of confidence. Children born of this Sign are likely to cry out as if in pain when taken into the arms of a person they sense to be antagonistic toward them. They should never be left in the care or custody of anyone they find repulsive. If such is forced upon them, then it is certain to wear upon the nervous system which, in time, could bring about serious ailments. It is also important not to punish the Cancer child for such adverse reactions for this trait is second nature to the little Cancer's character. Generally good-humored children, they have an excellent ear for music and a keen instinct for the dramatic. As Cancer children grow older, however, a certain reserve could develop and an inferiority complex could manifest itself due to this Sign's inherent sensitivity.

The Cancer child perceives the world through an emotional, imaginative and intuitive veil. This little one will almost certainly think with the heart rather than the head. This can make for a wonderfully creative soul, particularly in writing or the arts, but work will be needed to develop the logical self of the Cancer child, otherwise the over-active imagination of this little one will turn any minor worries into major issues. A loner at heart, the Cancer child possesses a tender soul and is usually quite easy to manage and discipline. Virtually all that will be needed is lots of attention, an over-abundance of love, and many hugs and cuddles. The formative years and early home environment of this little one will influence the rest of his or her life. In return, the Cancer child is extremely supportive during times of any parent's illness or depression. He or she will gently lend a small shoulder to cry on, being extremely home-loving and concerned with the problems of others. In short, this normally shy child can become a tower of strength and bravery. However, there is a need here to guard the little Cancer from dwelling overly on the more somber aspects of life. The small Cancer should probably not be allowed to linger too long in the presence of suffering or to attend funerals. Cancer children should sleep alone and kisses or hugs from strangers should be avoided. They thrive best on a diet which is simple, plain and nourishing. The fundamental truths of life should be taught to this little one as early as such things can be comprehended. Open frankness is infinitely preferable to false modesty with this child and an abundance of sleep and rest are paramount to his or her well-being.

The Cancer child is likely to bring home neglected friends and stray animals for this Sign is counted among the caregivers of the Zodiac. In addition, the little Cancer loves to collect things...it adds to his or her sense of security, especially if there is some type of family tradition associated with the collectible items. However, there is a tendency for the Cancer child to refuse to allow any belongings to be stored away, which can make for rooms full of clutter and a general air of untidiness. It is important to allow these children to have rooms of their own...or at least a special spot in the home which they can call their own. Since there is a proclavity to hoard, there may well be a stash of favorite food or candy in a secret place. Being particularly sensitive to the surrounding environment, the little Cancer, even as a baby, will quickly be aware of any tension in the atmosphere and become unsettled as a result. It may also be necessary to enforce some type of discipline at mealtimes since the inherent moodiness of the child governed by Cancer does tend to make for a very fussy eater. The first few weeks in any new location (school or residence, for example) can be very stressful to the Cancer child. It will be necessary for any caregiver to resist the temptation to "chivvy" this little one and tell him or her not to "be silly." Fear and apprehension is very real to the Cancer child. The early years spent in school are usually when this child's protective and defensive instincts truly begin to develop. This can make the Cancer child somewhat shy and wary at first but, on the more positive side, this will also be the age when the little Cancer develops his or her lifelong protective feelings toward siblings and other family members.

As a sibling, the little Cancer is caring and very protective. These children like to play at "dress-up" and will probably collect a vast number of dolls or stuffed animals to which they will render the utmost care. There may be a tendency during adolescence for the Cancer child to indulge for a brief time in the "rebel without a cause" syndrome, but most are basically sensitive and courteous characters. Cancer children often grow up to be famous in the fields of art and music, to say nothing of possessing an excellent business sense. However, for all the gentleness and docility to be found in these children, they simply cannot be followers. Highly individualistic and endowed with independent thinking (usually apparent from an early age), they frequently make for the most compassionate of leaders. Most Cancer children look forward eagerly to earning their own spending money and will probably go in search of ways to achieve this sooner than most other children of the Zodiac. As the little Cancer grows to maturity, much tenacity and determination will be apparent, coupled with a love of nostalgia and abundant empathy. Home and family will always be a source of security to the Cancer native and adult Cancers are usually very eager to have their own children. Under normal circumstances, those governed by Cancer will likely find great happiness through marriage and can look forward to a satisfying and principled future. In terms of a career, fulfillment is likely to be more important than financial gain and substantial prosperity is often not attained until the middle years of life.

The Cancer girl is a caring and deeply devoted soul who enjoys nothing more than a night at home with a good meal and family all around. More emotional than most young ladies, she appreciates the nurturing aspects of home and hearth. She will be an exemplary baby-sitter since to her, this is not a chore but rather a pleasure, given how much she enjoys spending time with small children. A true nurturer, she will be the proverbial "mother hen" in her group of friends...someone who knows how to take care of both herself and those around her. Still, she does surround herself with a strong outer shell that is not easily broken and into which she can retreat if necessary until it is once again safe to emerge. The Cancer girl can be moody at times, often refusing to leave her shell at all and being, quite literally, a "crabby" individual. In general though, she is the first to express emotion in any given situation...the first to laugh and the first to cry. A studious person, she can easily retain information courtesy of an excellent memory...something that also makes for an exceptional test-taker. However, college will probably simply be a preliminary round since she will be most interested in what comes next. There is a good chance that the young lady governed by Cancer will stay close to home.

The Cancer boy is an emotional soul who is subject to mood swings. He has a family-oriented persona and a caring sensibility. This is a youngster who can be counted upon to be around for family barbeques and spirited games of badminton in the backyard. He will probably be involved in sports such as soccer or basketball, being inherently drawn to the camaraderie and sense of family within a team environment. As for extra-curricular interests, a huge favorite is likely to be some form of collecting. Indeed, this young man might never throw anything away...with the possible exception of a mirror since he is not overly concerned with his appearance. In addition, he is not too keen to part with his money. He is loath to spending any earnings all in one place and it might not be too far off the mark to regard him as something of a miser. Sincer Cancer rules the stomach, this lad will have a healthy appetite. He will need to feel good at school...or just about anywhere, come to that. Being easy-going, he will probably gravitate toward a small liberal arts college where he can find an atmosphere of togetherness. Still, given his strong attachment to family, he is unlikely to stray far from home.

For more in depth descriptions of the stages in the life of a Cancer child,
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The Ruling Planet of the Moon makes the children of Cancer moody, sensitive, expressive and somewhat shy. These gentle souls, governed by the fastest moving body in the Heavens, undergo a plethera of emotions in tune with the Moon's phases and cycle...a pattern that repeats every twenty-eight days. Since Cancer is one of the three Water Signs (together with Scorpio and Pisces), any child governed by this element will be a highly sensitive and highly intuitive individual. Often he or she will know what a person is going to do before that person does it. A child of Water needs to be grounded at an early age in self-reliance and independence, since there is a tendency to cling to any object of affection. It will also be necessary to teach the Water child to appreciate that others have feelings. Another important lesson is that this child learn not to "smother" those of whom he or she is fond. A good work ethic will need to be taught to the child who is governed by this element, otherwise he or she is liable to grow up taking more than giving...believing that the world and all it contains (including people) exists solely to cater to the needs and wants of the child of Water. Water children have an unfortunate tendency to use up the people with whom they are associated and then discard them. This trait is often discernable from a very early age and should be strongly discouraged. The gift of a Cancer child is the ability to nurture, to remember and to care for others.

Qualities To Encourage:
Kindness - Imagination - Protectiveness - Shrewd Mind - Sympathetic Nature

Qualities To Discourage:
Moodiness - Shyness - Defensiveness - Overly-Cautiousness

Suitable Future Careers:
Antique Dealer - Artist - The Stage - Public Services - Cooking - Publishing - Occupations Connected With The Sea

Aries Parent/Cancer Child: Aries and Cancer approach life from two very different angles. Thus, in this parent/child combination, the Aries parent may force his or her shy Cancer offspring into situations, feeling that such situations will "toughen-up" the little Cancer. However, this is not how Cancer operates. Inhospitable environments will only cause this child to retreat into his or her famous "shell" and quietly exert his or her own will when any re-emergence might occur. No amount of temper and/or tantrums on the part of the adult Aries will force the little Cancer to reappear before he or she is ready either. Since the Cancer child will be quite self-sufficient within his or her retreat, the Aries parent will be obliged to adopt a more gentle tactic in order to relate to this sensitive little one. In addition, the adult Aries will need to learn how to teach and encourage, rather than the more traditional trait of Aries to force and demand.

Taurus Parent/Cancer Child: Since both Taurus and Cancer operate on the same frequency, there should be no lack of domestic bliss with this combination. The little Cancer craves security and stability...both of which the Taurus parent can provide in abundance. All should be harmonious in this household, so much so that ventures into the outside world may well be treated with much caution and reticence. The Cancer child is likely to be treated to gourmet dinners on a daily basis and will enjoy growing up in such a richly nutritious environment. The Taurus parent will bask in the peace and harmony created by this loving parent/child relationship consisting of twin souls.

Gemini Parent/Cancer Child: In this parent/child combination, the little Cancer craves security, whereas the Gemini parent thrives in an environment of constant change. Thus, there could easily be something of a clash between the two. However, this will rarely be an open dispute since little Cancer does not operate in that fashion. The Cancer child is quite non-confrontational and prefers to retreat into his or her famous "shell" rather than meet with a head-on collision...things are never quite that clear for the little Cancer in any event. Although the Gemini parent will probably attempt to coax his or her Cancer child out of any mood with small talk and chit-chat, this is unlikly to meet with success. The Cancer child will simply refuse to re-emerge until the emotional coast is clear and, even then, may find it difficult to explain what has just occurred...much to the exasperation of the rational Gemini parent. The adult Gemini here will need to be extremely gentle in dealings with his or her Cancer child.

Cancer Parent/Cancer Child: With both the parent and the child in this combination being ruled by Cancer, there will be two like-minds that enjoy peace. It could be difficult for others to persuade either parent or child to leave the house for any length of time since home is where they will feel most comfortable. The Cancer parent instinctively understands this need in his or her offspring and will create a secure environment in which the young Cancer can feel safe. However, it will be important for both the adult and the child to realize that each will need sufficient space from each other. The inherent Cancer moodiness could result in a battlefield with this combination, unless the child is given time to work through his or her own mood swings without pressure or interrogation. This is where parental wisdom and foresight must take over if a peaceful and harmonious parent/child relationship is to be ensured for both little one and adult.

Leo Parent/Cancer Child: In this parent/child relationship, it will be important for the Leo parent to remember to be gentle with the timid little Cancer. Not everyone is as fond of the spotlight as is the Leo personality and many individuals thoroughly dislike such being thrust upon them. The young Cancer will not appreciate the proud adult Leo's attempts to show off him or her and is certain to retreat into that infamous Cancer "shell" until the threat of attention has passed. The Cancer child will prove to be something of a challenge to his or her Leo parent, who will be obliged to understand a whole new approach to life...one based upon moods and undercurrents, rather than pomp and glory.

Virgo Parent/Cancer Child: Being domestic by nature, the Virgo parent in this combination will create a sanctuary of peace and tranquility to which his or her little Cancer can retreat whenever necessary. It is vitally important to the healthy development of the Cancer child that he or she be afforded such an environment in order to dispel the need of this little one to build a hard shell of personal protection. The end result of a Cancer child who is brought up by a Virgo parent will be a youngster who has a healthy awareness of his or her emotional self. This parent/child relationship invariably proves to be a most positive one.

Libra Parent/Cancer Child: Since the little Cancer has an overwhelming need for emotional security and mothering, the soft and gentle nature of the Libra parent in this combination will make the child feel as though he or she can open up about personal feelings. However, due to the airy and aloof character of the Libra parent, he or she may experience difficulties with providing sympathy to this emotional Cancer child. Nonetheless, it is inherent in the Libra personality to lack cruelty and display a strong concern for others...traits which the little Cancer is sure to find warm and comforting. The Libra parent here should resist the impulse to drag his or her Cancer child along to each and every social gathering. The little Cancer really is much happier remaining at home.

Scorpio Parent/Cancer Child: There are many similarities to be found in this parent/child combination. Both possess hard shells which hide the true self and both can strike out viciously when provoked. This is likely to be an intense and emotional relationship. The Scorpio parent will completely understand when his or her little Cancer is slow to move out into the world, needing to "test the waters" prior to making any move. The well-controlled and proven environment which will be supplied and dictated by the Scorpio parent will be easily adhered to by the Cancer child...he or she is not one to take risks in any event, prefering to stick to a path which is "tried and true." As the Cancer child grows to adulthood, there may well be a bond of teamwork achieved between this parent/child relationship...particularly if both are striving for the same goals.

Sagittarius Parent/Cancer Child: This parent/child combination is comprised of two vastly different characters. The Sagittarius parent loves adventure and seeks out all the thrills life has to offer. However, the Cancer child yearns for emotional security...something the adult Sagittarius will be obliged to appreciate and attempt to provide. The Sagittarius parent cannot help but feel the little Cancer should try and live life more fully...indulging in more adventures, for example...but it is inherent in the Cancer personality to shy away from anything new and/or wild. Nevertheless, the Sagittarius parent will doubtless admire his or her little Cancer for the emotional intensity and ability to commit...even if that is not the Sagittarius way. Both parent and child have a lot to learn from each other in this relationship and as long as both are able to communicate with each other and make every effort to be accepting, there is no reason why this combination cannot be one which is both stable and strong.

Capricorn Parent/Cancer Child: Being opposite Signs in the Zodiac, this parent/child combination will have much in common. Both value security...the Capricorn parent from a materialistic point of view and the Cancer child from an emotional one. Both are dependable characters and both are quite conservative by nature. With the responsible Capricorn parent, little Cancer can be assured of the security he or she so badly needs. Cancer is more home-oriented while Capricorn is more work-oriented, but the Cancer child can help his or her Capricorn parent to reap the home rewards of such hard work...in other words, aid Capricorn in enjoying the fruits of his or her labor. The Capricorn parent will encourage and assist his or her little Cancer to venture further into the world in order to achieve desired goals. In so doing, it is not unusual for the Capricorn parent to become more open to domestic tasks and family bonding.

Aquarius Parent/Cancer Child: The Aquarius parent may well be disappointed with the Cancer child in this combination because, in the midst of the many social gatherings and house parties, the little Cancer is likely to retreat into his or her room, refusing to entertain the house guests. The Cancer child is far more comfortable with immediate family and fares much better within a one-on-one relationship. The Aquarius parent here may find it difficult to provide what this little one is seeking from the relationship...and vice-versa. However, the values adopted by these two vastly different Signs can teach each other quite a lot. The Cancer child adores routine and security and can, at times, be somewhat possessive. He or she will perceive the Aquarius parent as an exciting explorer who can open up a whole world of ideas to this safety-oriented little one. Although this child is not normally very oriented toward new ideas and concepts, he or she will supply good support to the many unique ideas of an Aquarius parent provided, in return, the child is given emotional support. Any Aquarius parent should be aware that the needs of the young Cancer are very different from those of the Aquarius character and the inherent detachment and aloofness of Aquarius can make for a very lonely little Cancer child.

Pisces Parent/Cancer Child: Since both parent and child in this combination are ruled by the element of Water, this will be a positive and emotional bond of kindred spirits. The Pisces parent will be more creative than the Cancer child and thus, can assist this little one in opening up, both creatively and spiritually. On the other hand, the Cancer child will be more practical than his or her Pisces parent and will show the adult Pisces how to turn dreams into realities. The young Cancer has very strong emotional needs which the Pisces parent is ably equipped to provide. This child is wonderful at starting things and the Pisces parent will be able to help the little one continue toward completion of any project. This parent/child combination makes for an ideal home life...the Pisces adult creating beautiful domestic bliss and the Cancer child in the kitchen, probably baking a cake. There will be a strong bond formed in this relationship, which will likely become a formidable friendship when the little Cancer reaches adulthood.