Periodically, new stories will be added as well as a discussion area so you may communicate with others who are interested in exploring and examining the materials presented.
Archetypes
Every psyche is influenced by unconscious patterns or processes called archetypes. Two of the most dominant archetypes within us are the King and the Queen. These have to do with our social behavior and social issues of order, authority, leadership and morality. As with every archetype, the qualities of the King and Queen can be used for positive or negative affect. Negativity in the archetypes occurs through imbalance and extremism, i.e. when an archetype is either too active or too passive. When the King or Queen has a negative impact on us or others we speak of the influence of a Shadow King or Queen.
For further information on archetypes, read a section from Dr. Raffa's book Dream Theatres of the Soul.
The King
The King is the part of us that attempts to establish lawful order and moral virtue by developing and asserting our individuality and authority. Our King makes clear distinctions between "right" and "wrong" and addresses social problems and issues with clear, discriminating thinking about moral ideals such as justice and freedom. It is King energy that devises, enacts, and enforces rules via a hierarchy of authority, whether in business, law, education, government, or the family, with the King, of course, being at the top of the heap. The two primary characteristics of the King are (1) mental discrimination and (2) hierarchical authority.
King Archetype and story "The Secret Wish"
The Queen
The Queen is the part of us that attempts to establish lawful order and moral virtue by focusing on relationships and by nurturing, encouraging, and protecting the individuality and authority of others. Our Queen addresses social problems and issues with warm, loving, merciful, and forgiving feelings toward otherness. The Queen is behind all practices or systems of shared authority including family and business partnerships, co-ops, communes, kibbutzim, rotating chairs in education, quality circles in business, and so on. The primary characteristics of the Queen are (1) benevolent feeling, or caring, and (2) shared authority.
Queen Archetype and story "The Good Father"
Published Works ~ Dreamwork ~ Archetypal Studies]
E-mail Jean at: Jeanraffa@aol.com
©1999 Jean Benedict Raffa, Ed.D.