Water · Cardinal

Cancer Through the Life Stages

Each developmental stage puts different demands on Cancer's particular nature. Six arcs, one sign — the resources, the tensions, and the specific developmental work.

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0–6 years · Trust vs. Mistrust · Autonomy vs. Shame · Initiative vs. Guilt

Early Childhood

Cancer in early childhood: the emotional world is vast, the need for safe harbour absolute.

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6–12 years · Industry vs. Inferiority

Middle Childhood

Cancer in middle childhood: finding a place to belong in a world that suddenly has public rules.

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12–18 years · Identity vs. Role Confusion

Adolescence

Cancer in adolescence: building a self while the pull of home and the pull of the wider world make equal and opposite demands.

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18–40 years · Intimacy vs. Isolation

Young Adulthood

Cancer in young adulthood: the heart's greatest aspiration -- to build a home that holds -- meets the risk of love that cannot be controlled.

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40–65 years · Generativity vs. Stagnation

Adulthood

Cancer in adulthood: the vast capacity to nurture must now ask what it is nurturing toward, and why.

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65+ years · Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Later Life

Cancer in later life: the keeper of emotional memory faces the deepest question -- was the love given freely enough to bless the leaving?

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