Carl Jung's Archetypes

Carl Jung's archetypes are universal, recurring symbols or themes that appear in myths, stories, dreams, and every individual's collective unconscious. Jung believed that archetypes are inherited, innate, and universal and play an important role in people's behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, by understanding these archetypes we could gain a new perspective on the human psyche and make the world a better place for ourselves and others. Jung has a concept that everyone has a ''shadow self'' which is the part of the psyche that is not fully known or understood by the individual. To gain a greater comprehension of this part of the human psyche and fulfill their unique potential, one must do shadow working and discover their archetypes. It is also important to note that these archetypes are not fixed categories, but rather dynamic parts of the collective unconscious that can appear in many different ways in a person's life. The four major Jungian archetypes are the persona, the shadow, the anima/animus, and the self. The persona is the social mask that a person presents to the world, while the shadow represents the hidden or repressed aspects in our subconscious. The anima is the feminine side of a man's psyche, while the animus is the masculine aspect of a woman's psyche. The self is an archetype that reflects an individual's merged unconscious and conscious mind. Jung often depicted the self as a circle. 

However, Jung suggested that the number of archetypes is not limited to only these four. The four key archetypes may be combined or mingled to create additional archetypes to provide a more detailed framework on the human psyche. Here are the additional 12 Jungian archetypical figures:

1- The Innocent: This archetype is also known as utopian, traditionalist, naive, saint, or dreamer. Representing the belief in the inherent goodness of the world, simplicity, and purity; individuals with this archetype have a positive and cheerful outlook on life. While their strengths are hope and optimism, their weakness is vulnerability. They can easily be a target because of their naive innocence.

2- The Sage: This archetype is also known as the expert, scholar, thinker, or philosopher due to their pursuit of wisdom, knowledge, and deep insight. Their ultimate goal is to find the truth. Their ability to think outside the box might help them provide unique insights and solutions.

3- The Explorer: This archetype represents the spirit of adventure and the desire to experience new things to escape from dullness. Their major goal is to live a more authentic and fulfilled life. Even though they appear to be outcasts, all they want is the freedom to find who they are. 

4- The Rebel: As their motto is "rules are meant to be broken'', the individuals with this archetype desire freedom and independence. They have the ability to challenge conventions however they can easily turn to the dark side.

5- The Magician: The power of change and transformation is embodied by the Magician archetype. The power to effortlessly achieve one's goals and aspirations appears in those who are inspired by this archetype. They are able to mold events by their centered intention and willpower. Their weakness is that they tend to engage in the game of manipulation. The core principle of their pursuit is to understand the rules of the universe.

6- The Hero: Also known as the warrior, crusader, rescuer, superhero, soldier, or dragon slayer, this archetype represents bravery, strength, and a will to stand up for what is right. Their primary goal is to demonstrate one's value by doing heroic things.

7- The Lover: The Lover archetype stands for highly passionate and emotional experiences. Their greatest strengths are devotion, passion, gratitude, and appreciation. They constantly seek intimacy and a connection with the people, occupations, and surroundings they admire. 

8- The Jester: Their primary goal is to live life to the fullest because their motto is "You only live once." They challenge norms and encourage play and laughing as they live for joy. These traits might make them more susceptible to foolishness and time wasting.

9- The Everyman: This archetype, also known as the Common Man or the Average Joe, represents a relatable and realistic figure who portrays the experiences, values, and struggles of the common guy. Their primary aim is to connect with people, and they believe that all men and women are created equal. Characters like Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit," and Forrest Gump from "Forrest Gump" are a few famous examples of the Everyman archetype in literature and films. 

10- The Caregiver: Their main objective is to care for and protect people since their motto is "Love your neighbor as yourself." The compassionate and nurturing nature of caregiving, whether in a parental, family, or caregiver position, is frequently associated with this archetype. They are susceptible to being taken advantage of by others because they have such a strong desire to help and care for others. 

11- The Ruler: The Ruler archetype is a representation of leadership, power, and the need to make crucial decisions. As their aim is to control things, this archetype is essential for establishing social and political order as well as deciding the future of societies and countries. 

12- The Creator: Individuals that embody this archetype, also known as the artist, inventor, innovator, or dreamer, are driven by the urge to create something new, whether through art, invention, innovation, or any other kind of creative expression. By being innovative and having the courage to take risks and try out unique ideas and thoughts, creators are known for their capacity to come up with new ideas and concepts. 

In conclusion, the 12 Jungian archetypes have been designed to serve as a framework for understanding the complexity of the human psyche, human behavior, and the recurring symbols, themes, and motifs in myths, folklore, and cultural narratives. Recognizing the potential in archetypal patterns is essential if we are to understand and investigate our underlying motives and personality traits, embrace our strengths, and address our deficiencies.