Many people believe that fire and water don't mix. After all, water usually douses fire's flames. But with some types of fire, water can cause the flames to grow hotter and spread. And with emotional water sign Cancer, and proud fire sign Leo, you can never count them out. While the match has challenges, Cancer and Leo might just be a dark horse that surprises everyone by being a huge success.
How Cancer & Leo Are Alike & Different
Cancer and Leo are probably much more different than they are alike. But there's a truism that opposites attract, and in the case of fire sign Leo and water sign Cancer, the opposites-attract nature of their personalities could help each balance out the other's extremes.
Leo & Cancer Similarities
At first glance, it would seem that proud, gregarious Leo and introverted, emotional Cancer wouldn't have a ton in common. But if you look a little deeper, you'll find that Leo and Cancer both:
- Are highly creative
- Are extremely loyal
- Have high emotional intelligence
- Are generous
- Are big dreamers with lots of aspirations for family and future
- Are both family focused
And some of their opposite energies actually mesh well together.
- Cancer loves to nurture, and Leo loves to be catered to.
- Leo's sense of humor can help turn Cancer's darker moods around.
- Cancer's ruling planet, the moon is the perfect balance — the yin to its yang — of Leo's ruling planet, the sun.
Cancer & Leo Differences
Leo is a fixed sign with lots of steady, stable energy, while Cancer is a cardinal sign with plenty of emotional force and initiating energy. The two have many differences.
- Leo is an outgoing social butterfly, while Cancer is an introverted homebody.
- Leos have a ton of energy, which Cancer can find exhausting.
- Leo is exuberant, while Cancer is moody.
- Leo loves to travel and have adventures, while Cancer prefers to stay home.
- Leo needs to be the center of attention, while Cancer prefers to avoid the spotlight.
- Leo needs lots of space, and Cancer can seem a little needy or clingy to them.
- Leo is a huge flirt, and Cancer isn't.
Cancer & Leo Compatibility: Mixing Water With Fire
Leo's bright, showy exterior can certainly attract a Cancer like moth to a flame, and Leo may be drawn to Cancer's need to nurture and be deeply loved. The two can engage in a mutual fantasy where Leo is the showy knight riding in on a big stallion to sweep up romantic Cancer. But after the initial fireworks, it will take a lot of work to overcome some of the inherent challenges the relationship presents... although when this pairing clicks for the long term, it's definitely worth the effort.
| Relationship Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emotional connection | Good |
| Trust | Fair |
| Sexual connection | Poor |
| Intellectual connection | Very good |
| Communication | Poor |
| Values compatibility | Fair |
Cancer & Leo's Emotional Connection
Both Leo and Cancer are deeply emotional, although it certainly manifests differently. Leo is outwardly emotional with a quick temper and a showy personality. When a Leo feels something, there's no mistaking it. Cancer, on the other hand, is inwardly emotional. While they have huge feels, they tend to turn those inward. They have a lot more mood swings and a tendency to brood quietly. This can be both a pro and a con, as Leo can easily jolly Cancer out of a mood, but Leo's outspoken nature can leave Cancer feeling unsupported.
Rating: Good
Trust Between Leo & Cancer
When there's not a meeting of the minds, it's often difficult to find trust in a relationship. So, trust between a Leo and a Cancer can be shaky. On the one hand, each recognizes and appreciates the other's loyalty. On the other hand, Leo's loud, flirtatious, social nature can leave Cancer feeling a little inadequate or even jealous of how open and friendly Leo is to virtually everyone in their life. The relationship can become toxic and possessive if each partner isn't willing to be flexible and understanding.
Rating: Fair
Cancer & Leo Sexually
Leo is a highly sexual sign, but to them, sex is about fun and ego, while to Cancer, sex is about deep, intimate, emotional connection. Leo loves a raucous, rambunctious roll in the hay, while Cancer longs for a deep, meaningful, melding of heart, soul, and emotion.
That doesn't mean Leo and Cancer can't connect sexually, especially in the beginning when each finds the other's sexual proclivities exciting and fascinating. But over time, the two will need to communicate and trust one another to find a sexual relationship that works for them both.
Rating: Poor
Intellectual Compatibility Between Cancer & Leo
While they express it differently, both Leo and Cancer are highly creative, so they can find a shared intellectual connection between them when they engage in creative projects and activities. They also fare well emotionally, with similar levels of emotional intelligence and loyalty. In fact, this intellectual connection can be one of the strongest points of compatibility between Cancer and Leo.
Rating: Very good
Communication Between Leo & Cancer
Leo and Cancer have very different communication styles. Showy Leo can be almost performative in the way they communicate information, while Cancer is quieter and even verbally shy in sharing their thoughts. Leo makes everything known with outward displays, while Cancder expects everyone to know what they're feeling. And, Leo's communications are often primarily about how everything affects Leo, while Cancer's communications are more about how everything affects the entire world. This can lead to difficulties in understanding what the other is saying. Communication issues between Cancer and Leo will take a lot of care, but it can be worked out.
Rating: Poor
Cancer's & Leo's Values Compatibility
The compatibility of values between Leo and Cancer is a mixed bag. They both have a fundamentally different view of the world... Leo tends to be "me-centric," while Cancer tends to be more focused on the greatest good for the world. That's not to say Leo is selfish and self-centered and Cancer selfless; rather, it's the primary filter through which each views everything, which can lead to a lot of misunderstanding.
On the other hand, both of them share fierce loyalty to the people and institutions they care deeply about, and each will recognize and appreciate that value in the other.
Rating: Fair
Cancer & Leo Have Potential but Take Work
It's true that Cancer's water could douse Leo's flames, and Leo's heat could cause Cancer's emotions to boil over. But don't count them out just yet. When they meet, Cancer and Leo may find each other intriguing, and they'll certainly feel a kinship because of their proximity in the zodiac. But for the relationship to last long-term, they'll also need to communicate and work to reach mutual understanding. When they do, this relationship can be one that lasts a lifetime.
