Archetypes

The four archetypes are Lover, Warrior, Magician and Monarch (King or Queen). Here I am indebted to the work of Robert Moore -- this is his model of the Great Code.

Lover

The lover is all about feeling and sensuality. It is the sexy lover, as well as the caring lover. The lover is about new beginnings, but it is also about grief and loss.

The shadow side of the lover is numbness and addiction.

Warrior

The warrior is about integrity, boundaries and fierceness. The warrior gets it done, cuts through obstacles and achieves. The warrior defends the boundaries, draws the line in the sand.

The shadow side of the warrior is the workaholic or the lazy sloth.

Magician

The magician is about knowledge and mystery. It is the scientist and the priest. It is intellect and creativity. The magician is also the initiator, the one who leads us into the darkness of the unknown, who holds the sacred container for the ritual of death and rebirth.

The shadow side of the magician is the manipulator.

Monarch

For men, this is the king. For women, this is the queen. The monarch blesses the realm, holds the center. The monarch mentors, makes the whole world and everyone in it fruitful and productive.

The shadow of the monarch is the tyrant who bullies everyone, or else the abdicator who would rather be powerless and blame everyone else.