Recently, we explored the big idea in which I asked you what myth you are living. If you’re still ruminating on this, here’s another tool that might help you drill into it: archetypes.
The concept of archetype is something Carl Jung spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and is so rich! Caroline Myss has built on Jung’s work and expounded on how we can access and utilize archetypal energy to better understand ourselves and the world.
In fact, shortly after I finished reading her book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential, I wrote a blog about archetypes. If this is all new to you, that might be helpful. Access it here.
In this blog, I thought I’d offer a few ways you can tap into the archetypal energy that’s showing up most strongly in your life right now. The one(s) that are asking you to pay attention.
But first let’s define what an archetype is.
According to Webster’s dictionary, an archetype is, “ the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype.”
Examples of archetypes abound. One simple way to think about them is to imagine the major arcana cards in tarot. Many are archetypes. There is the: hermit, fool, magician, high priestess, empress, emperor, hierophant, lover(s), etc.
Archetypes are also every role you can think of including:
Mother/father
Child- orphaned child, magical child, wounded child…
Warrior
Rebel
Student
Teacher
Which one or ones are showing up in your life right now?
Which are supporting you? Are there any sabotaging you? Who is demanding attention?
See if you can feel into the energy in particular parts of your life. Perhaps you sense the archetype of emperor in your work sphere, or the feeling of judge in your world of relationships. Take a minute to get quiet and allow yourself to tap in. What wants to come to the fore?
Think about these archetypes as messengers as well as allies. They want to support you in feeling more successful and aligned. If you could hear them, what might they say?
How can you more fully embrace each of their energies?
If this feels overwhelming, allow yourself to breathe. Take an energetic step back and simply ask: How can I be most supported right now? What do I need to know?
All of this is designed to offer support. This is another tool to help you feel more aligned and clear. Use what works, leave everything else. There is no competition. We’re all in this together. As Ram Dass reminds us, “to walk each other home.”
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Image courtesy of Michel Albaev on Unsplash