Cancer Woman

If you're looking for the perfect wife or mother, or just a megadose of femininity, this is your girl! She's definitely the type of "keeper" your mother always hoped you would bring home for the holidays, but she may take her time deciding if you're the right one for her. The Cancer woman is the ultimate nurturer, and she's all heart. Her intuition and emotions are her guide, and while they may overwhelm her, they never fail to guide her to safe harbor. Of course, that means any day could feel like a PMS moment, and you'll have to be prepared for sudden mood shifts, a little insecurity and a few crying jags. She's no shrinking violet, though. Once the shy courtship stage ends, this woman will tell you what she thinks, in no uncertain terms. Still, she's a steady, rock-solid mate who's in it for the long haul. She loves to take care of you, pamper you and adore you. Your home will always be cozy and filled with warmth. What guy wouldn't want some of that? But she's not all domestic and Donna Reed. The Cancer woman is also up on books, culture and the arts. You may need to dig to discover this side of her nature, but in her case, still waters run deep. One caveat: Although her sign rules femininity, not every Cancer woman is a girlie-girl. Her self-protective desire to wear a tough outer shell can come in the form of a tough-talking, tomboyish persona. She can be a real jock, watching and playing all kinds of sports and hanging with the fellas. One Cancer woman we knew logged NFL football stats on her bedroom wall; another was the sole female resident of a frat house. Still, underneath the scabs and bruises, there's a tender soul who feels everything deeply. She'll hang on to memorabilia and be the first RSVP for alumni events, school reunions, baby showers and other cherished occasions.

Famous Cancer Women

Meryl Streep, Princess Diana, Pamela Anderson, Courtney Love, Lindsay Lohan, Cyndi Lauper, Jessica Simpson, Liv Tyler, Juliette Lewis, Lisa Rinna, Michelle Kwan, Gisele Bündchen, Edie Falco

Cancer Man

The Cancer man is so in tune with his feminine side, he'll put you right in touch with yours. Make no mistake, though: This guy is not a wimp. As the sign that rules the chest, he probably has a nice set of pecs and a big old heart underneath. He'll cook for you, clean the house, raise the kids—in fact, he can't wait to be a husband and father. Deeply (and sometimes embarrassingly, to him) sensitive and intuitive, the Cancer man has an innate understanding of women, usually because of his close relationship with his beloved mother. His mom is likely the most important figure in his life, no matter what his age may be. If not, there's sure to be a powerful female in his life whom he keeps near. Case in point: Cancerian Tom Cruise's mother and sister even live in his sprawling L.A. compound. Sure, that's extreme, but for a Cancer man, his loved ones can never be too near. He wants to take care of them, and with his moody disposition, he may need to be babied by them too. A word of warning: He can be more than a touch possessive and insecure. Players need not apply. There are also moody spells to deal with, and if you threaten his security, the Crab's claw will grip you tightly. Yes, he can be a bit controlling and possessive too. But as long as you honor his sensitive side, you'll have free rein to enjoy being showered with love by this Prince Charming! He knows food, wine and literature—he's the consummate Renaissance man who fills your life with charm and culture. In extreme cases, some Cancer men can be so sensitive, they become reactive and angry. This can also happen when a Cancer man doesn't accept his feminine nature and fears being seen as "less of a man." The Cancer man must work to question the macho stereotypes that our culture presents as idealized masculinity. Otherwise he will affect a badly played "caveman" that feels ridiculously overdone. Cancerian Sylvester Stallone perfected his sign's evolution as the brooding Rocky Balboa. In the film series, Rocky ultimately has to connect with his heart (which is ruled by Cancer) to triumph as a champion. The Cancer man should keep this in his library (along with classics like Lord of the Rings and Band of Brothers) as a reminder that sensitive men are not wimps but the world's true heroes.

Famous Cancer Men

Prince William, Harrison Ford, George W. Bush, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise, Henry Thoreau, Bill Cosby, Tom Hanks, Giorgio Armani, Johnny Carson, Robin Williams, David Spade, Derek Jeter, O.J. Simpson, Josh Hartnett