Archetypes

Have you ever wondered why, despite your best intentions and hard work, the life you plan for yourself has not worked out? You might have reflected on the goals that you set to see if they were realistic - and they are.

Friends and family may have encouraged you and offered you help - there is no shortage of support. Yet, life has still not turned out to your liking.

It may be that strong archetypal influences are at work.

Archetypes have existed since the early Greek philosopher, Plato, first referred to the notion of a pre-existing ideal pattern or model that was reflected in the external world.

The ideal pattern or model of heroism for example may be seen in any person who shows great courage.

It may be; a soldier at war; a school child standing up to a bully; a young woman joining an all male engineering crew in a remote mining town; a middle manager refusing to adopt a company policy that was harmful to his staff.

The work of Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, led to archetypes being understood as psychological patterns that influence human unconsciousness. Archetypes are mostly drawn from historical roles in life, such as Child, Parent, Traveller, Ruler, Magician, Victim and from universal events or situation such as Initiation or Death.

Jung believed that along with our own personal unconscious there is a 'universal unconscious' or a collection of patterns identical in all people These patterns exist across time and cultures and are the basis for our personality, feelings, beliefs, motivations and behaviours. They are composed largely of archetypes and
mythological figures.

Archetypes have an active role in your life. They are your guardians and your helpers letting you know when you are headed towards or engaging in destructive behaviours.

When you learn to recognise these patterns
then the archetype will work with you
and become your friend and ally.

All archetypes have both a positive side and a shadow or negative side. The Ruler, for example, may encourage you to take charge of situations with fairness and authority or it may lead you to be a tyrant treating people in subordinate positions to you, cruelly.

The Explorer as another example, might lead you to be innovative in your chosen field or it may show in your life as constant restlessness.

Let's now look at three major areas of life and examine some of the archetypes that are common to these areas to see if any of them are influencing you in a positive or negative way.

Relationships

Child, Mother, Father, Caregiver, Servant

The archetypal Child may be present as the Wounded Child, the positive side being a deep sense of compassion, the negative side being self-pity; the Magical or Innocent Child, the positive side being the power of imagination and the presence of hope, the negative side being pessimism; the Eternal Child, the positive side being an ongoing enjoyment of life, the negative side being an inability to grow up.

Think about the positive qualities of parenting and these are the positive sides of the Mother and the Father - nurturing, unconditional love, protectiveness. The shadow sides of these archetypes - abusive, abandoning, controlling - are destructive for the child.

Caregivers and Servants make themselves available for service to others or to a cause of their own free will. The shadow side leads to neglecting yourself and undervaluing your own life

Occupations

Politician, Artist, Teacher, Networker, Detective

Politicians can inspire and lead constructively or be responsible for an entire country's economic downfall. The Artist expresses a view of life that adds to our enjoyment and understanding. Sometimes we are challenged to go beyond our experiences and comfortable beliefs to a different view of the world. The shadow Artist may
express a more superficial view or be self indulgent.

The Teacher communicates knowledge, skill, wisdom or may manipulate or teach destructive skills. The Networker influences and creates connections between various groups. If this is used solely for personal gain or is harmful, then the shadow Networker is active.

Does the archetype, Detective apply only to those in the police force? No. It is the qualities of the Archetype that are important. The positive side of Detective combines intuition and great powers of observation to combat crime or injustice. This is true also of spies, profilers and private detectives. The shadow Detective may engage in voyeurism or be a double agent if it suits them, selling out to the highest bidder.

Are you working with the archetype that relates best to your occupation?

Finance

Gambler, Midas, Alchemist, Beggar, Entrepreneur

When you consider the Gambler and the Beggar you may think that there is no positive side yet every archetype has both. The ability to take risks and use well-developed intuition in the face of doubt characterises the Gambler's positive side while Beggar may be 'begging' for love, attention, authority and material goods as a aspect of the journey to self empowerment.

Alchemy is about transformation. In relation to money, it may be the skill of the new CEO in turning around a failing business. The skills of the Entrepreneur, the ability to 'think outside the square' would be useful here. When these skills are misused through trickery or for unethical purposes or the risk taking is poorly judged,
then the shadow is at work.

While the Midas archetype may turn everything to gold, the positive side is the inherent challenge to learn generosity.