Venus in Cancer, Mars in Cancer compatibility

In the natal astrological chart, Venus and Mars are the “go to” planets of love and relationship. More than almost any other signature in the chart, these planets (and their aspects and house placements), give clues as to how you like to “do love” (Venus) and “do sex” (Mars). They represent the internal feminine and masculine, giving valuable information about how you like to love and be loved (Venus) and what makes you passionate, lusty and turned on (Mars). In a woman’s chart, Venus can give indications as to how she relates to her own femininity and sense of herself as a woman. Mars in a woman’s chart tells how she expresses her masculine energy, and also indicates what she may project onto the men in her life. Mars in a woman’s chart also can describe what she is attracted to in a man. In a man’s chart, Mars describes what makes him feel “manly,” and gives clues as to how he personally expresses his own inner masculine energy. Venus in a man’s chart indicates the feminine qualities a man may project onto a woman, what he’s looking for in the women he relates to, and also describes his relationship with his own inner feminine side.

From the watery depths of the sea emerges the Cancerian Venus and Mars combo, ready to nurture, relate, imagine and dream. Venus in Cancer desires a relationship that provides security, emotional connection and a safe place to nest, nurture and maintain the traditions of family and the past. This Venus thrives when it has something or someone to take care of, and its protective and loyal nature provides a soothing and nourishing retreat for others.

Mars in Cancer is energized and motivated when engaged in activities that involve emotional exchange, family, home and history. Mars placed in the sign of the Crab is the ultimate protector and defender of those more vulnerable and exposed. This Mars wants to provide a strong and safe outer shell to allow whatever is sensitive or not fully grown time to grow stable and secure.

Together, this couple works in tandem, nurturing life and protecting it, sharing feelings, and creating a home they both feel safe in. Where Venus yields in the relationship, attracting and magnetizing, Mars pushes forward, creating and defending. Their dance together is like the deep, flowing and constantly changing nature of the Moon, the planet that rules this lunar duo.

Though their chemistry is mostly easy and fulfilling, challenges can arise if this couple grows too set in its ways, sacrificing growth in favor of comfort. If Venus and Mars in Cancer can periodically remember to bravely venture outside of the wonderful crab-like retreat they have created together, they will find that their relationship flourishes as a result. As they learn to bring their sensitive and soulful flavor into the bright light of the external world, they gain rich new material to explore and process as a couple, rather than fretfully pull at the same old issues with their grasping claws.

Alternately, if other factors in life or their individual charts interfere with their getting enough “down” time together, this duo can suffer as well. They must prioritize the ongoing “feathering” of their shared Cancerian nest to ensure that besides the rest of the world, they are also nurturing each other and their relationship.

About the Author

Fern Feto Spring, M.A., has been practicing astrology since 1990. She is a graduate of Steven Forrest’s astrological apprenticeship program, and has a Master’s Degree from Sonoma State University. Fern is the co-author (with Jen Zurick) of “Simply Sacred: Everyday Relationship Magic,” a just released book from Clean Sisters Press. Contact her for readings and astrology classes (on-line and in person) at www.wisestars.net.

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