The Journey

Twelve archetypes on three rings. A single psychological arc, unfolding from outward security to inward wholeness.

Pearson-Marr groups the twelve archetypes into three stages of development. The outer ring - Ego - holds the archetypes that establish the self in the world: trust, belonging, courage, care. The middle ring - Soul - stirs the individuation that pulls us out of the given life: freedom, refusal, devotion, creation. The inner ring - Self - expresses integration: play, truth, transformation, sovereignty.

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Ego

Establishing basic security

The Ego types ground the psyche: safety, belonging, proving worth, caring for others. They are the first archetypal stages to emerge and the foundation for everything after.

Soul

The internal quest for identity

The Soul types are activated in the call to individuation - freedom, rebellion, intimacy, and creation. They drive the hero's descent and return.

Self

Integration, wisdom, and order

The Self types express wholeness. Having journeyed, they bring play, truth, transformation, and structure back to the world.