The Cancer Brand Archetype:
Nurturing Clients/Colleagues + Others from Dependence to Interdependence
Today, we're diving deep into the world of the Cancer brand archetype. As someone who's been on quite a journey with this myself, I can't wait to share how this powerful archetype can guide you and your clients from sticky situations of co-dependence and anti-dependence (I'll define these in a jiffy) towards a healthier, more balanced co-creative interdependence.
Buckle up, because this is going to be one hell of a ride!
First things first: What's the deal with Cancer?
In the cosmic cocktail party of brand archetypes, Cancer is the mom friend.
Cancer's archetypes are the nurturer, the caretaker, the altruist, supporter. You know, the one who always has a band-aid in her purse and knows exactly what to say when you're having a meltdown.
Cancer brands are all about:
Creating a cozy, safe space where people feel like they belong (healing that longing to belong wound we all have in our own way)
Offering a shoulder to cry on (and maybe some freshly baked cookies too)
Cheering on personal growth like it's their job (because, well, it is)
Building relationships stronger than your grandma's boiled fruitcake
If you're rocking the Cancer archetype, your superpower is nurturing the heck out of your clients' potential. You're not just a service provider; you're a growth guru, a comfort wizard, a master of the 'you've got this!' pep talk.
The Rollercoaster: From Dependence to Interdependence
Life's a journey, right? And like any good journey, it's got its ups, downs, and occasional ‘OMG, where am I?’ moments. We all start as helpless little bundles of dependence, our parents or primary caregivers job is to grow us into independence (cue the terrible twos and the teenage rebellion) where we can tie our own laces and pay our own way, and hopefully end up in the promised land of interdependence.
But here's the kicker: a lot of us get stuck along the way. And that's where your Cancer-powered archetype, comes in. (remember you have Cancer somewhere in your chart and the house you have it is determines where you embody and breather into this powerful nurturer archetype)
The Sticky Spots: Co-dependence and Anti-dependence
Let's talk about the two big mud puddles people often get stuck in and why they need someone to help them come clean about being there and break free into interdependence:
Co-dependence: The 'I can't live, if living is without you' syndrome. These folks are like koalas clinging to a eucalyptus tree, unable to function without their ‘other half’ or someone else they are outsourcing their power to.
Anti-dependence: The ‘I am a rock, I am an island’ complex. These are the lone wolves who'd rather eat their own arm than ask for help or receive it even when it is offered freely with no strings attached.
Neither of these is a fun place to be, trust me. I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
My Wake-Up Call: From Anti-Dependence to Interdependence
Picture this: There I was, Ms. Super Independent, bent over packing up after an exhibition when BAM! one of the other workers (completely accidentally) pushed a few of the exhibition walls so they landed squarely on my spine. Next thing I know, I'm being sandbagged and whisked away in an ambulance, facing the scariest six hours of my life.
X-rays, MRIs, the whole shebang. I'm lying there, staring at the ceiling, my imagination running wilder than a caffeinated squirrel. I'd just read ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,’ so terrified I'm thinking, 'Is this my new reality?"
Here's the shameful part: I didn't call anyone. Not a soul. Why? Because I thought I could handle my own fear, but add someone else's worry filled face to the mix? That would push me over the edge.
Later, when I shared this with my psychologist, I said, 'I guess I'm too independent.' Her response? ‘Hmmm, we’ve already established you're anti-dependent. What we're after is interdependence.'
Mind. Blown. I had never heard that term before. It felt like a slap. I think she might have said. I'm glad you felt it.
I was never so grateful for swinging arms and legs as I swam the following day and ever since that day, I've been on a mission to embrace interdependence in all areas of my life. And let me assure you, it's been a game-changer.
Nurturing Your Clients Towards Interdependence
So, how can you, as a Cancer brand (especially those of you with Cancer in your 4th/10th house), help your clients/colleagues/lovers out of these sticky situations? Let's break it down:
Create a Cozy Safe Space - Think of yourself as the human equivalent of a weighted blanket. Create an environment where your clients feel safe enough to let their guard down.
Foster Self-Awareness - Help your clients recognise their patterns. Sometimes, all it takes is holding up a mirror (metaphorically, of course. Unless you're a fitness coach, then maybe slowly, in sections and literally :-)
Baby Steps, Baby - Guide your clients step-by-step, like teaching a toddler to walk. Celebrate every wobbly step forward!
Teach Self-Care Like It's Your Job (Because it is) - Show your clients how to nurture and parent themselves. It's like the airplane oxygen mask rule - you've gotta take care of yourself before you can help others.
Be the Change You Want to See - Model healthy interdependence. Show your clients that it's okay to be strong AND ask for help.
Relationship Boot Camp - Offer tools to build healthy relationships. Think of it as CrossFit for the soul.
Embrace the ‘We’ in Wellness - Highlight the power of community. After all, it takes a village to raise a healthy, interdependent adult!
For the Koalas (Co-dependent Clients)
If your client is clinging tighter than a koala to a eucalyptus tree, try these:
Encourage small acts of independence (NO, deciding what to have for lunch doesn't count)
Help them find their voice and their needs (It's in there somewhere, I promise)
Teach decision-making skills (Eeny, meeny, miny, moe doesn't cut it anymore)
Foster self-trust through guided experiences (Think trust falls, but for the soul)
For the Lone Wolves (Anti-dependent Clients)
If your client thinks they're Wonder Woman or Superman (spoiler alert: they're not), try these:
Share the benefits of teamwork (Two heads are better than one, even if one of them is yours)
Create low-stakes opportunities for collaboration (No trust falls required)
Encourage vulnerability (It's not a weakness, it's a superpower)
Show that asking for help is badass (Because it totally is)
Show that learning to receive is a superpower because everyone loves to give (besides that terrible two toddler)
Embracing Your Inner Cancer
As a Cancer brand, you're not just a service provider - you're a growth catalyst, a relationship alchemist, a wizard of interdependence.
You're helping create a world where people are strong enough to stand on their own two feet AND wise enough to know when to lean on others.
You're here teaching them how to belog to themselves rather than that always external seeking longing to belong validation seeking that is so so so pervasive in our current social media driven illusion.
Remember, we're all in this together. As I like to say, even getting your morning coffee takes a global village - from the growers to the roasters to the distributors to your friendly neighborhood barista.
So, go forth and nurture!
Guide your clients from the sticky webs of co-dependence and the dangerous isolated islands of anti-dependence to the beautiful, balanced land of interdependence. Trust me, it's a journey worth taking.
And hey, if you ever need a cheerleader along the way, just give me a shout. After all, that's what interdependence is all about, right?
And a new offering we'll meet as a group each time the sun enters a new sign and explore what that specifically means for you and how to work with that archetype to get the results that matter to you. I'm calling this one. Trust the Signs - We'll start with Leo on July 23. Sign up here
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