Jungian Archetypes
Jungian archetypes are universal patterns of thought, images, or ideas that are part of the collective unconscious of all humans. They are the psychic counterpart to instinct and are thought to be the basis for many of the common themes and symbols in myths, stories, and dreams.
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, proposed the concept of archetypes. Jung believed that archetypes are innate and inherited and that they shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. He also believed that by understanding these archetypes, we could gain insight into the human psyche and better understand ourselves and others. Through integration, these archetypes move from the shadows of our subconscious and can inform us as to how to respond to the world, a process that Jung described as ‘Individualtion’.
The Spiritual Journey (5 November)
The first three arcytypes we’ll explore together form the basis of our spiritual, or metaphysical of life. Each of these inner personas have both light and shadow aspects:
Innocent - represents unknowing, and has its shadow in falling victim to others and life
Sage - represents wisdom, and has its shadow in being elitist or seeing one spiritual practice above another
Explorer - represents freedom, and has its shadow in aimlessness, non-conformity, and isolation
Watch the full zoom recording or listen to the practices.
Connect To Others (12 November)
The three archetypes that relate to connection with the world and others are:
The Lover - represents intimacy, giving and receiving kindness, compassion, empathy, and warmth, but has its shadow in seduction, co-dependency, people pleasing, and self-sacrifice at personal cost (losing a sense of self)
The Jester - represents pleasure, light-hearted play, joyful presence, has its shadow in inappropriateness, lack of seriousness, avoidance of responsibility in favour of play.
The Everyman - represents belonging, equality, humanity, and the common touch, and has its shadow in self-abandonment in exchange for superficial relationships, being left out or standing out.
Watch the full zoom recording or listen to the practices.
Structure (19 November)
The three archetypes that relate to inner order and structure are:
Ruler - represents control, benevolence, order, self-sovereignty and responsibility, has its shadow in tyranny, self-judgment, inner criticism, and order at any cost to other inner characters.
Artist/Creator - represents innovation, fresh perspective, change, expression of authentic self, has its shadow in destruction, perfectionism, obsession and vision without direction or purpose
Care Giver - represents service, selflessness, and generosity of spirit, has its shadow in enslavement, enmeshment and identity through providing
Watch the full zoom recording or listen to the practices.
Influencing The World (26 November)
The three archetypes that relate to making an impression, influencing and inspiring humanity are:
The Hero/Heroine - represents self-mastery, rising above shadow, fearlessness, courage, and moral duty, but has its shadow in narcissism, self-absorption, self-obsession and righteousness
The Rebel/Outlaw - represents liberation, standing alone, turning away from societal norms, and others’ judgments has its shadow in hubris anger, destructiveness, criminal or illegal activities, breaking the rules, and isolation.
The Magician - represents power, influence, transformation, healing, shamanism, and charismatic leadership, has its shadow in manipulation, unexpected results, broken spells, holding power over others, and being a conman or trickster.
Watch the full zoom recording or listen to the practices.
