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Archetypes
Mar. 22nd, 2012 06:57 pmIf gods are external forces in the world, Archetypes are internal forces. An Archetype isn’t a deity, even though they might share the name and some of the characteristics as one, because they can’t affect our world directly (and can barely do so indirectly, really). Just because an Archetype exists doesn't mean that a deity it corresponds to doesn't exist; I literally cannot determine that.
Archetypes are, instead, a sort of mental construct, similar to some theories of daemons. Instead of being a constant presence in your head that symbolizes your psyche, however, an Archetype is sort of the distilled essence of a group of qualities, and as such is something one tries to emulate or use as a sort of meditative focus. I don’t ‘worship’ Bast, I might as well worship myself. Instead I try to emulate specific qualities that I see Bast possessing.
Because of this, Archetypes are extremely personal concepts. While two people are going to share many of the same concepts of Bast, their ideas aren’t going to look alike--and not because of any deity deciding to show one part of their personality at one point and another at another point, but because the two people have different ideas of what Bast is.
Archetypes can fluctuate. Currently I’ve barely even begun to assign meaning and such to different Archetypes, because of a homework load that has only recently decreased, and generally high levels of activity. It’s quite probable that extra depth will be added. Currently I’ve had the most experience with Bast, with Queztocoatl coming second because I practically never meditate on him. Sekhmet is possibly beginning to form into something recognizeable as an Archetype (and used as one).
I don’t fully choose my Archetypes. They’re from places that fascinate me, places that promise endless mystery. Egypt is at the front, and that’s not only because of the fact that the Egyptian gods were therianthropes in the classical sense. The Aztecs and Mayans come next, mostly because they lived in a rainforest area and had nice stonework.
Bast- Associated with calm, soothing emotions; sensuality; cat-whispering. Embodiment of the more peaceful aspect of felines; nurturing aspect of the sun. Meditated on to avoid emotional breakdowns and restore mental stability. Current focus is a small pseudo-shrine that consists of an electric candle, a Bast figurine, a glow-in-the-dark piece of clay, and plants. Possible future focus is woven mat with most of the materials placed upon it, with the addition of a small Zen fountain and some of those scented oil things.
Queztalcoatl- Associated with learning, especially of the philosophical and liberal arts variety; focus; freaking awesome architecture and writing styles. Embodiment of scholarship; learning. Meditated on to improve focus (?). No current focus. Possible future focus is an antique-appearing book or scroll with feathers attached, preferably commissioned for the purpose of being a focus.
Sekhmet- Associated with violence and revenge; ‘warrior traditions’ and physical prowess; mild sociopathy. Embodiment of the violent aspect of felines; fury, especially of felines, the sun, and the desert. Meditated on to improve fighting ability and get really ticked off. No current focus. Possible future focus array of crystals set into (non-dyed) red sand and with laser pointers creating a web of light.
Archetypes are, instead, a sort of mental construct, similar to some theories of daemons. Instead of being a constant presence in your head that symbolizes your psyche, however, an Archetype is sort of the distilled essence of a group of qualities, and as such is something one tries to emulate or use as a sort of meditative focus. I don’t ‘worship’ Bast, I might as well worship myself. Instead I try to emulate specific qualities that I see Bast possessing.
Because of this, Archetypes are extremely personal concepts. While two people are going to share many of the same concepts of Bast, their ideas aren’t going to look alike--and not because of any deity deciding to show one part of their personality at one point and another at another point, but because the two people have different ideas of what Bast is.
Archetypes can fluctuate. Currently I’ve barely even begun to assign meaning and such to different Archetypes, because of a homework load that has only recently decreased, and generally high levels of activity. It’s quite probable that extra depth will be added. Currently I’ve had the most experience with Bast, with Queztocoatl coming second because I practically never meditate on him. Sekhmet is possibly beginning to form into something recognizeable as an Archetype (and used as one).
I don’t fully choose my Archetypes. They’re from places that fascinate me, places that promise endless mystery. Egypt is at the front, and that’s not only because of the fact that the Egyptian gods were therianthropes in the classical sense. The Aztecs and Mayans come next, mostly because they lived in a rainforest area and had nice stonework.
Bast- Associated with calm, soothing emotions; sensuality; cat-whispering. Embodiment of the more peaceful aspect of felines; nurturing aspect of the sun. Meditated on to avoid emotional breakdowns and restore mental stability. Current focus is a small pseudo-shrine that consists of an electric candle, a Bast figurine, a glow-in-the-dark piece of clay, and plants. Possible future focus is woven mat with most of the materials placed upon it, with the addition of a small Zen fountain and some of those scented oil things.
Queztalcoatl- Associated with learning, especially of the philosophical and liberal arts variety; focus; freaking awesome architecture and writing styles. Embodiment of scholarship; learning. Meditated on to improve focus (?). No current focus. Possible future focus is an antique-appearing book or scroll with feathers attached, preferably commissioned for the purpose of being a focus.
Sekhmet- Associated with violence and revenge; ‘warrior traditions’ and physical prowess; mild sociopathy. Embodiment of the violent aspect of felines; fury, especially of felines, the sun, and the desert. Meditated on to improve fighting ability and get really ticked off. No current focus. Possible future focus array of crystals set into (non-dyed) red sand and with laser pointers creating a web of light.
