A psychic archetype represents a core energy expression that we believe defines our psychological and spiritual journey, in current, past and future lives. Although we may engage in different forms of life, such as soldier or doctor, we are one enduring archetype, which could be the Warrior or the Healer.
This article explores the psychic archetype of the shaman, which relates to the astrological sign of Scorpio.
One archetype, many guises
History is full of warrior priests and soldier healers (medics). Teachers can be athletes and athletes can be teachers. We can wear many guises over the course of our lives, but we usually operate from a single psychic archetype.
Sometimes necessity and circumstances can force us into a guise that is far removed from our spiritual purpose, it will seem. If we look closely enough at our actions under any circumstance, we will be able to see the consistent psychic imprint of our representation.
I have a varied work history including construction, website design/management, teaching (college English), and now spiritual consulting. With each iteration of my work opportunities, I repeatedly found myself in the same role… as a spiritual and emotional advisor to those around me.
The shaman
Every society needs people who can help others navigate the dream realm, trauma, loss, and the search for purpose. Many different qualities must work together effectively to represent a true shaman archetype. In the tarot deck there are three cards that best represent this energy: the Hierophant, the Hanged Man and the Devil. The sign of Scorpio represents this archetype astrologically.
This may seem like an unlikely trio of cards representing one archetype, but that is the energy of the shaman
The Hierophant is the learned and scientific aspect of the shaman. Shamans come into life with great wisdom and accumulate more and more of it in each lifetime. Most of this increased knowledge comes from the suffering they experience and overcome. But a lot of it comes from study. Their role is also respected and they serve as spiritual leaders for their communities, more often on the margins, but sometimes in the spotlight.
The Hanged Man is perhaps the most “centered” of the three cards that represent this archetype. Much of the shamanic work is done and comes from ‘knowing sacrifice’. Also, the composition of the card shows the Hanged Man with a halo of energy around his head, showing how his ‘change of perspective’ gives him divine insight.
The Devil may seem like a strange card, but Shamans are not saints. What often makes them such profound healers and counselors is the fact that they have fallen in life and had to pick themselves up again. They can have some serious character flaws and still be intensely helpful and unerringly wise, even when their lives look like a shipwreck lying on a rocky shore.
People born between October 23 and November 21 have a Scorpio sun sign. The symbol for Scorpio is the scorpion, snake or eagle. As the Fixed Water Sign, these individuals function as change agents, shamans, and life transformers. They are at their best coping with trauma, intense emotions and life and death situations.
Each archetype travels through lifetimes gaining experiences within and beyond its ideal representation, in order to enjoy and understand the full range of human experience, while learning lessons related to completing his or her work. We learn lessons through support and resistance. A person learns the many facets of safety by being very safe in one life and unstable and unsafe in another.
Do you know a shaman?
Each archetype has definable and distinguishable properties. The best shamans often don’t get to choose the role; their pattern is to be “chosen by life.” They demonstrate the ability to struggle with their darkness and the darkness of others in order to arrive at the light. They work hard to persevere, persevere, overcome, survive and heal. They control regeneration.
Keen observers
One of their strengths is their keen awareness and powers of observation. They can see the truth and lies quite easily. They immediately get a complete picture of every situation or individual; they will know “what is really going on”. They read energy and non-verbal cues as easily as someone reads a children’s book. There is no escaping their intense gaze.
Knowing the right questions to ask
Because they have divine insight, they know what questions to ask and how to ask them to get to the heart of the matter in a compelling way. Their questions will often be restless and uncomfortable, because they know that the people coming to them need to get to the truth in a bracing and unvarnished way. They fall into the category of ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ type of counselor.
Prepared to disrupt
Shamans often know that change only comes about when the status quo is seriously and profoundly disrupted. They can be particularly direct and unapologetic when they know the way forward is to upset someone. It would be great if change could come through holding hands and soothing encouragement, but sometimes we need to be beaten up to wake up. A shaman is not afraid to ring someone’s doorbell if necessary for healing or enlightenment.
Many styles, one goal
Moving in and out of the dream and psychic realms is a constant effort, so these individuals show tremendous conviction and fortitude. They are intense, uncompromising and demanding. Sometimes the role is nurturing and sometimes destructive, all in order to achieve spiritual healing and growth.
One of the best fictional representations of the expanded Shaman can be found in TV shows such as Dr. Quinn, medicine womanor House. The characters in these shows demonstrate skills and mastery of medicine and mysticism, which are used to make the world a safer place for the many people who struggle to cope with life’s traumatic events.
