LAST EDITED ON 05-23-15 AT 11:27 AM (EST)

THE CANCER PROFILE
Positive Traits
Nurturing and Sensuous
Intuitive and Imaginative
Shrewd and Tenacious
Sensitive and Empathetic

Negative Traits
Changeable and Moody
Self-Absorbed and Clinging
Subjective and Clannish
Neurotic and Needy

Cancer’s emotions are as changeable as the Moon itself and their nature makes them something of an enigma, even to those closest to them. In fact, the Cancer temperament is a veritable kaleidoscope of waxing and waning feelings and during the course of a conversation, you may notice – passing fleetingly across the faces of July-born – scores of distinctively different emotions: no one ever repeated or expressed in exactly the same way. Quite simply, Cancer exude drama and these extraordinarily emotional individuals can sink into a mood and fully inhabit it, so that it seems to permeate the atmosphere around them. No other Sign has so pervasive an emotional aura as to either lift your spirits to ecstatic heights or to fill you with clouds of gloom, depending upon his mood.

Moreover, the Cancer imagination is so vivid that it’s like they’re watching home movies inside their heads. For them, every life experience can be replayed again and again and the same internal landscape revisited. This is the raw material for both creative genius and the tendency to get stuck in emotional eddies. These natives love to dream of far-away places and times past and will talk about historical events as if they were actually there. Most Cancer have a special reverence for the past, and if you ask them to tell you whom of all people they admire most, they'll most often rattle off the names of several prominent historical figures.

The idiom “home is where the heart is” has no greater ring of truth than when describing how the Cancer feels about his abode. Home is where he dreams, lives, plays and loves. And it is the only place he feels secure. But, because they're psychic sponges, they need plenty of space to unravel the little dramas of the day, or they’ll get cranky.

And Cancer has a tender heart. But you might not see it at first behind the cool exterior. However, once you’re allowed inside the circle of trust, you’ll start to know why they’re called the “Mother” of the Zodiac. Cancer is never truly happy unless they have someone or something to care for and their innate understanding of human emotion allows them to see through the pretenses of other Signs and lend encouragement, support or sympathy when needed. Both men and women of this Sign have an instinctive nurturing side that endears them to those they love and it is amazing to discover how many July-born have acquired the appendage – ‘good ol'– to their names. The Crab’s claws hold tight, though, and often they have trouble letting go of relationships and situations.

But there is a private, reclusive side to every Cancer. Because of their extreme emotional sensitivity, they fear ridicule and would rather retreat than defend themselves. And there is always lurking in the background of their personalities a foreboding of disaster. As if upon some hidden cue, the Crab can suddenly retreat into the watery burrows of his inner consciousness and not be seen for days. Try and question him about his absence and he'll probably not know what you're talking about.

However, if Cancer can reconcile the personal conflict of their urge to be outgoing with the reserve that causes them to withdraw into themselves, then at best they can inspire a generation, especially the youthful part of it, by their idealism. They also have a penchant for trade or business and are often successful as a captain of industry. This is because they are excellent organizers with a good sense of value and economy that they may combine with a flair for invention and originality.

Take Note: The stealth approach of Cancer often takes people by surprise, and many have been underestimated. They’ll protect their sensitivity by going after what they want indirectly, which can be seen as passive. But try to take advantage of their gentle nature, and you’ll soon be put in your place. Once crossed, the Cancer holds a grudge to infinity, so it’s hard to win back their trust.

Romantically Speaking: Above all, the Cancer needs a sense of belonging and an intimate home life. Once committed, they’ll prove to be the ultimate family man or woman, and likely never stray too far from the nest.

THE SCORPIO PROFILE

Positive Traits
Determined and Forceful
Intense and Intuitive
Formidable and Passionate
Exciting and Magnetic

Negative Traits
Jealous and Vengeful
Compulsive and Obsessive
Secretive and Cunning
Manipulative and Obstinate

Scorpio are the most profound and powerful characters in the Zodiac. There is a harnessed aggression, an immense forcefulness, magnetic attraction and often strangely hypnotic quality in their tranquil, but watchful, composure that can be intimidating. An outer mask of cool control belies a vast and often turbulent psychic interior. In a word, the Scorpio is intense, and works best in a crucible of pressure and uphill challenges. Without a sense of purpose, the darker emotions can take hold and lead them down the paths of obsession, jealousy and worse.

In conventional social gatherings they are pleasant to be with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified, and reserved, yet affable and courteous. And in their everyday behavior they give the appearance of being withdrawn from the center of activity. Yet those who know them will recognize the ever-probing, ever-evaluating observation that is an integral component of their character. They intuitively take in everything around them and reveal very little in return. And don’t expect instant friendship here, as it takes time to win the trust of the wary Scorpio.

Scorpio are deeply sensitive and easily moved by their emotions. And that sensitivity, together with a propensity for extreme likes and dislikes, make them easily hurt: quick to detect or imagine insult or injury to themselves and easily aroused to ferocious anger. And because they relate to their fellows only as leaders, they can be blunt to those they dislike to the point of cruelty.

The Sun in Scorpio have a powerful drive to succeed and often have extracurricular activities that take it up a notch. They’re great competitors because of their built-in radar for the weaknesses of the opponent. They’ll remain calm until the exact moment when a targeted attack will do the most damage. That’s why in relationships of any kind they are a formidable enemy if betrayed.

Fortunate that their strong reasoning powers are tempered with imagination and intuition and that these gifts are usually accompanied by critical perception and analytical capacity, Scorpio often find fulfillment in the ice-cold self-control and detachment of the surgeon or soldier and the concentration of the research scientist. And any profession in which investigation and analysis are relevant may attract these charismatic "twice-born" characters. They may also become masters of the written and spoken word. This Sun Sign includes among its natives more geniuses than does any other.

At the other extreme is the procrastinator: the man or woman who is capable of so much that they do nothing and become indolent and self-indulgent: requiring extravagant praise and flattery from those whom they make their cronies.

Romantically Speaking: Those in a relationship with a Scorpio need to be strong-willed in order to keep from being controlled by their undertow. And never try to hide anything from them because they’ll quickly “read” it on your face. Moreover, Scorpio have earned a reputation for being highly sexual and need an amorous outlet for all that emotional intensity. However, to those few allowed into their private worlds they are fiercely loyal and their enveloping sensuality usually makes all the drama worth it.

THE PISCES PROFILE

Positive Traits
Romantic and Sensitive
Compassionate and Idealistic
Imaginative and Naïve
Intuitive and Creative

Negative Traits
Escapist and Self-Indulgent
Secretive and Vague
Weak-willed and Gullible
Impressionable and Overwhelmed

Pisceans are deservedly popular with all kinds of people in part because their easygoing, affectionate, malleable and submissive natures offer no threat or challenge to stronger and more exuberant characters. But they will not be able to maintain for very long friendships or associations with those who are too materialistic.

As the last of the twelve Zodiac Signs, Pisces is said to contain aspects of them all. This makes the Pisces Sun so changeable as to appear not to have one singular identity. It's as if they merely touch down in this human reality and remain only long enough to try on a few personas. Consequently, those with the Sun in Pisces can seem to be "somewhere else" half the time. And because their natures are often too otherworldly for practical purposes – they tend to exist emotionally rather than rationally and instinctively rather than intellectually – the nine-to-five life is not easy for them.

So it is important for these individuals to find a sense of purpose in order to avoid just drifting: their sensitivity makes them more vulnerable to escapism through addictions or personal dramas than are other Signs. The challenge to Pisces natives, then, is to somehow integrate their affinity with the more subtle planes into constructive working relationships. Fortunately, Pisceans are usually versatile and intuitive; quickly master new skills; observe and listen well; and are receptive to new ideas and atmospheres. And all these factors can combine to produce remarkable creativity in literature, music and art. This is the sign of the mystic poet, and a creative pursuit gives Pisces the motivation to be disciplined. And bringing structure to the vast imagination and shades of emotion flowing within the Pisces nature is a great achievement.

Similarly, in medicine and social work, Pisceans find an outlet for their empathy and mercy while their professional statures curb the likelihood of their being taken advantage of. And, if they're typical March-born, they are not elitists: saint, sinner, murderer, thief, liar, rich or poor - deserving or undeserving - the Piscean instinctively recognizes the worth of the individual and can overlook the apparent causes of their circumstances.

But the fact that the Pisces Sun leads with a compassionate heart can be both a blessing and a curse. Many are remarkably wise and self-sacrificing when it comes to helping the vulnerable or those down on their luck. But this noble trait can take them down a path of being used and abused before they learn to set strong boundaries and they are better working either by themselves or in subordinate positions. Most would be afraid to manage more than a small department, worrying always that they would fail in a crisis.

Romantically speaking: Pisces fare well with a guiding-hand type who understands the fluidity of their nature. And life with a Pisces means having a bridge to unseen worlds of the heart and imagination. Awesome!

Art by Karen Mackenzie