Complementary Archetypes

Ever wondered why you habitually find yourself drawn to a particular kind of character? This video may provide you with a bit of insight.

There is a sense in which these archetypes each has a complementary opposite. In real life, someone who is predominantly led by the archetype of the Lover, for example, may find themselves drawn to those who strongly exhibit the Warrior. They see in the other something that they find hard to access in themselves. This doesn't mean that they find each other easy to get on with sometimes there can be fireworks between them but they do seem to have a fascination, even admiration, for their counterpart, whilst fully aware that they could never bring themselves to do the things the other often does.

Remember that opposites attract. Connection develops through likeness; passion from polarity. That's worth repeating so it sinks in a bit more:

Likeness creates connection: Polarity breeds passion

The Sovereign knows that she can make things happen by her command  utilising her position of authority. Yet she has an admiration for the Mystic who makes things happen almost magically through his influence. They both use power as a means to an end, but do so in rather different ways.

The Warrior, for all his toughness and resilience, longs to find comfort in the arms of an adoring Lover; and she in turn admires the strength and tenacity in him that she feels she lacks herself.

The Sage may often not suffer fools gladly yet can appreciate the perceptive wit of the Jester and benefit from the light-hearted approach to life that he brings. The Sage is sage enough to realise that there is such a thing as ‘the paralysis of analysis’ and that everyone needs a break from learning sometime. Likewise the mature Jester does recognise the value of the Sage's outlook - that some things do need to be treated seriously and a life of complete frivolity is not fulfilling.

Do you know your predominant archetypes? Would you say that you are, in fact, attracted to people who fit a complementary profile?