The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious

Jung expands on his definition of the archetype, suggesting that the archetypal form itself may exhibit a sense of autonomy. In his discussion of the Spirit and the Trickster, he claims that each not only serves as a catalyst for change but may also do so with a sense of awareness, actively instigating it. 

However, these two forms are also consistent with Jung’s assertion of The Duality of Archetypes. He describes how the Spirit aligns with this, writing: “Spirit is the dynamic principle, forming for that very reason the classical antithesis of matter—the antithesis, that is, of its statis and inertia. Basically it is the contrast between life and death” (210). Here, Jung frames the Spirit as an animating force that opposes the “stasis and inertia” of the material world. This contrast between activity and passivity reflects the inherent duality of archetypes. 

Jung cautions against thinking about the binaries of archetypes as either good or bad. Instead, he says, it is important to think of archetypes as part of a whole. In doing so, he reinforces the necessity of the psychological practice of individuation, the process of incorporating unconscious material into consciousness. His discussion of the Wise Old Man archetype illustrates this process. He associates it with the Spirit archetype, correlating masculinity with a greater spiritual divinity. He provides several examples of the existence of the Wise Old Man archetype in various mythologies and fairy tales, showing The Pervasive Nature of the Collective Unconscious. For example, Hermes, the messenger god in Greek mythology, is known for his speed, wit, and ability to move between different worlds. Hermes exemplifies the Trickster archetype since he occupies a liminal space and crosses boundaries between order and chaos as well as divine and mortal worlds.

Both the Wise Old Man and the Trickster archetypes play important roles in transformation, though they work through different means. The Wise Old Man provides advice and often appears when an individual is at a crossroads, pointing to a new path. The Trickster, in contrast, uses chaos to expose contradictions and force the individual to confront the need for change. 

Jung’s descriptions of these archetypes, which served as an influential model for the writer Joseph Campbell, has had lasting effects on contemporary narratives, including in superhero, fantasy, and epic film and book franchises. Han Solo in the Star Wars films and Loki from Avengers represent the Trickster, while Yoda from Star Wars and Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings books and movies represent the Wise Old Man archetype. According to Jung, “The old man always appears when the hero is in a hopeless and desperate situation from which only profound reflection or a lucky idea […] can extricate him” (217-18). The moment of crisis illustrates how the Wise Old Man represents the Spirit by creating a point of transformation. He not only offers help but also prompts growth and discovery.