Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.―Carl Jung
The following is a brief list of archetypes introduced by Carl Jung and enhanced over time by other psychologists and authors. This list could also go on and on if we got creative. This time, let’s focus on the basics.
Beyond the scope of this journal, studying the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck is an excellent way to become familiar with archetypes and the dynamic interplay between them. The cards can act as archetypal flash cards that each unlock a different realm of your inner sanctum.
The Primary Archetypes
Persona: The mask one presents to the world. It represents the social hats an individual wears among various groups and situations. It acts as a mediator between one’s true self and other people.
Shadow: The unconscious aspect of the personality which the ego does not identify in itself. It often gets projected onto others and is the source of both our darkest impulses and untapped potential. It also extends to represent the collective unconscious.
Anima/Animus: Represents the ‘hidden self’ rather than the image we present to the world. It serves as the primary source of communication with the collective unconscious. The anima is the unconscious feminine aspect of men, and the animus is the unconscious masculine aspect of women. This is the bridge to deeper layers of the psyche.
Self: The archetype of the whole person and the regulating centre of the psyche. It signifies the unification of consciousness and unconsciousness in a person, representing the entire psyche.
Additional Archetypes
Sage: Embodies wisdom and knowledge. This archetype seeks truth and wants to understand the world. They are often advisors or mentors.
Magician: Represents change. The magician archetype is imaginative and insightful, using knowledge and mysterious ways to achieve goals.
Jester: Symbolises humour and the wisdom of folly. The jester enjoys the playfulness of life, challenging conventions and encouraging us to laugh at our own absurdities.
Ruler: Embodies power, authority, and control. The ruler seeks to establish order from chaos, characterised by leadership, responsibility, and stability.
Innocent: Represents purity, goodness, and simplicity. The innocent archetype is driven by an optimistic view of the world and a desire to do no harm.
Hero: Embodies courage and strength. Driven to prove their worth through brave acts, the hero archetype seeks to overcome obstacles and achieve impressive feats.
Orphan: Symbolises the desire for belonging and acceptance. The orphan archetype feels abandoned or left out and seeks to regain connection with others.
Caregiver: Represents nurturing, generosity, and selflessness. The caregiver archetype seeks to help others and make a difference in their lives.
Rebel: Embodies defiance and questioning authority. The rebel archetype challenges the status quo and seeks revolution or reform.
Explorer: Represents the quest for discovery and new experiences. The explorer archetype desires freedom and adventure, seeking to escape conformity.
Creator: Symbolises innovation and creativity. The creator archetype desires to create something meaningful and enduring, driven by the need for expression.
Lover: Embodies passion, desire, and sensuality. The lover seeks intimacy, pleasure, and meaningful connections with people, work, and surroundings. This archetype is driven to pursue harmony and satisfaction.
Warrior: Symbolises discipline, courage, and determination. The warrior archetype fights for what they believe in and protects those who can’t protect themselves. Their strength and ability to face challenges head-on characterise them.
King/Queen: Represents leadership, responsibility, and sovereignty. The king or queen archetype seeks to rule wisely and justly, concerned with the order and prosperity of their realm. They symbolise the apex of authority and governance.
Mentor: Embodies guidance, knowledge, and wisdom. The mentor archetype offers advice, teaches skills, and provides training to less experienced individuals. They act as a guiding light.
Trickster: Symbolises deception, trickery, and the questioning of conventions. The trickster archetype enjoys breaking rules, challenging the status quo, and inducing change through cunning and wit. They often reveal hidden truths.
Outlaw: Represents rebellion, freedom from constraints, and breaking the rules. The outlaw archetype challenges authority and fights against oppression, living on the margins of society.
Seeker: Embodies the quest for truth. The seeker archetype is always looking for answers, exploring new ideas, and seeking to understand life’s mysteries.
Destroyer: Symbolises change, destruction, and the end of cycles. The destroyer archetype is typically feared but is necessary for renewal and transformation, clearing the old to make way for the new.
Guardian: Represents protection, safety, and vigilance. The guardian archetype watches over others, defending against threats and ensuring the well-being of those under their care.
Healer: Embodies restoration, wellness, and wholeness. The healer archetype seeks to mend physical, emotional, or spiritual wounds through compassion and nurturing.
Revolutionary: Symbolises radical change, innovation, and the overthrow of existing authority. The revolutionary archetype is driven by a vision of a better future and would upend the current order to achieve it.
Martyr: Represents sacrifice, selflessness, and devotion. The martyr archetype is willing to suffer or give up their own needs for a higher cause.
Magical Child: Symbolises hope, wonder, and the belief in possibilities. The magical child archetype embodies innocence and the belief in the extraordinary, bringing joy and inspiration to others.
With archetypes, the rules are flexible. There’s a lot of overlap, just as there is with coping mechanisms. Are there any archetypes that represent the current phase of your life? After reading this list, can you imagine any other archetypes? For a practice exercise, you can make up three new archetypes and define them.
