Archetype Workshop Lists of Archetypes, Myths, and Themes Rollo May, one of the founders of the Humanist Movement in psychology, said that our myths are "like the beams in a house: not exposed to outside view, they are the structure which holds the house together so people can live in it." (The Cry for Myth) Carl Jung's Classic Archetypes Dr. Carl Jung, the father of modern psychology, identified the archetypes of the mother, mana, shadow, persona, anima, and animus. There are many, many more archetypes. For a brief description of Carl Jung and his work with archetypes, go here: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html Parabola Journal Themes Following is another list of archetypes and themes, drawn from the list of Parabola journal issues: the hero magic initiation rites of passage death creation cosmology relationship sacred space sacrifice transformation inner alchemy androgyny the trickster sacred dance the child storytelling education music silence the shadow obstacles woman earth spirit the goddess progress the mask demons sleep dreams sin ceremonies holy war guilt animals mantras theft pilgrimage food wholeness exile the body the witness memory sadness mirrors the hermit addiction forgiveness sense of humor creativity renewal questions the mountain the disciple tradition tree of life triad time attention liberation hospitality money the hunter craft community solitude power energy crossroads the city calling twins clothing writing hidden treasure the stranger language Eros prophecy the soul peace play work ways of knowing conscience consciousness If you would like to read stories on each of these themes, link to Parabola a journal of myth, tradition, and the search for meaning. The back issues of these archetypal themes above are available through their "back issues" catalog. Archetypes in the Tarot Deck The archetypes in a tarot deck are called the Major Arcana. They are: 0 - The Fool 1 - The Magician 2 - The High Priestess 3 - The Empress 4 - The Emperor 5 - The Heirophant 6 - The Lovers 7 - The Chariot 8 - Strength 9 - The Hermit 10 - Wheel of Fortune 11 - Justice 12 - The Hanged Man 13 - Death 14 - Temperance 15 - The Devil 16 - The Tower 17 - The Star 18 - The Moon 19 - The Sun 20 - Judgement 21 - The World There are fifty-six additional cards called the minor arcana, which represent additional themes and archetypes. To read an alternative analysis of the tarot deck, go here. Practical Exercise Surrealist.org has an assignment for you. Pick the most meaningful archetypes and archetypal themes from these lists, then take out your pencil and jot down the ones you feel play a big part in your life. Write a few sentences about each theme you have chosen. Think about how they influence your everyday life and thoughts. Think of a story to illustrate each theme on your list. Draw stories from your life history, the news, books, movies or dreams. If you are unhappy about some aspect of your current reality, where you are in life right now; where society is right now, etc., then concentrate on this step. Go back to the list of themes and choose one. Pick the one that you like the most and think about it. Write down a few sentences on why you like the theme and what the highest manifestation of that theme would be in your life right now. Think of ways to integrate this new archetypal theme and explore it in your everyday activities. This is your life, your world, and you are the author of your own life script. "There can be no stronger proof of the impoverishment of our contemporary culture than the popular—though profoundly mistaken—definition of myth as falsehood." - Rollo May, The Cry for Myth Index