An interesting grouping I read today was around the 12 Jungian Archetypes. Now – don’t get me wrong – I understand that it’s usually quite useless to try and group human behavior into any type (sorry ABCD folks). The trait around any of these personality types is that they usually have to be universal, meaning that they are present in all cultures and societies – or else they will be useless. But the 12 Jungian Archetypes also claim to be unconscious, meaning that we are not aware of them on a conscious level.

For example – if we have a strong unconscious identification with the Hero archetype, we may be more likely to take risks and try to achieve great things. Or, if we have a strong unconscious identification with the Caregiver archetype, we may be more likely to be nurturing and supportive of others.

Somehow, I still cannot come to terms with how I could be unconsciously doing something of a single trait, and not be conscious of that trait in me. I mean, how often would you have a hero who doesn’t know he gets a chill from doing heroic things?

So confusing.