13 Archetypes of Depth Psychology

This article serves as a guide on the journey of becoming aware of unconscious contents on the path of individuation.

The Meaning of Archetype

Following are 8 quotes from the works of Carl Gustav Jung and his longtime student and colleague, Marie-Louise von Franz. In the next section, I discuss the archetypes themselves.

"The contents of the collective unconscious are the so-called archetypes."

- Carl G. Jung

- Selected Works II - Archetypes and the Unconscious (1934–55), p. 98

"That myths are first and foremost psychic manifestations that represent the essence of the soul is something we have hardly admitted to ourselves."

- Carl G. Jung

- Selected Works II - Archetypes and the Unconscious, p. 100

More quotes and information about archetypes in the section Selection from Jung's Volume II 'Archetypes and the Unconscious'.

Fairy tales are the purest and simplest expression of collective unconscious psychic processes.

Their value for scientific research of the unconscious therefore surpasses the value of all other material.

Fairy tales depict archetypes in their simplest, most condensed and most precise form.

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In this pure form, archetypal images provide us with the best guide to understanding the processes that take place

in the collective psyche. In myths, sagas, or other more complicated mythological material, the basic patterns of human psyche are overlaid with additional cultural material. In fairy tales, on the other hand, there is far less specific, conscious, cultural material, so the basic patterns of the psyche are reflected more clearly in them. >

According to C.G. Jung, every archetype is in its essence an unconscious psychic factor, and therefore it is completely impossible

to translate its content into intellectual concepts. The best we can do is describe it based on our own psychological experience and comparative research, and thus bring to light the entire network of associations into which archetypal images are woven. >

- Marie-Louise Von Franz

- The Psychological Interpretation of Fairy Tales - The Meaning of Fairy Tale Narratives According to Jungian Archetypal Psychology (1970)

1. The Seeker (Explorer, Individualist, Wanderer)

!harry potter as a Seeker of the golden snitch, representation of golden meaning

Due to its extensive nature, the Wanderer/Seeker is a separate chapter: more in a separate article about the Wanderer

2. The Rebel (Iconoclast, Wild Man, Destroyer)

!Sirius Black

Definition: Rebelliously breaks rules. Does not conform. Nonconformist. Can be full of anger or desire for revenge. Can also be like unleashed from a chain, wild, destructive and provocative due to a long time spent only surviving, possibly wounded or imprisoned.

Main goal: To get rid of whatever is not working

Main work goal: Perfection; Excellence, efficiency; understanding of the positive intent behind the constant pruning

Core value: High quality output

3. The Artist (Creator, Innovator)

Definition: Innovative and artistic personality. Often a dreamer who seeks new experiences and higher standards of beauty. Emphasizes quality over quantity and is highly inventive.

Main goal: To create something new

Main work goal: Achievement; The chance to be creative; material and technical support for one's creations

Core value: Artistic integrity, truth to one's own vision

4. The Hero (Warrior, Dragon Slayer)

!harry potter killing the basilisk, the snake, representation of the unknown and primordial chaos

Definition: Brave warrior undertaking demanding tasks to prove themselves. Becomes an inspiration for others. Symbol of redemption and human strength.

Main goal: To be strong and effective, to win, to overcome fear

Main work goal: Mastery; Challenge, chance to compete and achieve

Core value: Winning

Examples: Connor McGregor, Ezio Auditore, Bruce Lee, John Wick, Guts (Berserk)

What will save you when encountering a snake [dragon, fear, unknown, chaos] is your ability to let go of things that no longer serve you, let them die, and thereby clear the path for new potential to grow.

If you need more Warrior in your life, you can start by getting up from the television one evening and forcing yourself to take a brisk walk. Or start karate with regular practice. How about taking care of the unpaid bills on your desk? Jump up. It requires movement. Do something! You'll surprise yourself how quickly you'll start behaving like a Warrior in many aspects of your life.

from the book The 4 Male Archetypes

5. The Innocent (Dreamer, Puer Aeternus, Puella Aeterna, Peter Pan)

!luna

Due to its extensive nature, the Puer is a separate chapter: Separate article about the Puer archetype

6. The Orphan (Everyman, Realist, "Every Other Person")

!Longbottom Definition: Ordinary personality. "Unlucky one" from the working class; cynical realist who is nevertheless resilient, persistent, orderly and honest. Underestimates themselves.

Main goal: To avoid further pain, abandonment, or betrayal

Main work goal: Belonging; To be cared for, rescued; job security

Core value: Survival

7. The Magician (Shaman, Healer, Medicine man)

!Albus Dumbledore

Definition: Fundamentalist. Visionary scientist. Seeks to understand how things work and the principles of their development. Works with natural forces, which they seek to transform.

Main goal: To find 'win–win' solutions to problems

Main work goal: Power; The opportunity to be as creative and authentic as one can be. Solving challenging problems in innovative ways. Troubleshooting or thriving on chaos; overcoming impossible obstacles; solving unsolvable problems

Core value: Innovation, growth, transformation

8. The Sage (Detective, Mentor, Teacher, Senex)

!Hermione

Definition: Values truth and understanding. Wise and expert advisor. Academic, intellectual, thinker. Sometimes even arrogant or snobbish.

Main goal: To gain wisdom, distinguish truth from lies

Main work goal: Understanding, a laboratory or lecture hall where they can research, test and teach their ideas and discoveries.

Core value: Continuous learning

Stoicism: Meditations of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca - On the Shortness of Life

Description: Senex is a Latin word meaning "old man," in English giving root to other words such as senate, senile and senility. However, the word typically did not carry the negative connotation that Americans give to the word "old." In Ancient Roman culture, old age was celebrated, as it brought wisdom and experience.

As a type, the senex is experienced. They have lived for some years to build their own personal history, and are more likely than a young man/Puer to be sober, realistic, grounded, stable, frugal (managing resources well), patient and able to accept limits and restrictions. The senex also likely has a stable income, a clean and pleasant home, their car is in good condition; they have a predictable calendar and structure to their day and are known for their reliability.

Maturity, reliability, discipline, organization, calmness, conscientiousness and grounded realism - these are the main positive aspects of the Senex that every adult in our culture should adapt and develop.

However, this process can be, as with the Puer, overdone. Then the negative sides of the Senex appear - rigidity and aversion to change, resistance to self-development, pessimistic view of life, materialism (associated with hoarding things), depressive seriousness, inability to laugh at jokes, or the so-called "party pooper" mentality.

The character of the Senex is typically represented by an older father figure who, through their wisdom and kindness, serves as a mentor.

In stories, they are often depicted as a wizard (Merlin, Gandalf, Dumbledore)

9. The Ruler (Leader, Manager, Administrator)

!Dolores Umbridge

Definition: Very influential boss, leader or judge. Characterized by a strong desire for power and supremacy. Stubborn, almost tyrannical. Highly dominant; administrator or manager of subordinates.

Main goal: To find ways for all involved to make their fullest and most authentic contribution for the good of all; to create an orderly kingdom

Main work goal: Control; Status, power, authority

Core value: Power

Examples: Jordan Peterson, Jon Snow, Don Corleone, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan

The warrior and the ruler archetypal values appear to be related to the general managerial competence career orientation. The warrior archetypal value is characterised by goal attainment and carefully formulated plans (Pearson & Marr, 2003). In the organisational context the warrior archetype enables individuals to assert and protect themselves and is also associated with excellent performance (Pearson, 1991). When the ruler archetypal value is dominant within an individual's life, they are concerned with forming a vision and setting goals (Pearson & Marr, 2003). The ruler archetype is also associated with power and using power in a responsible manner (Pearson, 1991). Within the work environment the ruler is often seen as a culmination of experience and knowledge and represents the management and leadership roles that an individual fulfils (Pearson, 1997). The general managerial competence career orientation involves a desire to amalgamate the efforts of different people (Schein, 2006b). Individuals who hold this career orientation are often drawn to roles with power and responsibility that enable them to use their interpersonal skills (Schein, 1985; 2006b).

The ruler archetype is also associated with a need to have and display materialistic tokens of success such as cars, houses and clothes (Pearson, 1991).

10. The Fool (Joker, Comedian)

!Fred and George

Definition: Joking character. Playful and mischievous jokester. Often irresponsible. Enjoys carelessness.

Main goal: Lightness, aliveness, engagement

Main work goal: Pleasure; Sense of fun, challenge, zest in life

Core value: Lightness and spontaneity

11. The Lover (Sensualist, Friend, Partner)

!Ron Weasley

Definition: Intimate, sensual and passionate character. Seeks mainly physical pleasure. Sweet, but often upset and impulsive. Warm, erotic and passionate partner.

Main goal: To be in loving relationships with self and others

Main work goal: Intimacy; Commitment to and passion for shared task; chance to follow vocational passion; beauty; fulfilling personal relationships

Core value: Harmony

Examples: Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Oberyn Martell

Any artistic or creative endeavor and almost all professions from agriculture to stock trading, from painting rooms to creating computer programs draw their creativity from the energy of the Lover.

from the book The 4 Male Archetypes

Thanks to the Lover's emotional perception, languages (different sounds and barely perceptible nuances of word meanings) are also accessible to people. Some people learn languages mechanically, but men utilizing the Lover's energy learn them emotionally.

from the book The 4 Male Archetypes

12. The Caregiver (Altruist, Helper)

!Hagrid

Definition: Devoted, self-sacrificing and nurturing person. Compassionate, generous, protective and parental. Often benevolent, friendly, helpful and trusting.

Main goal: To be good, caring, unselfish

Main work goal: Expressing unselfish love; Appreciation, care, warmth, sense of mattering

Core value: Caring

13. The Shadow

!Voldemort

Examples: Tyler Durden, Mr. Robot, Jekyll and Hyde, Heisenberg, Saul Goodman

Definition: Highly emotional and dark figure; obsessed, tragic or rejected. Can be embarrassing, fiercely violent or amoral.

Common Path of Development

!Hierarchy of Archetypes

Additional Quotes

The soul was a silent assumption that seemed to be known in everything. With the discovery of the possibility of an unconscious psychic realm, an opportunity was created for a great adventure of the spirit and one could expect that this possibility would be devoted passionate interest. As is known, not only did this not happen, but on the contrary, general resistance rose against this hypothesis. No one deduced from it that if the subject of knowledge, namely the soul, also has a dark form of existence not immediately accessible to consciousness, all our knowledge must be incomplete, and to a depth we cannot determine.

- Carl G. Jung

- Selected Works II - Archetypes and the Unconscious, p. 19

Because psyche and matter are contained in one and the same world, moreover they are constantly in contact with each other and both ultimately rest on non-visual transcendental factors, there exists not only a possibility, but even a certain probability, that matter and psyche are two different aspects of one and the same thing [yin and yang]. It seems to me that the phenomena of synchronicity point in this direction, because without causal connection the non-psychic can behave as psychic and vice versa.

- Carl G. Jung

- Selected Works II - Archetypes and the Unconscious, p. 72

Life is crazily unreasonable and at the same time has significance and meaning. And if we don't laugh at the first and don't think about the second, then life is banal.

- Carl G. Jung

- Selected Works II - Archetypes and the Unconscious, p. 133

Sources

[1] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43723475-adhd [3] http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2071-07632012000100002 [2] https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1494&context=dissertation