The Archetypes We Fear: How Society Casts Out Its Own Soul

The Cost of Repressing Our Collective Soul

Since I was a little boy I embodied qualities connected to Dionysus, Wotan, Freyja and Artemis. The Dionysian is connected to empathy, emotions, intuition, spontaneous behaviour, artistic pursuits, mysticism, the union of opposites, next to displays of vulnerability and emotional honesty. Where Wotan is linked to strategic thinking, protection, the occult, mystical knowledge, and deep emotional experiences. Overlapping with some of the Dionysian traits. Freyja being linked to traits such as emotional depth, compassion, and protective strength, next to deep emotional presence, deep emotional sensitivity and a nurturing demeanor. Finally Artemis representing independence, self-sufficiency, the protector of the vulnerable, where she combines assertiveness with a caring nature.

The qualities I described earlier, associated with Dionysus, Wotan, Freyja, and Artemis, highlight archetypal forces that are deeply ingrained in human psychology and culture. However, they have been relegated to the "Collective Shadow" of Western civilization. In Jungian psychology, the "shadow" refers to the unconscious aspects of the personality that are repressed or denied because they are incompatible with societal norms or the conscious self-image. The "Collective Shadow" extends this concept to society as a whole, encompassing those aspects of human nature that are collectively denied, repressed, or demonized.

Dionysus

In the context of Western civilization, which has long valued reason, order, and control, the Dionysian qualities of spontaneity, vulnerability, and mysticism are often suppressed or marginalized. This repression creates a collective fear of uncontrolled emotions and the chaos they represent.

Wotan

In a society that often prioritizes material success, rationality, and control, Wotan's embrace of the mystical and the unknown is pushed into the shadow. His connection to deep emotional experiences and the occult reflects the fear of what lies beyond the limits of conventional knowledge and societal norms.

Freyja

She embodies a form of femininity that is both nurturing and fierce. In a culture that often separates strength from vulnerability and compassion from assertiveness, Freyja’s integration of these qualities challenges conventional gender roles and expectations. This integration is often repressed, leading to a collective discomfort with expressions of powerful, compassionate femininity.

Artemis

Her qualities of self-sufficiency and protection challenge societal expectations that often prioritize dependence, conformity, and submission, particularly in women. As such, the archetype of Artemis, with her fierce independence and nurturing strength, is often relegated to the shadow.

When these archetypes are pushed into the Collective Shadow, they become sources of projection, fear, and conflict. Society views traits associated with these archetypes as disruptive, dangerous, and undesirable because they challenge the dominant cultural values of order, control, rationality, and conformity. Leading thus to formation of hyper-rationality and Solar Madness within the culture. This repression creates an imbalance, as the qualities these archetypes represent are essential for a healthy, integrated society and individual psyche.

For example:

• Dionysian Qualities: Suppressing emotional expression and spontaneity can lead to a society that is rigid, hyper rational, and disconnected from the depth of human experience.

• Wotan’s Traits: Denying the mystical and strategic aspects of life can result in a shallow understanding of reality, lacking in depth, wisdom, and the ability to navigate the complexities of existence.

• Freyja’s Compassion and Strength: Neglecting the integration of strength with vulnerability diminishes the ability to care for others while maintaining boundaries and self-respect.

• Artemis’ Independence: Overlooking the value of independence and assertiveness weakens the capacity for self-reliance and the protection of those who cannot protect themselves.

My own Relationship to these Archetypal Qualities

As I personally embody these qualities, this has lead to quite some issues in my life. Generally being pushed to the margins of existence, as I embody traits part of the Collective Shadow. Hence in my past being seen as various negative things, and since a young age made into the general scapegoat for most people I dealt with.

For myself the expression of deep emotions, and interest in complex and mystical subjects, was seen as unusual and troubling. My early fascination with myths, ancient cultures, and the questioning of conventional values reflected Wotan’s traits of intellectual depth and mystical curiosity. Where from my childhood to teenage years family and peers marginalized and pressured me to conform to conventional behaviors. As my natural assertiveness, intellectual depth and emotional sensitivity and deep emotional expression was seen as threatening. Often labelled as various negative stereotypes as a boy for my genderqueer expression. Seen by others as overly emotional and fragile, and thus subject to ridicule. Facing stigma and bullying as my empathetic nature was perceived as a weakness, by family and peers alike. And that I did not fit into traditional gender norms.

Where my reactions of assertiveness against this, was labelled as difficult, challenging and disruptive, leading to social exclusion. Where I experienced and still experience social isolation and a difficulty forming close relationships as my qualities were often misunderstood and feared by peers. Which then lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation. So I tried for some time regardless to fit in, yet I did not, and the deep lack of authenticity made me severely depressed as a teen and later in life. The help I would seek from others mostly falling on deaf ears, having no one to turn to. So I ended up spending most of my time at the grave of Renata, to have some form of connection that felt actually safe.

Though the way I sought solace in the willow grove or now currently in the Finnish Forest, is similar to how Artemis seeks refuge in nature. And thus similar to Artemis’ inclination towards finding peace and strength in isolation and nature. Where like Wotan, Dionysus and Freyja I practiced Shamanic and Koryos/Korybantic rituals to try to heal myself and free myself of the societal norms that constrained me. Trying to heal myself and get rid of the internalised traditional gender norms.

However due to me being this way, even if I now healed myself more, there remains a strong tension between me and society. As for Western Society I really then remain an embodiment of the Collective Shadow, they rather keep on the margins as scapegoat, to suffer forever, so they can protect their illusion of order. Yet I am tired of being pushed to the margins and not having a place to exist as who I am. Where I utilised the Koryos rituals to empower myself. This being an ancient initiation ritual, which involved living outside the norms of society, often in stark contrast to its values. Something that works quite well for someone who embodies qualities that were pushed into the Collective Shadow, and also to overcome rigid gender norms.

In the end though I am more than just a walking embodiment of the Collective Shadow, as there is nothing wrong with the archetypes I mentioned. They are being distorted and misunderstood by the culture. Since ancient times the scapegoat was cast out and the society was seen as this redemptive thing. However the thing is that the casting out of these qualities show something wrong with the society, not the individual. As marginalising someone based on their inherent qualities and human traits and characteristics is cruel and beyond the control of the person. As one can not change how one is born.