Water · Cardinal

♋ Cancer

Cancer is traditionally described as protective, intuitive, emotionally aware.

Standard dates: June 21–July 22Ruler: MoonSymbol: The Crab

Quick answer: Cancer is a water sign with a cardinal modality. In tropical astrology, its standard date range is June 21–July 22.

Element

Water

Learn about zodiac elements

Modality

Cardinal

Learn about modalities

Traditional ruler

Moon

What ruling planet means

Traditional meaning

Astrological traditions associate Cancer with qualities such as protective, intuitive, emotionally aware. These are interpretive themes rather than scientifically established personality measurements.

Cancer in the zodiac cycle

Cancer occupies one of twelve equal sections in the tropical zodiac. Its combination of the water element and cardinal modality gives it a distinct structural role within the system.

People born near the cusp

The commonly printed range—June 21–July 22—is a convenient calendar guide. The exact moment the Sun enters a sign varies slightly by year and time zone, so people born on a transition date may need a calculated birth chart.

Cancer sign vs. Cancer constellation

The astrological sign is a fixed 30-degree segment of the zodiac. The astronomical constellation is an uneven region of the sky. They share historical names but are not interchangeable.

Common questions

What element is Cancer?

Cancer belongs to the Water element.

What modality is Cancer?

Cancer is a Cardinal sign.

What dates are Cancer?

The standard tropical range is June 21–July 22.