If you're a Cancer who loves the spotlight and is born in the last few days of Cancer, then you could be a Cancer-Leo cusp. Those born on the Cancer-Leo cusp identify as Cancer, yet they don't conform to the typical Cancer personality. These are Cancers who, like hermit crabs, are on the verge of coming out of their shells and stepping into the Leo spotlight.
Cancer-Leo Cusp Dates
The Sun transits Cancer from approximately June 20 through July 22. Generally, if you were born from July 19 through July 22, you're a Cancer born on the Cancer-Leo cusp. However, to be sure, you'll need to calculate your timed birth chart. If your Sun is on the 27th, 28th, or 29th degree of Cancer, you were born on the Cancer-Leo cusp.
The Cancer-Leo Cusp
The Cancer-Leo cusp is where Cancer, the most sensitive and self-protective of all signs, meets Leo, the zodiac's boldest and bravest sign. These are Cancers who have an uncharacteristic desire to be seen, admired, and praised by others. This cusp is where the emotionally sensitive and shy Cancer begins to become bolder, more outgoing, more playful, and more dramatic — just like Leo.
Cancer-Leo: The Cusp of Oscillation
The Cancer/Leo cusp is often called the "Cusp of Oscillation." Cancer-Leos face some extraordinary challenges as they swing back and forth, trying to integrate the shy and reticent nature of Cancer with Leo's gregarious, see-me nature.
Planetary Influences
Those born on the Cancer-Leo cusp are influenced by the Moon, ruler of Cancer, and the Sun, ruler of Leo. However, because they were born when the Sun was on the last degrees of Cancer, they were born in the third decan of Cancer. This is the Pisces decan, ruled by Neptune. Due to the combined influence of the Moon, Sun, and Neptune, those born on this cusp can be very feeling, sensitive, emotionally expressive, and caring people who are led by their emotions, dreams, imaginations, and the need to be seen and recognized as special.
Dramatic and Passionate
The blending of Cancer's water element with Leo's fire element creates a steamy, dramatic, passionate person who has a strong sense of who they are and their importance. This elemental mix means that Cancer-Leos are driven more by emotion than logic. This water and fire combination can create warm, soothing water, but it can also create scalding steam. These individuals can be gentle and sensitive one minute and a theatrical, in-your-face drama queen the next.
Related: Every Zodiac Sign Ranked From Most to Least Emotional
Cancer-Leo Cusp Strengths
If these self-protective Cancer individuals can successfully tap into Leo's bravery and courage and allow themselves to bring the best of Cancer and Leo together, they can display the following traits.
Extremely Creative
Cancer-Leos are incredibly creative people who know how to use their creativity to steal the spotlight in any situation. They have a flair for glamor and glitz and love to be onstage.
Friendly and Social
Cancer-Leos cannot live in social isolation. They have an abundance of energy and enthusiasm, are playful, and are often the life of the party.
Loyal, Loving, and Helpful
Through good times and bad, Cancer-Leos will be loyal friends. Led by their hearts, they're unconditionally loving, nurturing, and caring individuals who are always ready to help others.
Compelling, Persuasive, and Empathetic
Those born on this cusp are compelling, persuasive, and empathetic. Cancer-Leos feel and comprehend their own emotions, are empathetic to what others are feeling, and know how to express and act appropriately on emotions.
Cancer-Leo Cusp Problems
These are individuals who must balance two sets of contrasting traits. Cancer is the evasive and self-protective crab, while Leo is the happy, courageous, direct, and confident Lion. This means Cancer-Leos can, at times, be:
- Moody and self-absorbed
- Overly sensitive
- Overly dramatic
- Aggressive and insensitive to the feelings of others
- Someone who hides their sadness behind a smile
Romance and the Cancer-Leo Cusp
Cancer-Leos are people who are all about nurturing their heart's desires. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and are very romantic, nurturing, devoted, and passionate lovers.
Cancer/Leo Cusp Compatibility
Those born on the Cancer/Leo cusp are Cancers. Cancers are most compatible with the water signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. However, Cancer-Leos are more likely to be attracted to people who express Leo characteristics.
Celebrity Examples
One of the best examples of the nature of a person born on the Cancer-Leo cusp is the late comedian and actor Robin Williams.
Other famous people born on the Cancer-Leo cusp include:
- Selena Gomez
- Ernest Hemingway
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
The Progressed Sun
The combined Cancer-Leo traits can be explained by the progressed Sun. The progressed Sun moves forward one degree each year from the day of birth. So, if you were born with the Sun on the cusp of Cancer-Leo, before you were three years old, your progressed Sun moved into Leo. This means you'll spend the next 30 years of your life combining Leo traits into your evolving Cancer personality.
Which Way a Cancer-Leo Cusp Leans
The fact that a Cancer is born on the cusp of Leo is important for several reasons. However, exactly how much a Cancer is inclined toward Leo traits depends on how the individual's entire horoscope leans. For example, Mercury and Venus are never far from the Sun, which means a Cancer born on this cusp could very well have Mercury, Venus, or both in dramatic Leo, which would give added weight to Leo characteristics.
Astrologers and Sign Cusps
Some astrologers take being born on the cusp into consideration, and others don't. Still, others believe if your Sun is on the first degrees of a sign, you are also born on the cusp. Cusps are a bit of a gray area in astrology.
