Archetypes, Divinity and Man --

Archetypes, Divinity and Man --
ARCHETYPE

The term "Archetype" actually has two relevant meanings here. The first definition is "that which all other similar things are patterned after, the original model or prototype". When we are referring to the archetypal Gods and Goddesses, we are referring to the original, inconceivable power or personage after whom every name, concept or image is but a human attempt to conceive or describe. In the case of the Goddess archetype, her attributes are frequently broken down into the Goddess triad of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The use of the triad makes it possible to divide the feminine archetype by the aspect and function of the feminine being discussed. All of the names and images of Goddesses, including Isis, Demeter, Artemis, Diana, Bast, Gaea, Rhea, Astarte, Inanna, Ishtar, Kali, Hecate, and Tiamat, to mention a few, are but the names and corresponding aspects created by man so that he could better conceive and relate to the Archetypal Feminine, which is unknowable and undefinable.

This principle also relates to the male archetype with all of his vast array of positions and functions. In many of the ancient "Schools of the Mysteries", these male archetype positions and functions were broken into four general categories, including the King, the Magician, the Lover, and the Warrior. The use of these titles per se comes primarily from the Grail Mysteries and Arthurian "legend"; however, careful examination of history clearly shows male status and function was cast into one of these four archetypal molds even anciently.

The second association with the term "archetype" comes from the work of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist, and refers to "an instinctual pattern of behavior contained in the collective unconscious". What this means is that the archetypal patterns which relate to the human experience are not unique to any one person or group. The archetypal patterns are contained in the "Human Collective Unconscious" (the human Universal Mind) and can be related to by everyone, either consciously or subconsciously, and have their expression in the group "Consensus Reality". Or in other words, every individual within a particular culture, society, religious or political group or association will have the same or a very similar idea of what a particular name, concept or image means. Throughout the world, certain names instantly bring to mind a specific person, usually accompanied by some knowledge of their life and what act, event or concept makes them special to you, but on a larger scale, within a mass/group "Consensus Reality". Probably one of the most common is the name "Jesus". Jesus is a given name, "Christ" is an archetypal title denoting the "Sacrificed King", which in this case is what makes Jesus, within a certain Group reality, very special. But this special designation is only maintained with a Mass/Group Consciousness, and is not universal to everyone.

EGREGORE

Since, by the very definition of the Archetypal God and Goddess, they are unknowable and inconceivable to the human experience except by dissection and association, we as mortals must find ways to bridge the gap between us and Them. This brings us to a second term called "Egregore".

An Egregore, by its simplest definition, is a being that exists between the Physical Plane of mortal existence and the Ultimate Plane of Archetypal existence, touching in both planes and acting as a conductor between man and the Divine. It is created by a combination of man projecting empowered thought forms into the ethers of the Eternal through ritual and worship (where they ripple until they touch upon the Divine), and the Archetype (the "Divine") responding by sending an image, an aspect, a piece of Itself, if you will, back down through the ethers until it reaches man and an Egregore is created. The Egregore is the living thought-form (the being) between man and the Archetype.

Since it must be acceptable and conceivable to the mortal, it is only a shadow of the Archetype. But since it is endowed by a spark of the Divine, it is empowered with the aspects and powers that the Divine chooses to display. The Egregore becomes the "Manifest God or Goddess" of that individual or people. As man continues to empower the Egregore by consistent ritual and worship, the Egregore gains in strength and power. Through the continuation of this process, the knowledge, the power and the attributes which It can or will share may develop and grow accordingly. An Egregore is a powerful tool that allows man to access the Divine, and tap the higher knowledge, power and favors of the Divine.

Once man's empowered thoughts (through prayer, ritual, etc.) have reached the attention of the "Divine", and the "Divine" chooses to respond, the resulting Egregore will set the bounds of the relationship. The Egregore will direct the mortal(s), through communication or lack of response, in the terms, conditions, the person or persons the Egregore will directly communicate with, any sacred locations, symbols, tools, rituals, food/drink, and any expected homage or worship (if required).

There is a vast array of dimensions and realities that interface with the Physical Plane. Sometimes an Egregore is created by connection between man and an OtherWorld being of a much "closer" realm, such as the Astral Plane. When this happens, the "Spark of the Divine" is missing, with all its attendant Higher Knowledge, Power, Abilities and Higher Thought Processes. An Egregore created between man and a "Lesser Being" may not exhibit an independent morality or conscience.

Once an Egregore has been created, It takes on a life unto Itself. You may disempower an Egregore by failing to meet the Egregore's "Terms Of Association"; however, this does not destroy an Egregore, it only breaks your connection to it. If at any time, someone once again meets the "Terms Of Association", the Egregore will step forward and continue as before