Спираль архетипов или Путешествие Героя

Many are familiar with the theory of 12 archetypes as it applies to branding and personal style, but for some people like me, the topic of archetypes draws them into a much more profound realm of self-discovery. For all those tireless Seekers, our thought-provoking article today is for you.

This article will explore the fruits of Carol Pearson's research, which began long before her collaboration with Margaret Mark, and resulted in the book "Awakening the Hero Within: 12 Archetypes to Find Yourself and Change Your World" and the concept of the "hero's journey."

The book tells the story of the same 12 archetypes, but laid out in a structure—the “archetypal spiral,” along which all of us, friends, wander throughout our lives:

The Archetypal Spiral or The Hero's Journey

In a sense, we can draw a parallel with the age stages of human development, but it’s not that simple – we can undertake a “hero’s journey,” for example, in mastering any new task.

It all begins with "preparing for the journey" and the first four archetypes—the period when a person becomes aware of themselves, their surroundings, and their responsibilities in relation to others. Beginning with the naivety of the Innocent, we sooner or later encounter adversity and problems that prompt us to seek security, to become "one of the guys," to join a group, and thus to embrace the Orphan archetype. In a group, we learn to defend ourselves and our place in the sun, with the help of the Warrior. The Warrior, having achieved their goal and realized their own strength, takes on the role of Caring for the Innocent and Orphans around them.

Most people live in this cozy world, in complete contentment and harmony, without the need to continue the spiral path. But contentment and harmony sometimes give rise to restlessness in the Caregiver (or perhaps the people they care for no longer need them)—the time has come for them to set out on the Path.

Having embarked on the "road," exploring the world around them, the newly minted Seeker discovers within it and within themselves a multitude of limitations, rules and laws, alien beliefs and "bugs," from which they immediately resolve to free themselves, burning bridges and entering the Destroyer stage. Only through this stage of moral purification, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, does the magical essence of the Lover (the Lover, the Aesthete) become revealed to us. The world is no longer our enemy. We have seen its flaws and accepted them. We have found something in it for ourselves and have come to love it. By accepting the world, we have gained the ability to influence it. Moreover, we have been imbued with Love and have acquired sufficient inspiration to become a Creator.

Уподобление человека Создателю — великая награда за нашу смелость вступления на Путь. После её достижения, приходит время возвращаться домой.

The third turn of the archetypal spiral begins—a period of gaining freedom of action, reflecting on the journey so far, evaluating results, and deepening one's own reality based on what has been discovered. The Ruler will help us organize our thoughts and deeds, create and structure a brave new world. Rising above the newly created system, seeing the big picture and gaining the ability to influence it even without direct involvement, one becomes a Magician. When everything begins to work naturally, a time of contemplation, reflection, and analysis begins. The Sage (Philosopher) will look back on the path they have traveled, separate the wheat from the chaff, return home with a detailed report, and hand over the reins to the Jester, who, shedding his excessive self-importance and seriousness, with his characteristic love of life, will begin to tell the wise tales of Life to all who wish. When these tales end, a new turn of the spiral and a new Hero's Journey will begin.

So.

How can this narrative, challenging for the unprepared mind, help in life? The following discussion will be based solely on personal experience. The archetypal hero's path is outlined in our collective unconscious, and you begin to find confirmation of this in your own life. You look back, analyze, and notice which stages were easy and enjoyable for you, and which ones you found yourself stuck on. Based on these observations, you can deduce the archetypes-givens that accompanied you along the way, whether or not you reached them in the spiral. You can also track which archetype you are currently living, assess whether you feel comfortable within it, or, if not, how far it is from your personal goal, and what steps still need to be overcome (and, alas, there is no other way).

---

And that's all for now, dear Seekers. I'm truly glad the topic of journeying along the archetypal spiral has interested you and helped you further expand your knowledge.

Peace between the outer and inner to each and everyone!

Thank you for your trust, and until next time!