Dreams do not wait they continue.

Jungian Archetypes

Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes is central to his analytical psychology, suggesting that there are universal, inherited patterns in the collective unconscious of humanity. Here’s a rundown on some of the key Jungian archetypes:
  1. The Self:
    • Represents the unification of the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche. It’s the archetype of wholeness and the center of the personality.
  2. The Shadow:
    • This archetype embodies everything an individual represses or does not wish to acknowledge about themselves. It includes traits one might consider negative or undesirable.
  3. The Anima (for men) / Animus (for women):
    • These represent the contrasexual aspect within each person’s psyche. The Anima is the feminine inner personality in men, while the Animus is the masculine inner personality in women. They symbolize the connection to the unconscious and can manifest in dreams or projections onto others.
  4. The Persona:
    • The mask or image one presents to the world. It’s the social face, the role we play in society, which might not align with our true nature or the Self.
  5. The Hero:
    • Represents the drive to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Often seen in mythology, this archetype is about courage, action, and the pursuit of individuation.
  6. The Great Mother:
    • Symbolizes fertility, nourishment, and destruction. It can appear as nurturing (mother earth) or devouring (the devouring mother).
  7. The Wise Old Man/Woman:
    • This archetype embodies wisdom, knowledge, and guidance. Often appears in dreams or stories as a mentor or sage figure.
  8. The Trickster:
    • Represents the part of us that breaks rules, challenges the status quo, and introduces chaos or change. It’s about transformation through humor, deceit, or disruption.
  9. The Child:
    • Represents the original self, untouched by the complexities of adulthood. It can symbolize new beginnings, innocence, or the need for protection.
  10. The Maiden:
    • Often linked with the anima, this archetype stands for purity, innocence, and sometimes vulnerability or the need for rescue.
  11. The Father:
    • Symbolizes authority, law, and order, or can represent the spiritual aspect of life.
  12. The Syzygy:
    • Refers to the divine couple or the union of opposites (like anima and animus), symbolizing the integration of the self.
Jung believed these archetypes manifest in our dreams, myths, art, and behaviors, providing a common language of the psyche across cultures. However, their expressions are colored by individual and cultural nuances. Understanding and integrating these archetypes can lead to self-realization and psychological growth in Jungian psychology.