Decluttering by Jungian Archetypes - The Creator, Explorer, Rebel, and Lover
This is part of a four-part series - this is part four
If you missed the first of the series, head here »
Part two »
Part three »
The last of the Decluttering by Jungian Archetypes series, but not least, we’ll be covering the Soul archetypes.
Let’s hop right into it!
The Creator - Soul - Innovation - Provide Structure to The World - Aries (This is me!)
Also called The Inventor or The Dreamer, Creators passionately strive to offer lasting value to the world by contributing and sharing their unique visions and creations. Changing perspectives and stories through innovations. Restructuring the world through design. Creating impact through inspired new thought in medical fields, alternative healing, writing, poetry, and so many other examples.
The Shadow of The Creator
Since The Creator loves to provide structure, create impact, and deliver value, their biggest fears are not providing value and failing to find meaning in their work or life as a whole.
Let’s explore how these fears can show up in what we call the shadow aspect. The Creator might have high expectations for the creativity of others, which can lead to a bit of a controlling nature. They might start projects full of enthusiasm but struggle to see them through to completion. Sometimes, they chase perfection so much that they overlook important moral and ethical considerations just to achieve and realize their grand visions. Additionally, they may also -
Feel like they are never good enough
Can become tyrannical (that’s not how you do art! This is not art!)
Have low self-esteem
Lack confidence
Create self-sabotage
Be hypercritical
Experience imposter syndrome (who am I to do this?)
Healing The Creator
This archetype truly desires to see their visions come to life, so embracing stability and self-love can make a wonderful difference for them.
Healing The Creator consists of creating all the time leaving no room to ask questions. Create just for the sake of creating! When inspiration strikes, lean into it. Not everything needs to be shared. Not everything needs to be monetized. Create because your soul aches to reconnect with the etheric umbilical cord of the universe. The more you create, the more inspiration you have, the more you create, the more creativity you develop. The only way you lose it is if you stop creating.
They would also benefit from healing with the Muladhara (Root Chakra: grounding into safety. You are safe to create. You are safe to be seen.), Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra: The center of creativity. The connection to the universe, the cosmic womb, through the etheric umbilical cord.)
Coincidentally, I’m reading this book right now as part of a book club inside
’s Forest of Creatives, a group of incredibly gifted people. I would highly recommend it to help heal The Creator archetype.Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
You’ll thank me later!
Decluttering by Archetype - The Creator
Oh, Creator, I love you dearly, but you tend to have the most clutter of them all. If collecting hobbies is your hobby, consider tidying up these spaces. No, I do not suggest nor condone that you throw away your creations. Simply clearing space for you to create will do remarkable things. Try these spaces -
Activity areas (clearing just one space, like a desk or puzzle table will do wonders for your flow)
Art rooms/hobby rooms (organize by color, task, hobby, make the space conducive to creation)
Craft supplies (toss craft supplies that are on their last leg or cannot be feasibly used any longer. Donate or gift crafts you’ve made but are taking up space.)
Athletic gear (toss old things you no longer wear, fit, or are tattered and cannot be safely used any longer)
Sports equipment (toss equipment that you no longer use or gift it to someone who will)
Journals
Whatever room/space The Creator uses to create and innovate
Papers (admittedly, I myself struggle here!)
Decluttering for The Creator will have a huge ripple effect on their creativity. They will rediscover their passions, circle back to old projects, and feel satisfied when they can finally gift the creations they’ve been working on. This is how they create meaning in their lives and provide enduring value to the world; by tapping into their pure joy.
The Explorer - Soul - Freedom - Yearns for Paradise - Sagittarius
Like The Sage, The Explorer is on a journey of self-discovery and understanding the world. Liberation. Adventure. Often referred to as The Seeker, they tend to hold a worldview rooted in appreciation. If The Explorer feels suppressed by conformity or external influences, the shadow aspect of this archetype may manifest in harmful ways when healthy outlets are absent.
For instance, someone who strongly connects with this archetype might be stuck in a job that lacks freedom and opportunities for exploration, preventing them from living authentically according to their true desires. This sense of repression can lead to coping mechanisms such as drug or alcohol use in an attempt to feel alive and free.
The Shadow of The Explorer
Conformity, feeling trapped, boredom, and feeling constricted are all the greatest fears for this archetype. We can see why. A free spirit needs space to roam and find one's self; it cannot be pushed down nor stifled. They need space to breathe.
If The Explorer feels suppressed by conformity or external influences, the shadow aspect of this archetype may manifest in harmful ways when healthy outlets are absent.
Unhealthy outlets and coping mechanisms to feel alive
May turn to drugs and alcohol to combat a career or job they don’t like (if you feel this may be you, and this realization feels too intense, please seek the help of a licensed professional, as energy healing is only an enhancement and holistic approach for medicine and mental health.)
May lose sight of their true intentions and purpose by wandering aimlessly
Unsure of the path, where to go
Healing The Explorer
Planning and finishing things to completion will be one of the biggest gifts to this archetype. Whether they are doing it themselves or a travel buddy, this sense of freedom and exploration is what they crave and need.
Plan a weekend getaway. A girl’s trip. A guy’s Trip. A family or friends trip. Even a solo trip. Take a path less traveled. Explore a new area of town. Take out a map, blindly pick a spot, and see what adventure awaits! (of course, always consider safety first.)
Muladhara (Root Chakra: grounding into the current moment. Into safety and away from fear, conformity, boredom, and being stuck.),
Decluttering by Archetype - The Magician
It’s time to get up and GO! To avoid burn-out, restlessness, and the mundane, try decluttering, organizing, and packing these areas. You’ve got places to go, people to see, food to taste, and cultures to immerse yourself in. Try decluttering -
Car (do I need to say more?)
Shoes (these are the vessels that take you out and on your way, make sure they are up for the job.)
Entryways (the energy of an entryway is so underrated. This is the beginning of and the end of something. Coming in, and going out.)
Jackets (always need the right jacket. Get rid of jackets that don’t fit, are tattered, or have lived their usefulness. Focus your attention on the one you want to wear next.)
Backpacks (because hello! It’s so annoying to wanna go somewhere, but then you have to take everything out from that bag from the last outing. Get it prepared for your next fling with freedom.)
Suitcases
Sunglasses, hats, accessories
Magazines and books (you most certainly can go on an adventure in a book! In this case, declutter the area where you would go on a journey in your mind, or where you go to discover yourself.)
Souvenirs, art, trinkets, and anything else acquired on your adventures
All this to say, The Explorer needs that room and space to plan and organize their next adventure. Otherwise, they may feel stifled, unfulfilled, and bored. And really, no one likes being bored. Get up and seize the day, plan a getaway.
Would you like to take your shadow work to the next step? Check out my FREE Shadow Work Journal here -
The Rebel - Soul - Liberation - Leave A Mark on This World - Aquarius
This archetype embodies the spirit of change and revolution and seeks to bring justice to those who oppress others. They may work on a personal level or make a broader impact. Often referred to as The Outlaw, The Rebel sometimes may resist their own personal growth, as their focus is on freedom and self-expression. Yet, embracing change is essential for us all, and it's through continued growth that we can fully express ourselves and make a difference in the world.
The Shadow of The Rebel
Since The Rebel seeks liberation and change, being ineffective and injustices are some of their greatest fears.
This archetype tends to challenge social norms, sometimes leading to disruptive or even harmful behavior. Their passion for their cause might cause them to overlook the impact on others, and they can be quick to judge those who don't immediately share their perspectives and may see them as “the enemy, the oppressor.” When a shadow rebel creates this division, they can become easily manipulated and used in others’ plans that fit their agenda. Other ways the shadow may manifest within The Rebel archetype -
May have an Us vs. Them worldview
Might engage in pointless activities solely to feel productive
Taking action solely for taking action (and this bleeds into the shadow because their fear is being ineffective, and consequentially, may be ineffective if they are taking action for action's sake)
The Rebel would benefit greatly and grow from finding a place of balance and getting out of their head
May be impulsive
Healing The Rebel
What does healing for The Rebel look like? It looks like finding a place of balance, getting out of their head, and finding discernment by revaluating their values and goals. What is actually true for them? What is the basis of their cause? Are they fighting just to fight? Or are they rebelling for liberation against oppressors?
The Rebel would benefit from working together with others and finding common ground for a mutual advantage. Coming together rather than creating division.
Inner growth and reflection would also help them get closer to their purpose and fulfillment, as this would help them cultivate change within - finding that they, themselves, or their conditioning, may be their own oppressor.
Energy healing with the Chakras would include healing with the Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra: confidence, courage, their will), and Vishuddha (Throat Chakra: speaking truth, connecting with others, healing lies spoken to them or the ones they repeat), Ajna (Third Eye Chakra: wisdom, insight, self-awareness, reflection, seeing beyond illusions).
Decluttering by Archetype - The Rebel
Okay, so what would The Rebel be holding on to as a form of clutter? What rooms would we find clutter in, or what areas would be the best places to start? Let’s break it down -
Attic (the attic is home to the nostalgia of how they, or their family or friends, have made a mark on the world. Organize this space by prioritizing truly treasured belongings.)
Basement (almost the same as the attic, but in the basement, there can be shadows, skeletons, and a chance to challenge beliefs.)
Music (make playlists that activate the rebellious side. What would you play during a revolution?)
Clothes (what are you wearing to your liberation? If it’s not cureently in your closet, toss them clothes!)
Antiques (again, time capsules of periods in history that shape the present.)
Digital footprint (Aquarius rules the internet. So, just think about your email, your photos, apps, and anything else you do online. Clean up those areas so you can keep speaking your truth and standing up for your cause.)
For The Rebel to confront the inner work, they must see that this may be hindering their effectiveness, and by doing so - they can make an impact. Clearing out those areas of clutter will help them solidify their rebellious nature, and they will also be able to focus on their causes with more conviction. With purpose.
The Lover - Soul - Intimacy - Connect with Others - Scorpio
Ah, The Lover. My moon is in Scorpio. The shadowy bits of this archetype always ring true for me, both in the past and present.
This archetype thrives on forming deep, meaningful relationships. They consistently choose to see the best in people and seek to build solid connections with others.
The Shadow of The Lover
The greatest pain and fear for The Lover is not being loved or accepted.
How this reflects outward as the shadow aspect would be accepting less-than-desirable behavior or abuse to avoid confrontation and conflict. Putting others first and forgetting about their own needs. It also can show up in these forms as well -
Can begin to love others more than themselves
Addiction to sex (in the form of seeking out the love of others to prove their worth to themselves.)
May become needy and then possibly resentful
Seeking vengeance against former love affairs (do you see the Scorpio here?)
The Lover is an intense, deep, intimate, and beautiful archetype. I have many friends who embody The Lover. This information is only for illumination. If you feel this rings too close to home and you are having difficulties processing, please seek out the assistance of a trained therapist. Your health is worth it. Love yourself first, and then offer that graciousness and depth to others with the overflow.
Healing The Lover
The Lover would benefit greatly from learning to uphold firm boundaries, cultivating a strong sense of self-love, and community support.
Be your greatest lover, Lover. If love was the main ingredient, what would you create and how would you heal?
The two Chakra’s that need the most TLC for The Lover are - Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra: pleasure center, balancing the need/want/desire/creation for intimacy), and Anahata (Heart Chakra: love, self love, connection to others.)
Decluttering by Archetype - The Lover
The Lover’s hidden treasures and clutter. Let’s dive into what they may be holding on to, what can be let go, and what needs priority.
Bedroom/Red room (the bedroom is high priority for The Lover. This is where some of the most deep intimacy can be shared with another person or with oneself. Be sure to declutter here to enhance connections and create deeper meaning.)
Sexy clothes (not just for the gaze of your partner, but for yourself. How do you want to feel? What makes you feel loved in your own skin? If it isn’t reflected in your clothes, perhaps it’s time to make room for a wardrobe that supports you as a lover.)
Adult toys/dress-up (same as above, mostly.)
Love letters (organizing these letters and showcasing them where you can see them, or in a frame, will help you embody the intimacy. You’ll also be able to toss the things you held on to for vengeance.)
Notes
Cards
Gifts and handmade items (these creations are sentimental. I wouldn’t suggest decluttering them, but if you do find that they are in ill repair, perhaps taking a picture of them for posterity will help release the physical item. Also, the people who love you will still love you, even if you donated that potholder that wasn’t really your style.)
And ode to The Lover. This world needs your incredible intimacy. People crave it and need it like air. Show up in your fullest form by loving all of you. You are worthy of your own love. I hope you connect with yourself as deeply as you connect with others. Because what you embody, is a treasure.
Final Thoughts
This concludes the four-part series of Decluttering with The Jungian Archetypes. I hope you enjoyed this, as I enjoyed writing it. So much light in the dark. I know I learned more things about myself that I will need to journal on. What did you find most illuminating? Anything that sprung up an “ah-ha! That makes sense!”?
Please consider sharing by leaving a comment or sending me a message. I would love to hear from you.
The Shadow is never really done. As this is my main jam. The core of all my energy healing and teaching. The shadow is where the gems of creativity lie. The keys to power. The doors to liberation. The portals to magic. The threads to enlightenment. Be sure to subscribe for future newsletters, all things energy and healing.
Can’t subscribe to a paid tier? (I’m actually thinking about turning off paid!) and can’t afford my Shadow Work journal right now?
I’m always down for a hot brew. Usually tea, but I do love a good cup of Joe. Especially from a french press. IYKYK.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and I hope you found some words of wisdom and some soul gems within.
With love and healing,
I truly enjoyed the entire series Alea! They are both fascinating and provide great guidance! I find I embody a lot of the Scorpio traits as well because my Mercury and Venus are both in Scorpio. 💚 Do you have any book recs on archetypes? I’d love to read more!