4 of 12 · June 22 – July 22 · Water · Cardinal
Cancer begins at the summer solstice, the longest day, and is ruled by the moon — the fastest-moving light in the night sky. The shell is the point of the image: soft inside, hard outside, and it closes when approached without warning.
The dates above are the conventional ones and hold for most years. The Sun actually crosses into Cancer at a slightly different moment each year — by up to a day — so a birth on June 22 or the day before can land on either side depending on the year and the hour.
If the birthday is on that edge, check it with the zodiac lookup using the exact time and place rather than a printed range.