The relationship between a Capricorn man and a Cancer woman is normally strongly committed and can last for a long time. When they split up though, things don't always unfold in the usual manner of relationship breakups. Cancer and Capricorn share many traits in common including loyalty. When the relationship ends, letting go is difficult for both.
Natural Partners
The Cancer woman is an emotional homebody while a Capricorn man is practical and driven to succeed. Because these signs are opposites, all Cancer Suns have a Capricorn Earth, and all Capricorn Suns have a Cancer Earth. Home, work and family are important to both. These two are strongly inclined to honour commitments, and it takes a lot to break them. What happens following the relationship's ending depends to a large degree on what caused the breakup. Was it amicable, or was there some sort of betrayal?
Bad Endings
Unless the relationship is ended by mutual agreement, things can get ugly. If the Capricorn man causes the breakup by cheating or another sort of betrayal, Cancer will take it badly. This cardinal water sign is highly emotional and dependent. The pain caused by the betrayal of a trusted mate goes very deep. Like an elephant, a Cancer never forgets a hurt or slight
If the Cancer woman ended the relationship through deceitful behavior, the cardinal earth Capricorn man won't react much better; despite his cool exterior, Capricorn's emotions are strong. This sign does not quickly forgive either, keeping a ledger of accounts owed and balances due for many years. Heated scenes are likely either way. If one partner forsakes or betrays the other, the aggrieved party may seek revenge in kind. At worst, breakups between these feisty cardinal signs can be traumatic and drawn out.
Better Endings
At best, they may simply develop in different directions and over time find they can no longer stay together. For example, he may need to live in the city near the centre of power, while she may crave a peaceful life in the country. Capricorn's primary needs are focused on work (workaholism might contribute to their problems), while Cancer requires a safe and nurturing home environment, preferably near water.
Recognising the need to move on is challenging for these two but once they do, things get a lot easier. They might continue together in a long-distance relationship, or they might end the romantic phase of the relationship but remain close, particularly if there are children involved. If they aren't hampered by mutual bitterness and withholding, Cancer and Capricorn can be a model for moving on in a mature and balanced way.
Co-Parenting
These signs make excellent co-parents, as they put the needs of the children first and continue to honor the family bond even if they are no longer a couple. Their strong sense of loyalty makes it hard to move on if they are parents. If they have children, they will try to hold on to the relationship.
Often, this combination will stay together for the sake of the children long past the time that love is dead. Believing that it is better for the kids, they will try hard to gloss over their feelings of betrayal and hurt, but this is not a good strategy. Most children are sensitive to undercurrents and words not spoken. The atmosphere in this home can become murky and hard to breathe in. Once they do move apart, things will improve and the children will be happier.
Traditional Gender Roles
Cancer and Capricorn easily fall into traditional gender roles. The dependency cycle can be stereotypical, with Cancer the dependent homebody and Capricorn the breadwinner and workaholic. A Capricorn man can be cut off from his Cancer side and a Cancer woman out of touch with her Capricorn, because their relationship dynamic reinforces, and is reinforced by, traditional gender roles. A Capricorn man defaults to becoming the grounding and support for a Cancer woman while she tends to be the avatar for his denied emotions and vulnerability.
If these two can individually access the qualities described by their Earth signs (Cancer for the man and Capricorn for the woman), they can each become more independent and whole on their own. When a Cancer woman can access her practical, disciplined side, and a Capricorn man grows capable of tears and vulnerability, they will be much happier and healthier as individuals. Even while in relationship it is healthy to find balance that way, but it helps a great deal after a breakup to avoid the codependency problems with this combination.
After It's Over
The bond between these two signs is powerful; they are likely to remain in touch long after the relationship is over. Their post-relationship connection may be co-dependent or mutually supportive, and if the breakup was acrimonious, they can polarise into entrenched mutual enmity. However it works out they will stay connected, whether through co-dependent attachment, mature friendship or even hatred. Whether or not they see one another again, emotional strings will still be attached many years later. Some bonds just don't break.
