Whether we know it or not, you and I are on a journey of transformation. The same is true of our species. From the moment of our conception, natural forces of growth and change we could not see or control were in operation, heating, intensifying, distilling, softening, dissolving and transforming fixed aspects of our cells, minds and bodies. They still are.
In my youth, many of my family’s elders still held strict religious views which forbade work, movies, dancing, or playing cards on Sundays, and they disapproved of people who did these things. Sundays were for church, home, family, praying, Bible study and resting. Although my parents loosened up a bit in their religious views, they, too, were good, responsible, well-meaning, church-going people. Right beliefs, good deeds, and behavior beyond reproach were what counted.
Well, somehow I messed up and published two copies of the same post at two different stages of writing and with two different titles! “A Good Christian” was the
My friends: I recently came across a post titled “What Everyone Needs to Know About the Highly Sensitive Person” from the blog Taming the Invisible Dragon by Sloan Rawlins. With a shock of recognition, I discovered that Sloan, whom I’ve never met, has written a description of herself….and me! Until now, I had no idea there is a name for people like us. It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of gratitude that I share her post with you. Thank You, Sloan, for shedding light on yet one more of my inner mysteries.
In this final post in my series about the King and Queen archetypes, I’d like to share an example of someone whose psychological awareness enhanced her work life. Since I’ve known her, my friend Trish’s personality has been characterized by warmth, empathy, caring, listening, understanding, supporting, and cooperating
Our species is acquiring a broader perspective that envisions reciprocal partnerships between our masculine and feminine sides. Both intuition and experience tell us that healing the divide between these opposites will give birth to creative new ways of thinking and being that will better serve the needs of all of us. Yet with comparatively few models of the healthy Queen to emulate, we’re struggling mightily to understand and respect her.
A government can only be as balanced and wise, just and caring as its people. Lenin’s goal of replacing monarchy with socialism was a well-intended but misguided attempt to incorporate the Queen’s ethic of shared authority into social governance. Unfortunately, neither the Russian nor Chinese revolution effectuated this ideal.
The ethical impeccability of the Sovereign archetype is not easily won or highly developed in everyone. A passion for justice, caring, equality, honesty, and morally responsible behavior are functions of experience, education, psychological maturity, economic security, and a “religious” attitude of reverence for the miracle and mystery of life. These qualities are rare in individuals who’ve endured persistent abuse and agonizing struggles for love, safety and survival.
The King and Queen archetypes are the primary authorities of our psyches and societies. We know of their existence because projections of them have ruled civilizations throughout human history. If they were not part of our psychological makeup, we would not need to create them in the world. These archetypes cause people everywhere to choose and obey moral authorities who (we hope) will protect us, govern us, nurture our development, and enable us and our progeny to thrive.
During this post-election time in America it is fitting that we honor the King and Queen archetypes, rulers of the social domain. I dedicate the next several posts to them.
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