Curious About Cancer & Capricorn Compatibility? Here's Everything You Need To Know

All 12 zodiac signs are unique, and that means some astrological pairs get along better than others. In the case of Cancer and Capricorn, these opposing signs might just prove that opposites do, indeed, attract.

Cancer is the fourth sign of the astrological year, associated with the fourth house of home and family, and is a water sign ruled by the moon. Cancer is a cardinal sign and is represented by the crab, with cancer being the general word for "crab" in Latin. Cancer is also a yin (feminine) sign.

Capricorn is the 10th sign of the astrological year and is associated with the 10th house of career and public image. Capricorn, like Cancer, is a cardinal sign, but it is also an earth sign. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, represented by the mythical sea goat, and is a yin (feminine) sign.

When you think about serious and structured Capricorn with soft and sentimental Cancer, you might think they couldn't be more different. And in a sense, you're right; these two are opposite signs on the zodiac wheel.

But like two sides of the same coin, when these Cancer and Capricorn get together, they can achieve a deep sense of harmony. As the AstroTwins previously wrote for mindbodygreen, opposite signs can be highly compatible, even a soul mate match.

According to them, "You each have a distinct role, but you're a tag team, too. With an opposite sign, you're challenged to grow as a person and take responsibility for your part of the relationship."

Of course, this isn't always the "easiest" dynamic and will require understanding and learning from each other—but that's what relationships are all about! After all, being with someone too similar can result in stagnancy, but with a Cancer and Cap, they'll rarely feel stuck.

As astrology expert Imani Quinn notes, these two have a great balance of sensitivity and nurturing from Cancer, with Capricorn providing the solid ground and stability. Plus, since they're both cardinal signs, they're always ready to try new things, come up with a plan together, or take on an exciting project.

Before we dive into more about this pairing, it's important to note that you need both people's full birth charts (aka "synastry") to get the whole picture of their compatibility.

As aforementioned, Cancer and Capricorn are considered astrological soul mates, and soul mates don't always have to be romantic! In a Cancer and Capricorn friendship, the twins say, you create a powerful tag team where both people can discover new, inspiring perspectives on life through the other person.

It's like seeing yourself "from an enlightening bird's-eye-view distance," the twins say. For instance, Capricorn shows Cancer where they can be more disciplined on their path to success, while Cancer shows Capricorn where they're being too hard on themselves.

When these two join forces, as friends or even as colleagues, they can create something bigger than the two of them, according to the twins. And considering Capricorn is one of the hardest working zodiac signs, while Cancer is one of the best self-starters, there's no telling what they can accomplish together.

In love, Cancer and Cap will feel like they've finally found "the one." In a metaphorical sense, there's a very healing aspect to this pair, with water and earth coming together to make rich, soothing clay. Where some signs repel each other, Cancer and Capricorn are inexplicably drawn together.

Just because they can feel the spark doesn't mean they'll dive right in, however. Where an impulsive Aries or bold Sag might pursue with no abandon and then jump ship at the first sign of trouble, Cancer and Capricorn both prefer to take things slow.

For one thing, Cancer needs a lot of emotional security to open up, while Capricorn tends to prioritize other goals over dating. Eventually, though, they'll both realize there's no need to run.

According to astrology expert Evan Nathaniel Grim, "Cancers have a scarcity mindset, and they appreciate safety and security and comfort because of this." As such, he explains, "[Cancer's partner] has to be reliable. They have to be dependable. [They have to] feel as though they're going to be able to build something with you long term—and they cannot be too flighty."

Depending on what you're looking for in a relationship, there are plenty of pros and cons to this astrological makeup. Again, they are astrological soul mates, but no one ever said soul mate relationships were a cake walk.

As the twins explain, when Cancer and Cap get together, it's like everything suddenly makes sense, their lives appearing like a finished painting. "This can be a little uncomfortable, but if you've manifested an opposite sign partnership, it means you're ready to grow up," they say.

Indeed, it's not always easy to face someone who shows you where you need to balance and grow. For Capricorn and Cancer, they'll balance the extremes of rigidity versus fluidity, structure versus softness, and discipline versus creativity, respectively.

Even astrological soul mates can have their qualms, and for Cancer and Cap, you can look to Cancer's moods and Capricorn's seriousness as the source of a lot of their problems.

As aforementioned, Cancers require a lot of emotional safety, which can look like reassurance that stoic Capricorn isn't used to providing. Vice versa, Capricorn may not want to get bogged down by emotional "relationship stuff" when they're busy or on a deadline. Naturally, sensitive Cancer might take that personally.

For these two, understanding that they do have different needs and priorities in the short term will help them hold onto their vision for the long term. Capricorn shows they care by putting in the work to secure their future, while Cancer is more sentimental and caring.