To me, Cancer is the most sentimental and nostalgic sign of the zodiac.

Sentiment, according to Dictionary.com is defined as “expressive of or appealing to sentiment,  especially the tender emotions and feelings, as love, pity, or nostalgia.”

When speaking of emotions, astrologically we are speaking of water signs. There are three water signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Each water sign is emotional, but in different ways. I see Cancer (cardinal water) as sentimental, Scorpio (fixed water) as obsessive and Pisces (mutable water) as empathetic. Each of these signs has a propensity to live in the past: Cancer (nostalgic past), Scorpio (past grievances) and Pisces (past victimhood).

Sentiment I see most in the realm of Cancer which rules our inner emotions, early home life and the nurturing parent. Cancer’s sentimentality is a desire to return to loving, comforting emotions most associated with a loving upbringing.

If you don’t have Cancer or water in your chart, think of walking in the door after work to the smell of the crockpot simmering your dinner. Think of the warm bed you snuggle into with your cup of cocoa after a tough day. Think of lying under a blanket with your loved one (or loved pet) beside you watching a TV show from your youth (like Lost in Space or the Brady Bunch).

Most of us like these feelings but Cancer seeks them most. Because of this desire for the loving and nurturing feelings of youth, Cancer often recreates those habits or traditions throughout the entire life. Taurus, too, likes to recreate the routines of early home life, but more out of duty or a belief that those routines were best than out of emotional nostalgia.

Cancer rules the moon so our moon and its sign indicates how we seek comfort and how we react to life’s challenges. Reaction is returning to comforting responses developed in childhood.

If you find yourself needing some comfort, find your Cancer friend or loved one. Tell ’em about your bad day. They will give you a big hug, or cook you some dinner or relieve you of some nasty burden like a down jacket, sealing in the warmth and protecting you from a cold, harsh world.