In astrology there are four elements that correspond to the 12 zodiac signs: water, earth, fire, and air. Each element brings its own unique value, imprinting distinct traits onto the signs that fall under their categorization. And our water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces—are the feelers of the zodiac. Their ability to sense and understand the world around them is unmatched. They are ever-changing and truly understand what it means to transform in order to reach their highest potential. They are less concerned with evaluating their life based on accolades, being more focused on creating a life in which they feel fulfilled.
Water signs are known as the sensitive, sentimental, and psychically inclined bunch of the zodiac. These folks, much like their element of water, tend to absorb the energy of the environment around them. With this understanding, it is very important for water signs to be surrounded by the right people, spending their time doing work that they feel passionately about and ultimately consuming the right things (media, food, conversations) for their unique needs in order to avoid spiritual sickness. They are spongelike and require clarity in their mind, body, and spirit in order to keep swimming with the stream of life. Imagine a fish trying to make its way through a swampy, murky body of water versus a crystal-clear lake. That is what it is like for water signs when they are not keeping proper habits and company.
Water signs seek depth and emotional fulfillment, so even if you or a water sign you know is not outwardly emotional, per se, it doesn’t mean that they don’t weigh out all of their relationships, experiences, and dynamics against a very high bar for emotional satisfaction. The way they portray their emotions may not make sense to the other elements because water signs are known to get their wires crossed with their emotions (i.e., crying when they are angry, feeling overwhelmed when they are happy, or even being fearful when they are truly excited). It is their karmic lesson in this lifetime to allow their full spectrum of emotions to be felt and expressed in a way that accurately reflects how they feel inside.
Much like water, these signs have a habit of seeping into and meshing with the people they are closest to. When they feel close to another, they can come off as clingy or overly attached, but these loving creatures just want to feel safe and secure within their relationships. They would move mountains for the people they care most about, and they do best within friendships and romantic relationships where their deep love and attention is reciprocated by the other party. They enjoy cuddles, handwritten letters, home-cooked meals, and asking deep questions (if you need any suggestion on how to show up and make them feel loved).
Although others may not consider them rational, water signs are cautious and seek comfort, meaning they aren’t going to throw all caution to the wind as they move through life. These sensitive beings will, however, lead with their heart and make many of their big life decisions with intuition before logic. That doesn’t mean they are less inclined to do well—quite the contrary. These folks forge ahead with something that can’t be taught in a textbook—and others might think is crazy before it actually works.
What are the water signs?
To learn how to spot a water sign, we first have to understand the zodiac chart and the difference between each sign.
Cancer
Cardinal water energy makes these folks the leaders of the emotional realm. Born from June 22 through July 22, Cancers are the first ones to admit when they are overwhelmed, overjoyed, or overstimulated. They feel the raw, gritty parts of life to let others know whether or not it’s safe to go to these previously uncharted waters.
Ruled by the moon—our guidepost of emotion, cycles, and the subconscious—they are homebodies who enjoy keepubg an environment and community around them that feel safe. Other Cancer traits include being highly intuitive and guarded, only allowing in those who prove they are trustworthy and plan to stick around.
They’re represented by the crab, and their outer shell is in complete opposition to their soft and gooey inner self. They are nurturing and love to burrow deeper and deeper into the thoughts, interests, and qualities of the people they love.
Cancer is the natural ruler of the fourth house of family, home, emotions, motherly instincts, and children. They are devoted to healing and helping those around them but do best when they can prioritize self-care as a nonnegotiable in their daily life.
Scorpio
Fixed water energy makes these folks, born from October 23 through November 21, stubborn in their feelings and emotions. They are hard to be swayed once they feel scorned or disrespected in the same way, and it’s hard to pull them apart from something (or someone) they feel passionately about. They are less flexible than other water signs, making them the hardest to pin down, and they can come off as quite secretive and mysterious to outsiders.
Ruled by Pluto in modern astrology (the planet of taboo, destruction, and renewal) and Mars in traditional astrology (the planet of aggression, action, sex, and strength), these folks are a force to reckon with and will stop at nothing to put themselves into positions of power.
Represented by the scorpion, Scorpios have no problem cutting off people who they feel have wronged them, and they will go to the ends of the earth to inflict inner turmoil on people who cross their boundaries or disrespect them. They are, however, devoted and will go to bat for the people that they care about, so watch how you step around a Scorpio!
Scorpio is the natural ruler of the eighth house of merging, sex, intimacy, other people’s money, inheritances, taxes, and joint ventures. Some Scorpio traits include being ready and willing to become one with the right partners, romantic and business alike. Some may even do best mixing love and work with their chosen partner(s). They are not afraid to dive into sensitive topics, as aforementioned, like sex; in traditional astrology, Scorpio also rules over the genitals. It’s why these folks are usually crowned the sexiest sign!
Pisces
Mutable water energy makes Pisces, born from February 19 through March 20, as flowy as flowy can get. Pisces’ traits include being wise, emotional, and deeply sensitive bordering on psychic in their approach to life and love. They will do whatever it takes to live a life that is fully expressed.
Ruled by Neptune, the planet that governs creativity and dreams, these fish have an endless imagination and can quite literally create their own reality. They do not like to follow rules and have a tendency to fall into escapism and living in a disillusioned state. They do best when they are able to find stability and routine in their relationships, careers, and home environments that make them feel liberated and not locked down.
Pisces is the natural ruler of the 12th house of endings, healing, spirituality, the afterlife, and the subconscious. They live within a different dimension of reality than most, and it’s not uncommon for them to take up careers in which they can help, heal, or guide others into new ways of thinking and being. They are great teachers and sages, especially if they are able to break down their own bad habits in pursuit of becoming better for the betterment of society as a whole.
Who are water signs compatible with?
Water signs will naturally gravitate toward each other, but their complementary element is earth. They are the element that waters the earth’s fertile ground; therefore water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are a great match for earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn). It is not uncommon to see earth and water signs together. Some of the most compatible pairing for each of the water signs are:
Cancer
Virgo: With Virgo and Cancer sitting two signs away from each other on the zodiac wheel, there is a naturally compatible and attractive element to their pairing. These two make each other feel right at home within their matchup. Their physical, emotional, and mental compatibility is all there—which makes this pairing seem too good to be true at the beginning. Over time they will find that there is rarely a plateau feeling for either—only more comfort, ease, and acceptance, qualities that both of these loving and nurturing signs admire in a partner. These two have the potential to last a lifetime with each other, so long as they are both open and honest with each other, as trust is a nonnegotiable for both Cancer and Virgo.
Taurus: Taurus and Cancer are truly the balanced, grounded duo that they both desire in partnership. These two can take their lives to new heights by choosing to be together. There is no better feeling for them than allowing each other to rest and receive all of the pleasures and comforts that life has to offer. They do especially well once they’ve reached the stage in their relationship when they can cohabitate, leading each other to the home environment of their dreams by truly being concerned with whether the other feels both happy and safe. These two like to cuddle, nurture, and care for each other without ever feeling like they need to play tit for tat or scoreboard within the relationship. On the contrary, they will both feel fueled by giving back to each other, and this only deepens their bond over time.
Pisces: The dynamic duo, Cancer and Pisces are cut from the same energetic cloth, and it’s hard to pull these two apart once they’ve found their way to each other. It’s the Pisces romantic and poetic charm that gets the tender, loving heart of a Cancer to fully unfold. Pisces will be able to take Cancer out of their homebody phase and into a fully integrated version of themselves. Making their way down the aisle is a piece of cake, but they would be just as happy going off the grid with each other and creating their own dreamy reality too.
Scorpio
Taurus: Opposites can truly attract, and Taurus and Scorpio are here as proof! These two show up with the level of depth, devotion, and loyalty that the other craves in order to truly open their hearts. Without a solid foundation and essentially proving themselves to each other, this could become a tumultuous match. But if they can put their pride aside and explore the intensity that they both so desperately desire, this can turn into a match made in heaven.
Virgo: These two are two signs apart on the zodiac wheel, and it’s said that Hades and Persephone represent the love between a Scorpio and a Virgo. They are deep, wanting nothing more than to be able to share the same skin with each other. If you believe in soulmates and the journey of the same soul splitting into two before finding each other in union, you’ll believe in the unbreakable bond that a Scorpio and a Virgo can share.
Capricorn: Being two signs away from each other on the zodiac wheel, these two have an instant and unspoken gravitational attraction to each other. Scorpio will feel compelled to understand the drive and motivation of their chosen Capricorn, and the Cap will like the undying and reliable focus they receive from their Scorpio counterpart. It does these two well to express their passions to each other, and it seems almost effortless for both of these guarded folks once one of them decides to lead the way for the other.
Pisces
Cancer: See above for the Cancer-Pisces dynamic!
Scorpio: Pisces is something like a teacher and a lover for Scorpio. They come to Scorpio like the light at the end of the tunnel, and Scorpio can’t help but put their guard down for their lover Pisces. These two are intense and inseparable. They daydream about each other when they are apart. This is the type of love that art is made from—they feel deeply and love hard.
Virgo: Pisces and Virgos are opposite signs on the zodiac wheel, but these two share the same core values. It is said that Pisces heals the human world by channeling spirit and Virgo heals the spirit through mundane human activities. They have the same goals and values, but they express them differently, giving each of these two the opportunity to grow and learn just by being together. You may find them diving into deeper and more refined activities together. Think opera, live performances, speaking engagements, formal tea, and book signings for their favorite authors. They love to grow and feel mentally, spiritually, and emotionally stimulated together.
What are some tips for water signs?
Water signs can live their best lives if they take some of these tips to heart: Work with a therapist, life coach, or business coach—you do best when you have a solid container for your creative waters. Journal to get in touch with your emotions and sort through them. Be honest with yourself about whether your closest friends and family are healthy people to keep around you. Spend time in solitude and get comfortable with your solo time. Express yourself through art, music, writing, or other healthy outlets. Find community spaces that build you up and make you feel safe (like community theater groups, philanthropic organizations, book clubs, etc.). Continue to learn and grow by taking classes or reading.
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Meghan Rose is a Los Angeles–based spiritual advisor, intuitive tarot card reader, and author whose work bridges the magical and the material to create real change. Rose acts as a guide for her clients to help them navigate relationships, career, and everything in between. Learn more at themeghanrose.com and follow her on Tiktok, Instagram, and Twitter.
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