Thanks for this Alyssa, and sharing your own journey. I am so moved by the images and stories of your grandmother and your younger self. It is special how she bridged her religion and her ancestral folk beliefs, not sacrificing one for the other, but marrying them. I think for me, art has also become an important symbolic realm where the images of psyche can emerge. As well as dreams of course!
Thanks, Amy, such kind words, I really appreciate it.
I’m grateful that my grandmother modeled an intuitive and inclusive approach to spirituality. It’s allowed me to build a practice that weaves many elements together, with my relationship to the unconscious and its images as the main guide.
Do you find similar images or threads in your art and dream, or do they diverge in particular ways?
There are often crossovers between symbols, themes, or quite literal 'scenes' that appear both in my drawings and dreams. Sometimes I will be drawing and as the image starts to develop, the figures and symbols become clear, I remember my dream from the night before, which I had forgotten.
But the images and dreams also diverge in many ways. The main difference is that almost all of my drawings take place outside, in the wild (in the imagery). And many of my dreams happen inside houses, structures, homes...I think this is a fascinating divergence!
I really enjoyed reading this, and it provided a lot of insight into why I'm drawn to the practice I'm drawn to.
I wonder whether there's a word/phrase you use to define yourself or your practice. I've spent years trying to find one that fits but it never quite hits. Even "tarot reader" feels a bit deficient since tarot is my favorite tool, but my practice is broader than that.
It's tough....there really isn't a perfect term. Even using the word archetypal feels insufficent because a lot of people don't understand what that means, or, confuse it with typical characters.
I reference myself as an archetypal educator, or that I teach archetypal studies or archetypal inner work....so it is the best phrase I have found. I suppose one could call themselves an archetypal practitioner, but the uncertainty of what that means to potential customers remains.
haha, yes your last sentence seems about right. I'm in a constant struggle between using the words that most resonate (but are too vague), versus something that's easier for people to grasp but that doesn't quite encapsulate the fullness of the thing. I don't think I'll ever find the perfect phrase, tbh
For what it’s worth, I think trying out those vague words, seeing how they feel, how they look on your website/profiles, etc is good! It gives you a sense of, “does this feel right for me?”
At one point I just threw caution to the wind and decided…I’ll use these words, even if others don’t get it!! If they absorb my work enough, they’ll begin to pick it up :)
Ohh, sounds fascinating!! A Jungian deck would be a great companion for archetypal inner work. Have you checked out similar decks (Supra Oracle, Wild Unknown Archetypes)?
What strikes me here when you describe the veil between psychic realities being something we can engage rather than just receive. In my work I've found color to be exactly that kind of bridge. Not symbolic in an intellectual sense but felt, immediately, in the body. When a client can't name what they're carrying, I ask them what color it is. They always know. It bypasses the ego's need to understand before it will let something through. I love this, thank you for talking about it
Yes for me color is the language of light, almost a different translation to different frequencies. I understand a lot about what’s happening to clients or people through their colors (I’m not talking about mainly aura though)
I have kept a dream journal since the 1990s. My dreams have been inspiring and part of my healing journey from childhood trauma as well as most recently, leaving an 18 year emotionally abusive relationship last year. I also have used Tarot. I look forward to your articles💜
How inspiring, Michelle! I look forward to the point where I have decades worth of dream material!
My dreams have also supported much of my healing and creative work. It's really incredible to have that resource, and it sounds like they've been invaluable for you too <3
Very interesting and important work! I’ve found the myths and ancient gods to be helpful for similar work. Paying a little more attention to learn from you.
Yes, absolutely agree myths and the gods are a direct way to engage the archetypal realm and do this kind of deep inner work.
What’s great is that opens up so many options…myths and traditions from all around the world can be brought into this sphere. Single gods, a legend, a mythic structure, etc. So many potent options to choose from!
Do you have a have favorite myth or god that you work with?
And if you have requests for something you’d like to see here on The Artemisian, do let me know :)
On a daily basis I pray to Hermes, Apollo, Athena and Zeus. For more secular archetype work I heavily lean into Greco-Roman mythology. In fact, hosting an in person book club on “Gods in Everyman” by Jean Shinoda Bolen in a couple weeks and publishing a read along on Substack now. I am hoping to host a virtual book club on it after for followers and friends. Will send you an invitation eventually once we’re ready.
After that I will be doing the same thing for Goddesses in Everywoman and then Goddesses in Older Women.
Did you find Bolen’s books helpful in your journey / work?
I've found James Hillman, Edward Edinger, Jung and von Franz's writing on mythology to be the most helpful and impactful. I do think Bolen offers a really accessible framework...a great introduction to the idea that there is more depth to mythology than many realize.
One thing I noticed is that it does tend to feed into individual's desire to type themselves..."I'm a Persephone type..." and then the inner work or reflection stops there. If it acts as a jumping off point (not getting stuck on seeing themselves as a single or even just a few mythic figures), than I think it's really great. That usually does take some deeper commitment, structure and exposure to mythic material.
Archetypes are extremely complex, so it's totally normal to feel that way. Even from a Jungian perspective, they are viewed in many different ways, making it a pretty tough concept to wrap one's mind around. And as you said, there is some aspect of it that we will never truly grasp. At their heart, archetypes are unknowable.
Wow, thank you for sharing this experience. It's such an incredible testament to the ways in which these forces come to us spontaneously, showing us images or insights that we were never aware of. Those are moments to pay special attention to, an archetypal dynamic rising into awareness with guidance, insight, to show what is activated, etc.
Sometimes the mystery of it all takes time to unravel...years even. A part of it will always be mysterious, something we can't fully understand. But at its heart, I see the psyche as deeply purposive and in service to our growth and becoming. These sort of experiences arise to support us through that process.
Thanks for this Alyssa, and sharing your own journey. I am so moved by the images and stories of your grandmother and your younger self. It is special how she bridged her religion and her ancestral folk beliefs, not sacrificing one for the other, but marrying them. I think for me, art has also become an important symbolic realm where the images of psyche can emerge. As well as dreams of course!
Thanks, Amy, such kind words, I really appreciate it.
I’m grateful that my grandmother modeled an intuitive and inclusive approach to spirituality. It’s allowed me to build a practice that weaves many elements together, with my relationship to the unconscious and its images as the main guide.
Do you find similar images or threads in your art and dream, or do they diverge in particular ways?
Yes, such a beautiful modeling of that :)
There are often crossovers between symbols, themes, or quite literal 'scenes' that appear both in my drawings and dreams. Sometimes I will be drawing and as the image starts to develop, the figures and symbols become clear, I remember my dream from the night before, which I had forgotten.
But the images and dreams also diverge in many ways. The main difference is that almost all of my drawings take place outside, in the wild (in the imagery). And many of my dreams happen inside houses, structures, homes...I think this is a fascinating divergence!
I really enjoyed reading this, and it provided a lot of insight into why I'm drawn to the practice I'm drawn to.
I wonder whether there's a word/phrase you use to define yourself or your practice. I've spent years trying to find one that fits but it never quite hits. Even "tarot reader" feels a bit deficient since tarot is my favorite tool, but my practice is broader than that.
It's tough....there really isn't a perfect term. Even using the word archetypal feels insufficent because a lot of people don't understand what that means, or, confuse it with typical characters.
I reference myself as an archetypal educator, or that I teach archetypal studies or archetypal inner work....so it is the best phrase I have found. I suppose one could call themselves an archetypal practitioner, but the uncertainty of what that means to potential customers remains.
haha, yes your last sentence seems about right. I'm in a constant struggle between using the words that most resonate (but are too vague), versus something that's easier for people to grasp but that doesn't quite encapsulate the fullness of the thing. I don't think I'll ever find the perfect phrase, tbh
For what it’s worth, I think trying out those vague words, seeing how they feel, how they look on your website/profiles, etc is good! It gives you a sense of, “does this feel right for me?”
At one point I just threw caution to the wind and decided…I’ll use these words, even if others don’t get it!! If they absorb my work enough, they’ll begin to pick it up :)
what a fantastic read. I am currently in the process of creating my own oracle deck focused on Jungian archetypes. this is so up my alley.
Ohh, sounds fascinating!! A Jungian deck would be a great companion for archetypal inner work. Have you checked out similar decks (Supra Oracle, Wild Unknown Archetypes)?
What strikes me here when you describe the veil between psychic realities being something we can engage rather than just receive. In my work I've found color to be exactly that kind of bridge. Not symbolic in an intellectual sense but felt, immediately, in the body. When a client can't name what they're carrying, I ask them what color it is. They always know. It bypasses the ego's need to understand before it will let something through. I love this, thank you for talking about it
Using color is an interesting approach. It's so symbolic and carries a whole depth of potential meanings. Love that!
Yes for me color is the language of light, almost a different translation to different frequencies. I understand a lot about what’s happening to clients or people through their colors (I’m not talking about mainly aura though)
Beautiful!!
I have kept a dream journal since the 1990s. My dreams have been inspiring and part of my healing journey from childhood trauma as well as most recently, leaving an 18 year emotionally abusive relationship last year. I also have used Tarot. I look forward to your articles💜
How inspiring, Michelle! I look forward to the point where I have decades worth of dream material!
My dreams have also supported much of my healing and creative work. It's really incredible to have that resource, and it sounds like they've been invaluable for you too <3
I've written a lot about those dreams here at The Artemisian if you're curious to read more (for example: https://www.theartemisian.com/p/the-inner-fire).
Oh! Thank you! I will check it out soon♥️
❤️
Great article, it makes me want to buy some tarot cards.
I really recommend it! The Rider Waite is a great beginners deck.
Very interesting and important work! I’ve found the myths and ancient gods to be helpful for similar work. Paying a little more attention to learn from you.
Yes, absolutely agree myths and the gods are a direct way to engage the archetypal realm and do this kind of deep inner work.
What’s great is that opens up so many options…myths and traditions from all around the world can be brought into this sphere. Single gods, a legend, a mythic structure, etc. So many potent options to choose from!
Do you have a have favorite myth or god that you work with?
And if you have requests for something you’d like to see here on The Artemisian, do let me know :)
On a daily basis I pray to Hermes, Apollo, Athena and Zeus. For more secular archetype work I heavily lean into Greco-Roman mythology. In fact, hosting an in person book club on “Gods in Everyman” by Jean Shinoda Bolen in a couple weeks and publishing a read along on Substack now. I am hoping to host a virtual book club on it after for followers and friends. Will send you an invitation eventually once we’re ready.
After that I will be doing the same thing for Goddesses in Everywoman and then Goddesses in Older Women.
Did you find Bolen’s books helpful in your journey / work?
I've found James Hillman, Edward Edinger, Jung and von Franz's writing on mythology to be the most helpful and impactful. I do think Bolen offers a really accessible framework...a great introduction to the idea that there is more depth to mythology than many realize.
One thing I noticed is that it does tend to feed into individual's desire to type themselves..."I'm a Persephone type..." and then the inner work or reflection stops there. If it acts as a jumping off point (not getting stuck on seeing themselves as a single or even just a few mythic figures), than I think it's really great. That usually does take some deeper commitment, structure and exposure to mythic material.
Absolutely! That’s exactly how the series is intended. To then expand on there with a lot of the thinkers you mention. Excited to follow your work!
Wonderful to have you here :) You may find some useful/relevant posts in my mythology tagged section here: https://www.theartemisian.com/t/mythology
Archetypes are extremely complex, so it's totally normal to feel that way. Even from a Jungian perspective, they are viewed in many different ways, making it a pretty tough concept to wrap one's mind around. And as you said, there is some aspect of it that we will never truly grasp. At their heart, archetypes are unknowable.
Wow, thank you for sharing this experience. It's such an incredible testament to the ways in which these forces come to us spontaneously, showing us images or insights that we were never aware of. Those are moments to pay special attention to, an archetypal dynamic rising into awareness with guidance, insight, to show what is activated, etc.
Sometimes the mystery of it all takes time to unravel...years even. A part of it will always be mysterious, something we can't fully understand. But at its heart, I see the psyche as deeply purposive and in service to our growth and becoming. These sort of experiences arise to support us through that process.