The Archetypal Ground
Uncovering Hidden Patterns and Potential
What is the archetypal ground of your experience?
Beyond the personal layer there is an archetypal force that anchors and informs each situation we find ourselves in. We are often caught up in all the components that the archetype has drawn to itself; the emotions, interpretations, behaviors, thoughts, images that orbit the center. In Jung’s words:
“The archetypes are the numinous, structural elements of the psyche and possess a certain autonomy and specific energy which enables them to attract, out of the conscious mind, those contents which are best suited to themselves.” (Symbols of Transformation)
Like the great celestial bodies, they have a force of gravity that shapes reality. We begin to notice their presence by the patterns that surround it. Patterns that are constant; continuously manifesting via the psyche of humanity over space and time. This is the fertile ground by which we draw upon to create mythic stories. Where instincts and images rise from the unconscious and are shaped by narrative and creative expression.
Tapping into the numinous structure of the archetypes can help us contextualize times of suffering or understand the intoxicating attraction of a new love interest. The act paradoxically creates distance from the intensity of our personal experience while rooting us more deeply into ourselves. It serves as a counterpoint to the subjective factor and presents us with the opportunity to find resolution, clarity, insight.
Placing ourselves on the archetypal map is not an invitation to become identified with the archetype:
“The great lure of the archetypal situation is that you yourself suddenly cease to be. You cease to think and are acted upon as though carried by a great river with no end. You are suddenly eternal.”
- C.G. Jung, “Nietzsche’s Zarathustra: Notes of the Seminar Given in 1934–1939, Vol. I”
Rather, we must approach this process like we stand at the altar of an ancient god. Awesome in its power and reach, we can never fully grasp its essence nor gaze upon it with mortal eyes. We are tasked to come into relationship with it. To receive the boons of its guidance while understanding how it seeks to be actualized and honored.
Are we hesitant to heed the call of a Chthonic Deity who requires a descent to the underworld? Are we overwhelmed with desire since being shot by Cupid’s arrow? Are we emboldened with the rage and courage of the Warrior?
How to uncover and work with archetypes
To illustrate this idea, I’ll showcase my own archetypal unfolding, the confrontation with the Great Mother, and the ways I’ve learned to work with this energy. Personal reflections will be italicized, followed by general guidelines.
I. Hone in on a situation
I did not go searching for an archetype. I did not seek to apply these abstract principles to my struggles. I wanted only to attend to the increasing symptoms that plagued me. To find a sense of peace and integration. I had been circling core issues for many years, attempting to peel back the layers. There was a conscious choice; a focusing on particular disturbances that needed my attention. At the same time, something felt like it was choosing me, drawing me in, deeper and deeper.
The initial step is to hone in on a situation. A knot you cannot seem to unravel. A wound that continues to fester. An obsession that overtakes you. What is calling your attention at this time? If a strong emotional current isn’t obvious, there is also wisdom and insight to be found by looking at mundanity. The ordinary, seemingly simple and unassuming moments of life harbor archetypal treasure as well.
II. Identify the core patterns
As I paid attention, there were certain patterns that began to emerge. Near-constant insomnia and a general sense of unease. A lack of tolerance to handle the unresolved tension in long-held relationships. An urging to become more embodied and change the way I eat. Repeating dream images of mothers, angry older women, the casting of magic and sorceresses, a chasing bear. I eventually came to realize that these formed a network, a clustering of associations that linked back to a central archetype.
The patterns that surround us are relatively consistent because archetypes condition typical behaviors, expectations, and psychological dynamics. They are instinctual and woven into the fabric of psyche and soma. Pay attention to what is repeating, the consistent factors that don’t seem to slip away. Examine not only your actions and decisions, but also what arrives unbidden – recurring dream symbols, spontaneous images in states of reverie, impulses from the body. This stage is not about arriving at any conclusions. We don’t have to judge our actions or even attempt to alter them. We are beginning to place markers on a yet unidentified map.
III. Connect it to an archetype
It wasn’t fully obvious that I was dealing with the mother archetype until a series of very explicit and surprising events occurred (detailed in this post). I never attributed core issues to the personal or archetypal mother. But as I welcomed this realization in, I was able to relate to my situation in new and profound ways. I felt resonance with mythic Great Mother figures like Baba Yaga, Ereshkigal, and Demeter. I turned towards their stories to provide guidance. I also took note of the inner mother figures that were appearing in my dreams and what their essence seemed to speak to.
As we identify core patterns, it begins to illuminate a greater picture. Like a constellation in the sky, seemingly unrelated scatterings of stars transform into a grand image in the heavens. The archetype may be obvious. You might notice the same qualities in fairy tales, mythological stories or well known movies. You might feel drawn to a character in a novel or see yourself reflected in a piece of art. Other times, it is not so obvious. You might have to dig deeper by paying attention to the subtle signals that arise from the unconscious. Repeating dream images or motifs, figures in active imagination, patterns of behavior that seem to have you in its grip. This can alert us to the underlying archetypal structure. Here are a few prompts to consider for this step:
Describe the situation metaphorically - Pay attention to the words, phrases, and images/symbols you naturally use when exploring the situation – do they reveal archetypal undertones?
Attempt an active imagination with this general outline - Close your eyes and imagine yourself stepping into the heart of the situation you're exploring. As you navigate this scene, allow your imagination to conjure up any figures, symbols, or characters that represent the essence of the energies at play. Who or what emerges in this scene? What traits, emotions, or qualities do they embody? Let your mind freely explore and interact with these images, allowing them to reveal the archetypal forces that influence the situation.
Do a tarot reading - Draw a card to represent the current archetype that is influencing the situation you're exploring. Reflect on the symbolism, imagery, and meaning in the card and how it applies.
A caveat — Archetypes are not stereotypical nor are they simple or formulaic. The way they manifest within each person carries nuance. The Hero archetype may encourage one individual to face adversity with bravery while another may be called to balance their overzealous heroic attitude in favor of a tempered approach. Each journey will look different, approach this step with awareness towards these subtle variations.
IV. Consider what you are being called to
Confronting the mother archetype required that I ask myself: What am I being called to? From the unresolved patterns I drew out several “tasks”: To repair my relational wounds. To understand (or be initiated?) into the life/death mysteries. To foster a sense of belonging and interconnectedness with the web of life. To feel at home in nature and the body. I have taken these tasks into the therapeutic space with my analyst. I have journaled on them and tracked their progress. They are from from being fully realized but have provided me with purpose and a way forward.
By identifying an archetype that anchors a situation, we are able to discern potential resolutions. At the very least, we can look at the themes, symbols, and stories that circulate this archetype and see if they offer insights or parallels to guide us. Jung shares:
“An archetype is always a sort of abbreviated drama…It is a timeless condition where beginning, middle, and end are just the same, they are all given in one.” (C.G. Jung Speaking)
This means we can identify the origin and speculate about its natural conclusion (or what would bring it into balance). We can weave the collective pattern of the archetype within our personal experience of it. It leads us to consider:
Where are you aligned or misaligned with the archetype’s pattern?
In what ways do you naturally embody the qualities of the archetype, and where do you struggle to integrate them?
What lessons can you draw from the archetype's narratives, and how can you apply these lessons to guide you?
How is the archetype manifesting for you personally? What themes are being highlighted and what is it asking of you?
Share your thoughts and feedback:
Have you uncovered an archetype at work in your life?
How have you navigated it?
Do you have any thoughts or questions on the guidelines provided?
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