When Mercury is in Cancer, a person’s way of taking in and processing information is more intuitive and subtle. Their memories are very strong, and it’s likely that they’re also able to pick up tidbits from their surroundings. Mercury in this sign has the creative sensibilities of a poet, musician, or visual artist. Mercury is a good listener and communicator in this position, but he or she may have trouble expressing ideas and feelings clearly. When Mercury is in a water sign, it absorbs information best when it’s contextualised in terms of human desires and emotions. Many of these people have a sympathetic worldview and are natural psychologists because they are attuned to and responsive to the emotions of those around them.
Many of their waking thoughts are devoted to domestic, familial, and personal matters, and they fret frequently over their own psychological and physiological health. They might be interested in things like antiques and historical artefacts because of the sense of mystery and intrigue they inspire about the old days and the passage of time. Their conversations and worldviews tend to be quite conventional, rooted in memories of the past, which can make them anxious about the future. Mercury in Cancer is also prone to being overly sensitive to any form of criticism. They tend to anticipate the worst and worry excessively as a result of their active imaginations. Reluctance to try new perspectives and a reticence to openly express their own opinions characterise their hesitancy with new ideas.
Words are often used defensively, protectively, and reactively, and they may appear withdrawn and silent at times. The person speaks softly and thoughtfully, and may frequently broach topics related to family, caregiving, and emotional states. Here, Mercury uses vivid imagery to transport others into the their inner world. Assuring, familiar, and reassuring, words can do wonders. With Mercury in Cancer, they’re reminded of simpler times always, and memories and firsthand experiences shape their present-day perspectives in significant ways.
There can be a liking for recording information or a need to do so. Thus, this is an excellent placement for the diarist or curator. This may be a person who records lectures, because there can be a need to be able to play things back, to be able to replay the past, to go back over things. Often there will be an interest in history. Memory and touch go together, and some people with Mercury here particularly like feeling things with their hands. One famous actor with Mercury rising in Cancer (and therefore strongly placed) has a notorious reputation for handling women’s breasts (Cancer). This is a good placement for the restauranteur because it combines commerce (Mercury) with food and nurturing (Cancer). There can be a need for a mother figure to talk to. Many with Mercury here will take on this role for others. An attentive and sympathetic communicator is implied. However, the receiving and conveying of facts can be skewed by emotion, and personal experience may colour the individuals attitude to interpreting data, without their even being aware of it. The Contemporary Handbook