Myth: Archetype

Definition of Archetype

• A statement, pattern of behavior, or prototype which other statements, patterns of behavior, and objects copy or emulate
• A Platonic philosophical idea referring to pure forms which embody the fundamental characteristics of a thing
• A collectively-inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., that is universally present in individual psyches, as in Jungian psychology
• A constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting, or mythology (this usage of the term draws from both comparative anthropology and Jungian archetypal theory)

The 3rd definition is the one we will be focusing on for our work this bi-mester.

Every person has each archetype within him or her. What we aim to accomplish in this work is  to simply address what archetypes are manifesting strongly at present. You might be acting through different archetype in varying degrees. In addition, at the same time, in relation to a person, place, or event, you can be acting out something totally different. Who you are and what archetypes you are acting through depend on whom you are dealing with and/or relating to. Remember, it’s also relational. (As everything is relational)

A Little Background

According to Jungian psychology, archetypes are highly developed elements of the collective unconscious, which refers to structures of the unconscious mind that are shared among human beings. According to Jung, the human collective unconscious is populated by instincts and by archetypes. Because we usually play out these archetypes in the unconscious, their existence can only be deduced by examining our behavior, images, art, myths, religions, dreams, journaling, etc. Interestingly, Carl Jung understood archetypes as universal, archaic patterns and images that derive from the collective unconscious and are the psychic counterpart of instinct. He believed that all archetypes live in our collective unconscious and that they are inherited potentials, which are actualized when they enter our consciousness as images or manifest in us through our behavior or interaction with the outside world.

Why We Explore Archetypes

As we are ever evolving beings, that “story” above explains how in a lifetime one can experience and play out multiple archetypes. Or conversely, keep living out the same archetype. Because we play out these archetypal stories, ideas, themes, etc. subconsciously, they can have a profound influence on our lives without us being the wiser. Or, we can shine a light on what is going on and dig deep into the discovery of our patterning and motivations.

Example

An example of an archetypal story you might be living out is – having to work really hard. You could conversely be telling yourself that you are – living a charmed life. Both stories, which convey your relationship to your ability to manifest, have the capacity to greatly affect your daily life. If you are telling yourself, or living out the archetypal story of “having to work really hard,” every path you take, every path you don’t take, the friends you keep, etc., are guided by that construct. What if, you could work a job that you love, that pays well, and doesn’t drain you?? If you change your story to “I’m living a charmed life” you will be surprised by the difference in what you manifest.

Carl Jung did a tremendous amount of work discovering, creating, and naming archetypes that he saw recurring in peoples’ lives. But, do not limit yourself to the archetypes that he has created. If you are seeing a pattern within yourself, yet it does not conform or fit to the archetypes that you have researched, feel free to create your own. You create reality.

Side note

If you want to experience and witness creating myth and reality, read up about Plato’s forms. He essentially states that a form is aspatial (transcendent to space) and atemporal (transcendent to time). They are perfect and never changing. At the time of these original great thinkers, not much about reality was created yet; humans were just starting to decide what ideas and meanings meant in relation to themselves. These forms are the foundation by which Jung takes things a step further into the psychological realm. So of course, when I read that I think, “wow, what a great story!” Plato, is in essence, constructing a reality, one that we all play a huge role in maintaining and building ourselves.

Planning ahead

As you explore the archetypes that resonate with you, I invite you to look into the shadow represented by those archetypes. As I like to believe, everything contains its opposite. That concept is similarly represented in archetypal theory.

Conclusion

These themes and stories are running through our conscious mind and our unconscious mind. Whether we are conscious of these archetypal stories or not, they are creating the material that constructs our realities.