Archetypes for A Pandemic, Part 3

Archetypes for A Pandemic

Welcome to our latest Creativity, Thinking and Education blog series.

2020 has been fascinating to say the least. All walks of life are learning new skills daily. That would include me. While I’m typing this my grandchildren are doing online classes in Middle School (different classes) and I am working on my latest blog and a new newsletter. So let’s begin on our last blog of this series. We have explored briefly The Everyman, The Outlaw or Rebel, The Explorer, The Creator, The Caregiver and the Hero.

         There are so many different levels of the archetypes and if you would like a deeper look just check out the blog series I have on Carl Jung’s 12 archetypes and Joseph Campbell’s archetypes. So today we will explore The Jester, the Sage and the Magician archetypes which interestingly does have a powerful role in helping people during these chaotic times. The jester likes to laugh, even at themselves. They usually are who they are. The never take themselves seriously because their goal is to enjoy life.

The Jester Archetype

         Some great examples of the Jester Archetype is R2D2 or C3PO in the Star Wars series or Timon and Pumbaa in the movie the Lion King. They lighten up the world they are in and great listener, a calming presence and definitely funny. In every genera the story needs a break from the drama that is going on. Comic relief is always vital in the dramas of life or stories. The Weasley twins in the Harry Potter series continuously offset the darkness and seriousness of the dramas that unfold around them. The theme of the Jester Archetype runs through all great stories both fictional and real. Many comedians have come to the foreground to help people during the time of the pandemic and their jobs are very important for all of our sanity.

The Sage Archetype

         Our next archetype we can look at is The Sage. They are free thinkers, mystical and genius. Their intellect and knowledge are their reason for living, their basic essence. Wisdom and intelligence are their strengths. It is really important for them to teach the next generation to pick up the gauntlet. They are also known as the Mentor, Teacher Detective, Expert, Scholar and Philosopher archetype. Some great examples of this archetype are Albus Dumbledore, Mary Poppins, Gandalf, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda. There are people in the world during this pandemic who are stepping up to the problems and situation we all face but it may take awhile for us to figure out who the present day Sages are.

The Magician Archetype

         The next archetype we will explore is The Magician. They regenerate and renew not just for themselves, but for others as well. They are constantly growing and transforming. They usually want to understand the fundamental laws of the Universe. They focus on making dreams come true. The Magician is also known as the Visionary, the Catalyst, the Shaman, the Healer or the Medicine man or woman. Some examples of the Magician archetype are Merlin, Gandalf, Yoda, Albert Einstein, Nicola Tesla and so many more. The Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings series have many magician characters in them as good examples.

Who would a modern day Magician be in our current time situation? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Blessings,
Patricia

Myths and Storytelling, Part Four

myths and storytelling

Welcome to my blog series as we explore myths and storytellers. Stories and myths have impacted our world and worldview for thousands of years. This is how we learned to understand and navigate our environment. It also became a powerful tool for education and entertainment. Throughout time storyteller have woven the fabric of our societies and cultures. A storyteller captures your attention. They weave a story that creates pictures in your mind and heart. We feel the tension of the story arc as they create the characters, setting and action that fill the story. We then also feel the release of the tension through laughter or humor and powerful endings or conclusions to the tale we have either read, listened to or been a part of in some way.

Storytelling could be one of the most important traditions human’s possess. Every story contains a lesson to guide or instruct their audience. Stories teach us to love, to forgive others, to be just and to strive forward in a variety of directions. The hero’s journey and all the archetypes we explore from time to time developed over the ages through storytelling.

When people talk about the great storytellers of the modern era J.K. Rowling is included on any list compiled. Rowling’s true genius lies not in pure prose, but in story structure. She is a great storyteller. She started foreshadowing the end of the series from the very beginning. There are many subthreads that develop throughout the series and in each book. A good example is when we meet the Grey Lady in book one, only to learn about the importance to the founding of Hogwarts and the destruction of the Horcruxes in the seventh book. This is very impressive as a storyteller. The focus involved in her storytelling is profound.

And yet as powerful as the plotting is in the Harry Potter series, it would not have been read by millions without Rowling’s command of characterization. She creates a rich interpersonal world within the wizarding community. We care about these characters. It is a simple narrative necessity of demonstrating emotional intelligence. This is a very important quality that powerful storytellers have.

Rowling’s ability to develop characterization is amazing. From Harry Potter to the seemingly minor person and supporting characters she creates distinct, relatable characters. Mrs. Dursley is a nosy gossip; Hermione Granger is a shy and awkward brain. Ron Wesley is the funny, red headed side kick for Harry. Ron develops and grows dramatically throughout the series , as do all of her main characters. By the end of the Harry Potter series Ron has grown into a powerful Horcrux bashing warrior.

Along with her ability to create highly developed characters and relationships between them J.K. Rowling also is a world builder. Her ability to create a just out of sight magical world with its own system probably isn’t the most impressive thing about the Harry Potter series, but it is very hard to do well. Rowling’s created an entire subculture, complete with government, sports, economy and history for her characters to live in.

For those of you who care there is a “Harry Potter For Writers” website (harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com) He you are introduced to the world building of Harry Potter’s world.

Rowling slowly broadens the scope of this world from Sorceror’s Stone weaving the setting and wizarding culture into all the books of the series.

Our next modern novelist in this blog is Peter Matthiessen. He was a naturalist, wilderness writer, zen teacher and CIA agent. He was one of the few writers to have won the National Book Award in both fiction and non-fiction. Several of his books have been made into movies.

His fifth novel, Far Tortuga is an amazing experience to read. He captured a series of moments with a clarity that quickens the blood. The poetry in this book has a curious quality that contributes to his storyteller’s narrative style. His joy in writing this book about the Caribbean and the green turtle migration is obvious throughout the story.

Another one of his famous books is The Snow Leopard which is about a powerful trek in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. His writing even in non-fiction is that of a spellbinding storyteller. His words create powerful images that guide you through the world he is in either in non-fiction or fiction. A genius and master storyteller for our culture.

Storytelling and myths are the fabric of our world’s tapestry. Stories are what our ancestors gave their children and have been down to us through time. Hopefully we can cherish them and pass them on to future generations.

Blessings, Patricia