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KC12's avatar

With a lot of Sage, of course I am engaged by this and thank you! (My own arena for depth psychology is psychosynthesis, especially the work with subpersonalities.) I can often see others' archetypes more clearly than my own. If willing, would you at some point share what you perceive is happening now in the collective unconscious of the persons in the US?

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Frances Ray's avatar

I'm so appreciative that you enjoyed this, KC12, and thank you for commenting. I too can see the archetypes of others more easily than my own but isn't it true, the one we know least is ourselves. At some point and with more perspective, I may well write about the situation here.

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cate kerr's avatar

I see something of myself in several of these archetypes, but in my older years, I am inclined to favour another: that of the crone or elder woman. There is a rich heritage of such wise, fearless, compelling (and dare I say it?) rather scary creatures in my ancestral lineage: Baba Yaga, Edda, Grandmother Spider, the Cailleach, Hecate, Frau Holla. They are protectors, the keepers of ancestral wisdom and earth knowledge, the mothers of us all.

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Frances Ray's avatar

Good morning, Cate. Did you try the Project Archetype test? It's the one I like. I too see myself in several of the others as most do but all things considered, the dominant is Sage. I don't know if a Sage becomes a Crone in older years but I think I did.

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Emily Lovegrove's avatar

Oh!! Sooo not what I’d have assumed I was. Caregiver or Jester or Creative… surely one of those. Nope. An Innocent (childlike, over trusting, wanting to maintain cheerfulness at the expense of knowledge, over-consumerism, over-indulgence in sugary highs). Ouch!! It does mean that I relate strongly to teenagers and can often help with problems others struggle to understand. But I recognise those over-consumption narratives with shame.

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Frances Ray's avatar

Good morning, dear Emily. Yes, indeed, we usually think we have a handle on which one we are and then do a test and discover something which surprises us. Some instruments are better than others. Which one did you use? Also, when we learn something of negative traits or addictions, we can decide to keep the awareness of it. But please, no shame. It doesn't do a bit of good.

Thank you so much for your comment!

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KC12's avatar

Shame is an understandable "ouch" response, but if you walk by any candy/cookie section in a supermarket you will see how much company you have ;)

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Linda S's avatar

I remember all those years ago trying to decipher my archetype and still have the same struggle of just choosing one or even two. Here is my summary: caregiver, creator, and, sage. I can see each of these patterns in my life struggl ing to lead me forward.

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Frances Ray's avatar

Hi, Linda! Until I used the Project Archetype one, I thought I knew decisively which I was but after doing a test, I discovered which one was bedrock for me. I, like all of us, have components of others but Sage (aka Crone at this time of life) has always been the most insistent.

Thanks so much for commenting!

xx

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Barbara Graver's avatar

I agree Frances. You are definitely Sage!

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Barbara Graver's avatar

Thank you for this wonderful summary and article, Frances! I took the Project Archetype test and got "creative". Your summary of this archetype was perfect. Yes, to the flaw. Yes, to the addictions listed.

I'm curious about where the goddess / god appearing archetypes come in. I'm not sure how my experience (mostly in dreams) of those archetypes relates to my primary archetype.

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Barbara Graver's avatar

I am reading the earlier archetype article now (it is great!) but I'm still curious about the relationship between archetypes.

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Frances Ray's avatar

Hi, dear Barbara. I'm delighted you enjoyed the readings and took your test. Sometimes our 'wrappings' don't always reveal or main archetype but for what's it's worth, when I think of you, Creator is the one which comes to mind. The Greek gods and goddesses are each examples of the major archetypal images. To give an example, Poisidon the Destroyer can be seen in DJT as an Outlaw using a more modern term.

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Barbara Graver's avatar

Thank you Frances. That was very helpful! I like the idea of thinking of archetypes in terms of ancient vs. modern language--or maybe image vs. idea? The gods and goddesses of the ancient world can seem so alive (energetically) but there is a conceptual side to that, too. So Poisidon as Outlaw makes perfect sense.

I have dreamt about Ishtar/Inanna, or think I have. While I identify with various Ishtar related traits, there is no real connection to creativity there--though this author does make a case https://www.creativitypost.com/article/inanna_and_the_creative_descent

I have possibly dreamt about Hermes/Thoth too on one occasion, and that actually does line up with writing/creativity and I think maybe the dangerous old woman does too. I couldn't help comparing the "creativity" archetype to my dreams. The trick, I think, is to not be too literal. Thanks again!!!

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Frances Ray's avatar

Yes!

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Linda S's avatar

Where do you find the Project Archetype Test online?

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Frances Ray's avatar

Go to Projectarcheiypes.com, Linda. The idrlabs one is meh and I can nolonger get the Pschologistworld one to open. The first one is the best IMHO

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Linda S's avatar

Couldn't get it to open either! Oh well...thanks again!

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cate kerr's avatar

Good morning, Frances! I would like to see myself as Explorer, but the Sage archetype is dominant at this stage in my life.

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Frances Ray's avatar

The Sage is what I see in you, Cate. Looking at many of the images in your cards, I very much imagine you to have been an Explorer. I often mused that a major reason for marrying the man I did was to have the means and access of living out the Explorer archetype.

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