FEATUREDLatestLifeSun Signs

Jungian Archetypes And Zodiac Signs

Carl Jung was one of the originator of modern psychology, which looks to create a dialogue with the unconscious energies which move through each of us. He contributed many ideas that continue with us: complex, archetype, persona, shadow, anima and animus, personality typology, dream interpretation, individuation, and many other ideas. He had a deep respect for our creative life and considered spirituality a central part of the human journey.

I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.

Carl Jung

Jungian archetypes are explained as universal, primitive symbols and images that derive from the collective unconscious, as proposed by Carl Jung. They are the psychic equivalent of instinct. In other words, they are a kind of inborn vague idea, derived from the sum total of human history, which hardwired and instigates conscious behavior.

The 12 Jungian Archetypes

They are unclear root forms, or the archetypes-as-such, from which emerge images and motifs such as the mother, the child, the trickster, and the flood among others. These images and motifs are more precisely called archetypal images. However, it is common for the term archetype to be used interchangeably to refer to both archetypes-as-such and archetypal images.

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.

Carl Jung

An Archetype means original pattern in ancient Greek. Jung used the idea of archetype in his theory of the human psyche. He pointed out 12 universal, mythic characters archetypes reside within our collective unconscious.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

The 12 Jungian Archetypes
The 12 Jungian Archetypes

Jung explained twelve primary types that represent the spectrum of basic human impulses. Every person tends to have one main archetype that dominates our personality.

The 12 Jungian Archetypes

  1. Ruler
  2. Everyman
  3. Jester
  4. Caregiver
  5. Hero
  6. Sage
  7. Lover
  8. Rebel
  9. Explorer
  10. Wizard
  11. Innocent
  12. Creator/Artist

1. The Ruler

Jungian archetypes Ruler
The Ruler
  • Saying: Power isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
  • Desire: Control
  • Goal: create a prosperous, successful family or community
  • Strategy: exercise power
  • Fear: chaos, being overthrown
  • Weakness: being authoritarian, unable to delegate
  • Talent: responsibility, leadership

Aries is the cardinal fire sign when nature regrows itself. That powerful strength is the sign of The Ruler, which is therefore the archetype of Aries. It’s the character of seeing life as a challenge and taking it on.

2. The Everyman / Peasant

12 Jungian Archetypes Peasant
The Everyman
  • Saying: All men and women are created equal
  • Desire: connecting with others
  • Goal: to belong
  • Fear: to be left out or to stand out from the crowd
  • Strategy: develop ordinary solid virtues, be down to earth, the common touch
  • Weakness: losing one’s own self in an effort to blend in or for the sake of superficial relationships
  • Talent: realism, empathy, lack of pretense

Taurus is the fixed earth sign. In the solar year, its time is that of sowing the fields, growing food for the coming year. Thus, its archetype is The Everyman / Peasant, close to nature and senses. Develops ordinary solid virtues.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

3. The Jester

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Jester
  • Saying: You only live once
  • Desire: to live in the moment with full enjoyment
  • Goal: to have a great time and lighten up the world
  • Fear: being bored or boring others
  • Strategy: play, make jokes, be funny
  • Weakness: frivolity, wasting time
  • Talent: joy

Gemini is the mutable air sign, quick-witted and adaptable, Therefore, nothing should be taken too seriously. It’s the archetype of the Jester, sociable, talkative, and love to be surrounded by interesting people all the time. They are high energy and easy-going beings. 

4. The Caregiver

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Caregiver
  • Saying: Love your neighbor as yourself
  • Desire: to protect and care for others
  • Goal: To help others
  • Fear: selfishness and ingratitude
  • Strategy: doing things for others
  • Weakness: martyrdom and being exploited
  • Talent: compassion, generosity

Cancer is the cardinal water sign, the one who cares for our feelings and wants each of us to be pleased. That’s the archetype of the Caregiver / Mother. They love their home and family more than anything else in this world. They are imaginative, clever, and protective and sympathetic. On the other side, they are moody and overly emotional and unable to let go.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

5. The Hero

12 Jungian Archetypes Hero
The Hero
  • Saying: Where there’s a will, there’s a way
  • Desire: to prove one’s worth through courageous acts
  • Goal: expert mastery in a way that improves the world
  • Fear: weakness, vulnerability, being a “chicken”
  • Strategy: to be as strong and competent as possible
  • Weakness: arrogance, always needing another battle to fight
  • Talent: competence and courage

Leo is the fixed fire sign, so the archetype of Leo is the King. Majestic, sitting on his throne, gleaming the subjects as well as himself with his shine. They are bold, intelligent, warm, and courageous.

6. The Sage

12 Jungian Archetypes Hermit
The Sage
  • Saying: The truth will set you free
  • Desire: to find the truth.
  • Goal: to use intelligence and analysis to understand the world.
  • Fear: being duped, misled—or ignorance.
  • Strategy: seeking out information and knowledge; self-reflection and understanding thought processes.
  • Weakness: can study details forever and never act.
  • Talent: wisdom, intelligence.

Virgo is the mutable earth sign. The archetype of Virgo is the Sage paying the greatest attention to every detail, making as sure as possible to reach the intended outcome. There’s no substitute for skill and hard work.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

7. The Lover

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Lover
  • Saying: You’re the only one
  • Desire: intimacy and experience
  • Goal: being in a relationship with the people, work and surroundings they love
  • Fear: being alone, a wallflower, unwanted, unloved
  • Strategy: to become more and more physically and emotionally attractive
  • Weakness: outward-directed desire to please others at risk of losing own identity
  • Talent: passion, gratitude, appreciation, and commitment

Libra is the cardinal air sign. This is the archetype of the Lover, who knows intimacy and experience. Firm but fair. Still confused at times, since reality doesn’t always fit the model of it.

8. The Rebel

12 Jungian Archetypes Rebel
The Rebel
  • Saying: Rules are made to be broken
  • Desire: revenge or revolution
  • Goal: to overturn what isn’t working
  • Fear: to be powerless or ineffectual
  • Strategy: disrupt, destroy, or shock
  • Weakness: crossing over to the dark side, crime
  • Talent: outrageousness, radical freedom

Scorpio is the fixed water sign. It seems unreal, but still works its ways. It’s the archetype of the Rebel, being in revenge or revolution, by disrupt, destruction, or shock

7. The Explorer

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Explorer
  • Saying: Don’t fence me in
  • Desire: the freedom to find out who you are through exploring the world
  • Goal: to experience a better, more authentic, more fulfilling life
  • Fear: getting trapped, conformity, and inner emptiness
  • Strategy: journey, seeking out and experiencing new things, escape from boredom
  • Weakness: aimless wandering, becoming a misfit
  • Talent: autonomy, ambition, being true to one’s soul

Sagittarius is the mutable fire sign. It’s the archetype of the Explorer, constantly searching for new worlds, never settling, never at peace.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

10. The Magician

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Magician
  • Saying: I make things happen.
  • Desire: understanding the fundamental laws of the universe
  • Goal: to make dreams come true
  • Fear: unintended negative consequences
  • Strategy: develop a vision and live by it
  • Weakness: becoming manipulative
  • Talent: finding win-win solutions

Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign. It’s the archetype of the Magician, the one who puts use to everything at our disposal, develops a vision and then lives by it.

11. The Innocent

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Innocent
  • Saying: Free to be you and me
  • Desire: to get to paradise
  • Goal: to be happy
  • Fear: to be punished for doing something bad or wrong
  • Strategy: to do things right
  • Weakness: boring
  • Talent: faith and optimism

Aquarius is the fixed air sign. Time for reflection. It’s the archetype of the Innocent, who makes sure that humanity gets to a paradise.

12. The Creator/Artist

12 Jungian Archetypes
The Creator
  • Saying: If you can imagine it, it can be done
  • Desire: to create things of enduring value
  • Goal: to realize a vision
  • Fear: mediocre vision or execution
  • Strategy: develop artistic control and skill
  • Task: to create culture, express own vision
  • Weakness: perfectionism, bad solutions
  • Talent: creativity and imagination

Pisces is the mutable water sign, the restlessness of emotions. That’s the archetype of the Creator/Artist, who dream to create things of enduring value.

Jungian Archetypes & Zodiac Signs

Comments are closed.