Time to grab that waterproof mascara and a box of tissues—we’ve officially entered the Cancer zodiac season, meaning the next few weeks are all about feeling those feelings! The fourth sign in the zodiac calendar, Cancer is represented by the celestial crab. Those born under the sign (June 21–July 22) are the zodiac’s compassionate, endearingly goofy nurturers.
Like the crab that represents them, Cancers are liable to be swept up in tides of emotion—but are just as capable of navigating the shores of the material world when need be. At first glance, Cancers can come off as a bit austere, even cold, but that’s just their hardened exterior protecting their hearts of gold. Cancers are as tender and caring as they come and they love the domestic life, with all the creature comforts of home.
Astrologist Lisa Stardust is an NYC-based astrologist who has written for Cosmopolitan, Oprah magazine, and Teen Vogue.
So, does this worldly acumen-meets-rich-inner-life make Cancers the ultimate successful artists? Does their homebody enthusiasm make them the perfect studio hermits? To find out the answers to these and more about the Cancer creatives in our lives, we spoke with a celebrated astrologer, Lisa Stardust, who recently released her Love Deck, a celestial guide to igniting passion and romance.
In true Cancer spirit, put Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” on repeat and read on to find out more below.
If you look at art history, who would you say is the quintessential Cancer artist and why?
Cancer is a water sign, so they use their intuition and feelings to guide all that they do. Their art is often quite different from what other artists around them are making, because it is their own emotion that guides them rather than formal qualities. Frida Kahlo is a Cancer and quintessential in the sense that her work explores her intimate interior experiences. David Hockney is also a Cancer and his sense of experimentation with mediums is very much a quality of the sign.
What are Cancers’ strongest qualities as artists?
Cancers march to the beat of their own drum. If you look at the crab, it walks side to side, it doesn’t walk in a straight line. Cancers are always going to find their own way to do whatever they engage with. As a water sign, they’re super intuitive, emotional, and artistic, and use all these qualities in the art that they create.
What are their pitfalls as artists?
Everyone’s weakness is rooted in their positive sides. As homebodies, Cancers can be a little unreceptive to new ideas, just because they tend to stay in their cocoons and their comfort zones.
Given their sensitivity, how do you give Cancers feedback on their art in a way they will be receptive to?
Cancers don’t really like to hear criticism, because they’re really sensitive, and will take it as a personal attack on themselves. Criticisms should be framed in the form of positives. Instead of saying “change that,” mention the strengths and best qualities of the work, and talk about ways to accentuate those strengths instead of mentioning the negatives.
Do you think there is a medium Cancers would be particularly suited to?
I like photography for Cancers, because they like to capture certain memories that they return to again and again. Painting could also work well for Cancers, as a vehicle for expressing their emotions. As a water sign, Cancers can be a bit mute compared to other zodiac signs when it comes to the ability to express their emotions verbally, so it’s important they discover other outlets for expression.
What is the ideal environment for Cancers to work in?
Cancers are domestic creatures, but when it comes to creativity, they do like to keep it flowing. So, in an ideal world, they can have a studio as well as space to work in their home, for those days that they don’t want to get dressed.
If a Cancer artist falls into a creative rut, what should they do to get back on track?
Cancers should try to go outside their comfort zones and seek out new inspiration in the world. What a lot of people don’t realize about Cancers is that, even though their home is their sanctuary—and they can be a bit complacent—they do like to explore the world, and they get rejuvenated by taking trips. This could mean traveling, or meditating, or even taking another route home from work.
If a Cancer were going to date someone in the art world, who do you think they would match with?
A museum curator or an established dealer or gallery owner—Cancers are all about security. If they were to date another artist, it would be a really passionate, emotional love affair, but I don’t think it could sustain itself over the long haul.
If an art career isn’t taking off right now, what would be the best day job for a Cancer?
Cancers are really good at being teachers, just because they care a lot and have really big hearts. They’re multifaceted so there’s so much they’d be good at—even working as bankers, because they take their work seriously, and people tend to trust them due to their sensitivity in delivering all sorts of news. It’s not quite a day job, but Cancers would also be great actors, because of their ability to empathize.
The world has felt very tumultuous lately. What can Cancers do to keep from getting overwhelmed?
Cancers need time to decompress alone each day, because they can tend to take on other people’s emotions. I recommend that, if possible, Cancers take a short nap in the middle of each day. If that’s not possible, it’s so important Cancers make sure they’re getting enough sleep, so that they can recharge and resolve their feelings internally.
What should everyone look out for this zodiac season?
We have a really intense full moon on July 13, that will shed a lot of light on various areas of doubt in people’s lives. It is also worth noting that Mercury enters Cancer on July 5, and that’s gonna be a really big time for those interested in expanding their romantic horizons too.
Wondering which artists are Cancers? Here are some of art history’s best.
Edmonia Lewis: July 4, 1844
Edmonia Lewis. Image in the public domain.
Frida Kahlo: July 6, 1907
Frida Kahlo wearing a folk costume and flowers in her hair (circa 1950). Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
Marc Chagall: July 7, 1887
Marc Chagall in August 1934, in front of Solitude (1933). Photo by Roger Viollet via Getty Images.
Artemisia Gentileschi: July 8, 1593
Artemisia Gentileschi, Self Portrait as a Lute Player (around 1615-17). Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Charles H. Schwartz Endowment Fund 2014.4.1 © Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
Käthe Kollwitz: July 8, 1867
Kathe Kollowitz. Photograph by Emil Otto Hoppe/Getty Images.
David Hockney: July 9, 1937
British painter David Hockney poses at the Orangerie museum in Paris, October 7, 2021. Photo: Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images.
Gustav Klimt: July 14, 1862
Gustav Klimt. Photo: Getty Images.
Rembrandt: July 15, 1606
Rembrandt van Rijn, Self-Portrait of the Artists, Half-Length, Wearing a Ruff and a Black Hat (1632). Courtesy Sotheby’s.
Edgar Degas: July 19, 1834
Hilaire Germain Edgar de Gas, called Edgar Degas (1834-1917), French painter and sculptor (circa 1865).
Alexander Calder: July 22, 1898
Alexander Calder is shown setting up one of his mobile sculptures at the Louis Carre Gallery in Paris. Photo: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images.