…archetypal patterns manifestin myths, fairytales, dreams and… in the narratives of our everyday lives
Most artists will at some point come to reflect on who they are as people – who they are to themselves, wo they think they are for others, who they think or feel they will be, and what is their art.
This leads us to… Archetypes.
The psychotherapist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung distilled the fruits of his research into a map of psychological landscapes, a model of the human psyche.
He came up with 12 archetypes in 1964 that have been co-opted by many, including alternative/new age thinkers and teachers, such is their power.
From Positive Psychology: “these archetypal patterns manifest in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and even in the narratives of our everyday lives, serving as the building blocks of our collective human experience”.
So, what are they?
1. The innocent
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- Represents purity and optimism, desiring to be happy and free
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- Strategy involves doing things right and embracing faith and optimism
2. The orphan
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- Desires connection and belonging, fearing being left out or standing out
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- Strategy involves developing ordinary virtues, being down to earth, and empathizing with others
3. The hero
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- Seeks to prove worth through courageous acts, fearing weakness and vulnerability
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- Strategy is to be strong and competent, although may struggle with arrogance
4. The caregiver
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- Motivated by a desire to protect and care for others, fearing selfishness and ingratitude
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- Strategy involves doing things for others, though may fall into martyrdom and exploitation
5. The explorer
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- Craves freedom and authenticity, fearing getting trapped or inner emptiness
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- Strategy includes journeying, seeking new experiences, and maintaining autonomy
6. The rebel
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- Yearns for revolution or change, fearing powerlessness or ineffectuality
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- Strategy involves disruption or shocking, but may risk crossing into crime
7. The lover
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- Seeks intimacy and connection, fearing loneliness or rejection
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- Strategy is to become more attractive physically and emotionally, but may lose identity
8. The creator
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- Strives to create enduring value, fearing mediocrity
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- Strategy is developing artistic control and skill, despite struggles with perfectionism
9. The jester
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- Embraces joy and humor, fearing boredom or boring others
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- Strategy includes playing, making jokes, and being funny, though may struggle with frivolity
10. The sage
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- Driven by a quest for truth, fearing being misled or ignorant
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- Strategy involves seeking knowledge and understanding, though may struggle with inaction
11. The magician
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- Aims to make dreams come true, fearing unintended negative consequences
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- Strategy includes developing a vision and finding win-win solutions, though may become manipulative
12. The ruler
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- Desires control and prosperity, fearing chaos or being overthrown
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- Strategy involves exercising power and leadership, though may struggle with authoritarianism
I’ve just started the Iconic Artist Blueprint course and they also use this list of 12 early on to help us look at ourselves as artists.
“So, your character archetype is essentially the underlying persona that you represent through your music, your writing, your artistry.”
As I listened to to each, I was amazed at the results. I mean, I thought I would have trouble deciding between 4 or 5, but no. When I first heard The Innocent, I could feel some affinity with it, but when The Explorer came along, it was like “POW!”
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- Craves freedom and authenticity, fearing getting trapped or inner emptiness
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- Strategy includes journeying, seeking new experiences, and maintaining autonomy
I’m someone who has travelled a LOT (and I did a space-themed show called Scifi Love Story in 2015 – see image above).
I’ve also had many many hobbies and different things to consume me – writing, acting, interior design, drawing, millinery, blogging, fashion, stand-up comedy etc. So I do relate to craving new experiences. I like lots of colour, changing the colours and patterns of what I wear, or the bedsheets and table linens and wallpaper and flooring (and eyeshadows, hair colour, nail colour…)
I’m also really conscious of being authentic, or trying to be, as well as being free and autonomous. I like spending lots of time alone as my mind can be free and I can create. I also related a little to The Sage, not because I think I’m wise now, but because I crave wisdom and seek knowledge.
But back to the Explorer: From The Iconic Artist Blueprint: Their music often explores themes of self-discovery, freedom, and the journey to find a better, more authentic life. They fear being trapped or conforming to societal norms, and they continuously seek out new experiences to avoid inner emptiness.
Interestingly, there are 12, like 12 months of the year and star signs. But to me these are much more representative of the types humans can be, than say, the signs of the Zodiac. Mind you, no-one said you can’t explore both, and follow what brings awareness and enlightenment to you.
What archetype you are will absolutely show in the work that you do, the themes that resonate with you. So being conscious of that, what archetype you are as an artist (whether that be musical, visual, performing, and maybe even culinary) will help you in your journey as you home in on what you want to produce. It may also determine who is your audience, who are the people who will find your work resonant. Heck, it may even affect the way your audience finds you, but that’s a story for another day.
What Archetype do you most identify with? Or which 3 if you can’t get it down further than that? Can you see how that influences the themes you explore? Even if you can’t, a lot of it is probably at the subconscious level.
In my case, I had quite a superficial reason for doing a witch themed cabaret to start with, but I realised as I went along, that I unconsciously wanted to explore themes of transformation (exploring yourself and resisting or seeking change). Even the characters I’ve chosen to use in my narrative are there for a reason I did not know at the time. I’m now coming to think that Tabitha the witch is the me I think others see, at least on stage as the sassy one. Wendy is the dorky part of me that I want to remain unseen, and I’m a bit embarrassed about. Beaky is the shadow, or at least the wayward child part of me that I feel I need to tame. And the mysterious person sized Crow that appears in the wings is the ever-present threat of mortality and death.
It’s such a fascinating topic- I’d love to read your thoughts below.
Citation: Copley, Laura. “12 Jungian Archetypes: The Foundation of Personality.” Positive Psychology, 8 Apr. 2024, positivepsychology.com/jungian-archetypes/.