Archetypal Grandiosity What is it and how to spot it, when we're under attack ...
I ask that you use your own personal discrimination when reading this article, and set aside any words, aspects or concepts that do not resonate with you. For I recognise your freedom to choose what is right for you, and would not wish to violate your freewill, but rather, I would act only as a resource for your seeking.
If you did not know it, our Human personality or Ego, is always using one of the four main archetypal energies in our daily lives. These instinctual energies form part of our psyche. We cannot undertake any Human activity without them. These four archetypes come in two pairs, King/Queen (Royal) and Magician, Lover and Warrior. The Royal energy relates to decision making, nurturing and ordering (Earth); The Magician relates to thinking, knowledge and knowing (Air). The Lover relates to feeling, connection and of course, love (Water); The Warrior relates to action, boundaries and determination (Fire).
The Human Ego has no energy per se of its own; it is always co-opting one or more of the four archetypes, either consciously or unconsciously. What do I mean by this? If we are acting unconsciously, then the energies maybe using us; if we are conscious, then we will be using them, to undertake specific tasks. The challenge arises that when we are unconscious, we can become identified with the archetypal energy, believing that it actually us. When I refer to ‘us,’ I mean our Human personality, or Ego. When we unconsciously identify with one of the four energies, we can become what is known as ‘inflated’ with it, or alternatively, over energised. If we become too inflated, then we can become grandiose (archetypal grandiosity), or what is commonly called egotistical.
When we become grandiose, we begin to act and think unconsciously, so much so that the negative aspects of the four archetypes arise within whin us, causing us to ‘act-out,’ and behave in amplified and distorted ways. For example, the grandiose Royal energy takes on excessive entitled, assertive and arrogant qualities (independent). The grandiose Magician becomes aloof, deconstructionist, and manipulative (detached). The grandiose Lover becomes addicted, highly emotional and obsessive (dependant); and the inflated Warrior becomes violent, rageful, and sadistic (ambivalent).
Such archetypal ‘possession’ can become the ‘norm’ for some people, living unconsciously in a state of inflated grandiosity all the time, without comprehending that something has them by the tail, compelling them into ‘compulsive 'behaviours and ways of perceiving the world around them. Let me be clear, these archetypal energies do not form part of our Ego, they co-opt it, coming from a separate part of our psyche called the ‘collective unconscious.’
The trick is to spot the compulsive inflation when it arises. How do we do this? Our mission is the process which Carl Jung called Individuation, is to become aware of the four archetypal energies, come into conscious relationship with them and begin to balance any inflation in any of them with their opposite (Royal-Magician, Lover-Warrior).
To begin with, let’s undertake a little analysis of our own psychic geography, to understand what is known as our archetypal organisation, to determine how we crack and fragment, when the archetypal energies flood the psyche. Are you principally a thinking person (Magician), a feeling type (Lover), a leader (Royal) or a doer (Warrior)? Alternatively, are you principally a down-to-earth organiser (Royal), a person concerned with appearances and relationships (Lover), a dreamer figuring out the world (Magician), or an outdoor/sporty type, with a strong work ethic (Warrior). An understanding of these distinctions will orientate us. One’s job type also gives us a strong clue to the ‘sector’ which we feel most comfortable with, although not always. Magicians are technicians of any type: teachers, engineers, designers, doctors, scientists, therapists, clergy, mechanics, etc. Warriors are actioneers and doers such as sports persons of all types, manual workers of any kind, dancers, armed forces, policeman, etc. Royals are all leaders and managers of any kind and entrepreneurs. Lovers are carers of all types, artists and musicians, and any occupation that addresses the senses and nurturing. There is a secondary archetypal sector which can be closely allied with the primary one such as Lover-Magicians or Magician-Lovers; a lot of therapists of all types fall into this category, using their erudite knowledge in a caring and healing capacity. Similarly, Lover-Royals and Royal-Lovers, combine leadership and caring together, such as any carer who is also a leader or any heart-centred leader. We can if we want, determine the complete order of all the archetypal energies, such as Royal-Warrior-Lover-Magician, or Lover-Warrior-Royal-Magician. There are twenty-four possible permutations.
If we use, or are used by, any particular archetypal energy, we will become inflated with it. We have internal regulatory systems in the psyche which can (but not always) regulate that inflation; this is called depression. Bipolar disorder is frequent and excessive inflation, followed by deflation, in a roller coaster ride. Normally, among less obviously bipolar individuals, this is known as the ‘ups and downs’ of life. Let’s use a few examples to illustrate the types: the ‘God complex’ for instance, is an excessive grandiose Royal sector inflation. This appearance can be followed by a ‘crash,’ as the regulatory mechanism kicks in, bringing them back down to earth. Grandiose Lover inflation can be characterised as promiscuous and addictive behaviours of all types. The ‘Mad Scientist,’ is the Magician out of control in his laboratory, pursuing Frankenstein-esque monstrosities. The inflated Warrior is a mercenary a hired gun, the Ronin, the premeditated serial killer. The deflationary phases are sometimes characterised as remorseful and shameful, sinking into oblivion. In actuality, the archetypal energy is still present, but expressing in its negative aspect.
Now we have a feel for how these energies work, how do we know when we are inflated? Let’s use a real simple example. When someone hurts us, or verbally attacks us in any way, triggering some trauma response from our past, typically we can; (a) stay calm and centered; (b) we can go quiet and distant; (c) we can protect ourselves in some way; or (d) we can collapse into an emotional heap. If (a) then we are perhaps aware of the archetypal forces at work within us, which can take us over, and perhaps we are meeting any tendency to recruit them consciously in the moment. If (b) we might be detaching from the situation, by being flooded by Magician energy, causing us to move away in an internal sense, closing down emotion and action, retreating into the cosy cavern of quiet aloofness.
If we protect ourselves (c), then maybe Warrior energy is beginning to rise. We can lay down a clear boundary, by saying something like “that’s enough thank you,” getting up and walking away, and dealing with any emotion that arises, by meeting it or just calming down. Depending upon our archetypal organisation (as described in the paragraphs above), differing levels of Warrior energy can be recruited to forcibly pushing back upon the antagonist, from shouting, to rage, to punching them on the nose! Alternatively, Royal energy could arise, by saying something like, “How dare you, what gives you the right to talk to me like that!” This could be followed by some Warrior display of aggression, indicating that the Royal-Warrior combo has been activated. This is a powerful blend, much used by the elite, to get their forceful way.
If one falls into a heap, collapsing under the weight of too much emotion (d), then maybe the Lover energy is beginning to flood the psyche and body, producing all sorts of physical consequences in the solar plexus and the vagus nerve, producing a shallow shortness of breath, possibly breaking down into tears. This is a ‘feeling’ response to the situation, with accompanying emotion. If a Lover-Warrior alignment is activated, then a passive-aggressive response might spring forth.
Each archetypal inflation will have an associated type of energy to it. Warrior produces fire, a burgeoning heat of outrage, which needs to be directed towards an ‘enemy.’ Magician inflationary energy is dispassionate, cold and withdrawing, a pulling in, but highly judgmental and clinical. Royal grandiosity is indignant, it wants to push out and away, it’s about stamping the royal foot, ‘I own this ground’. It is a sloughing off, a dismissal and outright arrogance being directed towards the other, for daring to question their rights, position or authority.
At the core of all inflation is anxiety, which is reflected in voice tone and breathing patterns. One way or another, the Ego feels that it is under attack, and needs to deal with the energetic which is flooding the system. We will crack and fragment in accordance with our archetypal organisation. Are we going to deal with it passively or actively? If we are a King-Warrior, or a Magician-Warrior, it will be more active. If we are a King-Lover, or Warrior-Lover, it will be more passive. If we are a Lover-Warrior or Magician-King, it will be more passive-aggressive (emotional contraction, followed by some sort of counterattack). If we are a Warrior-Lover, or King-Magician, it will be more aggressive-passive (attack first, followed by some sort of withdrawal).
Just to be clear, the Royal and Magician, like the Lover and Warrior, are on opposite sides of the same coin – they directly relate to each other (dualism) along a sliding scale. The Royals push their energy out (active) – the Magician pulls their energy in (passive). It’s a push-pull, all or nothing, dynamic. The Warrior builds protective walls (active), the Lover lets then dissolve away (passive); it’s a defended-undefended, isolate-affiliate dynamic.
It is of great benefit to undertake an archetypal organisational diagnosis, to map out our psychic disposition. Only then can we understand how we react to the world. When we begin to know this, we can comprehend what our tendencies are. Individuation is about having a ‘vision,’ about how we want to proceed with the journey. Imagine a four-sided pyramid. Place the Magician on the top edge or side, with the Royals on the bottom edge. Place the Lover on the left edge and the Warrior on the right. This is the geographical shape of the psyche. At the top or pinnacle, the four archetypal energies meet, becoming one. Individuation is a spiralling journey to reach the summit, balancing the opposites of both pairs, building an Ego Self-System, which is robust and does not crack or fragment under the strain of the human journey, which can consciously handle all the four archetypal energies equally.
We can spot archetypal compulsivity, by reflecting upon our emotional triggers, using the above pointers to orientate us. To do it on the ‘fly’ requires us to be vigilant to the movements of energy in our bodies, and the thoughts we are having. We need to be aware how we are breathing, what is the tone of our voice, are we anxious, are we contracting or tightening. Compulsivity is pushing or pulling towards the poles of extremes, which is either moving in or out, with fire or feeling. Watching for changes in our outlook is the key. When we notice an inflation in one direction, use the opposite pole to balance it. When we feel that we need to build a boundary (Warrior), to do so with loving intent (Lover). When we over give to others (Lover), remember that we need to look after ourselves first (Warrior). When we start ordering others around (Royal), recall that we would not like it if others did this to us (Magician). If we are being overtly dispassionate or intellectual (Magician), summon up the courage to be helpful and nurturing (Royal). It’s balancing the opposites, living in the tension of both, being the surfer of contradictory dynamics, relaxing into the flow of being.
To undertake this process of transformation, we need the courage to change, to commit to becoming the best version of ourselves that we can be. This comes from the Centre, our true essence, what Paul Tillich called the ‘power of being.’ The Centre is at the top of the pyramid; it is the primordial fountain, the Source. Faith is the knowing of this! Faith is the belief, that you are on a journey of evolution. Faith is the acceptance of the fallible, relative imperfect human, underpinned by our soul that is drawing us lovingly forward. Faith is surrendering any conditioning that prohibits Individuation. Faith is feeling safer, more joyful and less defended, attending lovingly to our wounds, even though the world around us seems to be tumbling down. The pain of our conditioning pushes until the vision of the top of the pyramid pulls.
Developing a strong Warrior practice, which channels fire coherently towards defined goals, set out by the Royal, is essential to build sufficient energy for the process. Without the contained, determined push of the Warrior, it is going to be difficult to undertake Individuation. Undertaking a daily practice of Warriorship, which is balanced with the Lover (not over doing it, or straining too hard), serves the overall health and vitality of your Kingdom/Queendom, using the expert knowledge of the Magician, is essential.
Should you need any help in this process, please subscribe to the site and drop me a line via the contact page. I offer consultations, advising optimal ways forward in your Individuation process.
whoops! maybe I might be behaving a bit royal :))))