You already know that you are protective and probably acquisitive. You've noticed that you can be trusted to safeguard family heirlooms or other valuables that might slip away from some other members of your family or friends. These "shells" that the Crab forms around the things in life worth keeping is one of your great strengths - a long list of family fortunes that were amassed by Cancerians attests to this: those of John D. Rockefeller, W. T. Grant and George Eastman are a few cases in point. The well-publicized financial empires of Bill Cosby and Merv Griffin are present day examples of Cancer's talent for acquisition. It is said (though we have no statistics) that more Cancerians achieve millionaire status than any other sun sign.

Your intuition is a very potent secret strength. Sometimes you "just have a feeling." And this inner inkling protects you and those you love through all sorts of weather, throughout your life. Some of you have fallen for hard luck stories that turned out to be tall tales, while others have felt betrayed by one you once trusted. Don't let yourself become bitter or withdrawn, or you'll sink deeper into confusion. Cancerians are not meant to be alone - you need the security of stable relationships, and the world needs you! Look within for the source of confusion that allows you to be vulnerable to a troublemaker, fast talker or bad investment. Were you really taken advantage of, or did you allow your insecurities to silence your better judgment. Talk over your feelings with people you admire, pour thoughts into a diary, and generally get out of your shell in order to heal old wounds.

The list of Cancerian super-achievers is long, but the source of your power to accomplish is not usually ambition, in the traditional sense. You're just trying to take care of yourself and your family. You draw strength from traditions of home, community and country. Your efforts to be a solid citizen just sort of naturally move you into positions of status. Love of family and tradition is a great strength for Cancer.

Insecurity comes in handy, though it is to be hoped that yours is not the desperate kind of insecurity that causes you to grasp, horde and pinch. The more positive kind of insecurity that causes you to always be prepared for a rainy day and always feel the need for familiar surroundings is a great strength for Cancerians. Here's why: No matter how rich you get, you still look for a bargain. No matter how high up the executive ladder you climb, you still call your mom as you leave the office to see if she needs you pick up anything on the way home if she doesn't live with you (she probably lives nearby). No matter how long a day you put in during your career, you always tuck your kids in personally. You do these things because you need to, in order to feel secure and balanced, but you're leaning on the supports that nature approves of, and so your every endeavor has the backing of the gods. Success never goes to your head, and you never have to take those great falls from the heights.

If your adversary is a Cancerian, you are up against an expert. Cancer's tendency to take a problem home, sleep with it and chew on it until it is solved means you should be ready for a formidable entanglement. When threatened, Cancer withdraws into an invulnerable shell of protective devices that they’ve been building all the while, just in case an enemy comes along. Cancer thinks defensively in everyday life, so they have people to call that they can count on to take their side, and they have material resources stashed away for a siege. The crab moves sideways and the apparently mild-mannered Cancerian is also comfortable working indirectly or behind the scenes to secure or protect their interests. You'll never be sure which direction their retaliation is coming from, so it's best not to attack in the first place.

You may take advantage of the Cancerian's sympathetic nature with a sob story, but this is almost the only kind of advantage they'll give you. They intuitively know when competition is near, and they can be very manipulative in both business and home situations, where they feel their territory is being invaded.

Competing with Cancer in business, you may be able to outdo them by putting out more upfront money to make a better initial presentation, or you may spot the time for expansion while they hold back, unwilling to take a risk. But if you're competing in the antique or restaurant business, your best move might be to offer to go into partnership, since they're awfully good at businesses that play upon tradition, sentiment or pleasing the public taste buds.