An archetype can be broadly defined as a type of person or behaviour; they can be further divided into two sub categories. The first, stereotypes, refer to one type of personality or behaviour being observed many times and routinely applied (this tends to happen with teenagers and young people), and the second, epitomes, refer to the exemplification of a personality or behaviour.
By applying archetypes to the cards of the Major Arcana (the first 22 cards of the Tarot pack), Jung believed they could aid in finding solutions to the situation being discussed (for an extremely basic introduction to how tarot cards are used in concealing see Carl Jung and the Tarot).
Brief History of the Tarot
In legend, the Tarot is the oldest book known to mankind. Originally, each card comprised chapters in the Book of Thoth (the ancient Egyptian God of wisdom and knowledge). When Egypt began to crumble, Thoth transferred the knowledge onto a set of 22 tablets using symbols instead of words.
The tablets were discovered by a band of gypsies who transferred the information from them onto 22 cards, which became the Major Arcana.
Archetypes of the Tarot
The following is a list of archetypes that can be applied to the Tarot:
The Fool
Symbolism: Innocence and wonder.
Archetype: The Child.
The Magician
Symbolism: Magic and power.
Archetype: The Trickster.
The High Priestess
Symbolism: Intuition
Archetype: The Anima -- the unconscious female element of the male.
The Empress
Symbolism: Nature and fertility.
Archetype: The Mother.
The Emperor
Symbolism: Masculine authority and power.
Archetype: The Father and the Hero.
The Hierophant
Symbolism: Guidance or a teacher.
Archetype: The Wise Old Man.
The Lovers
Symbolism: Lover and union of opposites.
Archetypes: The Soul or both the Anima and Animus (the opposite of the Anima, the male element of the female).
The Chariot
Symbolism: Hard work and victory.
Archetype: The Warrior.
Justice
Symbolism: Balance and justice.
Archetype: Justice.
The Hermit
Symbolism: Wisdom
Archetype: Another Wise Old Man!
The Wheel of Fortune
Symbolism: Change, moving in circles.
Archetype: Fate and Destiny.
Strength
Symbolism: Determination.
Archetype: Endurance.
The Hanged Man
Symbolism: Necessary sacrifice.
Archetype: Sacrifice.
Death
Symbolism: Change, transition.
Archetype: Rebirth
Temperance
Symbolism: Moderation.
Archetype: The Union of Opposites.
The Devil
Symbolism: Being trapped.
Archetype: The Trickster, or sexual energy.
The Tower
Symbolism: Chaos, unwanted change.
Archetype: Chaos.
The Star
Symbolism: Hope and the spirit.
Archetype: The Star.
The Moon
Symbolism: Emotions.
Archetype: The Moon -- linked with dreams.
The Sun
Symbolism: Joy.
Archetype: The Sun.
Judgement
Symbolism: Judgement and completion.
Archetype: Evaluation and reward.
The World
Symbolism: Fulfilment.
Archetype: Satisfaction, wholeness.
For a more comprehensive explanation of Jung's Archetypes in the Tarot, read Jung and tarot: An archetypal journey by S. Nichols.
Graidi Taylor-Rose - Living in one of the most beautiful areas of Britain (North Devon) famous for it’s associations with witchcraft and ghosts, I am ...
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