Really great post. It made me think of what Jung said about complexes, that we don't have them, but they have us. I thought this particularly when you wrote 'these archetypal manifestations are not ours to claim', which resonated strongly. I appreciated the way you brought in the somatic connection - this is something I'm only just beginning to get a feel of. But what really struck me was how you talked about the fabric of reality shifting. For me, this has been truly disturbing, like an dizzying shapeshifting that doesn't just happen once, but seems to keep going, like waves or pulses that pull me into new ways of being embodied within a soulful landscape, or the anima mundi. One's cosmology changes.
I think when we take a step back and really look at our behaviors, patterns, what feels stuck or hard to attain, the statement that archetypes/complexes "have us" rings as true. There's only so much conscious control we can exert on these psychological dynamics, they clearly have a level of autonomy that we cannot override! It's why building a relationship to them is so important. The more aware we become of the subtle influences, the more we can bridge our conscious actions to them.
Yes, that shapeshifting aspect really is destabilizing. It really solidifies the mercurial nature of the unconscious. The belief of linearity (a chief belief of ego, I think) dissolves quickly, and yet, I find the more I engage with the unconscious, the better able I am to surf the waves and understand it's unique currents.
Are there any other Jungian concepts or misconceptions you'd like to see me cover in this series?
I like this idea of building relationships with them- its not a practise I learn from reading Jung or von Franz, so although I know you've addressed this in previous posts, I am really interested how we can sufficiently let go of ego control in order to use our full senses, and spirit, to feel the waves of these dynamics. Until I can develop of way of doing this I don't think I can build relationships. Yes, mercurial is exactly how swirling energies of the unconscious feel. Hard to catch, can't get a hold of it, but nonetheless feeling buffeted by them. Trouble is, when in those moments, the feeling I mostly have is of dizzyness and nausea, feeling that thing in the back of the head as if I'm going to get sucked into something and not be able to 'get home'. So I shut it down, fearing psychosis. Surfing the waves and not drowning would be good! Other Jungian concepts - the archetypal manifestations I struggle most to understand in any clear way are the anima and animus. I get the basics, but von Franz says, in Way of the Dream ‘These are very ambiguous, very dangerous inner figures' and in A Woman's Way she writes, in dialogue with Nietzsche 'A man should whip his anima. That means, he should be able to criticise his anima when it is appropriate to do so'. Its this seemingly unstable and not necessarily beneficial way that they can function that I find fascinating and discombobulating in equal measure, But I'm not at all clear about any of it!
Reading Jung and von Franz often leaves one wondering...well, how do I apply this in practice? There's a lot missing in terms of formal, practical instruction (and that was intentional, at least on the part of Jung). If you feel called to formulate that into an inquiry for my Q&A series, I'd love to reflect on it further and perhaps provide some steps or insight. Here's the link to the form if you like: https://www.theartemisian.com/i/141125841/archetypal-guidance-q-and-a
Anima and Animus is really tricky, I'll add this to the list!
Beautifully said! I loved your separation of the image from the archetype - images can be archetypal, but they are not the archetype itself. Great clarification! I wonder what you think about the idea of possession by an archetypal energy? Thank you!
Archetypal possession would be an interesting topic to explore further in another article. The intensity of psychological energy that an archetype contains can be incredibly overwhelming. Without a strong ego to defend itself, the archetype can take over, driving erratic behaviors of all kinds. Mythically, it reminds me of the fit of madness that Heracles falls into when he is possessed by Hera, leading to the death of his family.
I think of it when the archetypal energy overwhelms the personality and takes over, like in cases of Mother energy that permeates relationships to the point where you are mothering everyone and everything without consciousness, choice and balance. You can see it in cases of gurus being posessed by the archetypal energy flowing through them and then identifying with it.
‘As innate patterns, Jung saw archetypes as inextricably linked to the body. Soma and psyche are not split, but rather, exist on an intertwined continuum that can swing to the somatic end in the form of instinctual actions, felt-sense perceptions and physical processes or to the psychological end in the form of symbols, images and thoughts.’
This has been my experience. Soma and psyche are not split. You’ve explained this so artfully here ✨
This really helped click it into place for me: “Archetypes are vessels waiting to be filled with the conscious contents of our experience. The shape of the container is something sacred to behold. It is paradoxically numinous and awe-inspiring to interact with and exceedingly mundane. Each of us are a tapestry of archetypal forces which are constantly blending, overlapping, exciting or depressing the psyche.” Thank you!!
I love this post!!! We can learn so much about ourselves through the process of exploring embodiment and how archetypes are showing up in our lives. Great piece!
Yes, the embodiment piece is not something that is always talked about, but it can reveal a great depth of insight into ourselves, just as archetypes, dreams, intuitions, etc.
Really great post. It made me think of what Jung said about complexes, that we don't have them, but they have us. I thought this particularly when you wrote 'these archetypal manifestations are not ours to claim', which resonated strongly. I appreciated the way you brought in the somatic connection - this is something I'm only just beginning to get a feel of. But what really struck me was how you talked about the fabric of reality shifting. For me, this has been truly disturbing, like an dizzying shapeshifting that doesn't just happen once, but seems to keep going, like waves or pulses that pull me into new ways of being embodied within a soulful landscape, or the anima mundi. One's cosmology changes.
Thanks, Deryn :)
I think when we take a step back and really look at our behaviors, patterns, what feels stuck or hard to attain, the statement that archetypes/complexes "have us" rings as true. There's only so much conscious control we can exert on these psychological dynamics, they clearly have a level of autonomy that we cannot override! It's why building a relationship to them is so important. The more aware we become of the subtle influences, the more we can bridge our conscious actions to them.
Yes, that shapeshifting aspect really is destabilizing. It really solidifies the mercurial nature of the unconscious. The belief of linearity (a chief belief of ego, I think) dissolves quickly, and yet, I find the more I engage with the unconscious, the better able I am to surf the waves and understand it's unique currents.
Are there any other Jungian concepts or misconceptions you'd like to see me cover in this series?
I like this idea of building relationships with them- its not a practise I learn from reading Jung or von Franz, so although I know you've addressed this in previous posts, I am really interested how we can sufficiently let go of ego control in order to use our full senses, and spirit, to feel the waves of these dynamics. Until I can develop of way of doing this I don't think I can build relationships. Yes, mercurial is exactly how swirling energies of the unconscious feel. Hard to catch, can't get a hold of it, but nonetheless feeling buffeted by them. Trouble is, when in those moments, the feeling I mostly have is of dizzyness and nausea, feeling that thing in the back of the head as if I'm going to get sucked into something and not be able to 'get home'. So I shut it down, fearing psychosis. Surfing the waves and not drowning would be good! Other Jungian concepts - the archetypal manifestations I struggle most to understand in any clear way are the anima and animus. I get the basics, but von Franz says, in Way of the Dream ‘These are very ambiguous, very dangerous inner figures' and in A Woman's Way she writes, in dialogue with Nietzsche 'A man should whip his anima. That means, he should be able to criticise his anima when it is appropriate to do so'. Its this seemingly unstable and not necessarily beneficial way that they can function that I find fascinating and discombobulating in equal measure, But I'm not at all clear about any of it!
Reading Jung and von Franz often leaves one wondering...well, how do I apply this in practice? There's a lot missing in terms of formal, practical instruction (and that was intentional, at least on the part of Jung). If you feel called to formulate that into an inquiry for my Q&A series, I'd love to reflect on it further and perhaps provide some steps or insight. Here's the link to the form if you like: https://www.theartemisian.com/i/141125841/archetypal-guidance-q-and-a
Anima and Animus is really tricky, I'll add this to the list!
many thanks. I'll do that once I've got it appropriately formulated.
Beautifully said! I loved your separation of the image from the archetype - images can be archetypal, but they are not the archetype itself. Great clarification! I wonder what you think about the idea of possession by an archetypal energy? Thank you!
Archetypal possession would be an interesting topic to explore further in another article. The intensity of psychological energy that an archetype contains can be incredibly overwhelming. Without a strong ego to defend itself, the archetype can take over, driving erratic behaviors of all kinds. Mythically, it reminds me of the fit of madness that Heracles falls into when he is possessed by Hera, leading to the death of his family.
What are your thoughts on archetypal possession?
I think of it when the archetypal energy overwhelms the personality and takes over, like in cases of Mother energy that permeates relationships to the point where you are mothering everyone and everything without consciousness, choice and balance. You can see it in cases of gurus being posessed by the archetypal energy flowing through them and then identifying with it.
Incredible work xxx
Thank you :)
‘As innate patterns, Jung saw archetypes as inextricably linked to the body. Soma and psyche are not split, but rather, exist on an intertwined continuum that can swing to the somatic end in the form of instinctual actions, felt-sense perceptions and physical processes or to the psychological end in the form of symbols, images and thoughts.’
This has been my experience. Soma and psyche are not split. You’ve explained this so artfully here ✨
Thank you :) It's been my experience as well!
Love this ✨
This really helped click it into place for me: “Archetypes are vessels waiting to be filled with the conscious contents of our experience. The shape of the container is something sacred to behold. It is paradoxically numinous and awe-inspiring to interact with and exceedingly mundane. Each of us are a tapestry of archetypal forces which are constantly blending, overlapping, exciting or depressing the psyche.” Thank you!!
Thank you!
You're welcome! I know getting at the core theory can be tricky.
Are there any other Jungian ideas you'd like to see me cover in this series?
Excellent explication, Alyssa. Thank you.
Thanks, Frances :)
I love this post!!! We can learn so much about ourselves through the process of exploring embodiment and how archetypes are showing up in our lives. Great piece!
Yes, the embodiment piece is not something that is always talked about, but it can reveal a great depth of insight into ourselves, just as archetypes, dreams, intuitions, etc.
Thanks for reading :)