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Cancer and Leo both have a playful attitude and desire for an epic, enduring romance. These two are neighbors on the zodiacal wheel, and depending on the degree of their Sun, share many of the same cosmic energies. They are playful and creative.

Dates might include favorite activities from childhood, like swinging and sliding in the 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 don't mind showing the world their good thing. 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)

Cancer wants to feel emotionally secure, and needs that to show who they are under the aloof exterior. If Leo looks down, as if from the regal throne, that leaves the Crab wondering if they'll be deemed worthy. If the Moonchild feels at all judged, they're known to launch a pre-emptive pushing away to avoid getting rejected. Both signs take rejection very hard, and aim to avoid it by watching for the signs.

Leo wants to feel proud of their mate, and won't have patience for the Crab's moments of panicking in public, and being overwhelmed by insecurity. This situation worsens if Leo grows disdainful, which Cancer picks up immediately.

Leo has the comic gifts to lighten Cancer'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 Leo self-confidence.

Different Kinds of Attention-Seekers

Leo and Cancer handle emotions differently, and seek different kinds of attention. Leo may not be able to reassure the sensitive Moonchild. 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 their 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 Leo's theatrics. 

Both signs easily fall into moods that cloud thinking. 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 needs solitude to stay balanced and find objectivity.

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 like their true needs are getting met. The money issue could be a sticking point, since Leo is 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.

Read Dating Tips for Cancer: With Cancer, a sideways seduction works better than full frontal love.

Upside: loyal friends; love children; share an urge for creative expression with personal bent.

Downside: getting lost in subjective viewpoints; childlike becomes childish; water (Cancer) puts out fires (Leo) of inspiration; Cancer a kind of introvert, and Leo an extrovert; fire (Leo) parches water (Cancer) with demanding ways; both can be selfish to extreme.
Element and QualityCardinal (initiating) Water (emotional) (Cancer) and Fixed (sustaining) Fire (inspired action) (Leo)
 

Cancer and Leo Love Story

I (Cancer) currently with a Leo man, couldn't agree more with this. We know that our Leos love us; it's just our insecurities which usually gets the better of us. Cancers need constant assurance and being told often that we are loved by our partners keep our insecurities at bay. We Cancers are driven by emotions; we can't help that. It takes both sides to make this relationship work, but it will be worth every effort once it does.

—Guest Lea

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