Water sign · Cardinal
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Cancer begins at the June solstice, the longest day of the year in the north. About two thousand years ago the Sun stood among the stars of Cancer at that moment, which is how the Tropic of Cancer got its name. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is the sign astrology links with home, family and memory.
Cancer at a glance
- Symbol
- The Crab
- Element
- Water
- Modality
- Cardinal
- Ruling planet
- The Moon
- Opposite sign
- Capricorn
- Season
- Summer in the north, winter in the south
When Cancer season starts
The Sun enters Cancer at a slightly different moment each year. From 2000 to 2050 that moment falls on June 20 or June 21 in UTC, and local time can move it a day earlier or later. Someone born on one of those days could be Gemini or Cancer, depending on the year and the hour.
Check a Gemini or Cancer birthday
Times are worked out from the Sun's position using Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms and checked against the US Naval Observatory's equinox and solstice times. How the calculator works
| Year | Cancer begins (UTC) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| 2029 | |
| 2030 | |
| 2031 | |
| 2032 | |
| 2033 | |
| 2034 |
What astrology says about Cancer
In astrology, Cancer is the homebody: caring, protective, and the one who remembers how everyone takes their tea.
- Caring and protective of their people
- Remembers shared moments in detail
- Makes a home feel like home
- Picks up on how others feel
Gift ideas for a Cancer
A printed photo from a shared moment
Framed, or tucked into a card. Cancer keeps these.
A handwritten letter
A few honest lines about a memory you share.
Something cosy for home
A soft blanket for the sofa or a mug they will reach for every morning.
A meal you cook for them
Their family recipe, if you can get it.
A small album of the year
Ten photos, printed, with dates written underneath.
