the signās literary archetypes
In literature, an archetype refers to a universal theme represented by a character, situation, or symbol. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist, argued that the root of archetypes is theĀ ācollectiveĀ consciousā of mankind that exists in every individual.
The Warrior sets goals and achieves them, and lets nothing stand in their way. They are courageous, determined, and skilled. The Warrior tends to see everyone as an enemy and can have a rather black-and-white worldview. They fear being seen as, or being, weak or wrong.
The Rulerās ultimate goal is order. They greatly fear chaos, and they will commit themselves fully to creating an orderly, sustainable world for themselves. They can be very controlling and set into their ways.
The Jesterās ultimate goal is to show everyone that even the most dire of situations can be turned into something fun. They seek to make light of a dark world, enjoying life in spite of its trials. They fear not beingĀ āaliveā and becoming emotionally numb. They can be lazy and insensitive.
The Innocent is the āspontaneous, trusting child that, while a bit dependent, has the optimism to take the journeyā. Their ultimate goal is safety; they fear abandonment. While their faith and optimism may carry them through, their downfall will be their denial of their own faults and their dependence upon others.
The Seeker is on their way to discover a new path. They are looking for something to improve their life in some way, but are often unaware that what theyāre looking for is already inside of them. They fear conformity, and are often perfectionists and prone to being self-centered.Ā
The Caregiver is driven by compassion, generosity, and a need to help others. The Caregiver is a teacher and a nurturer, especially to children. Their willingness to put otherās needs before their own often leads to their own harm; because of this they can be prone to martyrdom and codependency. They both despise and fear selfishness.
The Lover governs all types of love; familial, romantic, spiritual. The Lover seeks harmony and bliss in their interactions with others. They are peacemakers and people-pleasers. They fear being alone and losing those they love. They can be exploitative, manipulative, and in some cases, overly sexual.Ā
The Magician seeks to transform. They delve into scientific or metaphysical endeavors to discover how to change situations, people, and themselves. They are extremely powerful, and as a result greatly fear their own power. They are manipulative and can get drunk on their own power. They have a gift for healing, if used righteously.Ā
A Sageās ultimate goal is the truth that will set them free. They aspire to gain knowledge, intellectual and spiritual, that will help them transcend into another realm of knowing. They tend to doubt themselves; they fear that everything they know is actually an enormous lie. They can pretentious and unemotional.
Although destructive and often portrayed negatively, The Destroyerās endeavors clear the way for better things to come. The Destroyer is enraged at outdated, unethical structures even when they are supported by the majority. They are a paradox, their urge to destroy conflicting yet driven by their inner fear of dying. Their ultimate goal is to let go of their maddening anger and embrace their humble, revolutionary side.Ā
The Creator controls all creative and imaginative endeavors. They bring innovation, sometimes at the expense of those who get in their way. The Creator fears that nothing is real, and seeks to prove their fantasies. Their ultimate quest is to discover their identity and accept themselves for who they are.
The Orphan is unpretentious and empathetic; they understand that everyone matters and should have a voice. They are a character that expects little from life, but tries to give others everything they have to offer. They are often traumatized by their past and seeks safety, physical and metaphorical. They fear being used and hurt, and therefore often develop a victim complex. Their goal is to make peace with themselves by finding the safety they crave
