Love Compatibility Between Cancer and Leo

Couple On Inflatable Ring At Lake Against Sky
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Cancer and Leo both have a playful attitude and a desire for an epic, enduring romance.

These two are neighbors on the zodiac wheel, and depending on the degree of their sun, they share many of the same cosmic energies. They are fun-loving and creative.

Dates might include favorite activities from childhood, such as swinging and sliding at a playground. Cancer has a harder time with big crowds than Leo, who doesn't mind showy spectacles. Leo likes romantic gestures, and Cancer knows how and when to show sincere affection.

They both like to kiss and cuddle, and they don't mind showing the world their good times. Holidays will be huge for this pair, each trying to outdo the other to make it the best ever. Both are sentimental, giving their romance a sense of story, with souvenirs, pictures, and trinkets that represent their love.

Sun (Leo) and Moon (Cancer)

Cancers want to feel emotionally secure and need that to show who they are under their aloof exterior. If a Leo looks down, as if from a regal throne, that leaves crabs wondering if they'll be deemed worthy. If Cancers feel at all judged, they're known to launch a preemptive push away from the other to avoid getting rejected. Both signs take rejection very hard and aim to avoid it by watching for the signs.

Leos want to feel proud of their mate and won't have the patience for the crab's moments of panicking in public and being overwhelmed by insecurity. This situation worsens if the lion grows disdainful, which Cancer senses immediately.

Leo has the comic gifts to lighten the moon child's dark moods but won't want this to be a full-time job. A strong Cancer accepts the posturing of the proud lion and will grow from basking in the self-confidence of a Leo.

Attention Seekers From Different Molds

Leo and Cancer handle emotions differently and seek different kinds of attention. Leo may not be able to reassure the sensitive moon child. If the crab gets too needy, Leo will lose respect.

Leo craves an admiring audience and won't find one in a Cancer that's needy, clingy, and raining on a Leo's parade. On the other hand, Cancers are often childlike and instinctively know what others need. They're the ones clapping wildly and making extravagant faces, laughing or crying at a Leo's theatrics. 

Moods and Dealing With Each Other

Cancer will likely intuit the Leo need for approval but grow resentful if it feels too one-sided. If this isn't overcome, neither may feel that his or her needs are met. Money can be a sticking point because Leo can be a big spender and Cancer a spendthrift. But as players and artists, they have a lot to offer each other and could create magic through creative collaboration. If they stay on the sunny side of life, this relationship could be one that lasts.

Members of both signs easily fall into moods that cloud their thinking. They should give each other space to work things through, to let the waters calm, or to redirect the fiery intensity into productive creativity. Love is very personal here, which makes it meaningful, but each person needs solitude to stay balanced and find objectivity.

It's always best to learn a few tips for dating a Cancer so that there are no big surprises along the way. Essentially with Cancer, a sideways seduction works better than full-frontal love. Cancers, who are driven by emotions, need reassurance so their insecurities don't get the better of them.

Upside: Being loyal friends, loving children, sharing an urge for creative expression with a personal bent

Downside: Getting lost in subjective viewpoints, the childlike becoming childish, water (Cancer) putting out fires (Leo) of inspiration, introversion (Cancer) vs. extroversion (Leo), fire (Leo) vs. water (Cancer), being selfish to the extreme (both)

Element and Quality: Cancer is cardinal (initiating) water (emotional), and Leo is fixed (sustaining) fire (inspired action).