The Boyhood Archetypes
Archetypes are used to create a framework upon which a mature and integral masculine force is developed. Most problems men face in the modern world are caused by the man himself not being in touch with the primal masculine energies that reside within them. Although every man possesses both masculine and feminine energy, modern men are socially encouraged to develop their feminine energy at the expense of their masculine. Thus, causing a dystopia in personal, professional and hierarchical relationships.
The Mature Masculine consists of four Archetypical energies structured in three separate parts. The full and highest expression part as well as two bi-polar dysfunctional (shadow) parts. Successfully integrating the two dysfunctional parts enables men to attain the fullest expression of each archetype thereby creating a life of purpose, fulfilment and an otherworldly sense of oneness.
However, in order for a man to mature, it has to evolve from its immature version. These immature archetypes are referred to as Boyhood Archetypes. Like their mature counterparts, each of which comprises three parts. Exploring the boyhood archetypes can be helpful for two reasons. First, it reminds a man to never lose sight of that energetic and enthusiastic boy who resides within him. This allows us to enjoy life more freely as well as relate to other boys he comes across from a place of connectedness as opposed to judgement. Secondly, it makes a man aware of childish thoughts and behavioural patterns into which he still unconsciously falls and thus hindering his journey into manhood.
Moreover, a great deal of common mundane problems men face these days, is due to subconsciously letting their boyhood in control of making decisions. These men haven’t fully moved on to harnessing their full mature potential. Therefore, most adults think, act and feel like teenagers. Or boys pretending to be men. In this two parts series, I’ll explore the boyhood archetypes in this first part and later on their mature masculine counterparts.
The Devine Child is believed to be the first archetype that a masculine child develops. It’s the source of enthusiasm and it creates a certain sense of well-being, peace, joy and the seek for exploration. It shows up in life as excitement and burning desire at new beginnings. He is both helpless as it relies on adults to meet his needs and he is also powerful as he demands constant attention from adults. Some prominent traditional embodiments of the Devine Child are Christ, Moses, Buddha and Krishna. They all featured miraculous events which envisioned the important work they were expected to carry out. Although they had unlimited potential and enormous expectation bestowed upon them, they were only vulnerable babies. If the Devine Child is nurtured and developed properly, he will turn into a manly King. Whereas, if neglected, he will turn into either one of the two shadow archetypes and mature into the respective shadow King archetype.
The Highchair Tyrant requires undivided attention and he is incapable of giving back. Thus, the Highchair Tyrant is incapable of inspiring others to give him attention, he only demands attention all the time. It is the embodiment of the entitled, arrogant and narcissistic male figure. He is the neglected child who feels his parents’ lives should revolve around his needs and wants. In adulthood, this archetype shows up in men who believe to be the centre of the universe. When things inevitably go south, he doesn’t take responsibility for his actions, he doesn’t accept criticism and he’s oblivious to reality. In other words, whenever a man expects nothing but perfection or feel he is not good enough, it is the manifestation of the Highchair Tyrant.
The Weakling Prince, unlike the Highchair Tyrant, is overprotected by his parents. He has got no drive or initiative in life and he is the major victim in every situation. His parents do not allow him to be responsible for anything, hence he feels entitled to be saved at all times. He makes sure everyone knows his needs and wants and makes demands to have them met. In adulthood, he behaves like the nicest guy on earth in order to disguise his lack of motivation and willingness to put in any effort into anything.
Successfully integrating the Devine Child into adulthood ensures that a man remains young and fun at heart. It enables the adult male to look for possibilities, inspire creativity and be stimulated by adventure. Losing touch with the Devine Child makes an adult content with and limited by mediocracy. The proper integration of the Devine Child consists of holding onto the unlimited possibilities whilst showing capacity to acknowledge his own limitations.
Following the development of the Devine Child comes the Precocious Child. If the Precocious Child is raised properly, it gives birth to the mature archetype of the Magician. This archetype shows up in the form of willingness and curiosity to learn everything there is to learn. This archetype is the embodiment of that child who asks questions repeatedly, usually ‘why’ questions. The Precocious Child wants to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. He contemplates the mysteries of life, turns inward for investigation and outward to share what he has learned. If the Precocious Child is shut down it may give birth to either one of the two shadow archetypes.
The Know-It-All Trickster is the first of the two shadows of the Precocious Child. From such immaturity arises mischief either naive or deceitful. This shadow archetype is predicated on a childish sense of superiority he feels obliged to exhibit. The Know-It-All Trickster manipulates and deceits others just to leverage later on. He is a smart ass, he can charm himself out of trouble and he has the courage to speak up. In other words, he is the perfect bully. As he has lost sight of the Divine Child, he is incapable of feeling worthy of greatness. Therefore, the superiority he portrays is not based upon substance but rather on envy and insecurity. Men who are ruled by this childish archetype trick themselves into $50k/year millionaires, in order to appear better than they really are.
The Dummy is uncoordinated, innocent, lethargic and underdeveloped. However, these characteristics may or often may not be real. The dummy may often be more capable than he lets on. The reason behind such deceitful behaviour is to avoid either the glory of succeeding or the misery of failing. Summing up, the Dummy may very well have a secret Trickster lurking within him.
Integrating the Precocious Child into adulthood allows the mature man to explore the world and endeavour into a lifelong learning existence. He takes times to examine life’s mysticism and seeks to expand his knowledge. Instead of using his knowledge to manipulate and deceive others, he’s committed to sharing it as a coach, mentor or teacher.
Following the development of the Precocious Child archetype, The Oedipal Child comes alive. This archetype has to do with the longing for the nurturing, infinitely good and beautiful Mother (the feminine energy, the pure Goddess, Mother Nature). The Oedipal Child adventures deep inwardly and celebrates his ability to imagine and his intuitive powers. He desperately needs to experiment the depths of emotion, the morality of passion and the free expression of the self. This archetype inspires the boy to establish affectionate and warm relationships with himself and others, harnessing the seeds of spirituality. If integrated properly, it matures into the Lover archetype. Otherwise, it splits off into two shadow forms.
The Momma’s Boy holds onto his actual mother as opposed to the feminine energy associated with it. This archetype manifests when there is either absence of a male figure at home or the father is energetically weaker than the mother. The clearest way the Momma’s Boy appears is not wanting to confront his mother, putting his mother’s desires above his wife’s and his own. Another adult manifestation of the Momma’s Boy takes place by failing to muster feminine energy in a healthy way and thus resulting in trying to fill the void with mortal women. However, mortal women are unable to play the role of the Almighty Goddess. Thus, Momma’s Boy jumps from a failed relationship to the next one or suffers from sex/porn addiction hoping to find a woman to fulfil all his needs.
The Dreamer, unlike the Momma’s Boy, has a passive approach to finding oneness with the feminine energy. While the Oedipal Child instils spiritual endeavours, the Dreamer seeks such transcendental propensities to another level. He completely gives up on relationships and indulges in his own introspection and solitude. Hence, the Dreamer deliberately rejects reality, spending too much time entertained and too little learning social skills required to make his dreams come true.
Integrating the Oedipal Child into adulthood leads a man to being chivalrous, warm, sweet. He is devoted to spirituality and introspection while keeping himself grounded. He can tap into and harness the power of the feminine energy without allowing to be overcome by it.
The Oedipal Child is overtaken by the Hero. The Hero claims independence, freedom and embarks upon risky activities, perhaps with a hint or a lot of recklessness involved. After all, he has to test his own determination, bravery and ability to face his fears. The Hero wants to prove to everyone, including himself, that he can take on whatever challenge comes his way. The Hero is unarguably the most common archetype among any school of mythology. The Hero is usually the last of the boyhood archetypes to come alive at the peak of psychological development before the boy morphs into a man. This passage can only happen upon the child’s death, so it can be reborn as an adult. It requires a symbolic initiation ritual. However, as in modern societies men usually bypass such symbolic passage ritual into manhood, many men are kept psychologically stuck in adolescence.
While the Hero is thought of as the final destination of our existence, this archetype is still an immature energy which is yet to develop into the mature Warrior. Unlike the Warrior that engages in conflicts and battles for a greater purpose, the Hero does it for selfish reasons. The “greater” purpose of the Hero is to gain his independence from his mother, and to test his own personal power in adulthood and in the real world. Contrary to the Warrior, the Hero is unaware of his limitations both physical and emotional. Thus, teenage years are full of dramas everywhere you look.
The Grandstander Bully demands respect and may discharge his fury when his demands are not met. Such avoidable and foolish behaviour tends to provoke his own shame and wrecking. It is very usual to see this shadow manifesting into manhood, such as when a grownup lash out at a serviceperson. However, hidden behind such extreme aggressive personality lies an insecure coward who must go to war with whoever challenges his masculinity. Thus, he is unable to tap into the feminine energy due to lack of self-confidence.
The Coward, unlike the Grandstander Bully, lacks the balls to engage in conflict whether it is physical or intellectual. He cannot simply stand up for himself, hence he is a passive follower of the herd and will do anything he is told to. Although the Coward will talk himself out of conflict because it is the ‘wise thing to do’, he cannot convince himself of his own excuses and will grow despiteful toward himself. Thus, the natural flow-on effect is the Coward hit a tipping point where he unleashes his rage and fury like a Grandstander Bully would.
Integrating the Hero archetype successfully is quite challenging. On one hand, teenagers perceive things in duality (black/white, yes/no, good/bad, etc), hate insipid beliefs and safety-oriented behaviours. On the other, adults despise unnecessary risks youngsters take, amuse themselves with blind idealism of teenagers and love to say that ‘kids are yet to see how the world really is’. Mature men must walk on the fine line between these two extremes. A mature man possesses self-awareness and ability to see the true colours of his challenges, shall he want to effectively change something in the real world. Meanwhile, he must not lose touch with his adventurer heart, should he not want to become stale toward seeking greatness. Only by tapping into the Hero energy and taking risks can a man achieve meaningful goals and become the heroic Warrior.
In the next part I will go over the Mature Man archetypes based on the book King Warrior Magician Lover, Rediscovering the Archetypes of Mature Masculine by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette.
