2.38 Define Your Archetypal Energies To Understand What Is Motivating You (Take The Attached Quiz)

“All of the most powerful ideas in history go back to the archetypes”

Carl Jung
Psychiatrist

Your Archetypes

As a way of better understanding your self, the following archetype quiz was created based on the 12 Jungian archetypes developed by renowned psychologist Carl Jung.

With its soaring popularity within the New Age spirituality movement, this framework of understanding shows how the human mind operates at its most basic levels. Because of this popularity, this quiz has proven to be valid and an important element to begin understanding your self.

Not all people have a good grasp of what archetypes actually are, and what each archetype actually means, plus where all of this came from. While many online resources will discuss the 12 archetypes, only a few have genuinely discussed its foundations.

It’s important to understand that the concept of archetypes is real and so are the other archetypes that pre-existed these and were seeded within Creation itself (like numbers as an example). Numbers were present from the first moment of Creation and it took a huge amount of time until human consciousness finally evolved to a level where they could be utilized. These archetypes are similar in that they defined human consciousness before it developed adequately to express all 12 archetypes. But they did exist well before then.

Before you attempt to understand the 12 Jungian archetypes, you should first understand the definition of an archetype. The word ‘archetype’ refers to repeated and re-casted images in our minds. Like a universal response to a situation, the archetypes are embedded deep within our psyche and instinctual responses that we consciously/unconsciously do.

As part of human consciousness, Jung theorized that these archetypes are born within us, regardless of our own choice. Beliefs come from our conditioning imposed by society and how we relate to it. Archetypes are predisposed energies that exist within us upon birth and come from somewhere else. You are able to determine your archetypes (particularly your dominant archetype) by taking this archetype quiz, or other similar Jungian archetype tests. This is a first step and definitely not the end. However, this quiz will provide you with some important information to explore regarding your self and what makes you “tick”.

Research on archetypes and Jungian psychology has led to increased progress in understanding human consciousness, as psychologists and researchers alike agree that these archetypes extend beyond the traditional basic archetypes, such as the shadow, self, great mother, and wise old man, etc. With Jung’s work expanding this concept, a new way of understanding the world gradually emerged – one that revolves around the idea of cross-cultural similarities contained within myths and spirituality.

Given such universality, Jung theorized that these responses were involuntary and that they were passed on from one generation to the other. He considered that archetypes followed the development of the collective unconscious. The collective unconscious represents the group soil that we bring with us from the animal kingdom (again more about this later on). The animal kingdom focuses on the development of the group soul. The human kingdom focuses on the development of the individual soul while still being able to access the group soul collectively.

At one point, Jung observed the similarity and connectedness of cultures through the symbol of the mandala. Representing a perfectly balanced notion of squares and circles, the mandala is known to symbolize the self and its perfection. With its complex yet perfectly symmetrical design, Jung points out how a mandala symbolizes the human person.

I’ll be using three symbols later on in another lesson where I’ll share the visualization exercise that is important for to work with. It is here that you’ll be able to explore the first three numbers (1, 2, and 3) and their related energies using symbols (circle, cross, and triangle). This is a powerful exercise and one that will help to balance your mental and emotional energies. Most people today are totally out of balance and this exercise helps create the necessary balance needed to fulfill our pre-disposed energies. Without it, we remain a ship without a rudder.

Initially, the idea of personality archetypes stemmed from Jung’s attempt to understand the collective unconscious. With the human body continuously evolving, he proposed that a significant part of evolution revolves around the development of our psyche (our outer personality). Before birth, such archetypal images have already been implanted in us, allowing each individual to have a unified response to particular situations. That’s where the group soul comes in.

For instance, one of the Jungian archetypes in analytical psychology is the Great Mother archetype. He argues that everyone possesses a part of this Great Mother archetype, allowing one to have both nourishing and destructive tendencies. Similarly, Jung also accounted for man’s quest for wisdom and knowledge as an archetypal response through the Wise Old Man archetype. Jung also presents the shadow archetype, one that consists of our repressed thoughts and ideas, often influencing our choices subconsciously. However, these two examples of archetypes (the Great Mother and the Wise Old Man) are not part of the 12 Jungian archetypes and are not part of this quiz.

In an attempt to unravel the mysteries behind the self archetype, Jung furthered his studies by learning more about the human person. Building from myths and prevailing notions of the epitome of humanity, Jung came up with the 12 archetypes, which we now commonly know as the twelve Jungian archetypes. Through learning about these archetypes, you are expected to have a better understanding of yourself. Knowing your archetypes provides you with an idea of how and why you respond in a certain way to the world around you.

In general, Jung tells us that we possess a portion of each one of these archetypes. There is, however, one archetype that remains dominant over all the others; a single archetype that has the most significant influence in the choices that you make. By understanding what your dominant personality archetype is, you’ll gain a better grasp of why and how you act in specific ways. Please realize that this is but one of many ways of understanding your current self. I’m providing additional quiz’s in other lessons to gradually help you to use many tools to uncover who you really are.

CARDINAL ORIENTATIONS

Before you examine you 12 Jungian archetypes of personality, it is vital that you first establish each of their cardinal orientations. The 12 archetypes are divided into 4 cardinal orientations. These orientations represent the archetype’s focus – the one single mission that the archetype wishes to fulfill. By understanding these 4 orientations, you’ll gain a much better grasp of the hidden motivations and self-perceiving dynamics of each personality archetype.

1. Ego

Leaving a mark or making an impact on the world

2. Order

Providing some form of structure or order to the world

3. Social

Striving to form intimate connections with others

4. Freedom

Yearning to realize its own sense of paradise

Here’s an image that shows how these cardinal orientations should be placed with the 12 archetypes surrounding them:

Through the Jungian archetype quiz that follows, you’ll be able to identify which of the 12 archetypes is currently influencing your subconscious choices and decisions in life.

You can use your logic and reason to identify your beliefs and create a list to review and ultimately change as you understand more about the world around you. Trying to identify your dominant archetype, however, is more difficult and hopefully this quiz helps you gain additional knowledge about your self.

As you identify your dominant archetype, studying it will give you a better sense of self. By providing you with a blueprint outlining your deepest desires, motivations, weaknesses, goals, fears, strengths, and shadows, you will gradually be able to discover your true, inner self and form your own understanding of your unique identities. Yes, you re unique and there has never been someone exactly like you. It’s time you begin to see who you are clearly.

HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE JUNGIAN ARCHETYPES?

As I’ve already shared, archetypes are expressed through intangible elements such as evoking emotions and conjuring imagery – elements that are intangible, but we somehow feel its presence. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with certain energies, but feel unable to accurately describe them.

Whether its the Hero’s energies driving us to discipline our minds and go after what we want, or the Sage’s energies urging us to ponder upon things at a more profound level, or perhaps the Jester’s energies influencing us to inject humor into serious situations. These are all examples of how we experience Jungian archetypes as energies.

It would be far too simplistic to say that each individual’s personality is merely made up of only one archetype. After all, human beings are far more complex than that. Typically, there can be several archetypes forming the core of our personalities.

However, only one archetype tends to have the greatest amount of influence or dominance in our personality. It is through identifying our primary personality archetype that we are able to define exactly which archetypal energy is governing our thoughts, feelings, and personalities. By doing that, we open ourselves up to understanding the hidden constructs of psyche and personality.

Here is a detailed overview of the 12 archetypes and their most iconic personality traits and motivations:

The 12 Jungian Archetypes

The Innocent – Commonly known as the utopian, the Innocent possesses the incorruptible desire for peace and happiness of all. It is typically naive and easily impressed by anything and everything, making this person brilliant audiences for performances. However, their naivety is not what defines them. The Innocent archetype is best defined by its sheer positivity and optimism.

Slogan: Live life with full optimism
Deepest Desire: To realize one’s sense of paradise
Goal: To attain true happiness
Fear: Breaking the rules and being punished
Strategy: To do what’s morally and ethically right
Weaknesses: Being perceived as boring or naive
Talents: Unbreakable sense of optimism and having great faith
Other Names: The Utopian, The Traditionalist

The Member – Excelling at contributing to something bigger, the member is your ordinary man who can provide excellent support towards a broader vision or a shared goal. The Member is one of the most interesting Jungian archetypes in society. They’re essentially the building blocks of this world and are the ones who restore faith in humanity. One of the most distinct attributes about a Member is his or her ability to blend into any group thinkable.

Slogan: Everyone is created equal
Deepest Desire: To build lasting connections with others
Goal: Belonging to a tight-knitted community
Fear: Being left out or sticking out like a sore thumb
Strategy: Remain grounded in values and principles
Weaknesses: Forging superficial relationships, being taken advantage of
Talents: Empathy, authenticity, realism
Other Names: The Everyman, The Realist

The Hero – Also known as the warrior archetype, the Hero fiercely faces a battle against all odds. Destined to become the strongest, he/she courageously faces all challenges in life. They thrive on bravado and seek every opportunity to display their formidable sense of courage. Individuals who identify with this archetype tend to feel the need to prove their worth by performing courageous acts. It’s one of the defining attributes of a typical Hero, and what differentiates it from the 12 Jungian archetypes.

Slogan: When there’s a will, there’s a way
Deepest Desire: Proving one’s worth through acts of bravery and courage
Goal: Mastering oneself in a way that can impact the world
Fear: Being perceived as weak, vulnerable, or fearful
Strategy: Become as strong and capable as possible
Weaknesses: Arrogance and overestimating one’s abilities
Talents: Courage, bravery, discipline
Other Names: The Warrior, The Crusader

The Caregiver – Like a neighbor in the story of the Good Samaritan, the caregiver is always ready to lend a helping hand to someone in need. The Caregiver is a compassionate altruist whose selflessness comes unparalleled. They’re always willing to help the people around them, be it friends, strangers, or sometimes even foes. Their generosity inspires everyone around them and fills receivers with an immense amount of gratitude.

Slogan: The simple act of caring is heroic
Deepest Desire: To care and protect those around you
Goal: To administer aid and help wherever possible
Fear: Ingratitude, being taken for granted, and selfishness
Strategy: Perform acts of kindness for others
Weaknesses: Being exploited for selfish reasons
Talents: Compassion, sympathy, empathy, generosity
Other Names: The Altruist, The Helper, The Supporter, The Saint

The Explorer – With an insatiable curiosity about the world, the explorer aims to unravel nature’s mysteries through adventure. Think of the Explorer as an adventurer who wants to make his mark in the world and discover new lands. The Explorer archetype has high regard for his or her freedom. Sitting still for even just a short period of time can cause them to feel jittery, uneasy, and restless. They crave adventure and they feed on new experiences.

Slogan: Life is an adventure
Deepest Desire: Having the freedom to discover oneself through travel and adventure
Goal: To live a life worth living
Fear: Being trapped, not having freedom, inner emptiness
Strategy: Escape reality and seek new experiences
Weaknesses: Aimless wandering, not fitting in with others
Talents: Independence, being true to oneself
Other Names: The Seeker, The Wanderer

The Outlaw – Determined to improve the status quo, the outlaw is able to see what others don’t and is dedicated to changing the system for the better. The Outlaw archetype is best described to be free-minded and free-spirited. Nothing stands in their way and nothing controls their desires. They’re the true representation of what it really means to be the captain of your own ship.

Slogan: Rules are meant to be broken
Deepest Desire: To start a revolution or power-shifting movement
Goal: Destroying the things that are not working in the world
Fear: Being powerless or ineffective in one’s efforts
Strategy: To pave new ways through disruption or destruction
Weaknesses: Being negatively influenced and committing criminal activities
Talents: Inspiring action through freedom and outrage
Other Names: The Rebel, The Revolutionary

The Lover – Valuing meaningful connections with others, the lover will pursue whatever it takes to achieve a love that lasts a lifetime. At first glance, the title “Lover” might come as a surprise to some. However, the Lover archetype is associated less with romance and sexuality and has more to do with commitment and faithfulness. The Lover archetype revolves vastly around emotions, feelings, and sensuality.

Slogan: Love makes the world go round
Deepest Desire: To love and be loved
Goal: Being in a relationship with people and the things they love
Fear: Rejection, being unwanted, loneliness
Strategy: To become as emotionally and physically attractive as possible
Weaknesses: Losing sense of oneself, trying too hard to please
Talents: Being fully committed and expressing oneself with a deep passion
Other Names: The Partner, The Sensualist

The Creator – With an endless desire to build and innovate, the creator makes a mark in this world through his creations. The Creator archetype associates itself with being completely and entirely original. Their greatest pride lies in their ability to be creative when it comes to everyday life and achieving the goals that they’ve set for themselves. Creators are constantly paving ways for others to follow.

Slogan: You are the creator of your own reality
Deepest Desire: To innovate and create things of long-lasting value
Goal: To achieve the outcome of one’s vision
Fear: Achieving unsatisfactory results, executing poorly
Strategy: Skill enhancement and perfection
Weaknesses: Spending too much time on perfectionism
Talents: Creativity, innovation, imagination
Other Names: The Artist, The Inventor, The Innovator

The Jester – Known as entertainers of both peasants and nobles, the jester is able to perceive the paradoxes of life and spends most time making fun out of it. The Jester is a jungian archetype that lives for the moment. Nothing pleases them more than experiencing emotions to the maximum. The Jester is the one with an infectious laugh and a bag full of jokes. “Fun” is the Jester’s middle name, and it has an insatiable desire for as much of it as possible.

Slogan: Life can be fun
Deepest Desire: To live in the moment with full enjoyment
Goal: Lightening up the world through humor and laughter
Fear: Being bored or being perceived as boring
Strategy: To inject humor and appreciate the little things in life
Weaknesses: Thoughtlessness, lacking seriousness
Talents: Infecting a room with laughter and being the center of attention
Other Names: The Joker, The Trickster

The Sage – Being the wisest among the twelve archetypes, the sage will spend an entire lifetime dedicated to learning and expansion of knowledge. The Sage archetype is highly dedicated when it comes to seeking knowledge and wisdom. If the Sage were a vehicle, then information would be its fuel. Practically everything that they experience in life is a lesson for them, as they’re able to identify the obscure meanings behind every event in their lives.

Slogan: Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes
Deepest Desire: To discover the truth behind everything
Goal: Understanding the world through careful analysis and wisdom
Fear: Being misled or ignorant
Strategy: Uncovering wisdom and knowledge through self-reflection
Weaknesses: Never taking action and being overly obsessed with details
Talents: Possessing great wisdom and intelligence, giving sound advice
Other Names: The Scholar, The Philosopher

The Magician – Conjurer of the spiritual arts, the magician is able to turn water into wine. They are known for their transformative powers and can impact the lives of the many. The Magician archetype can be described to be somewhat aloof when it comes to forming personal connections. Their deep connections with the universe make them difficult to understand. Magicians tend to have a strong belief in their dreams, their abilities, and themselves in general.

Slogan: Some want it to happen, some wish it to happen, I make it happen
Deepest Desire: To attain knowledge of the world
Goal: Seeing dreams and visions to fruition
Fear: Not foreseeing negative consequences
Strategy: Have a vision and see it through
Weaknesses: Becoming manipulative of others
Talents: Discovering win-win situations and making deals
Other Names: The Visionary, The Inventor

The Ruler – Desiring power and control, the ruler seeks to realize his/her vision for himself and for others. Leading is arguably the most distinctive trait of a ruler. While others tend to avoid playing the role of a leader, Rulers are absolutely comfortable with volunteering to take charge. It’s important to note that it’s not the desire to lead that defines the Ruler archetype, but the actual quality of leadership that they’re able to provide.

Slogan: A true leader is hated by most, and respected by all
Deepest Desire: To have absolute power and control
Goal: Developing prosperous communities and families
Fear: Chaos or losing power to someone else
Strategy: To lead others to victory, prosperity, and success
Weaknesses: Being overly authoritarian, not delegating
Talents: Natural ability to lead, exercising responsibility for one’s actions
Other Names: The Leader, The King

WHAT TO DO NEXT

I have just gone through a list of the twelve jungian archetypes, and the 4 cardinal orientations. Now what?

Now that you’ve been introduced to each of the archetypes, you can use this page as a guide for understanding your own motivations and the motivations of others. I’ll also provide a description of all of these 12 archetypes in another lesson.

By examining the 12 archetypes and understanding which particular one dominates your personality, you begin to realize what is truly important to you, giving you a fighting chance to return to your roots and original callings. You are reminded of your unique purpose, and when you dive even deeper, you will begin to understand the direction you must head toward.

Whether it’s striving to achieve certain goals you have set out for yourself, knowing why you behave in a certain way when it comes to certain situations, or becoming aware of your emotions, the 12 Jungian archetypes can give you a profound level of self-awareness and self-understanding. But in order to do that, you must first identify your archetype by taking the archetype quiz!

Take the Archetype Quiz

The following quiz will help to open the path for self-discovery and begin to widen it as well. With a large funnel of knowledge understanding of your self becomes imminent. By taking this Jungian archetype test, you’ll jumpstart your way towards self-discovery! Click on the Archetype Quiz button below and take the quiz.