Date: 12-11-2024
Externalizing Archetypes so as not to be possessed by them
Quote: “The externalization of internal experience onto a physical object like a card creates some distance that gives us room to breathe, shifts how we relate to ourselves, and offers a new vantage point to look from. The cards allow us to safely see and understand the less palatable aspects our ourselves.”
- pg 4 of Tarot for Change - Jessica Dore
Big Idea
Jung talks about how it can be dangerous to be ignorant of archetypes because they can come to possess us if we don’t know their meaning and their context in our lives. I see tarot as an excellent way to externalize and understand the archetypal themes of our psyche, and thus protecting us from possession.
“The archetypes represented in the tarot are ancient and universal energies that live within us all. When we are unconscious of them, they can take on a life of their own, manifesting as feelings or behaviors that seem beyond our control. But when we engage with them intentionally—through reflection, ritual, or creative practices—we can learn from them, develop a relationship with them, and reclaim our agency in the process.” - Tarot for Change - Jessica Dore
Problem
When we are ignorant of archetypes and how they operate, we move unconsciously through the world, acting out archetypal themes (or repeated patterns) in our psyche’s effort to bring us to conscious awareness.
“The psychological rule says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside, as fate. That is to say, when the individual remains undivided and does not become conscious of his inner opposite, the world must perforce act out the conflict and be torn into opposing halves.” - Carl Jung
and
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” - Carl Jung
Goal
To become conscious of our patterns so that we can be more whole, more conscious, more autonomous and creative in our lives. (wholeness)
“The archetypes represented in the tarot are ancient and universal energies that live within us all. When we are unconscious of them, they can take on a life of their own, manifesting as feelings or behaviors that seem beyond our control. But when we engage with them intentionally—through reflection, ritual, or creative practices—we can learn from them, develop a relationship with them, and reclaim our agency in the process.” - Tarot for Change - Jessica Dore
Benefits (of learning about archetypes)
- you grow in self-knowledge
- you become conscious of potentially harmful patterns
- you gain more autonomy in your life Autonomy versus Autopilot
- you become more creative, as these archetypal images dance around in your mind and generate all sorts of ideas for art