Your little Cancer is a very sensitive child who may sometimes hide behind what appears to be a tough shell, in order to conceal emotional hurts or insecurities. Never doubt that deep within this child’s soul reside strong emotions.
He needs plenty of tender hugs and dedicated one-on-one time with a caring parental figure (especially the mother). Reliability is extremely important to him—knowing he will be cared for and fed when hungry.
Yet your little Cancer also cares deeply for you! He intuitively picks up on your feelings, as well as the emotions of others around him. If you are upset, for example, even if you don’t outwardly show it, your child will sense it and may assume you are angry with him. Make sure to reassure him that your emotions may be unrelated to him. He needs certainty and clarity about what is happening. Sullenness, irritability, withdrawal, or misbehavior are most often signs of insecurity and/or a misinterpretation of emotions he has sensed in others.
Home, family, and traditions are very important to Cancer. He will love all family celebrations, gatherings of relatives, hosting guests, and will remember these occasions forever.
Your little Cancer needs a secure personal space in the home that belongs entirely to him. There, he will likely collect and keep more belongings than you might prefer, but preserving things is part of Cancer’s drive for security. He will also be very careful with money—this is the most frugal sign of the zodiac.
This child requires abundant praise, reassurance, and a calm, dependable environment. In return, you will be rewarded with a deeply affectionate, gentle, and loving child who will maintain a close bond with you throughout life.
The symbol of Cancer is the crab. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of a crab is its manner of movement—sideways, avoiding direct confrontation. Those born under the sign of Cancer are very much the same—they never move toward their goals in a straight line. When frightened, they seek shelter off to the side, crawl into a crevice, or retreat into their shell. Just as a crab never parts with its shell, Cancers deeply value the comfort and safety of home. The concept of “home” means so much to them that they strive to create a cozy, secure corner wherever they go.
Cancer’s element is water. Its ruling planet is the Moon. It is the Moon that gives this sign its qualities of sensitivity and empathy. Cancers feel everything happening in nature, and are especially affected by the Moon’s phases. During the New Moon and Full Moon, they are particularly emotional and sensitive. Explain the lunar phenomenon to your child and teach him to be cautious during certain days of the lunar cycle, so these influences don’t catch him off guard.
Although Cancer’s element is water, remember that he feels 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 profoundly beneficial effect on such children. Teach your child to swim as early as possible—this will always be his best way to relax and calm down. Many famous seafarers were born under this sign.
Cancer’s weak areas are the stomach, breasts, and solar plexus. Children born under this sign are prone to neurogenic digestive disorders. Therefore, you must carefully monitor what and when your child eats. Without proper attention, there may be a risk of ulcers. Never force your child to eat if he is not in the mood or has no appetite. Chest pain symbolizes their need to teach and learn. Those protected by the Moon must always feel secure. To feel safe, such children need assurance of their loved ones’ affection, the stability and consistency of their environment, and the certainty that they will be cared for.
The solar plexus is the area containing a network of many nerve endings. This explains why little Cancers are so sensitive to their surroundings—they possess highly developed intuition and extrasensory abilities. The heightened sensitivity with which they perceive the world, along with rich psychic sensations, can sometimes frighten the child. Explain to him that this is a great gift, not something to fear!
Teach your little Cancer not to approach everything around him with such apprehension—he is always under reliable protection. The child must have constant confidence in this. Regarding the psyche, these children are like sponges, eagerly absorbing the feelings, emotions, and energy of the surrounding world. They have the ability to accumulate the experiences of others. If someone is sad, the Cancer child becomes sad; if everyone around is happy, he is joyful too. Parents have the power to make their child’s world as happy, calm, and stable as possible. Help him choose friends who are positively charged.
Cancer children love family heirlooms. They may become overly attached to people or objects. They have a clear tendency toward collecting and enjoy any hobby involving accumulation. Try to prevent the development of a strong possessive instinct in your child—later in life, this could seriously impair his well-being. Teach him the essential art of organization. Show your child the value of change—explain that sometimes letting go of familiar things, unnecessary relationships, and outdated beliefs can be very beneficial. Even more importantly, help the child understand that making his sense of security dependent on the external world is not the best position. A sense of personal safety must come from within himself. Try to convince your little Cancer that building fortifications out of surrounding objects is not a panacea. With an incorrect approach, such children may become very selfish, withdrawn, and constantly ready to push the world away. However, when little Cancers feel secure and confident in their relationships with others, they are friendly, affectionate, and generous.
Cancers deeply value the warmth of family relationships, so spend as much time as possible with your child—walk, play, and communicate. Give him the opportunity to participate in planning family activities—he will be delighted.
If you wish to establish interaction and mutual understanding with a Cancer child, try explaining how you feel when he misbehaves, and ask him what he would do in your place. This approach usually works perfectly. When communicating with a little Cancer, use as many feeling-oriented words as possible. Harsh or abrupt disciplinary measures are unsuitable for raising such children—they have a highly developed sense of personal dignity.
Don’t hesitate to hug and affectionately touch your child more often. Try to stay attuned to all his feelings and experiences.
(Samantha Davis. Child Astrology. The Key to Understanding a Child’s Psychology.)
