Pamela Ball Interpretation: 1- Archetypes are basic pictures that each of us hold deep within our subconscious. They are in a sense ‘psychic’ blueprints. These blueprints while potentially perfect can become distorted by- childhood experiences, socialisation and even parental experience.
C G Jung began studying archetypes and dividing function into thinking, feeling, sensation and intuition. Following various work by his pupils, it became possible to build up a type of ‘map’ of the interaction between all of these functions and to discover where one’s own distortions occur. Each function has a ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ quality which is perhaps better described as ‘greater’ and ‘lesser’. Each of the masculine and feminine sides of the personality has these four functions, thus there are 64 (8 x 8) interactions possible. Where a distortion has occurred, we tend to project onto those around us the archetype with which we have most difficulty (often the Shadow). Consequently there will be a tendency to repeat situations over and over (e.g. the woman who continually finds herself in close relationships with a father-figure type, or the man who continuallv finds himself at odds with women executives) until we learn how to cope with and understand our distortion.
The obverse of this is that, with awareness, one is able to accept other’s projections onto oneself without being affected bv them. Perfect balance would be achieved by using all aspects of the personality as shown below. Kindly Father and Mother are self explanatory. Ogre represents masculine anger used negatively and Destructive Mother may be wilfully destructive, or simply the smothering type that is the mother who prevents the adequate growth of her children. Youth and Princess are the more gentle, fun-loving aspects of the personality while Tramp is the eternal wanderer and Siren is the seductress or sexually active part of femininity. Hero is the self- sufficient Messianic part of the personality, while Amazon is the ‘self-sufficient’ female the efficient business woman type. Villain is the masculine part of the self who uses power for his own ends, while Competitor is die typical ‘women’s libber’ who feels that she has 110 need for men. Priest and Priestess are the powers of intuition used for the ‘greater good’, while Sorcerer uses inner power totally dispassionately and Witch uses that same power rather more emotionally and perhaps negatively.
2- More specifically the feminine archetypes arc:
Kindly Mother
This is the conventional picture of the caring mother figure, forgiving transgression and always understanding. Because much has been made of this side of femininity, until recently it was very easy to overdevelop this aspect at the expense of other sides of the personality. Destructive Mother This woman may be the ‘smothermother’ type or the frankly destructive, prohibitive mother. Often it is this aspect who either actively prevents or because of her effect on the dreamer causes difficulty in other relationships. Princess The fun-loving, innocent childlike aspect of femininity. She is totally spontaneous, but at the same time has a subjective approach to other people. Siren This type is the seductress, the sexually and sensually aware woman who still has a sense of her own importance. In dreams she often appears in historic, flowing garments as though to highlight the erotic image.
Amazon
The self-sufficient woman who feels she docs not need the male: often becomes the career woman. She enjoys the cut and thrust of intellectual sparring. Competitor - She is the woman who competes with all and sundry both men and women - in an effort to prove that she is able to control her own life. Priestess - This is the highly intuitive woman who has learnt to control the flow of information and use it for the common good. She is totally at home within the inner world.
Witch
The intuitive woman using her energy to attain her own perceived ends. She is subjective in her judgement and therefore loses her discernment.
The masculine archetypes are: Kindly Father This side of the masculine is the conventional kindly father figure who is capablc of looking after the child in us. but equally of being firm and fair. Ogre This represents the angry; overbearing, aggressive and frightening masculine figure. Often this image has arisen because of the original relationship the dreamer had with their father or father figure.
Youth
The fun-loving, curious aspect of the masculine is both sensitive and creative. This is the ‘Peter Pan’ figure who has never grown up.
Tramp
This is the real freedom lover, the wanderer, the gypsy. He owes no allegiance to anyone and is interested only in what lies around the next corner. Hero The hero is the man who has clcctcd to undertake his own journey of exploration. He is able to consider options and decide his next move. Often he appears as the Messianic figure in dreams. He will rescue the damsel in distress, but only as part of his growth proccss.
Villain
The villain is completely selfishly involved, not caring who he tramples on in his own search. He is often the aspect of masculinity women first meet in everyday relationships, so can remain in dream images as a threatening figure if she has not come to terms with his selfishness.
Priest
The intuitive man is the one who recognises and understands the power of his own intuition, but who usually uses it in the services of his god or gods. He may appear in dreams as the Shaman or Pagan priest.
Sorcerer
This is the man who uses discernment in a totallv dis- passionate way for neither good nor evil, but simply because he enjoys the use of power. In his more negative aspect he is the Trickster or Master of unexpected change.
3- Spiritually, when we have access to all the archetypes, we are ready to become integrated and whole.
The contents of this storehouse are called ‘archetypes’: patterns and symbols that can be found within the unconscious of everyone. These archetypes represent the broad human memory within each of us. They appear as mythical images that occur in every culture throughout recorded history—the images appearing in the dreams of our ancestors are those that speak to us today.
According to Jung, dreams are attempts to guide the waking self. He thought that the purpose of life—and for him, dreams play an important role in it is to understand and integrate all parts of ourselves; dreams are simply one aspect of the self trying to communicate with the conscious part. Dreams don’t disguise the unconscious, they reveal it, through archetypes.
Sigmund Freud disagreed with Jung, as he believed that dreams were disguised attempts to hide, not reveal, true feelings from the waking mind. Freud did, however, recognize a concept of ‘archaic remnants’, inherited—rather than learned—beliefs, through which basic emotions and responses are represented.
For example, the mother figure is a universal symbol of nurturing and protection.
Today, most dream researchers believe that we are more likely to see archetypal figures in our dreams at transition points in our lives than at other, more stable times. Change generally brings about anxiety and self-reflection. Going from education to the workforce, singlehood to marriage, or childless to parent are some typical archetypal transitions. Many of these archetypes are very familiar to us already, because they can be found in myths, legends, fairy tales, books and movies: the wicked stepmother, the authoritative father and the vulnerable maiden. We are as familiar with the superhero in films like Spiderman or Batman, as we are with the character of the dastardly joker or villain. All these characters are archetypes, and enduring representations of basic human qualities, instincts and experiences.
The first step in analysing an archetype, as with any symbol, is through personal reference. For example, a dream about monsters may refer to our inner fears, but it may also be a carry-over from the horror film you watched the same night. The next step is to take into consideration the other images in the dream, as well as the feelings and general atmosphere.
When archetypes appear in your dreams you will rarely feel indifferent to them and your instinctive response is crucial to the interpretation. Do they make you feel angry, inspired, sad, protective, frustrated or liberated? Never forget that such images spring from the deepest levels of the unconscious, and it is up to you to discover why they have been conjured up.
Jung contributed to our understanding of dream archetypes with constructs of his own, which some dream researchers find helpful in interpreting dreams. Although Jung believed that there is no fixed number of archetypes which we can simply list and memorize, he did believe that most archetypes are aspects of the following constructs: the persona, the anima and the animus, the ego, and the shadow. As you interpret your dreams you might want to consider these constructs along with the other archetypal images suggested in the pages of this book.
The influence these archetypes have upon our conscious self is varied. Panly they are supportive, as instincts are to an animal.
Some ancient cultures erected a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Many of these gods were expressions of archetypal themes, such as death, rebirth and womanhood.
A sheepdog has in itself, unconsciously, a propensity to herd animals under direction. Through the worship of gods, perhaps ancient people touched similar reservoirs of strength and healing. Without such, the individual might find it mcre difficult to face the fact that death waits at the end of their life, or to allow sexuality to emerge into their life at pube ty.
The dream of a girl suffering from anorexia shows her cutting off her own breasts with scissors. Here her developing sexual traits and urges are unacceptable to her. Perhaps she ‘cuts them off’ by not eating, thus preventing her body and psyche from maturing. In the past it would have been recommended that she give offerings to a goddess, thus aligning her with an unconscious power to adapt and mature.
Some of these archetypal patterns of behaviour, such as territorialism and group identity, are only too obviously behind much that occurs in war, and their influence needs to be brought more fully into awareness. But we must be careful in accepting Jung s descnption of the archetypes. In more recent years, through the tremendously amplified access to the unconscious made possible in psychiatry through such drugs as LSD, a lot more information about unconscious imagery has been made available.
It is possible thai certain synthesising aspects of the mind produce images to represent huge areas of collected experience, i.e. the Mystic Mother or Madonna representing our collected experience of our mother.
Whatever may be the explanation of these archetypal themes, they are imponant because they illustrate how we as individuals, and as human beings collectively, have been able to develop^ur sense of conscious identity amidst enormous forces of unconsciousness, collectivity and external stresses. Below are some common archetypal symbols and their associated images.
Mother image: including grandmothers, stepmothers, mother-in-laws, midwives, wise women, goddesses, the Church, universities, towns, countries, heaven, earth, oceans, fields, gardens, springs, baptismal vessels, the womb, ovens, cooking pots, cows, rabbits. All these symbols stand for childhood memories, emotional connection to our mothers, difficulties in growing up, our own character traits, and more.
Serpent biting its aum tail: conscience and ego are in need of reconciliation (this is a reference to the fundamental struggle all human beings face—the polarities of good and evil, men and women, etc.).
Mandala: this symbol of circles and quadrants represent self-realization.
See also SYMBOLS.
coyote In general, similar to dog or fox—see below. It is sometimes used to represent the “trickster” element of life, as is the fox. See fool, clown, trickster under . crocodile See alligator above.
fox Shrewdness in dealing with what faces the dreamer; a tricky person or relationship; street-wise; mistaken attitudes to a situation; shrewdness or wisdom gained from life experience; unpredictable behavior; the ability not to conform. See: trickster under .
Although the word “archetype” has a long history, Carl Jung used it to express something he observed in human nature. He said the archetypes are a tendency or instinctive trend in the human unconscious to express certain motifs or themes. These themes, such as death and rebirth are found throughout past- and present-day cultures in dreams and myths. Jung saw them as universal, and as existing innately within what he called the collective unconscious. They are particularly apparent in religious beliefs, in literature, and in the arts. An easy way to understand archetypes is to remember that a man and woman have an archetypical shape—that is, a shape arising out of a fundamental pattern or mold. The woman’s more rounded hips and larger breasts are typical of womanhood. They are universal, just as the heart or liver is. Each individual has unique features, but the basic “motif” remains the same. An archetype is similar to this, except that it relates to the mind. Just as we have internal organs in our body that are in virtually everyone else, we also have mental and emotional tendencies or structures that are typical. These are not so much organs of the mind as typical responses to life situations. One of these is that many people who have a near-death experience feel they are moving along a tunnel toward a light. So this is an archetype, or typical response, relating to that experience. The archetypes are embodiments of behavioral stances that humans have developed over centuries. Countless people have lived these various modes of behavior—everything from hermit to leader, saint to horrific and malefic destroyer. These depict a direction each of us can go in making choices in life. Perhaps we only embody an archetype such as that of the sadist for moments, or perhaps our whole life is given to it. Whichever it is, our personal life and what we do are still only a tiny portion of the immense range of behavior, even within that one stance. Below are some common archetypal symbols and their associated images. Remember that most images in your dreams are expressions of personal feelings and associations. It is only occasionally they connect your conscious self with the great pool of the collective experience. When they do, drink the waters.
Blood flowing from a crack: possibly menstruation or loss of virginity. Blood on the ground: someone hurt or dead. Bloody clothes: personal emotional hurt or injury, perhaps even death of someone. In sexual dreams: may refer to loss of virginity, menstruation, or fertility; or hurt to sexual feelings. See blood under . Idioms: after one’s blood; blood brother; blood is thicker than water; bloodletting; blood money; blood on one’s hands; blood relative; bloodsucker; blue blood; draw blood; fresh blood; blood out of a stone; cold/hot blood; in the blood; blood boil, run cold; out for blood; sweat blood; taste blood; young blood; bleed someone white; one’s heart bleeds. bone Strength; a broken bone can be a loss of strength and ability; the structure and support in yourself. Burying a bone: hiding something from someone. Or storing something for the future. Digging up bones: remembering something from the long past. brain Intellect; thinking; insight; creativity; what someone really thinks. Idioms: brainstorm; brainchild; pick someone’s brains; harebrained; scatterbrained. breasts Self-giving. In woman’s dream: in many women’s dreams the breasts figure prominently in a generally sexual way. Woman’s breast in a man’s dream: return to infant dependence; sexual desire.
carpenter The creative but practical part of us; the side of us that tends to create with old ideas and attitudes—the wood—but perhaps is not very radical; sometimes the self. See Christ under .
clown See fool, clown, trickster under . conjurer Depending on dream, might be the ability to easily change our moods or attitudes, which is a commonplace yet at the same time magical ability humans have—in this way we might pull out of a deep depression and suddenly become creative; or perhaps the youthful side of self that forever wants magical or idealistic answers to life situations and relationships; trickery. cook The active and practical side of our nature that can transform inedible aspects of a relationship or situation into something that satisfies us; the sense of responsibility that “feeds the family”; female reproductive ability—puts one thing in the oven (sperm and ovum) and out comes something else (baby); need for or ability to nourish oneself and provide for physical, emotional, mental, and transcendent needs. Idioms: cook the books; cook someone’s goose; cook up; what’s cooking. cripple Emotional hurts; parts of us injured by trauma or twisted by such withheld feelings as anger or jealousy. dentist Depends on your relationship with dentists—fear of being hurt; the courage and ability to deal with painful areas of experience; father’s distressing sexual attentions—or rape feelings; need for care of what comes out of our mouth, such as things we say, opinions, criticism. doctor Our dependence upon authority figure for a sense of wholeness, or to deal with anxiety; the healing process within us, or the unconscious wisdom we have concerning our needs and wellbeing. The doctor might give us advice, for instance; anxiety about health; desire for intimacy or to be looked at; the presager or supportive agent in the process of dying. In some dreams the doctor appears to represent intellectual curiosity or rational thought, but perhaps with an open mind; fear of illness or of being hurt/damaged by an operation or medical procedure. Idioms: doctor something; have an animal doctored; doctor the accounts.
fugitive See fugitive under .
idiot See fool, clown, trickster under . jockey Ability to direct energy and instincts. The drive to win at what you are attempting. So being a jockey might link with success or failure. judge Feelings of guilt; self-criticism or judgment; how we are relating to someone whose judgment means a lot to us; social condemnation.
shepherd Being in contact with instinctive or feeling reactions in self; the self. See farmer above; Christ under . shopkeeper May relate to work if dreamer works in shop or store; relates to how one supplies one’s needs, or who supplies one’s needs —therefore, might show feelings about parents. It might throw light on how you gain your needs from other people, or decisions about what you want from life or others. soldier If in opposition with: things we feel in conflict with; our internal conflicts and involvement with the “wars” or trauma we have experienced. If soldier or united with soldiers: willingness or ability to face internal conflicts and hurts; daring to confront the difficulties of life. In woman’s dream: inner conflicts; feeling threatened regarding relationship with a male. Military service: feeling bound by social or personal disciplines or restrictions; learning strengths and self-discipline to meet internal conflicts. solicitor See lawyer above. stranger Unknown aspect of oneself; part we avoid “meeting” in everyday life, or may not have met before. tailor Your ability to shape a project or idea out of raw materials or basic concepts; an influence that can help you change your public image. teacher Relationship with authority figure; learning situations; something to learn or teach.