The Four-Archetype Werkmotif
The four mature masculine archetypes appear in an allegorical tale of shadow ownership in the context of personal growth (commonly called shadow work).
In commonplace English, modern mature shadow work is a process of assimilation reflected in these statements by Karl Jung:
Assimilation of the shadow gives a man body, so to speak,
thereby providing a launchpad for further individuation.1
The integration of the shadow, or the realization of the
personal unconscious, marks the first stage in the analytic
process... without it a recognition of anima and animus is
impossible.2
In modern practise, the practical process includes recognising and "excavating" (accurately determining the nature of the original adversary or root cause); personification (treating it as a sentient entity to which one can speak); compassion (the bulk of the work, in which loving respect is given); acceptance and integration; and empowerment (prudently employing the strengths manifest in the shadow aspect). Here, these steps are expressed as actions of the literary archetypes.
The Lover
The Lover Embraces, Accepts, and even Priases all aspects of myself, even those that seem shameful, painful, awkward, or perplexing.
The Warrior
The Warrior Protects and Defends all aspects of myself, even those that seem shameful, etc., from attack, disapproval, condemnation, etc. by others who would do me harm.
The Magician
The Magician Transforms all aspects of myself, even those that seem shameful, etc., into something Beautiful by applying the insight of [Everything is precisely as it is meant to be], despite paradox.
The King
The King Claims Sovereignty of all aspects of myself, even those that seem shameful, etc., which he did not take or conquer, but rather were given to him, by the Lover, the Warrior, and the Magician — and with this Ownership and Sovereignty, enjoys all the rights and carries all the responsibilities concommitent thereto.
footnotes
1 : Jung, C. G. The Practice of Psychotherapy. (Princeton University Press 1966), p. 239.
2 : Jung, C. G. Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. (London 1959) p. 22
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credits
Core ideas by Joseph Ranseth
Written formulation by Robert Munafo
This page was written in the "embarrassingly readable" markup language RHTF, and was last updated on 2026 Jan 17.
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