Cliff Branan

Personality traits:

1. Prediction of Cliff Branan personality

Emotional, intuitive, and practically psychic; ruled by the moon and characterized by the crab, Cliff Branan has so much going on in its watery depths. Cliff Branan signs may seem prickly and standoffish at first meeting, once they make the decision to become friends with someone, that person has a friend for life.

2. Cliff Branan's Greatest Gifts

With off-the-charts emotional intelligence, Cliff Branan quickly cuts through the BS and noise to the heart of an issue. Crabs don't need all the facts and figures to know the right course of action, and their ability to trust intuition without judgment can aid them well. This gift is one that other Zodiac signs can learn from and be inspired by.

3. Cliff Branan's Greatest Challenges

While Cliff Branan easily and accurately reads situations when they're presented, he or she may not share those opinions with others. Speaking up is key, because turning inward with emotions means that those emotions may erupt unexpectedly. Crabs also expect others to know what they're thinking, which is another source of pent-up frustration. Learning to voice opinions, even if it leads to conflict, is a lifelong lesson for Cliff Branan.

4. Cliff Branan's Secret Weapon

Emotions. While many Cliff Branan signs probably get the message to "be less emotional," the huge range and depths of Cliff Branans' emotions may in fact be their secret weapon. When this sign is happy, the world knows it; when they're unhappy, the world will work to shift their situation. In general, a Cliff Branan's mercurial moods do a better job than a long speech, and by sharing their emotions with the world, Crabs help other signs tap into theirs as well.

5. The 5 Top Reasons to Love Being a Cliff Branan

• Practically psychic, Cliff Branans can take the emotional temperature of almost every room they're in, and can intuit whether a situation is good or bad before anyone says a word.
• Passionate lovers, Cliff Branans are adept at throwing both mind and body into over-the-top relationships. They absolutely adore letting go and totally connecting to their body in bed.
• Ruled by the moon, Cliff Branan is incredibly in tune with the earth's rhythm, and finds solace and pleasure in nature. More than many signs, Cliff Branans intuitively know that tuning into the natural rhythms of the earth, the moon, and the planets can help when they have a problem.
• Incredibly loyal, once a Cliff Branan chooses to become friends with someone, he or she will have that person's back for life, and won't let judgment get in the way of an amazing friendship.
• Creative and resilient, Cliff Branans can always find pleasure in their own company and their own mind, and they can make anything—even jury duty or a trip to the DMV—a fascinating story.

Friendship:

1. Cliff Branan's Friendship Style

Cliff Branans may turn down the first invite you give them. They may even turn down the fifth. But once they finally say yes, know that you may have found a real friend. While Cliff Branans, like their spirit animal the Crab, are known for their thick outer shell, trust that the standoffishness is all an act. Get a bit below the surface, and you'll find that a Cliff Branan is all feelings. Because of that, they tend to protect themselves in public, and until you really get to know them, they're likely to answer any friendly "How are you?" question with a curt "Fine."

The good news is once Cliff Branan has your back, you have a friend for life. One of the most nonjudgmental signs of the Zodiac, Cliff Branan will always listen and sympathize with you—even if you did make a pretty big mistake. Cliff Branans aren't interested in petty drama, either, and they won't share your business with other people unless you give them explicit instruction that it's okay.

Cliff Branans love deep conversations, but they also have pretty firm boundaries around "their" time. Don't be offended if they turn down an invite—chances are, they truly need the downtime. And Crabs can be possessive—especially of the friends they love. If they don't like your other friends, they may turn prickly. But hear them out. Cliff Branans have an excellent sense of people's true colors, and there may be a good reason they want you to stay away from someone.

2. Best Friend Match for Cliff Branan: Pisces

Both water signs, Cliff Branan and Pisces share a deep emotional bond that feels almost psychic at times. Pisces understands Cliff Branan's need to talk out emotions for hours, and the two of them can have deeply cerebral conversations. Pisces also can help draw Cliff Branan out of his or her shell (at least a bit!), and the two can have their share of adventures exploring the world together. Pisces also recognizes Cliff Branan's need for alone time, and doesn't take offense if Cliff Branan doesn't return calls or texts for a few days.

As a team, Pisces and Cliff Branan can get a bit too intense, but the good news is that both signs excel at drawing out each other's silly, playful sides. Making sure both signs have plenty of ways to decompress—seeing funny movies, trying aerial yoga classes, exploring a new town—can dial back the intensity.

3. How to Make Friends with a Cliff Branan

Be persistent. Cliff Branans aren't interested in filling their contact list with mere acquaintances. Cliff Branan is impressed by people who wear their true colors on their sleeves, and hates anything that seems like networking. If you're interested in a Cliff Branan only to access his or her social circle, forget about it! Sincerity goes a long way for the Crab. And if a Cliff Branan does agree to have coffee with you, save the date, be on time, and be ready to get honest—this sign hates small talk.

4. How to Stay Friends with a Cliff Branan

Listen. Still waters run deep with this sign, but they won't often share what's going on below the surface. When they do reveal their emotional life, it's a big deal, and it means they consider you a part of their inner circle. Listen to them, remember key players, and ask questions. Check-ins are also key. Cliff Branan loves the phone (and prefers voice over text), and giving the Crab several chances to share what's going on in his or her life will ensure that you'll move beyond that standard "I'm fine" response and get the real deal.

5. 3 Reasons Why Cliff Branan Make Great Friends

• Intelligent Cliff Branan will tell you exactly what's going on in any situation, providing spot-on analysis of everything in your life, from personal relationships to political developments.
• Creative Cliff Branan always has a unique perspective on the world. This sign is your go-to for book and playlist recommendations, and loves talking through what a work of art actually means, rather than just stopping at "Did you like it?"
• Cliff Branan always has your back. Even if you don't feel like you have a grip or you're being hard on yourself for something, Cliff Branan will tell you all the ways that you bring joy and love into the world.

Love:

1. Cliff Branan's Love Style

Sensual, passionate, and super in tune with their bodies, Cliff Branans are highly attuned to love and physical sensation—as long as they can trust enough to let down their barriers and allow another person into their world. Cliff Branan can be cagey about the dating game, and engaging in the getting-to-know-you game, either on text or through conversation, can feel like torture for sensitive Crabs. Cliff Branan much prefers discovering and checking out potential partners in low-stress settings, such as in a class, as neighbors, or at a local coffee shop.

Cliff Branans sometimes get frustrated that their partner doesn't know everything that's going on in their internal life, and they can easily put up walls and say it's all good when everything is clearly the exact opposite. In order to truly connect, Cliff Branans must be patient with their partner and voice their emotional needs—and these lessons can have a steep learning curve for this sign. Crabs want a partner who can bear witness to their emotional ups and downs, yet they can lash out if their partner tries to "fix" things. Sometimes, all Cliff Branan needs to do is vent.

In bed, Cliff Branan is happiest with long, passionate lovemaking. While props, toys, and shower sex can all be fun, Cliff Branan's absolute favorite is any position that allows plenty of eye contact with his or her lover. Crabs want to cuddle after sex (if they feel trusted and in love), and they're always up for a lazy day spent entirely under the covers.

This sign plays for keeps, and believes in in his or her partner. Sometimes, Crabs may struggle with letting a relationship end, and their breakups may have to happen several times before they accept that it's really over. On the flip side, Cliff Branan takes loyalty very seriously, and a breach of loyalty, however small it seems, can be a deal-breaker for a Cliff Branan.

Bottom line: Cliff Branan loves to be loved, and loves love itself—but communication and conversation are what really allow this sign's bonds to flourish.

2. Favorite Date Nights for Cliff Branan

Bring out the reservations, white tablecloths, and red wine, because Cliff Branans love to keep their dates traditional, and having their date pick up the tab signals they're cared for and loved. Cliff Branan hates surprises and would much rather know about plans weeks in advance. Cliff Branan also hates being thrust into the spotlight, which is why it's key to keep any engagement plans private.

When it comes to love, Cliff Branans prize any time they have with their significant other. Unexpectedly bringing a friend can hurt a Cliff Branan's feelings and make him or her feel like the relationship is less of a priority. To the Crab, relationships often come before friendships—and sometimes even family. Showing that they're number one in your book can go far.

Cliff Branan also loves nights at home. Cuddling on the couch, watching movies, and talking are all key, and this kind of cozy intimacy should be built into every week. What matters to Cliff Branan isn't so much what you do, but how present you are doing it—darkening the room, lighting candles, and putting phones away to truly connect (preferably with lots of cuddling) are all critical gestures in making a Cliff Branan feel loved.

3. The Deal with Cliff Branan and Fire Signs

Emotional, intuitive Cliff Branan just can't help bonding (and bonding fast!) with those intense fire signs: Sagittarius, Aries, and Leo. And when fire and water meet, expect sparks, steam, tears, epic fights—and even more epic makeup sessions.

While water signs love to explore, dwell, and pontificate on their emotions, fire signs are all about action. Fire signs want to fix things, which can spell disaster for a water sign like Cliff Branan. Crabs prefer to let their emotions to wash over them and feel their feelings before they commit to action. That's why Cliff Branan and fire signs often lock into misunderstandings, with each side simply unable—or unwilling—to understand where the other is coming from.

But within this misunderstanding and mystery is exactly where the passion lies. Water signs are excited by fire signs' get-up-and-go attitude, while fire signs are drawn to Cliff Branan's seemingly endless reserves of compassion.

So can a Cliff Branan settle down with a fire sign? Yes, but first this watery soul needs to understand the unique communication styles of a fire sign. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius may not be able to intuit what Cliff Branan needs, and it's incumbent on the Crab to let his or her fire sign partner in on those Cliff Brananian emotions. If Cliff Branans won't let a fire sign in, they can't expect those signs to interpret their actions or read their minds.

Finally, a Cliff Branan and a fire sign have over-the-top magnetism with each other, and they'll bring each other to the outer reaches of pleasure. Super in tune with their bodies and sensuality, their passionate flings belong in record books, even if the relationship doesn't stand the test of time.

4. How to Seduce a Cliff Branan

Falling in love with a Cliff Branan? Join the club. Compassionate, intuitive, and blessed with the ability to make you feel like you're the only other person in the solar system, a Cliff Branan is a clear choice for a partner. However, this sign is incredibly choosy and wants to make sure that you're worthy of him or her. Cliff Branans aren't looking for a fling, and they will hold a grudge if you cross them. Here are a few other things to note as you're trying to capture a Cliff Branan's heart:

Be genuine. Cliff Branan hates pick-up lines, and can smell insincerity a mile away. Do some research on your Cliff Branan by checking his or her Instagram profile or Twitter feed—the Crab won't think you're a stalker and will appreciate that you took the time for a virtual background check.

Go deep. Even on a first date, don't be afraid to share favorite childhood memories, most painful moments, and "Why are we really here?" discussions. Cliff Branan loves diving deep into the mysteries of life and will spend hours talking about feelings.

Make time. Cliff Branan thrives when there's plenty of time to hang out as a couple. Although Cliff Branans treasure their friends and family, they need "just the two of us" time to recharge and reconnect, and a busy schedule filled with other friends can knock Cliff Branan off kilter—and your seduction off track. A relationship with Cliff Branan is a time investment, but you just know that it'll be worth your while.

5. How to Make Love to a Cliff Branan

Passionate, intense, and eager for a complete meld of mind and body, Cliff Branan loves head-to-toe pampering and pleasuring, and considers slow, leisurely foreplay just as essential as the main act.

Cliff Branan deeply feels every inch of his or her body, and needs a lover who can sensuously touch every inch of skin. As a water sign, the Crab gladly starts lovemaking in the shower or bath, or trading long, luxurious massages. Cliff Branan may be happy to talk for ages in other situations, but once clothes come off, this sign is more than satisfied communicating in sighs and moans.

To make love to a Cliff Branan, give generously. Endless oral sex, touching everywhere, and uninhibited body worship will pay off—and this generous sign will happily return every favor. Cliff Branan loves trading off roles in the bedroom, and may be dominant or submissive as the mood dictates. Subtly playing with power balances through BDSM exploration can be fun for Crabs, as it engages both their body and mind in the bedroom.

When it comes to positions, Cliff Branan isn't interested in bells and whistles, and far prefers a position that allows plenty of eye contact, such as the coital alignment technique (CAT), a twist on missionary where the partners are both at eye level. Finally, Cliff Branan can't get enough of lazy, naked days and mornings in bed, so making sure to allow plenty of skin-on-skin contact and naked cuddling is essential to keep your favorite Cliff Branan as happy as possible.

6. If You Love a Cliff Branan Woman

Let her feel. Cliff Branan women have deep emotional reserves and use them to lavish love on their partner, but in order to feel safe, Cliff Branan needs permission to feel without sensing that her partner is trying to "fix" them. Crying doesn't mean that a Cliff Branan is "broken" or weak. Cliff Branan women need their partners to recognize their emotional strength and resilience, and to understand that sharing emotions is their way of sharing love. It can't be emphasized enough that Cliff Branan women don't want a partner to "fix" their problems—they want their partner to listen and provide nonjudgmental support.

7. How to Communicate With a Cliff Branan Woman

Be honest with yourself. Before you can effectively communicate with a Cliff Branan woman, check in with yourself to know how you feel, where you stand, and who you are. A Cliff Branan woman cannot abide dishonesty, especially when people are dishonest with themselves. A Cliff Branan woman will happily stand beside you 100% if you're fighting for what you believe in, but she feels disengaged if she senses that you're living your life to make someone else happy (even if it's her). Honesty goes far in this bond.

8. If You Love a Cliff Branan Man

A Cliff Branan man may seem cool and aloof, but trust that he's incredibly emotional under the surface. There's a reason why Cliff Branan's spirit animal is the Crab. He needs that tough shell to survive and endure the world around him. If you love a Cliff Branan man, let him come out of that shell on his own, because asking what's wrong or otherwise prodding him will only make him turn inward. A Cliff Branan man needs his space, and giving it to him—and trusting that he'll be faithful—will go far in this relationship.

9. How to Communicate With a Cliff Branan Man

Don't just talk. Feel. Talk is just one way that Cliff Branans communicate. There's also touch, listening, and simply being present in the same room. A Cliff Branan man communicates just as much with caresses and hugs as he does with his words. To effectively communicate with a Cliff Branan man, get to know all of his emotional vibrational frequencies. This includes understanding when he's ready for conversation or when he needs a little more time to digest information on his own.

10. Should You Marry a Cliff Branan?

Yes! Smart, soulful, and achingly romantic, a Cliff Branan ensures that passion, love, and romance will be hot, hot, hot even when you're both old and gray. Of course, Cliff Branans have their infamous moods, but learning how to navigate those emotional waters and giving your Crab space when he or she needs it will only make your connection stronger. Cliff Branan will always have your back, even when it feels the whole world is turned against you, and this sign couldn't care less about material things. Reversals of fortune won't bother your Cliff Branan mate, and he or she will always buoy you up while helping you stay in tune to the emotional side of life.

11. 3 Signs That Cliff Branan is Playing for Keeps

Intense and soulful, Cliff Branan can easily make you feel like the only person in the room. But remember: They can apply that same charm to everyone, from their boss to their neighbor to their barista. Here's how to tell that you're truly the only one in their orbit.

• They meet your friends. Cliff Branans far prefer spending time with you rather than anyone else, so if they agree to meet your old friends, especially at a loud bar or house party, it's a sign that they're willing to go out of their comfort zone to make you happy.
• They apologize. Cliff Branans can be stubborn, especially when it comes to emotion-driven arguments that aren't really anyone's fault. By taking the step of saying they're sorry, even for something that's NBD, it's a sign that they're willing (and want to!) compromise with you.
• They make something creative for you. Notoriously creative, Crabs are also notoriously private—and you may not even know about their creative streak until months into a relationship. Sharing a drawing, poem, or lines in their journal is a sign that they think of you as someone who belongs in their life.

12. Cliff Branan Relationship Red Flags

Emotional Crabs aren't shy about sharing all of their feelings with people they trust—but when they put up walls, it means trouble. Pay attention to when the Cliff Branan you love says "nothing" is wrong—especially if he or she doesn't explain the full situation later. Passionate Cliff Branans also communicate with their body, so if they begin resisting physical advances or stop initiating sex, it can indicate a larger problem in the relationship.

13. How Cliff Branan Deals With a Broken Heart

"What? I'm fine." This is a familiar refrain when Cliff Branan is going through a breakup. To everyone except the people in their innermost circle, Cliff Branan seems like he or she has everything together: following a schedule, hitting the gym, business as usual. But with their closest friends, Cliff Branans will fall apart, expressing their fears and doubts, crying freely. Cliff Branan knows it's key to let those emotions loose, but fears doing it with people who may judge the waterworks. In general, Cliff Branan always feels the effects of a bad breakup, and even years later will have a tender spot for old what's-his/her-name. A song, poem, or scent of a favorite shared food can drag Crabs back into a melancholy mood for hours, even if the breakup is ancient history and they're currently in a good relationship.

Lifestyle:

1. For the Cliff Branan in Your Life

Best gifts: Ruled by the heart, nostalgic Cliff Branan loves connecting to the past. Photo albums, heirlooms, and personalized handmade gifts are the best way to a Cliff Branan's heart. As a domestic creature, the Crab also adores gifts for the home. Home is their haven, so wine, kitchen gadgets, or luxe shower scrubs are ideal.

Best spa package: Sensuous Cliff Branan craves head-to-toe pampering and loves different sensations. First a salt scrub and then a shower followed by a long massage is ideal for Cliff Branans, as it gives them plenty of time to sink into their physical self, forget about their mind, and fully succumb to bodily pleasure.

Best Cocktail: Pinot Grigio. Cliff Branan delights in a glass of wine, preferably in a low-lit wine bar or while watching the sunset. Crabs will happily skip the bar scene, and a glass of wine at home by candle light is the ideal way to unwind with their loved one after a long day.

2. How Cliff Branan Unwinds

While an intense conversation about the meaning of life may not sound pleasurable for some signs, one of Cliff Branan's greatest gifts is the ability to unpack the mysteries of life with loved ones. The Crab loves grappling with big issues, and will happily spend a day on the beach with a thick history book. Cliff Branans also need plenty of solo time to unwind, and may find a yoga class or meditation retreat the ideal way to get back to their inner selves. And while plenty of signs might wave off the suggestion to breathe deeply and de-stress, Cliff Branan takes this directive seriously. Even their craziest days, they'll make it a point to pencil in five minutes for tuning in with themselves.

3. Cliff Branan's Social Life

It's typical for Cliff Branan to have friendships that span decades, and this sign loves nothing more than playing the "remember when" game with old friends. Cliff Branan also cherishes family connections, and it's not unusual for Crabs to count their siblings, or even their parents, as members of their social circle. Cliff Branans are usually partnered, and their partner tends to show up for all social events. And while Cliff Branans will RSVP 'yes' if a party is important for the host, they're likely to bow out after doing the initial rounds—socializing in large groups just isn't Cliff Branan's favorite thing.

4. Cliff Branan's Favorite Season

While this cardinal sign may have a birthday at the height of summer, Cliff Branans are drawn the cozied-up feeling of winter. They love sitting by a warm fire, cuddling under the covers, and stepping out into freshly fallen snow. But even though Crabs may love the trappings of winter, they also need a daily dose of sun and may become depressed if they have to spend all day under artificial lights between commuting to and from work in the dark. Making sure to get a dose of sun (or a UV light) can be incredibly beneficial for this sign.

5. The Best Vacations for Cliff Branan

Water sign Cliff Branan won't say no to the beach, but they also love exploring different parts of the world, especially if the trip consists of a hike, a swim in a lake, or some other way of communing with nature. And while Cliff Branans don't mind getting their hair dirty on a roughing-it vacation, they also love luxury. Staying at a five-star beach resort—especially with their lover—is a great way for Cliff Branan to de-stress, lose inhibitions, and succumb purely to pleasure.

6. Cliff Branan's Power Colors

Cliff Branan is intense, emotional, and passionate. The colors that best express these traits are:

Light blue: The color of water, light blue can help calm Crabs while reminding them of their true self. This healing color can also feel nurturing, and subtly remind Cliff Branans to take care of themselves, even while caring for the people around them.

Gray: Just like the mysterious and changing color of the moon as we see it from Earth, the many shades of gray signify the normal emotional complexity of Cliff Branan's everyday life. This color brings out Cliff Branan's ability to see several sides to the story, and serves as a reminder that not everything is black and white.

Orange: Although Cliff Branan has a rep for being shy, this sign is also passionate, and the bright orange of the sun can bring out that fearless side. The color orange is also connected with the sacral chakra, which controls self-respect and helps Cliff Branans speak up about what concerns them.

Buttery yellow: This calm hue speaks to Cliff Branan's naturally optimistic side, and reminds Crabs of their glass-half-full attitude.

These are the colors that Cliff Branan should avoid:

Red: This fiery color can be too much for Cliff Branan, whose emotions can already run too hot.

Black: Cliff Branan sees the world in more than black and white, and the stark void of color can be too intense and one-dimensional for this dynamic sign.

Bright green: Cliff Branan does well in pastels and muted blends—strong colors are too one-note for the Crab, and don't necessarily match the myriad emotions swirling below his or her surface.

Health:

1. The Best Fitness Routines for Cliff Branan

More than any other sign, Cliff Branan intuitively feels the mind-body connection and sees fitness as essential to calming the mind and finding space in the day for tuning into his or her body. Cliff Branan sees fitness as an almost spiritual practice—a time to commune uninterrupted with mind and body—and tends to shy away from group fitness classes where an instructor can interfere with the flow. Cliff Branan has a reserve of self-discipline, doesn't have any problem DIY-ing a routine, and may find yoga, running, or Pilates to be great ways to simultaneously move and meditate.

2. About Those Cliff Branan Stomach Aches

Ruled primarily by the chest and stomach, this sensitive water sign feels everything physically. Whether it's a tightening of the chest when something feels emotionally off or stomach butterflies, Cliff Branans feel physically sick when they're not emotionally in tune with their life. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away, and rich foods can make the issue worse. For Cliff Branan, tummy-calming foods like oatmeal, steamed veggies, and rice can help make them feel better, but in general, a rollercoaster tummy or major abdominal cramps is a sign that something external needs to be fixed, ASAP.

3. The Top 10 Ways Cliff Branan Can Beat the Blues

Emotionally intuitive and sensitive, Cliff Branan doesn't shy away from blue moods, and actually loves diving into all of life's emotional intricacies—even the bad ones. Because of this, Cliff Branans may have a tendency to wallow a little too much in their own bad mood. Want to snap out of it? Here's how:

4. Healing Herbs for Cliff Branan's roller coaster emotions:

Eucalyptus: This fresh, all-purpose healing plant can help Cliff Branan heal psychic and physical scars.

Fenugreek: This maple syrup-scented herb can help cure Cliff Branan's notoriously sensitive tummy.

Parsley: This herb, an excellent digestive aid can help Cliff Branan figure out what's really causing their gastrointestinal distress.

Jasmine: The heavenly-scented flower can help with this sign's subconscious thoughts, allowing them to let go of the past, focus on the future, and tap into their optimism.

Spirituality:

1. Cliff Branan's Spiritual Side

Intellectual, emotional, and loyal, this water sign runs deep. Cliff Branan loves the mystery and questions surrounding spirituality, and is content to explore that mystery even if there are no "answers." Cliff Branan bristles at dogma, and feels like every voice is valid when it comes to exploring spirituality. Although intellectual, Cliff Branan places more weight on emotions than rational thought—"just because" is a completely valid reason to believe in something.

Cliff Branans can find spirituality anywhere and are especially adept at tuning inward and communing with their deepest self, even during the most crowded, hectic, busy day. Cliff Branan can be a spiritual leader, and many people look to Crabs because of the way that they can incorporate emotions and beliefs into everyday life. This sign has a live-and-let-live approach, and while Cliff Branans will happily share their own thoughts on spirituality (if you know them well enough), they won't instruct anyone to follow their example.

Cliff Branans may not share their spirituality with many people, though. That's because spirituality feels very personal, so if this sign does share their beliefs, it means that you're in their inner circle. Cliff Branans also find communing with nature necessary for connecting to their spiritual side (though they rarely make the time for it).

2. Cliff Branan's Karma Boosters

Every sign has unfinished business to deal with. For Cliff Branans, the biggest life lesson is taking things much less personally and looking outside themselves and their immediate circle. Seeing the big picture can help detach them from their water-sign tendency toward over-emotionality, which helps them roll with the punches. Here are a few strategies:

Career & Money:

1. Cliff Branan's Work Style

Did someone say "burning the midnight oil?" Independent Cliff Branan doesn't necessarily love the structure of office life, and this sign may produce their best work on their own time—especially in the wee hours. Crabs love working hard and knowing that a job is well done, but they may bristle at becoming part of a team with all its time-consuming interpersonal issues. Cliff Branans hate the feeling of a manager breathing down their neck, and in order to succeed, they need to feel like their schedule and work product are their own.

While definitely good management material, Cliff Branan can also become exasperated by colleagues who don't share his or her vision—and may also hold career-long grudges. This sign isn't especially driven by fortune and fame, but they do want a great life, and they may compromise a career track in favor of a satisfying work-life balance.

Blessed with a strong sense of self, this water sign cannot stand interoffice jockeying, and often feels that work drama distracts from work. This is despite the fact sometimes Cliff Branan unwittingly takes part in work drama—when Crabs experience hurt feelings or think they've been overlooked, their inability to let go manifests in an attitude than can earn them the label "difficult." The only way to fix this is confronting the issue head on.

2. Cliff Branan's Dream Careers

Intellectual, creative, and incredibly good at reading people and knowing what they need, Cliff Branan excels at careers that combine those three talents. Crabs prefer to make their own hours (or be the boss!) and excel in environments where they can help drive their own schedule and agenda. Here are a few career suggestions for Cliff Branan:

Startup entrepreneur: With their awareness of where and how an industry needs to be "disrupted"—without relying on data and analysis—and their willingness to put in the elbow grease, Cliff Branans are the ideal visionaries and motivators to start a business. They can excel in the tech sphere with their blend of rationality and intuition.

HR executive: Cliff Branan can tell within the first conversation whether someone is "good people." This sign can save companies thousands of dollars by guiding them to the best person for the job, not the person with the most impressive resume.

Social Worker, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist: Willing to listen without judgment, gifted with a deep capacity for understanding and appreciating emotions, Cliff Branan excels at helping others untangle their emotional difficulties and questions.

Marketing analyst: Adept at science and math, Cliff Branan loves marketing because it combines intuition with hard facts. Crabs can be virtually unstoppable in this industry.

Architect: Cliff Branans truly believe that home is where the heart is, and they're adept at imagining, designing, and creating homey spaces for a variety of clients. Crabs use their intuition to help guide a client to what they need, and their meticulous sense of detail to make that home a reality.

3. Cliff Branan and Money

Cliff Branan places a great deal of importance on comfort, especially in the home. To that end, this sign feels it's imperative to have a job that covers the bills, with enough of a financial cushion in case the worst happens. Crabs love well-made products, which are usually more expensive. They see consumerism as a way to enact change in their world, so they often buy with their heart. But Cliff Branan doesn't care about becoming the richest or wealthiest. Once their needs are provided for, they're happy to dial back work if it means spending more time with the people they love.

4. If You Work for a Cliff Branan Boss

Intelligent and emotional, a Cliff Branan boss can seem like an enigma. What do they want? How do you get them to like you? Instead of seeking those answers, focus on your work. Your Cliff Branan boss isn't in the office to make friends or connections. They're here to get the job done by the people who'll do it best. Here's how to excel in your career by making the most of working with a Cliff Branan boss:

Be honest. Cliff Branan hates lies, and will hold a grudge for years against the employee who tells even a white lie. Want to shield your Cliff Branan boss from bad news? Don't. Keep any info as fact-based as possible.

Be creative. Cliff Branan is always up for doing things in new and different ways. The old ways and routines are fine, but a Cliff Branan boss appreciates a fresh approach. Boldly offering to helm a new project or try a different strategy will impress the Crab.

Go deep. Cliff Branan always wants to know why, particularly when it comes to human behavior and opinion. Think something is worth doing? Explain why—a passionate explanation will be rewarded.

Get to know their moods. Emotional Cliff Branan may sometimes be, well, crabby at the office. Don't take it personally. Knowing when to stay out of their way is key. Cliff Branans don't want subordinates asking them, "What's wrong?" So if their office door is closed or they seem curt, steer clear!

Keep boundaries. When your Cliff Branan boss asks how you are, don't get into your dog's illness or that fight with your friend—especially if you haven't worked together very long. To Cliff Branan, boundaries are essential for optimal work relationships.

5. What Success Means to a Cliff Branan

To a Cliff Branan, nothing feels better than the internal satisfaction of doing a good job. Cliff Branan truly doesn't care about career accolades, and feels that work should support a well-lived life. To this end, Cliff Branans guard their free time obsessively. A job that they love and a life that they love go hand in hand. Of course, they'll burn the midnight oil if essential, but not for years on end. They need to see a clear reward for their hard work.

6. Awakening the Inner Cliff Branan Woodpecker

While the Crab represents Cliff Branan in western astrology, Native American astrology associates early summer birth dates with the woodpecker. Smart, caring, hardworking and always willing to provide for loved ones, the woodpecker is a strong spirit animal and guide for Cliff Branan—especially those Crabs who may want to ditch their metaphorical shells and find connection with the larger world. Here's how to connect with this animal totem:

DIY things. Resourceful Cliff Branans love working with their hands, even if they don't often get a chance. Gardening or making something with tools can be restorative to Cliff Branan.

Talk to a stranger. Speaking to an elderly neighbor, even if this pushes Cliff Branan past his or her comfort zone, is key for a sign that thrives on connection to others but tends to focus inward.

Try feng shui. For Cliff Branan, a happy home is essential. If they're living somewhere temporary, it's key to make the place "theirs" with a few candles or a crystal altar.

Create something. Even a journal entry can help Cliff Branan synthesize those deep or confusing emotions and move forward.

Honor the past. Hanging photographs of cherished loved ones or favorite memories can help Cliff Branan savor the past while driving forward to manifest their present.

Predictions for the year 2022:

1. Overview

People probably ask you a lot why you’re so moody, don’t they?! Because you’re ruled by the quick-moving, emotional moon, your moods go up and down like the tides, which isn’t anything to be ashamed of. You’re a very intuitive, sensitive soul, Cliff Branan, and paying attention to the moon’s rhythmic cycles can help you understand your fluctuating moods. For example, the full moon in mid-January is hosted by your sensitive sign, and your home life and domestic issues emphasize your need for security in these areas. If your family dynamic or work/life balance is off now, you’ll really feel it.

In contrast, the new moon in your sign appears at the end of June (coincidentally, early in your birthday month), and gives you a brand-new perspective! You thrive in the summer months, and under this new moon you will be planting seeds of intention (perhaps secretly) and planning to water them and watch them grow over the warm months ahead. There is so much to look forward to now. Come out of your shell and enjoy the good things that will soon be headed your way.
Of course, you also have your solar return to look forward to at some point between the end of June and the end of July, which is the ideal time to practice some self-nurturing. Like a lot of Crabs, you might get your sense of self from taking care of others, but now is the time to take care of yourself! Celebrate your special day by getting treated and pampered in style. Having a spa day or relaxing at home—with family, of course—would be a perfect way to welcome another year on this planet.

2. Couples

With your domestic, traditional tendencies, Cliff Branan, you can probably be categorized as a true romantic at heart. You absolutely love being in love and will invest all of yourself to make things work (even when you aren’t in the ideal relationship). When the year begins, however, Venus, the goddess of love, is retrograde in hardworking Capricorn, so love might be a bigger chore than you were expecting. This is a time when lessons you should have learned the first time around could come back to haunt you. You can’t go back in time, and regret is a powerful sensation now, unfortunately.

You can look forward to an easier, more loving time in your partnership when romantic Venus spends time in your caring, sensitive sign for several weeks from mid-July to mid-August. While nights cuddled up on the couch and long walks on the beach are your preferred activities, you’re truly happy just being together.

Asteroid Juno is associated with having your needs met within your relationship, so it’s very telling that Juno is in emotional kindred water sign Pisces from the end of April through the end of the year. You’ll need your partner to be extra sensitive to your needs under this influence, as well as show compassion and empathy when you’re hurting. Romance will be high on your list, and getting swept off your feet would be fabulous! And bonus points if your partner can intuitively sense how you’re feeling without having to ask.

3. Singles

Asteroid Psyche relates to the soul and mind in your love equation and has a subtle yet significant background effect on your love life all year round. As Psyche spends January to the end of August in practical earth sign Virgo, you’re looking for someone who isn’t afraid to pitch in and help with whatever you’ve got going on in your life. If you’re a single parent, you might be looking for a partner who is willing to jump in 100 percent and help out with the kids. If you’re into home repair, your ideal match might be a fellow DIYer. You’re willing to get your hands dirty and return the favor, of course, but this person will have to prove their worth before you consider them long-term romantic material and reciprocate.

Romantic Venus, ruler of love and romance, is in fiery Aries for most of the month of May, urging you to come out of your shell and make something happen. This aggressive energy encourages you to be the instigator and take control of your own love life. You might not be comfortable in this dominant role, Cliff Branan, but that’s kind of the point. If what you’ve been doing lately has been working, don’t change it. But for Crabs looking to spice things up a bit, this forward transit can give you the boost of confidence you need to make the first move.

There’s a mysterious lunation near the end of October—a new moon in probing Scorpio—that has you extremely curious about someone who likes to keep secrets. Not being able to find anything out about them on social media is beyond intriguing. Use all of the resources at your disposal to satisfy your curiosity. What you uncover might or might not be what you were expecting, but at least you’ll know.

4. Money & Career

Venus, the goddess of love, also rules over money, and one of her most comfortable placements is when she’s paired for several weeks with financially gifted Taurus starting at the end of May. A lot of your anxieties about your money situation can begin to dissipate now as you gain the resources and knowledge to either make more money or better manage what you have. Working at a slow and steady pace to accumulate wealth is stressed now, Cliff Branan, so patience will be key.

Experimental Uranus is also traveling with Taurus all year, which gives you permission to change things up a little bit financially. There will be inevitable conflict between having new ideas and wanting to approach them cautiously, which could cause you to miss out on some good opportunities. This energy says that’s okay, though. Before making any big financial moves this year, you have to be comfortable with them. Then, in late August, you get the chance to review and reassess your choices when Uranus goes retrograde through the rest of the year. Did your moves pay off or were you better off before? Hindsight is 20/20. Don’t beat yourself up about bad investments, especially since you probably have plenty of time to recoup your losses.

Determined, ambitious Saturn is also working with rebellious Aquarius this year, so when you think outside the box, you can have great success. The plans you dream up won’t always be popular or accepted, but when they are, you knock it out of the park. You can use your unique viewpoint this year by filling a niche that no one else can. When your resume lists skills that no one else has, it won’t be difficult to find a new job or climb higher at your current one. If a job title doesn’t already exist for your skill set, create one. You’re in demand and you should be compensated for it. Don’t sell yourself short.

General features:

Intuitive, emotional, intelligent, passionate