The Archetypal Tarot Podcast

Survival Archetypes: Guides to Navigating a Pandemic Part 1

The world seems to be turned upside down, and many of us long for a way to navigate the chaos.  This two part series discusses 4 archetypes universal to everyone that form the core patterns of survival. 

 

Each of these patterns can give us a place to stand amidst the chaos.  If we are open to observing what archetypal patterns are emerging for us we can better navigate our lives and interact positively for ourselves and our community. 

 

First off, what is an archetype? 

 

Archetypes are universal patterns of talents, motivations and behaviors.

They contain a dialogue of how and why we use our energy the way we do.

Archetypal patterns are a way to learn about the truth and possibilities of our lives.

 

Every character archetype has an empowered or light side as well as a disempowered or shadow side. 

 

Archetypes are both universal and personal.  

 

More on archetypes can be found on Julienne's website:  archetypist.com

 

The core survival archetypes are:  The Child, The Victim, The Saboteur and The Prostitute. 

 

Part 1 delves into The Child and The Victim and Part 2 will cover The Saboteur and The Prostitute. 

 

Each are their own distinct template but for the core 4 survival archetypes but it's useful to also bring in their strongest corollary archetype.  

 

The Child  

 

Corollary archetype:  Sovereign (or King/Queen) responsible for self, has wide care and concern for others.  Is willing and able to respond to the needs of others. 

 

Empowered attributes: 

• Imagination 
• Sees things afresh 
• Willingness to try something new
• The rejuvenating power of play
• Connects with nature 
• Curiosity - being curious keeps you open - seeking wisdom vs simple answers even if unsubstatiated - these often concretize - become a protected belief because we are not able to let in opposing or new ideas.   

 

Dismpowered attributes: 

• Naiveté - believing because we want a simple answer.
• Blind trust / handing our power over to another for protection
• Temper tantrums
• Refusal to follow guidance because it’s uncomfortable “You’re not the boss of me!” 

 

Attendant archetypes:  Seeker, Detective, Guide, Artist, Student

 

Victim / Warrior 

Empowered attributes: 

• Creates, holds and protects boundaries
• Uses discernment before engaging in battle
• Seeks not to hurt others but protect
• Acknowledges that wounds connect us to each other fostering understanding & compassion 
• Alerts us to when we are in danger

 

Dismpowered attributes: 

• Refusal to move toward healing
• Hands power over due to woundedness / helplessness 
• Seeks attention through complaining without movement toward resolution
• Engages in blame but not toward healing 

 

Attendant archetypes: Judge, Hero, Mentor, Liberator 

 

R.A.I.N.  process to working with archetypes adapted from work created by Tara Brach 

Recognize the pattern at work in any situation

Accept situation with Compassion

Investigate how to move forward

Navigate to next right action or connection  OR  Non-attachment - let go

 

 

 

Wide Open: Three Archetypal Processes of Evolution

Amidst this pandemic we are feeling all the feels. It’s exhausting, it’s confounding, it’s scary and undoubtedly it’s changed life as we know it forever.

 

In this episode we dive into the archetypal catalysts of three tarot cards, Death/Rebirth, Judgement and The World. We unpack how these relate to the corona virus pandemic and how they can provide insight into our individual and collective opportunities for a pretty big leap in evolution.

 

We present questions that can help us process what is going on and discover our part in this evolutionary process.  We finish with an idea for an exercise to open ourselves and attune to the inspiration of beauty even in these dark times.

**Note** This recording contains coarse  language as well as humor.  If the idea of death, is overwhelming for you, consider saving this episode for later.  We don’t present anything graphic but we do reference metaphorical death and rebirth as a part of the evolution/growth process. If that's too much right now, we get it - all of our feelings and experiences are heightened as we navigate this crisis and the last thing we want is to make it worse. We send you aloha and compassion. 

We named the episode Wide Open based on the title of a painting created by Cyndera's friend Angela Han.  The painting itself was inspired by a song of the same name written by Cyndera and her husband, Joro.  Both song and painting were created in the last month amidst the covid-19 pandemic. Look for a bonus episode with more info.

We hope you find inspiration and hope you’ll reach out to us on social media or by email. 

For a photo of the painting and links and references visit the show page here: https://archetypaltarot.podbean.com/e/wide-open-three-archetypal-processes-of-evolution/

Journal / exercise / exploration or card spread prompts:

Death-Rebirth 

Endings, cycles of transformation, change, new beliefs, new awareness , renewal 

(Reversed) not wanting to move on, clinging to the past, fear of change, sentimental, end of hope, forces of destruction

 

Question: What are you letting go of now and how does that inform your dream of the future? 

 

Judgment

self realization and understanding, spiritual awakening, knowing motives, transparency, a reckoning, epiphany 

(Reversed) hiding - shadow material

 

Question: What part of yourself in this crisis needs to be “un-judged” by acceptance in order to feel more whole? 

 

The World 

Completion, wholeness, new levels of consciousness,

(Reversed) short cuts, a need to follow through, unmet dreams, a need  to stay focused to complete a task. 

 

Questions: What does your beautiful future look like?  Are you able to envision a future where our world has evolved SO much for the better? 

 

Beauty Journal

Hat tip to the Metaphysical Milkshake podcast and Dr. Rhett Diessner for this idea.

Every week make note of something beautiful in each of these four categories:

-A beautiful design

-Something beautiful in nature

-Something morally beautiful

-A beautiful idea

 

References, Resources & Links:

✨ Angela Han, artist https://www.angelahanart.com/  IG&FB @angelahanart

✨ Local Futures

✨  The Sunrise Movement

✨  Michael Meade - A Time of Transformation series

✨ New York Times article on St. Rosalia patron saint of plagues

✨ This Jungian Life episode 106 When Everything Changes

✨ Metaphysical Milkshake podcast episode on Beauty

 

Film & Television with Utopian themes

Star Trek 

Black Panther 

Tomorrowland 

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Avatar

Cloud Atlas

The Last Station 

La Belle Verte

The Biggest Little Farm (documentary)

The Seventh Seal

 "Wide Open"  a painting by Angela Han.