Your little Cancer is a very sensitive child who may sometimes hide behind what appears to be a tough shell to conceal their hurts or insecurities. Do not doubt that deep in this child’s soul, strong emotions reside. They need plenty of tender hugs and “personal” time to connect with the caring parental figure (especially the mother). Reliability is very important to them—reliability in being cared for and fed when hungry. Yet your little Cancer cares for you too! They intuitively pick up on your feelings as well as those of others around them. If you are irritated, for example, even if you do not show it openly, your child will sense it and may think you are angry with them. Make sure you have outlets for your own emotions that may not be related to them. They need reassurance, knowing what is going on. Moody behavior, irritability, withdrawal, or misbehavior are most often signs of insecurity and/or misinterpreted feelings they have absorbed from others.
Home, family, and tradition mean a great deal to Cancer; they will love all family celebrations, gatherings, and guests and will remember them forever.
Your little Cancer needs a secure personal space in the home that belongs to them. There, they will likely collect and store more things than you may like, but the act of keeping things is part of Cancer’s quest for security. They will also be very thrifty with money—this is the most frugal of all zodiac signs. This child needs abundant praise, confidence, and a calm, reliable environment, and in return you will have a very loving, tender, and somewhat possessive child who will maintain a close bond with you throughout your life.
The symbol of Cancer is the crab. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of a crab is its sideways movement, avoiding any collision. Those born under the sign of Cancer are much the same—they never move toward a goal in a straight line. Frightened by something, they try to find shelter to the side, slip into a crevice, or retreat into their shell. Just as a crab never parts with its shell or carapace, so too do Cancers value the comfort of home. The concept of “home” means so much to them that they try to create a cozy corner for themselves everywhere they go.
The element of Cancer is Water. Its patron is the Moon, which gives this sign qualities such as receptivity and sensitivity. Cancers feel everything that happens in nature, especially influenced by the phases of the Moon. During the New Moon and Full Moon, they are particularly emotional and sensitive. Explain the mechanics of these phenomena to your child and teach them to be cautious on certain days of the lunar cycle so that such influences do not catch them off guard.
Though Cancer’s element is Water, do not forget that they feel equally at home both in the sea and on land. An excellent way to soothe and comfort your little Cancer is through bathing or water play. The sea element has a very beneficial effect on such children. Teach them to swim as early as possible—it will always be their best way to relax and find peace. Many famous sailors were born under this sign.
Cancer’s weak points are the stomach, chest, and solar plexus. Children born under this sign tend to suffer from neurogenic gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor what and when your little one eats. Without proper attention, ulcers may develop. Never force a child to eat if they are not in the mood or lack an appetite. Chest pain symbolizes their need to teach and to learn. Those whose Moon is afflicted must always feel protected. To feel secure, such children need to be assured of their loved ones’ affection, the stability of their environment, and the knowledge that they will be cared for.
The solar plexus is the center of many nerve endings. This explains why little Cancers are so sensitive to everything around them—they have highly developed intuition and extrasensory abilities. Their heightened sensitivity to the world and rich inner experiences can sometimes frighten the child. Explain to them that this is a great gift not to be feared!
Teach your little Cancer not to be so wary of everything around them—they are always under reliable protection. The child must have constant confidence in this. As for their psyche, these children are like sponges, greedily absorbing the feelings, emotions, and energy of the surrounding world. They have the ability to accumulate other people’s experiences. If someone is sad, the Cancer child is sad; if everyone around is happy, they are happy. It is up to the parents to make the child’s world as happy, peaceful, and resilient as possible. Help them choose “positively charged” friends.
Cancer children love family heirlooms. They can become overly attached to people or things. They have a clear tendency to collect, and they enjoy any hobby related to accumulation. Try to curb the development of a strong instinct for ownership in the child—this can greatly complicate their life later on. Teach them the necessary art of organization. Show your little one the value of change—explain that sometimes letting go of familiar things, unnecessary acquaintances, and outdated beliefs can be very beneficial. Even more important is for the child to understand that relying on the outside world for their own security is not the best position. A sense of personal security can only come from within themselves. Try to convince your little Cancer that building fortifications out of various external things is not a cure-all. With the wrong approach, such children can become very selfish, withdrawn, and constantly ready to push back against the world. If little Cancers feel secure in themselves and firmly connected to those around them, they are friendly, affectionate, and generous.
Cancers value the warmth of family relationships, so spend as much time as possible with your child—walk, play, and talk. Give them the opportunity to take part in planning family activities—they will be happy. If you want to establish interaction and mutual understanding with your Cancer child, try to tell them how you feel when they misbehave and ask what they would do in your place. This approach usually works perfectly. When communicating with a little Cancer, use as many words that describe feelings as possible. In raising such children, harsh or abrupt measures are out of place—they have too strong a sense of personal dignity.
Do not hesitate to hug and caress your child more often. Try to stay aware of all their feelings and experiences.
(Samantha Davis. Child Astrology: The Key to Understanding a Child’s Psychology.)
