Intimacy can be challenging. It’s not easy feeling exposed and vulnerable to those you love and trust — much less to someone you’re newly dating.

Relationships bring up our deepest anxieties, which we express in different ways. Some signs, such as Sagittarius and Aquarius, fear they’ll lose their independence, so they hold people at arm’s length. Others, like Cancer and Scorpio, crave commitment and may come off as too needy.

Learning how to create true intimacy is what life’s all about. What issues might stand in your way? Look up the intimacy horoscope for your sign below.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You’re determined to do things your own way, Aries. That spark of sovereignty within you is strong, and you fear losing it in relationships. Because you can take care of things so well on your own, you may shy away from letting others know how much you need them. Practicing the art of give-and-take is the key to maintaining your independence and also letting others in deeply. Also, take care you don’t demand too much, too soon.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You know once you make a commitment, Taurus, it’s for good. That’s why you take your time choosing the right person. Once locked in, however, you want things to stay the same forever and stubbornly resist change. Fear of leaving your comfortable rut is your single greatest barrier to intimacy — a condition that thrives on constant growth. You need to trust that change is good, and embrace it with open arms before love can flourish.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

You tend to flit around a lot, Gemini, never staying put long enough to establish deeply-rooted ties. The fear of becoming bored or being hemmed in tends to keep you on the surface of things, never investing enough of yourself to feel committed. And, there’s that secret fear that your partner might discover the “dark twin” you try so hard to hide. Yet letting someone in shines the light of love into the darkness — leading to true intimacy.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You fear exposing your soft underbelly, Cancer. Since your emotions are so close to the surface, it happens more often than you’d like. Once exposed, you’re at your loved one’s mercy. Because you’re more comfortable nurturing others than receiving loving care, being willing to fall apart, cry or be vulnerable is actually good for you. And, your willingness to reveal yourself makes intimacy with others much more rewarding.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

You have a hard time relinquishing control, Leo. And, your desire to be the one in charge can keep others at a distance. Because you seem so capable, they may be content to let you run the show. Don’t fall prey to this trap, though — sharing power in a relationship is the key to intimacy. As you reveal areas in which you’re not as competent, you let others know the true you. Your quick temper can also ward people off, so practice patience.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

A feeling of unworthiness is at the root of your intimacy issues, Virgo. You fear that if you reveal your imperfections, others will run away. Yet no one holds you to the impossibly high standards you set for yourself. In fact, they’d rather you come out and play instead of always worrying and care-taking them. Don’t let your sharp mind and analytical abilities dominate your feelings, where the magic of intimacy lies.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

You work hard at making things beautiful and harmonious, Libra. Therefore, you may tend to sweep relationship issues under the rug where they fester and create distance between you. Intimacy is about being real, not pretending things are ideal when they’re not. Also, your agile mind is skilled at figuring out feelings without ever feeling them. Getting into the messy realm of emotions scares you, but it’s the key to intimacy.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

People sometimes feel threatened by you, Scorpio, which can be an obstacle to closeness. It’s not that you avoid intimacy; you thrive on delving deeply into feelings and confronting issues. It’s just that your intensity and blunt honesty can be too much for others. And, they may feel you want too much. On the other hand, you may hide your deepest feelings, afraid that if you open up you’ll be betrayed. You need to learn to trust more.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Yours is the sign of the eternal bachelor, Sagittarius. Footloose and fancy-free, you fiercely guard your freedom and often turn tail and run when people get too close. Your biggest obstacle to intimacy is considering commitment a trap, associated with the boring and humdrum. The solution is to find a partner who’ll give you a long leash — but in return, you’ll have to promise to stick around for the tedious parts.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

You want to be seen as the strong one, Capricorn. Capable, sure, even stoic, you shy away from the realm of emotions and are loathe to let your vulnerabilities show. Others end up leaning on you, but what happens when you need help? You need to learn how to let others past your defenses and love you. Once you shatter the illusion that you’re invulnerable, then caring becomes a two-way-street and true intimacy is yours.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Like Mr. Spock from Star Trek, your sign prefers logic to feelings. You’re seen as self-contained, even chilly, and have trouble expressing what’s in your heart. Because you possess a brighter, quicker mind than most, you think it ought to serve all your needs. You fear losing your freedom if you let others in. Yet to avoid the fate of loneliness, you need to open up and explore the territory of the heart.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Your biggest obstacle to intimacy, Pisces, is a lack of self-knowledge. You’re such a chameleon, skilled at being all things to all people, that you may not know what you really want. As you spend some time alone, apart from others’ needs and feelings, you’ll create better boundaries and lose the need to rescue those you love or let them take advantage of you. You’ll also find that place of strength that fosters true intimacy.

Life takes a sentimental turn when the Sun is in Cancer, the zodiac sign associated with home, family, and feelings. Cancer coincides with the Summer Solstice, the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a time when we’ll all celebrate the joy, light, and blessings that summer brings.

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the planet of emotions and inner self. This reminds us of the deeply sensitive nature of this sign. When the Sun moves through this sign, we’re encouraged to listen to our feelings and respond to them in a constructive matter.

When the Sun is in Cancer

Life gets a lot more sentimental when the Sun moves into cozy Cancer! Here’s how to make the most of life during this transit:

WHAT TO DO:

Nest. Cancer loves spending time with family and close friends. Cook dinner together, work on a craft project, or cuddle up on the couch with a good movie during this transit.

WHAT TO SAY:

“I love you.” These three little words sound sweetest while the Sun is shining in Cancer and tender emotions are felt universally. If you’ve been waiting to say it to someone, this is your golden opportunity!

WHERE TO GO:

Nowhere. Cancer craves security, so stick close to home and enjoy summertime in your own backyard. Even better, host a big barbecue to make your friends and family feel loved.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Jammies. Cancer loves getting comfy, but if you must get dressed, choose Cancerian colors like white or yellow, and decorate yourself with the Crab’s signature pearls or silver jewelry.

WHAT TO BUY:

A kitten. Not only does the Sun move into Cancer during June, National Cat Month, but Cancer is also the most nurturing sign. Adopt a sweet little kitty and feel the love of being a pet parent.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Mood swings. Cancer is an emotional sign, so while there are many highs during this time, the extra sensitivity you’re feeling may bring on a bad mood — fast. This is why you’d be wise to stay home and cuddle up with your loved ones while the Sun is in Cancer.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Intimacy. Sun in Cancer is a beautiful, tender, and sentimental time to enjoy with all your heart. Feel the feelings and love the love — it only gets this sweet once a year.

If you were born with the Sun in Cancer

The Sun in Astrology influences the way we express ourselves and our overall personalities. Having your Sun in Cancer means that you have a need to connect with others on an emotional level. Your tenderness isn’t immediately obvious since your hard outer shell protects your soft internal world.

Your sign is closely connected to the mother and her role as nurturer and protector. A homebody at heart, family and tradition are incredibly important to you. Someone is much more likely to find you spending quiet nights in with your loved ones than out on the town.

As a Water sign, your intuition is off the charts! It’s nearly impossible to get anything past you since you have a special knack for reading people and situations. You often make decisions based on your instinct or gut feelings because they have almost never led you astray.

LOVE:

Emotions run deep with you, and you expect emotional depth and security in your relationships. This doesn’t mean you are one to give your heart away very easily. In fact, it’s only after someone has earned your trust that you allow yourself to fall in love. Your partners soon realize it was worth the wait — you are an intense and passionate lover who gives everything you have to your relationships.

CAREER:

As a Crab, your need for financial security is what drives your ambition. You aren’t one to crave the professional limelight, and yet you manage to be a standout star for your perseverance and ability to handle responsibility with ease. Your shrewd mind and powers of observation help you see the little things that others might miss. If you can avoid getting tangled up in emotion, you will easily climb the ladder of success.

FRIENDSHIP:

You are all about quality, and not quantity, when it comes to those you surround yourself with. While you may limit the number of friends you have, there is no shortage of loyalty and support that you give to them. When people come to you with a problem, not only will you listen, but you’re the first person to offer help. You have a selfless approach to friendship, and a willingness to do anything for them. Your friends probably feel lucky to have someone like you in their life!

WHAT SETS YOU APART:

Nobody makes others feel loved quite like you do, Cancer! Your family and friends mean everything to you, and you’ll go above and beyond to make sure they know how much you care about them.