Cancer zodiac sign
The Sun is in Cancer from June 21 to July 22. Read what astrologers link with Cancer, which signs match it and how the sign differs from the stars behind it.
The signs on this page are those of the tropical (Western) zodiac.
Cancer at a glance
- Dates
- June 21 to July 22
- Sun enters the sign
- June 20 to June 22
- Element
- Water
- Modality
- Cardinal
- Ruler
- Moon
- Keywords
- caring, protective, intuitive
Cancer traits
Cancer is the sign that astrologers link with home, family and feeling. Its people are described as caring and protective, with a strong memory for people and places.
Empathy, loyalty and a gift for making others feel safe are the strengths named for Cancer. The weak side is moodiness: astrologers say a Cancer can retreat into its shell when hurt.
In relationships, Cancer is described as devoted and tender. It is said to need security, honest words about feelings and a partner who values a close circle.
Signs compatible with Cancer
Astrologers call two signs compatible when they share an element, or when their elements match: fire with air, and earth with water.
The stars behind Cancer
In 2026, the sign Cancer runs from June 21 to July 22. The Sun starts that time in front of the stars of Taurus and then crosses into Gemini (June 21) and Cancer (July 20).
The signs were named for the constellations about 2000 years ago, when the March equinox was in the stars of Aries. The Earth's axis wobbles slowly, a movement called precession, and it has carried the equinox almost a whole sign along the Sun's path. Today the Sun is in front of Pisces at the March equinox.
Print the sky of your birth
Enter the place, the date and the time of a birth, and we print the stars as they stood over that place at that moment.
Is Cancer also your Moon or rising sign?
Your Sun sign comes from your birth date alone. Your Moon sign and your rising sign also need your birth time and place.
Questions about Cancer
The Sun is in Cancer from June 21 to July 22. It enters the sign between June 20 and June 22 (time zone of New York City), depending on the year, so a person born on the first or the last day can have the next or the previous sign. Open the page of your birthday to check your year.
Astrologers usually name Scorpio, Pisces (the same element) and Taurus, Virgo (the matching element) as the signs that fit Cancer.
In 2026, the sign Cancer runs from June 21 to July 22. The Sun starts that time in front of the stars of Taurus and then crosses into Gemini (June 21) and Cancer (July 20). The sign Cancer follows the seasons and not the stars, so the two do not line up.