Archetype Definition Part 1

 An Archetype is defined as a mental concept, an invisible mental blueprint, an intangible mental idea that exists independently and autonomously.  

Archetypes were first described by Plato as mental templates, mental architectural blueprints that he called "Forms" and "Ideas."   How is it that I can relate to you the concept of Truth (or Justice or the Good or Beauty)?  Clearly, this is an idea, a concept, an invisible, intangible mental form.  This concept (that is, this formless architectural blueprint) is immaterial (and, yes, invisible and intangible).  -And yet this concept is real.  How can this be?  Plato called this concept a FORM.  -Actually, it is a formless form that can only be seen by the enlightened philosopher (according to Plato).

Carl Jung discovered that these Archetypes are real, living entities existing independently and autonomously.  These Archetypes are Collective in nature because they enter the unconscious minds of all human beings.  He called this "Collective" the "Collective Unconscious" because all humans, regardless of race, gender or time of birth experience these entities.  

Examples of these Archetypes include Male, Female, Father, Mother, God, Sun, Moon, Stars, trees, animals and so much more.

According to Jung, these Archetypes (that is, these invisible and immaterial mental concepts) are unknowable because they are Unconscious in their very essence.  But they become knowable when they are revealed to the Conscious Mind through Symbols.  The voice of Archetypes, therefore, is the voice of Symbol.   Jung teaches that these mental concepts are psychic energetic concepts that we have inherited from our ancestors.  


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