What Are Astrological Archetypes?

Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist and psychotherapist, who is credited(along with Aristotle) with giving rise to the term “Archetype”  and broadening it’s exposure, has defined it as :

“a universal and recurring image, pattern, or motif representing a typical human experience.”

Although these images are”universal”, they’re transformed and re-worked. Thereby, given a unique expression based on cultural influence. Archetypes represent patterns of behavior and models of people, which can reach us through a myriad of ways. Symbols, dreams, myths, art and music are just the tip of the iceberg of how these images permeate our consciousness.

Astrologically, our birth charts are infused with the energy and imprint of these archetypes in their own unique pattern. The recognition of how these forces are organized within our psyche is one of the keys to how we can realize and fulfill our deepest potentials; how we can actualize our most authentic nature.

Our success in dealing with our planetary maps largely rests on our ability to bring unconscious content “to the light”, so we’re better able to integrate it into our lives on a productive level. Otherwise, we may feel as if we’re being governed by forces which are outside of our control – like a puppet having its strings pulled. To a large extent, the individual who operates solely from the unconscious, is perplexed by his/her motivations and behavior. The better we understand the raw archetypal material we’re dealing with in our own charts, the more intelligently we’re able to work WITH the energies at our disposal and enhance our lives.

So… the question here is : what archetypal energies are we dealing with in our birth charts?

The basic answer to this question is related to the planets, a.k.a the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

The signs give clues to HOW that particular energy is expressed, a.k.a. its style.

There are also aspects, which are the geometrical relationships between planets which indicate how the particular planetary archetypes will “get along.”

Here are some examples:

The Sun: What we’re growing into, the ” I AM, elements that comprise the ego. The conscious part of our self-hood. The life force, or “Ka” to the Egyptians and Qi (Chi)to the Chinese. The “operations center” of the psyche. The president. Our individual center of self-expression. Where we shine.

(source: http://poetsphotoart.tumblr.com/)

Sun in Sagittarius– The individual’s life force is connected to a panoramic view of the world, seeking to make connections in order to formulate a comprehensive life philosophy.

Sun-Jupiter: A broad conception of one’s identity. Seeking to expand one’s sense of self; to grow, develop, learn. Seeking wide experience to find meaning in life. Self exploration through intellectual and physical travel.

The Moon: The archetypal feminine. The unconscious, instinctual part of ourselves. The archetypal mother. In Egypt, the “Ba”. Yemaya. Our roots or ancestral ground. What brings us a sense of comfort and fulfillment. Homeland security or the Department of the Interior.

Moon in Cancer: Fulfillment comes through a sense of belonging to a biological or ideological family. There’s a reigning need to relate closely and intimately, displaying a warm, caring nature. The exercising of emotional intelligence.

Moon-Pluto: Psychological insight. Emotional Depth. Healing power and the urge to eliminate harmful emotional patterns. Gut level intuition. Helping others to navigate extremely tumultuous emotional terrain. Emotional manipulation and blackmail. Dealing with the shadow or taboos. Finding wealth in what appears to be emotional refuse.

 

Mercury: The mind. Processing information. Analysis. The Communicative faculties. Classification. Making distinctions. Speaking. Writing. Forming concepts. The Trickster.  Elleggua. Hermes. The speaker of the house.

Mercury in Sagittarius: Thinking in broad concepts, “big picture” thinking. Visionary thinking. Communicating in an expansive way. Philosophical thinking. A mind oriented toward synthesis. Studying higher knowledge. A mind that categorizes information like a library.

Mercury-Neptune:  Visionary Mind. A facile mind that absorbs. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Blending intellect and intuition. Recognizing the rhythm or “dance” of life. Recognizing and understanding subtlety of thought and communication. Access to spiritual/ethereal worlds. Tuned into nonverbal communication. Telepathy. Creative visualization. An erotic mind. Sensitive refining of the intellectual capacities. Limitless perception. Deceptive words. Nebulous/cloudy thinking. Double Talk. Misleading/confusing communication.

Venus: The principle of relating. Social needs. What we value. Forms of enjoyment. What we love. The Principle of attraction. The Orisha Oshun. The Pleasure principle. Beauty. Aesthetics. Harmony. Cooperation. The department of the treasury.

Venus in Sagittarius: Relating through cultural diversity. Attracted to internationalism. A love of  spiritual/mental/physical travel. The synthesis of spiritual knowledge/systems.

Venus-Neptune: Boundless Love. Inspiring unconditional love in relationships. Love of music, poetry, and film. Attracted to the Bohemian set. Relationships which involve artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers, etc… No limits in sensual experiences. Spiritual connections. Enjoyment/Attraction to spirituality. Idealization/delusion in relationships. Victim/Savior dynamic in relationships. Attraction to charlatans, drug addicts, or alcoholics.

Mars: Action. Assertion.  The Department of Defense. Application of will. Energy expenditure. Power base. Survival instinct. Warriorhood. Ogun.

Mars in Scorpio: Intense energy expenditure toward growth and transformation. Taking action toward plumbing the depths of life; getting to the bottom of things. Delving into the realms of the mysterious. Deep water warrior. Sexual energy as a vehicle for exploration of taboos. Applying energy in a private, yet concentrated manner.

 

Mars-Neptune: Putting spiritual ideals into action. Sexual magnetism. Focusing on dreams. Acute, focused intuition. Refined aggression. Spiritual motivation/inspiration. Working with the intangible forces of life. Martyr to a cause. The doormat. Passive Aggression.

Jupiter: Reward. Expansion.  The Department of Education. Success. Elevation. Upliftment. Buoyancy. Holism. Synthesis. Higher Knowledge. Wisdom. Puffery. Inflation. Magnification. Excess. Breadth of perspective. Arrogance. Hubris. Optimism. Obatala.

Jupiter in Capricorn: Reward through integrity, hard work and responsibility. Planning, organization and strategy is the most constructive route to success. Applying higher knowledge in a practical, useful manner.

Jupiter-Saturn: Spiritual discipline. Realistic ideals. Cautious optimism. Using higher knowledge and wisdom in a responsible manner. Expanded ambition. Elevated work ethic. Visionary leader. Measured confidence. Organized religion. Practical Spirituality.

Saturn:  The reality principle. Authority. Limits and controls. Consolidation. Work. Mastery. Responsibility Structure. Maturity. Organization. Strategy. Planning. Systems. Gravity. Time. Age. Eldership. Bare bones. Solitude. Bottom Line. Hard fought wisdom. Doubt. Orunmila. Kronos. The Grim Reaper.

Saturn in Gemini: The capacity to organize information. A responsible mind. Doubting intelligence. Difficulty verbalizing. Writer’s block. A wordsmith. Mastery of language. Economical with words. Limiting small talk. Practical ideas. Clear, steady and focused mind. Words have weight. Maturity in thought and speech. Serious discussion.

Saturn- Pluto: Intense focus. Passionate discipline. Power hungry. Limited power. Controlled discipline. Iron will. Tireless worker. Limited resources. Working for the “gold”. Committed to depth.Work as a transformative avenue.

Uranus:  the principle of Awakening. Individuation. Liberation. Rebellion. Revolution. Change. Flashes of genius. Autonomy. Inventiveness. Sudden shocks. Heightened awareness. Originality. Stretching boundaries.Questioning tradition and cultural boundaries. Shango. Prometheus.

Uranus in Libra: Infusing the outdated models of relationships with new life. Freedom and autonomy within relationships. Unconventional social and romantic needs. Open relationships. Enjoyment of all that’s unusual and avant garde. Original tastes.

Uranus-Neptune: Flashes of Spiritual genius. Original methods of meditation. Dissolving the status quo or cultural limitations. Refined revolution. Sudden intuition.

Neptune:  The principle of transcendence. Spirituality. Dreams. Myths. The ideal state.  Intuition. The refining process. Visualization. The picture making faculty. Fantasy. Smokescreens. Subterfuge. Film, Music, Third Eye Vision. Enchantment. ESP. Flowing. Merging. Returning to the divine source. Olokun. Mami Wata. Poseidon.

Neptune in Sagittarius: The dissolving of religious dogma. Fluid spirituality. Synthesis in spiritual systems.  Religious confusion. Martyrdom in religion. Sacrificial spirituality. Spiritual empathy/compassion. Spiritual service.

Neptune-Pluto : Spiritual power. Spiritual transformation. Power in the esoteric. Powerful addictions. Spiritual healing. Inspirational healing. Spiritual fanaticism. “Black Magic.”  The sacred and the profane.

Pluto: Transformation. Evolution. The breakdown. Regeneration. Death Rebirth. Elimination. Catharsis. Upheaval. Compulsion. Jealousy. Manipulation. Deep Resources. Oya. Kali. The F.B.I. or Secret Service.

Pluto in Libra: Deep, fundamental change in models of relationships. Relationships as a source of power and transformation.

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