SOVEREIGN, MAGICIAN, WARRIOR, LOVER

I'm still trying to find my rhythm after my 5 weeks of travel in Great Britain.  All good intentions to get fully back into my Yoga practice and YMCA workouts have been sporadic at best -- victims of jet lag, illness, conflicting commitments, and frankly, a bit of "I don't wanna" blues that has made my sofa more inviting than the yoga mat.   Does this ever happen to you?

Over the weekend my husband and I were on a retreat where we facilitated a personal growth session on the Jungian Archetypes of Sovereign, Magician, Warrior, & Lover.  Psychologist Carl Jung posited that these archetypes are working invisibly in our psyche, informing how we see and respond to the world around us.  And of course there are "shadow" archetypes of each of these as well, which tend to thwart our more benevolent intentions, but I'm focusing here on the more healthy, or "golden", facets of these and how they keep us in balance when we are aware of them.

The Sovereign creates and holds the vision.  Like a good and healthy King or Queen, the Sovereign energy within sees the big picture, is calm, balanced, confident; encourages creativity, honors and supports, gives blessing.

The Magician knows what needs to be done, and how, to realize the Vision.  The Magician uses knowledge and intuition to solve problems, uses tools/technology, is thoughtful, reflective, and clear sighted.

The Warrior enacts the Vision.  Warrior energy rouses, energizes, motivates; is focused, courageous, and mindful; removes obstacles, sets boundaries, gets the job done.

The Lover provides the reason (emotional connection) for the Vision.  Lover energy is sensually aware and sensitive to the rhythms of the world; empathetic, compassionate; elated, strong, alive, enthusiastic, romantic -- connected.

I've been thinking about these energies and how to employ them to get myself back on track.

My Vision:  to live in a state of peace with myself, those around me, and the world by having a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

My Magician: knows through study and practice that there are tools I can use to achieve this vision -- regular yoga practice in asana and meditation and regular physical activity to build endurance and muscular strength.  Diet, social interaction, relaxation time, etc. are also tools to use toward the vision.

My Warrior:  knows how to focus my intention on the vision; can remind me to remove the obstacles to achieving my vision, to set boundaries, (Don't say yes to coffee with friends on yoga mornings!), to say "no" to donuts and "yes" to fruit.  

My Lover: knows that my Vision is in service to my mental well-being, my healthy body, and living a life of connection to myself, my family, friends, community, and the world at large; this energy encourages me to find self-compassion when I mess up and to find forgiveness when others do.

When all of these archetypes are in healthy balance, well, what can stop us from realizing our visions -- from the simple to the sublime, on the mat and off?!   ©

Namaste, donnajurene

Happy Halloween, Warriors!