PREVIOUS : POSITIVES in us ALL – Definitions

POST : Enneagram Strengths

See “POSITIVES in us ALL – Definitions”

⚜️ Type 1  ENTHUSIASM = YOU CAN :
• allow yourself to be “in the moment”
• be spontaneous, play more
• laugh at your own mistakes without anxiety
•  let go of control & be ok with making mistakes (once in a while)
• stop engaging with people who are irresponsible or lazy
• try at least one new thing each day (only for yourself)
• try something “outside the box” unless you know it won’t work

⚜️ Type 1  FLEXIBILITY  – Acknowledge there’s more than one right way to get things done
Self-Statement: I can relax, let go! Would I rather be right or effective?

⚜️ Type 1 GENEROSITY of Spirit – This comes from a deep acceptance of all that is, as it is – including others, work, & especially you. If you want to give a great gift, write a loving poem, maybe even send handwritten thank-you – make sure it’s not ego-based, not trying to be seen as perfect.

⚜️ Type 1GRATITUDE – Obvious idea: Focus on what’s wonderful & glorious about something that’s not completely stellar, instead of on what you see as ‘wrong’ with it.
Non-obvious idea: Tell 3 different people you care about – what they really mean to you, & how grateful you are to have them in your life. Don’t mention their imperfections !

⚜️ Type 1  INVOLVEMENT – You can be deeply passionate & engaged, propelled by a values-driven momentum that few others can match. But also ASK yourself :
* Can I be fully involved when someone else is in control of a situation, when there’s a high degree of uncertainty, or when its quality may not live up to my standard ?
* If being fully involved requires me to be absolutely in the moment, can I let myself be fully present without anxiety?

⚜️ Type 1  MOTIVATION – Work at keeping your inner motivation strong, even when ——> you or others around you are making mistakes, when you’re exhausted from over-work, being too self-controlled, or feeling irritated.

⚜️ Type 1 – PERSPECTIVE – Too tight lenses : if you only look for what’s precise, right or clear, you may mistake something that looks fine for something that is not, or ‘see’ something as flawed, when it’s actually just fine as is.
Remedy: Observe everything with relaxed eyes so you can notice what’s truly important.

⚜️ Type 1 – PROSPERITY – Move from self-restraint to expansive abundance – moving away from poverty-mentality. Give yourself the freedom to function without the chains of rigid rules & strict controls, yet without throwing away all boundaries & ignoring consequences.

⚜️ Type 1  RESPONSIBILITY / “response-ability”. It’s not knee-jerk reactions, habits or your instincts. It’s a conscious choice to handle situations & relationships with integrity.  To be ‘legitimate’ your actions have to be based on real awareness about :
a. who you are + b. what’s needed practically + c. what will achieve the best outcome at the time.
Don’t let your natural sense of diligence & un-healthy perfectionism take on tasks you don’t really want to do, which will make you very resentful

⚜️ Type 1  SPONTANEITY – You may think you are – when making quirky or extremely honest comments. But mostly you’re over-controlled, the opposite of spontaneity.  The ‘real thing’ comes from lowered anxiety, side-stepping all those rules about how to act. But don’t go to the opposite extreme – your Arrow #7’s recklessness – which is not true instinctual spontaneity, just impulsivity.

⚜️ Type 1  VISION – To put your vision into form means having fewer constrictions or pre-determined rules, & a deep belief in possibilities for yourself, others & the world. Let yourself dream really big without reservation, even for a while – moving past your judgments & perfectionism, into a world of many possibilities.

⚜️ Type 1  WILLINGNESS – Be willing to relinquish control once in a while, & experiment with trying new things you may not do ‘perfectly’. Practice suspending your demands for the Ideal. Lead by example without thinking “I’m such a good person, so everyone should be like me”.

NEXT : Type 2 Positives

PREVIOUS : Defeating Saboteurs

SITE :

PREVIOUS : SAGE – 

SITEs : “HOW to DEFEAT Internal SABOTEURS”
🏋🏾‍♀️ “The MAGIC of BRAIN PLASTICITY” 

1. WEAKENING your saboteurs – start with 2 or 3 of the strongest ones.
😍 Call your ‘favorite’ Saboteur a NAME – Brenda / Ralph….. to put distance between it & the True you.  Talk to it, ask it to calm down, wait ’till later to freak out, be quiet.…  OR
give each nickname s –  ”the executioner, the robot, the drill sergeant”… so you can easily recognize whichever one shows up when you’re stressed.

🧐 Keep observing how their telltale behaviors show up at work & in personal interactions. Helpful image: Think of them like a giant snowman that melts under the light of conscious awareness.

🔆 Repeat over & over : “I don’t agree with your negative belief”. There’s a difference between saying “I don’t think I can___” vs the Judge definitely insisting that you’re not capable.

▼ Don’t fight with it – at least not in the typical way. Don’t criticize it, because it’ll activate the ringleader, the Judge! If you screw up in some part of your life,  it will make you anxious. Instead – empathize & explore what happened, & come up with creative ways to handle upsetting situations.

❤️‍🩹 Practice gratitude : every day think of 3 things you appreciate like – your loved ones, if you have good health, a new creative project you’re working on… – OR very small things like being able to walk, having heat in in winter, money for food…..

2. BUILDING New Neural Pathways
Saboteurs push us into action through negative emotions : anger, anxiety, fear , guilt, obligation, regret, shame….
BUT
The Sage pulls us through positive emotions: compassion creativity, create meaning, curiosity & a desire to contribute.
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We take 10,000 steps a day for physical fitness, now we can add 100 mental-muscle reps a day for mental fitness. They activate & grow our ‘self-command’ ability which helps to self-regulate our thoughts & feelings.

🏋🏼‍♂️ PQ REPs : Strengthening your PQ brain involves shifting as much of your attention as you can TO some part of your body & any of your 5 senses – for at least 10 seconds each time. That counts as 1 PQ rep.

Taking into account distractions & wandering thoughts, you should be able to do around 3 PQ reps per minute. It’s recommended you aim for 36 PQ reps a day to see a benefit. You need to do this for 21 straight days. While that sounds like a lot, you can divide them up throughout your day.
EXPs :
✑ during Daily Poutines, like when brushing your teeth, focus on the feeling of the toothbrush against your gums
✑ Before or when eating – focus on the taste or smells
✑ As you listen to music. When handling a book or report – feel the paper OR keys on the computer, finger tips when texting….
✑ Working out, exercising, playing sports (also e-sports)
✑ Being with (positive) family, friends, pets….

LISTEN : PQ GYM audios, 5 min. & 15 min.
⚬ Weekly hour-long videos deliver deep experiential exploration of the week’s focus.
⚬ 15 minutes/day of app-guided practice helps build stronger mental muscles (neural pathways). These exercises are bite-sized to fit your busy schedule & customized based on how you self-sabotage.

Mental fitness is increased when new patterns are strengthened through positive habits.  This can be encouraged by using these mental muscles, which become visible as new neural pathways – shown on MRI imaging – with at least 8 weeks of practice.
Saboteur Interceptor
The ability to intercept and discredit the Saboteurs (toxic rules, cognitive distortions….). Identify which one has your thoughts & emotions in its grip – at the moment – & step back from it. Know your Saboteurs so well that you can quickly discredit their lies & limiting beliefs.

SAGE
Your Sage handles challenges with a clear, calm mind, with pleasant emotions.  Once you’ve activated your Sage brain through PQ Reps, you’ll have access to these 5 primary powers : Activate, Empathize, Explore, Innovate, & Navigate.

PREVIOUS : SAGE – Archetypes

SITE : CHART    ⬆️

WHITE PAPERs : the research foundation behind their Positive Intelligence Assessments.

From : “Positive Intelligence“, Shirzad Chamine’s book.
See also, His TED Talk

DEF of PQ, your Positive Intelligence Quotient  :  An indication of the control you have over your own mind, & how well it acts in your best interest.”  Basically, what kind of neighborhood your mind lives in.

PQ is a synthesis of recent breakthroughs in neuroscience, cognitive & positive psychology, & performance science.  400,000 participants from 50 countries were studied, which included elite athletes. hundreds of CEOs, sales, operations, and technology teams, & Stanford students. Recent advances in functional MRI (fMRI), which measures how neural activity changes blood flow, shows the real-time working of the brain.

1. PHYSICAL PQ : Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence = The ability TO exert fine motor control, move our body with coordination, & be aware of where we are in space.
For some, this is consciously managing our physiology, a more complex extension of the basic PQ concept. It’s about creating a positive relationship between mind & body, actively working to create better conditions for our body to thrive, & ensuring we take steps to minimize physical harm. (MORE…..)

Enhanced PQ is linked with : stronger immune responses, reduced stress hormone levels, a diminished risk of heart-related health issues, better sleep patterns, & fewer common colds.

Studies also indicate that people with generally higher mental & physical positivity experience increased longevity, as seen in the youthful journals of nuns that expressed a bright perspective, & who surpassed the lifespan of their counterparts by almost 10 years. (Other Intelligeneces)

2. MENTAL PQ : According to Chamine, if you’re not physically fit, you’ll feel physical stress as you climb a steep hill.  If you’re not mentally fit, you’ll feel mental / emotional stress, such as anxiety, frustration, anger & depression – when dealing with work & relationship challenges.

Mental fitness requires building new brain-chemical structures, not just having intellectual insights. The PQ process creates new neural pathways (mental muscles), brain-retraining that results in sustained change, rather than efforts that fade over time.

Our potential is determined by many factors, including our experience, knowledge, skills, support network… our IQ = cognitive intelligence & EQ = emotional intelligence  ⬇️  (& the Differences).  While EQ training teaches positive qualities such as self-awareness & self-management…. it has little lasting success, because it neglects tackling our Saboteurs.
🚩 In contrast – PQ strongly predicts success using the formula :  Basic Potential x our PQ # = degree of Achievement

PQ is “the percentage of the time your mind is acting as your friend rather than your enemy” – as when it offers constructive suggestions or cues. This metric can indicate both self-doubt & self-action, on a scale of 0 to 100, which indicate how much control you have of your thought process.

Research shows that a PQ of ’75’  (% of the time ⬆️) is a tipping point. Above it, you’re uplifted by your mind’s internal dynamics, below it you’re constantly being dragged down.”
BTW : 80% of people tested scored below the minimum level of mental fitness required for peak performance & happiness. Alternately – business teams led by someone with a strong PQ showed a 31% improvement in their collective output.

EXP: Frank sought Chamine’s help as the stock value of his company plummeted. His PQ score of 43 reflected his overwhelming pessimism, self-doubt, & anxiety. Frank’s guidance was compromised, so his business’ growth was impeded by destructive internal forces.

A PQ score suggests your mind’s default ratio of thoughts between those that help you stay in forward motion vs. those that keep you stuck. This numerical indicator generally ranges from 20 to 80, but it’s extremely rare for scores to show up at ether end of the distribution. AND – it’s impossible to score 100%, so there’s no such thing as a right or a wrong total. (Perfectionists can breathe easier!)

Jamie Dandar McKinney, of JMD Consulting  : “You can only handle life based on the level you’re at – at the moment. The goal of the PQ score is to NOT judge yourself at all, but rather bring conscious attention to your thoughts so you can decide to lead with confidence & a positive outlook, to step into a more comfortable, resilient & functional Self.”
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NEXT : SAGE Recovery

PREVIOUS : SAGE – Dark Side, #2

SITE : “The brain & our habits: Natural pathways to wellness”

READ POST first : N-P= Retraining the brain (some overlaps)

NEURO (brain) PLASTICITY = Shifting the Balance of Power   🔆 “Neurons that fire together wire together” – Donald Hebbs
It’s the brain’s ‘biological, chemical & physical capacity to keep reorganizing its structure & function – allowing positive changes to occur (saboteur-to-Sage) .
Science tells us that our brain is not fixed – it’s a dynamic ‘environment’ with the possibility of continuous improvement – the remarkable ability to learn & adapt throughout life.
While younger brains are more malleable, humans can still keep learning past age 18-21 well into seniorhood – one key to protecting us from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia & Huntington’s.

🧠 Neuro-plasticity occurs in 2 places :
• the hippocampus – focused on long-term & spatial memory,
• the cerebellum –  operating short-term & muscle-memory.

🧠 Brain’s 2 Neuro-plasticity abilities :
• structural = to physically change its ‘architecture’ as a result of experiences & learning 
• functional =  to restructure itself to compensate for damage or injury. So if one area is no longer working properly, others can take over. (MORE….)

The BRAIN is made up of neurons , tiny messengers that fire electrical & chemical signals throughout our body.  When we’re born, we have around 2,500 synapses per neuron in the cerebral cortex. Within 2-3 years, that grows to about 15,000. But by the time we’re adults, they have more than halved – known as synaptic pruning.

When a signal (from a thought or action) activates a neuron, it triggers the others it’s connected to, & when that happens they get somewhat joined. There are several directions that signal can go – dominant, well-formed routes, and lesser, fragile new ones. EXP : When the brain processes a new thought, it starts out as a lesser pathway. But when it gets activated again, it’s more likely to go down the same path.

❗️Over time repetition of the same thoughts & actions becomes a “neural pathway,” which become automatic habits – helpful or harmful.
Building new Neural Nets to increase personal growth happens by creating & strengthening more beneficial pathways —> through the repetition of positive mental & physical habits, which can be observed with MRI imaging.

EXP : Like a baby trying to walk for the first time, neurons connect from —> the brain to —-> various muscles, for balance… & battle for a while before stabilizing. Eventually, as adults, we don’t need to think about walking anymore, it’s become a well-ingrained pattern.

🌿 SAGE vs SABOTEURS
REVIEW : Our physical brain is made up of two halves & we need both.  However, in terms of imagery – think of the right side as healthy , & the left as unhealthy.
♠️  LEFT : The Survive Region –  houses harmful Saboteurs which destroy any attempt to increase our emotional happiness & practical performance. ⬅️
Most people go through life with the 2 halves continually playing tug of war, with their Saboteurs winning most of the time – if not always.

♥️ RIGHT : the Thrive Region (PQ brain), provides available mental sanity & stability.  The Sage lives in a different region of the brain – in the middle prefrontal cortex , the amygdala’s “empathy circuitry”, & parts of the right brain.  Activating this combination releases endorphins that counter the negative impact of stress-induced cortisol. (IMAGE w/ definitions ↗️ )

To reach our potential – as far as possible – requires strengthening the ‘Right’ & weaken the ‘Left’ sides.  Fortunately, the Sage provides the power to do this because it’s anchored in who we are at our core, & can resist the drama & lies of the toxic beliefs.
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✧ Sage-strengths generate positive emotions even when dealing with life’s challenges, such as compassion, empathy, gratitude, the joy of self-expression…
✧ It also allow us to be calm & have clear-headed, laser-focused thinking, with big picture awareness of what’s important, to choose the best course of action.

Using Sage-wisdom, we gain perspective, finding the opportunities we need & the gifts we long for.  With perseverance, intercepting Saboteurs & activating the Sage rewires the brain at the root level, rather than just treating symptoms. This has a wide-ranging impact :
🔅 internally, providing a sense of safety & peace
🔅 externally, as better stress management & improved performance in creativity, leadership, relationships, persuasion, resilience, selling ….
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NEXT : Sage & PQ

PREVIOUS :  ARCHETYPES – #2

SITE : Feminine Archetypes Quiz 

Inner Sage’s WEAKNESSES
The Sage personality also has limitations. On good days, the Sage infused person can be articulate & helpful. On bad days, they can be one of the coldest & most arrogant individuals. Since knowledge is their ‘god’, they can look down on others who lack it as being inferior, & critical of others who don’t agree with their ideas.

🐽 Detachment: With its strong focus on introspection & its internal world, the I.S. may become too disconnected from the external world, making it hard for the person to engage with others or be present in day-to-day activities

🐽 Inability to say “no”: the I.S. can have trouble setting boundaries & prioritize your own needs, so you often take on too much responsibility for others, risking resentment &/or burnout 

🐽 Overthinking: the I.S. can sometimes become so deeply lost in introverted thought that you get ‘analysis-paralysis’, so you struggle to make decisions or take action

🐽 Perfectionism: the I.S. can harbor such high standards —
— for yourself, so you have trouble accepting imperfections, causing self-criticism…. and
— toward others, having unrealistic expectations, frustration & disappointments

🐽 Tendency to isolate: because of its ‘private’ nature & a tendency to obsess, the I.S. can too easily withdraw from social interactions, limiting personal growth & connection with other

DARK SIDE
Because the Sage is an incredibly powerful archetype, when negative, it is very dangerous. To safeguard against grandiosity requires self-compassion, humility & self-knowledge via inner work.
Sage personalities need to be wary of slipping into ivory tower thinking, dogmatism, & coming across as being without feeling or empathy. However – you don’t want someone as smart & powerful as a Sage to be without flaws, nor should they be picture-perfect.

Shadow archetypes related to the Sage
a.  Detached Manipulator (Trickster, shadow of the Magician) – the focus is on self-deception since the Sage is associated with cognition.
This archetype has a cynical disconnection from human life & values. Instead of sharing knowledge, it is focused on controlling others, by withholding specific knowledge to hinder the progress of others.

b.  Deviant Guru
Developing true moral character requires the completion of internal alchemical processes like shadow work , where the person brings their unconscious into awareness.
While gurus & spiritual teachers may be popular, getting to know one’s dark side is not. As such, the absence of moral refinement in culture & society manifests the shadow of the sage archetype in abundance.

Actually, very few gurus know their shadow. Instead, these narcissistic leaders believe they have “transcended” their body & mind. In reality, they have just dissociated from the True Self. 

With the prevalence of false gurus also comes the popularity of cultism. “Spiritual “cults are everywhere, some in physical groups, others virtual or purely ideological. They form as a psychologically symbiotic relationship between the False Guru & confused students/devotees.  The cult leader is driven by grandiosity & ego-inflation, feeding on the projections of their followers.

c. Delusional Mystic
This version has mistaken their own fantasies for Reality, secretly believes they are the sole proprietor of truth. In their grandiosity, the basic insights they might have originally gained turns progressively more distorted – eventually becoming completely divorced from reality.
Instead of comparing their insights with a community of equals (the “sangha”), they isolate from others. If they attract followers, the group instantly turns into a cult, that eventually can become self-destructive.

d.  False Prophet – Charlatan / False Teacher
They are a peddlers of “knowledge” whose real aim is to accumulate money & physical possessions. In the West this archetype is driven by what can be called “the Business of Enlightenment”.

The main difference between the Detached Manipulator & the Charlatan is that the latter knowingly deceives others. Obviously there are far more False Prophets in today’s world than authentic Sages. 

EXP : popularization of “sex techniques” for spiritual development (Deviant Guru) was a combination of charlatans & marketers wanting to profit in the marketplace.
All genuine Sages & classical texts warn against falling for the hype.

(modified from “The Sage Archetype: Knower of Wisdom and Seer of Truth ” By Scott Jeffrey

NEXT : the DARK SIDE (Part 2)

PREVIOUS : Archetype – #2

SHADOWS WITHIN
“The brightest flames cast the darkest shadows …. Like an eclipse of the sun, the Shadow eclipses the true nature of a person. ”

⛔️ Carl Jung identified “shadow” as the hidden side of our personality. The first of his 3 archetypes of human development, he saw it as an integral part of the unconscious mind.
⚠️ Concept : In our early development, many infantile impulses, “negative” emotions, positive attributes & power drives – tend to get repressed.
Gradually anything opposed to our conscious Self-identity, added to the original disowned self – is denied – at least to oneself.

❎ Sadly, some people (ACoAs, addicts, depressed, differently wired….) also suppress or deny their talents, natural cleverness, intuition, dreams….. relegating them to the Shadow side as if they were something to be ashamed of ! – because those wonderful parts were originally denied or punished in childhood.

Jung noted that “Whatever is rejected from the Self appears in the world as an event”- an indirect expression, most often in a self-defeating way. “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life , but you will call it fate.” ( IMAGE  & More….)

Deep within, the Sage’s Shadow involves T.E.A . =
(T) Logical Effectiveness
(A) Concrete Experience, but
(E) Disconnected from Emotional Awareness
Everyone carries a shadow side. The more it’s hidden from our awareness, the darker & denser it becomes – an unconscious anchor scuttling our best intentions & goals. The longer it’s neglected – the greater the inevitable downfall.

At the other extreme —  danger comes when we identify with the image. EXP : Believing one is a Sage leads to grandiosity (ego inflation). And some Sages who think too highly of themself are only mediocre.  (4 variations in Part 2).

♣️ The “Intellectual” defense
 At its best the SAGE is identified by the wisdom it accumulates over time. Therefore the Shadow – already hidden – covers its self-appointed, shameful character flaws by developing the “Intellectual”.
This “Computer” toxic role is not about intelligence but rather an imbalance & misuse of the Sage’s inherent qualities of insight & self-discovery.  It thinks too much, tries to make everything have ‘meaning’ , & becomes disconnected from the physical body.
The Intellectualizing person tries to control their world through lots of information, but misses basic messages from their body & inner voice/ intuition which urges them to relax, to take time to process emotions & experiences.  Always striving to achieve more, while catastrophizing about potential disasters, they’re left feeling anxious & exhausted.

Along with suppressing most emotion (“I don’t know how I feel”), a major characteristic of this defense is to constantly be critical of self & others. It’s a distortion of insights derived from looking inward, causing oneself unfounded guilt & painful obsessions.

Intellectualism is stressed as a virtue in the modern world, an expression of Magician archetype energy.  The drive to chase FACTS for their own sake (“Cerebral Narc“), or used to manipulate everything around us – has serious limitations & complications.
Jung believed that the Western dominance of & over-emphasis on rationalism is a form of neurosis – the result of a wounded ‘feeling function’ (Enneagram)

♥️ Individuation
“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” ∼∼ C. Jung

As a part of the collective journey of human psychological development, the Sage has to undergo its own process of individuation. This requires combining all the divergent parts of each of us – the lifelong steps & stages needed to distinguish the Self from our conscious & unconscious elements.

To become whole, the first part of this process is to identify & integrate one’s Shadow. In the absence of psychological unity, there’s a constant feeling of an internal void.
Many people are attracted to cult leaders & other groups because of this “missing something” feeling.  Sadly, internal tension can not be resolved externally – only by going inside. (see “Individuation” posts)

EXP : In The Lord of the Rings, the wizard Gandalf goes thru a transformation when he confronts his shadow in the form of the demon Balrog.  Gandalf ‘the Grey’ sacrifices himself to protect others & falls into a dark abyss with the demon. Later, he emerges as Gandalf, the White. (⏩️ ART by Dakota Randall)

NEXT : Sage – Dark Side, #2

PREVIOUS : Sage
Archetypes – #1

The SAGE is a major archetype (cont)

Archetypes are useful in fiction & movies because they make it easy to quickly grasp the basic traits of the main characters – without detailed descriptions. Sages are often shown as detectives, experts, philosophers, professors or teachers, scientists…..
EXP : Lao Tzu – ancient Chinese philosopher. Rumi – famed Persian poet & mystic. Morrigan – a powerful Celtic figure. Gwydion – the Welsh magician.

ALSO: Merlin, Morpheus, Obi-Wan, Deepak Chopra….. Professor McGonagall, Rosalind in “As You Like It”, Sophia in The Golden Girls….

In BUSINESS = some SAGE companies: BBC, Harvard, NY times, Oprah, TED talks

3 VARIATIONS of the Sage Archetype
♦ Guru – with intuitive insights & spontaneous knowledge of the Self  (in Part 1). Their words pierce the ego’s walls to activate the student’s ‘Guru within’ the individual. Legitimate ones also “transmit” their energy to the student, which supports their Self-realization.

♦ Magician – While Jung focused on the Sage,  Neo-Jungian Robert Moore focused on the magician archetype as the knower & creator of worlds (‘the Wizard’).  Both are associated with cognition & moral refinement (Sage / anti S), the main difference being the emphasis on how they’re expressed in the psyche.

🕸️ The Magician’s emphasis is on acquired knowledge which the ego grows over time, more of a general pattern in the process of healthy development. Magician energy is active, helping to make things happen in the external world, but also represented by private corporations.

Magician energy can come in many forms – social or business, wealth & influence, personal magic…. Its domain covers any area of knowledge that takes special training to acquire.  EXP : establishing careers, practical skills…

🦉 In contrast, the Sage’s knowledge is deeper, more primordial, with an emphasis on truth & enlightenment. It’s innate, so its knowledge can not be acquired.
Sage energy is more passive – so connecting to it can guide us to our inner world, as well as give a desire to help others, such as in charities & nonprofits.
It represents intuitive awareness of oneself & reality – just the opposite of the Magician : to access the Sage’s wisdom the ego must take a back seat, surrendering to a source greater than oneself.
♦ Shaman – also known as Medicine Man/Woman, their knowledge is mainly focused on Nature & the natural world. They often used various herbs, plants & mushrooms to create mystical peak experiences in the initiate.
In traditional societies they were the healer who restored life, found lost souls, & discovered the hidden causes of misfortune. They restored wholeness & fullness of being for individuals & in the community.
Other SUBTYPES
• Analyst: Thinks things through & synthesizes learning
• Expert : Has highly developed knowledge & expertise
• Investigator: Researches & gathers information
• Mentor/teacher: Shares wisdom with the world
• Philosopher/ contemplative: Uses deep thinking to seek & create clarity

AREAS of Sage Archetype’s Life
💰 Wealth – People with the Sage archetype are usually masters of various skills. They can use them to stay afloat in the worst situations –  never having to worry about money, because they know how to manage their finances.

But, those who live from this archetype are not super rich because they rarely put their knowledge to practical use. Sage energy needs to realize that knowledge goes beyond books. There’s much to discover when skills are applied in the real world.

🫦 Health – The Sage is constantly working on expanding their knowledge. Stimulating the mind feels more satisfying to the Sage than physical exertion. Since movement takes a back seat in their life, Sage people often lack good health.

This personality type needs balance between body & mind. To stay fit exercise must be a part of the Sage’s daily routine.  But the Sage’s emotional well-being depends on processing their acquired wisdom, so they also need regular quiet time.

💝 Love – for Sage people in love, being comfortable with the romantic partner is their #1 priority. They crave predictability, valuing stability & commitment. These 2 factors are needed for them to feel satisfied in a relationship.

When it comes to attracting a romantic partner, Sage resorts to its strength i.e. knowledge. Yet it will benefit by learning some social nuances to thrive in partnerships.
Naturally – Sage looks for & appreciates both thoughtfulness & intelligence in their partners.

NEXT : Sage – the DARK Side, #1

PREVIOUS : SAGE – Anti-Saboteur

SITE : Archetypal Female in Mythology & Religion

ARCHETYPES are ancient symbols that exist across all cultures in all eras. It comes from the Greek word ‘archein’, which means ‘the original type or pattern’.

➣ A person’s qualities are called complexes (groupings), which live in our personal unconscious, derived from past experiences.
➣ In contrast, Archetype elements are impersonal, universal, & formless – sets of ideas & experiences that “come upon us as fate”, but affect us at our core.

Carl Jung argued that all humans share a “collective unconscious”– concepts we innately know & understand. He noticed they keep recurring indirectly in stories & mythologies throughout societies & religions, so can be identified & measured. (Each one explained)

Jung’s student, Erich Neumann (1954), stated that archetypes are similar to our internal organs – they’re relatively similar in all of us, but invisible & barely noticed.
EXP : The Self is the archetype of wholeness or transcendence. Jung said that it’s what we are but do not know we are.
It’s the center of our psyche, the totality of our conscious & unconscious parts.  In Jungian terms, the Self is both personal & impersonal, the ego & our Inner Spirit. ‘Arriving’ at the Self is the final stage of the individuation process.

NOTE : Many people mistakenly assume that ‘characters’ are Jungian archetypes, so may assume that Loki is the Trickster. Not so – while a character can personify archetypal qualities, the person itself is not.  ✱ Archetypes are not individuals, instead are broad but subtle core ideas embedded in the larger story of humanity.
Also, archetypal energy is expressed in common motifs like birth, marriage, death & any kind of initiation ritual.

The SAGE is a major archetype
Jung believed it’s the innate spiritual aspect of everyone’s personality – the True Self, with no restrictions or limitations. Unfazed by life’s conditioning & chaos, it sees all, knows all.

He called the Sage the senex (Latin for old man), the wise old man (see YouTube) or wise old woman called the crone. It’s a symbol that represents information accumulated through time & experience – from patience, learning from mistakes, & figuring out how the world
The Inner Sage (I.S.) focuses on universal Knowledge, & to find The Truth in all things it ferrets out the sources of information.  At its best, it protects & guides with Insights, Dreams, or Life Lessons. And it can be expressed as a person’s psyche, such as Jung’s Philemon, Nietzsche’s Zarathustra……

Ironically,  Hannibal Lecter is also considered a Sage. He was had an essential part in guiding Clarice Starling during her pursuit of the serial killer Buffalo Bill, even though his version of “guiding” was to direct her to a jar with a man’s heart in it. (see ‘SAGE – the Dark Side‘ post)

NOTE : There’s a lack of Sage-diversity in pop culture, the majority being male, but more recently – the female Sage is portrayed as cop or shrink.
However, for thousands of years there has always been a female embodiment of this archetype – as a wise, powerful character who mentors young seekers of Truth
EXP : Greek Cassandra, as Prophetess., Sumerian Inanna as feminine Warrior….

But also as negative feminine forces of the psyche, seen in fairy tales – evil stepmother, witch / old hag…. EXP : “Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella”
RARE archetype (0.1%) : The “Sigma Female”, known for their independence & STOIC self-reliance.  (More….)

FEMALE Sage NUANCES
• Deepest fear:
Not recognized for who she is. Confined or restricted. Losing touch with her intuition & inner guidance
GIFTS
• Empathetic Listening:
She actively listens with empathy, offering understanding & useful support. With a keen ear for honesty, she’s willing to hear any story that adds to her own store of Truth.

• Hidden Talent – Master researcher
• Intuitive Decision-Making: Like the Magician, she trusts her insights to make wise & informed choices. Her well-being comes from a strong sense of self & staying aligned with her values

• Patience and Serenity: She is calm & even-tempered. As the ‘queen of cool’, she’s composed even under pressure & in challenging situations.
• Signature move: Gives the advice you did not want but need to hear. She defies societal norms to embrace her true nature, guiding others to trust their instincts & break their constraints.
• Special ability: Taps into her deep intuition & primal wisdom to lead others toward personal empowerment.

NEXT : Sage Archetype, #2