14 Jungian Archetypes – Their Connection to Various Forms of Imagination

Chapter Citation

Dominguez Canales, C., Goyzueta Delahanty, R., Grigoreva, A., Nyhus, B. & Ohori, I. (2025) Jungian archetypes: Their connection to various forms of imagination In Psychological Roots. BCcampus Press. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/psychologicalroots/chapter/jungian-archetypes-their-connection-to-various-forms-of-imagination/

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, readers will be able to:
1. Describe how Jungian archetypes manifest in myths, dreams, and psychedelic experiences, and analyze their role in shaping human imagination.
2. Analyze how archetypes like the Hero, Shadow, and Alchemist contribute to individual transformation, inner conflict resolution, and the process of individuation as defined by Carl Jung.
3. Evaluate the therapeutic and spiritual implications of psychedelic experiences as a means of accessing unconscious material and archetypal imagery, especially in modern psychological and clinical contexts.

Background

What is the human imagination? The answer to this question is unclear. However, a few things are for sure: imagination is endless and can take infinite forms. One example of humans’ immense imagination is dreams. Dreams are a phenomenon that happens every night, regardless of whether people remember them, and they are a place where imagination flourishes. Additionally, certain substances, such as psychedelics, drastically amplify human imagination. Furthermore, myths are a form of imagination, and when referring to ancient myths, they can be thought of as the accumulation of the human imagination over the ages. All of these forms of imagination are separate concepts, but intuitively there seems to be a sacred thread that runs through them all. That thread is Jungian archetypes. Therefore, in this chapter, an analysis of the human imagination will take place by exploring the relationship between archetypes and the three forms of imagination depicted above. However, before exploring the connection between archetypes and imagination, the history of these concepts must be explored.

Archetypes

Archetypes are a psychological concept developed by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung (1875–1961). Jung was the son of a pastor and was a lonely child. However, he had a large imagination, which led to him challenging how his father practiced religion (Fordham et al., 2025). Jung eventually diverted from the expected path of ministry and went to study medicine. He worked closely with Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, and for some time it was thought Jung would be Freud’s successor (Fordham et al., 2025). However, eventually, Jung and Freud went their separate ways due to differences in temperament and viewpoint. This eventually led to Jung developing some psychoanalytical theories in a different direction from Freud, with the idea of archetypes being one of them (Fordham et al., 2025). In the Jungian sense, the idea of an archetype is a universal symbol or image that lives within the collective unconscious. Elaborating on the collective unconscious first, this is the part of the unconscious that is universal and the same in everyone. In Jung’s words, the collective unconscious is “identical in all men and thus constitutes a common psychic substrate of a supernatural nature which is present in every one of us” (Jung, 1959, p. 4). The archetypes are the contents of the collective unconscious and are the framework of all perceivable ideas. They exist in abstraction, and once looked upon, archetypes manifest themselves in the world. Therefore, archetypes have a major role in human life, being that they are the psychic substrate to thought and imagination. Archetypes can then guide people to understand themselves better if they can identify their behavior with a common archetype. Once identified with, this gives people the choice to learn from the archetype and also to release from its bonds if they find it to be limiting. Overall, the concept of psychological archetypes developed by Carl G. Jung is a complex topic, but provides valuable insights into people’s personalities and imagination.

Myths

Firstly, to define myth, the word has changed meaning over time. Kumar (2019) describes myth as changing from meaning an oral communication or story of any kind, to a fictitious or fabulous tale, and then to a narrative with gods or other natural agencies at the center. The definition most fitting to this chapter resembles the latter. Expanding on what myth truly means, further notes by Kumar (2019) describe myth as relating to humans’ intuitive nature and influencing literature via the abstract story patterns latent in myths. With this definition and additional ideas of myth in mind, the relevance of myth in history reveals itself as being quite substantial. In a 1959 essay by Joseph Campbell, he mentions that myth “compels us to view the cultural history of mankind as a unit” (Campbell, 1959, p. 1). He credits this compulsion to the fact that popular myths and their iterations are seen cross-culturally and worldwide. This then allows one to perceive that there is a commonality in the development of different cultures far before a time when there was global communication. Another excerpt from Campbell’s (1959) essay that illustrates the historical relevance of myth states that, “Man, apparently, cannot maintain himself in the universe without belief in some arrangement of the general inheritance of myth” (Campbell, 1959, p. 2). He describes this presumption in the midst of explaining how myth has been imbued in every culture for millennia. Taken together, these two concepts illuminate the seeming necessity of myth for the human species over the ages. Connecting this back to archetypes, these ancient myths that were formed through the evolution of imagination over time had to be based on something. Therefore, because of the similarity of myth cross-culturally, it makes sense that humans were using their imagination to build their myths based on archetypal ideas that unconsciously resided in them.

Dreams

Dreams are an excellent example of the imagination, and in somewhat recent years, psychoanalysis has explored how interpreting dreams can reveal valuable insights. However, theories about dreams aren’t new and are prevalent in history. In the earliest civilizations, such as in Mesopotamia and Egypt, there existed the firm belief that dreams were of a divine origin, and this belief was passed down to ancient Greece and the Romans (Barbera, 2007). What was especially interesting about the belief about dreams at this time is that one was thought to see a dream as opposed to have one (Barbera, 2007). This shows how people had supernatural views on dreams during this time, believing they must have been some sort of message from the gods or a premonition. In ancient Greece, although the predominant belief was that of the divine nature of dreams, more naturalistic views emerged from some of the great philosophers of the time. For example, Aristotle refuted the divine origin theory of dreaming and instead attributed dreaming to residual sensory perceptions. Essentially, Aristotle believed that sensory stimulation during wakefulness caused movement in the body, which persisted during sleep, giving rise to dreams (Barbera, 2007). Many other Greek philosophers had theories on dreaming, some being naturalistic like Aristotle and others supporting the divine theory of dreaming (Barbera, 2007). After the Greek period, there was still a mix of naturalistic and supernaturalistic views on dreaming, with many “people in the medieval and early modern period often [seeing] dreams as communications from God – or from the Devil” (Pick & Roper, 2004, p. 3) and the rationalist Descartes having a naturalistic view on dreaming. Overall, dream theory has been discussed by individuals for millennia, and it will be explored later how dreams may be the doorway to the collective unconscious.

Psychedelics

One thing potentially even older than dream theory that connects with human imagination is psychedelics. Archaeologists have found evidence to support the idea that psychedelics have been used in ceremonies for more than 10,000 years (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, 2007). In recent times, the mental health benefits of psychedelics have been researched with promising results (Belouin & Henningfield, 2018). One example is the effects LSD has on mental health problems. LSD was discovered by Albert Hofmann, and he found that it helped with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia (Belouin & Henningfield, 2018). Finally, Given the nature of psychedelics often eliciting spiritual experiences, it’s only natural to wonder if psychedelics are potentially another way to access the vast landscape of imagination that is influenced by archetypes.

The Alchemist Archetype in Mythology

The major topic of the alchemist archetype in mythology helps support the thesis by showing how these archetypes reveal themselves through symbolic stories and images that allow people to consciously recognize something that already exists deep in the collective unconscious. Carl Jung believed that archetypes begin as invisible frameworks or mental patterns. He states that we begin to recognize them only when they’re shown in dreams, myths, or art. The story of the alchemist is a perfect example of how an archetype reveals itself through myths. Initially, the archetype is just an idea, like a mysterious figure associated with change, mystery, and knowledge. However, in mythology and storytelling the alchemist becomes a fully formed character who represents inner transformation. This mirrors other archetypes in mythology, such as the Wise Old Man and the Magician, who act as guides. For instance, Hermes in Greek mythology or Thoth in Egyptian myth, the alchemist bridges the visible and invisible worlds. Through this, it delivers hidden knowledge that pushes the hero towards self-discovery. By appearing in collective stories, the alchemist becomes visible to the conscious mind. These myths and stories help people make sense of their own experiences of change and personal growth. The alchemist isn’t just a “wise man” in a cloak, it’s a symbol that reminds us that real transformation happens on the inside. This supports the thesis that archetypes become truly meaningful when they take shape in the world around us and inside us through imagination, experience, and storytelling.

Alchemy as a Symbol of Psychological Growth

This idea supports the major point by showing how the alchemist archetype appears in mythology to symbolize transformation and growth. Alchemy isn’t just about changing lead into gold but about transformation within the self. Carl Jung believed that alchemical processes symbolized the psychological journey of individuation, where a person becomes whole by integrating both conscious and unconscious parts of the mind (Jung, C. G., 1968). In myths, alchemists often go through personal obstacles that lead to deeper internal changes. For example, the Wounded Healer archetype usually appears in alchemical stories, where the alchemists must confront their own pain or limitations to gain the wisdom needed to help others. This transformation is what the alchemist archetypes are about, mythology helps makes it more understandable by giving it a more clear and powerful symbolic form. Another way mythology supports the alchemist archetype is through the Wise Mentor figure. Characters like Hermes, Trismegistus, or Merlin guide others on their journeys, helping them unlock their potential and find meaning (Eternalised, 2024). These symbolic guides reflect what Carl Jung called the “Wise Old Man” archetype. These figures often appear in myths to offer deep wisdom, usually during a turning point in the hero’s journey. Unlike alchemists who focus on their own transformation, these characters represent another side of the alchemist archetype, one that guides and supports others. This highlights how the alchemist appears in different forms across stories but is always connected to personal growth and self-discovery. Finally, myths about alchemists often include the Philosopher’s Stone, which is more than just a magical object. It represents enlightenment and the end goal of transformation. Carl Jung related this symbol to the Self archetype, representing psychological wholeness (Digital Jung, 2023). The Philosopher’s Stone is a metaphor for reaching full awareness of the self; it’s about achieving something deeper, like balance or truth. Mythology gives the entire process of transformation a clear narrative and perspective that we can consciously understand. Tying this back to the major point, archetypes like the alchemist begin as an invisible pattern within the collective unconscious, but through myths, they take shape to help us make sense of our own inner experiences.

The Alchemist as a Mediator Between Two Worlds

The idea of the alchemist as a bridge between the physical and spiritual world supports the major point by showing how this archetype reveals itself through powerful symbols and storytelling in mythology. In many myths, alchemists don’t experiment with physical materials but gain spiritual insight through dreams and mystical visions. Carl Jung believed dreams directly connect to the unconscious mind, where deeper truths about the self are hidden (Academy of Ideas, 2023). The alchemist archetype can represent both someone going through personal growth and someone guiding that transformation. In this case, the alchemist is more like a guide who helps make sense of messages from the unconscious, showing how spiritual insights can influence real-life choices. This gives the archetype more meaning in mythological stories. The alchemist’s role in guiding the hero reflects another major Jungian concept, for instance, the Hero archetype and the individuation process. In many myths, the hero represents the conscious self on a journey toward enlightenment or wholeness. During this journey, the hero often encounters an alchemist or wise figure who helps them access and understand knowledge from the unconscious mind (Academy of Ideas, 2023). This mirrors Jung’s beliefs that individuation requires balancing the physical and spiritual worlds. Within this role, the alchemist acts as a mentor, guiding the hero toward self-discovery and helping them apply what they’ve learned into their identity. This reinforces the idea that archetypes like the alchemist play a key role in mediating the physical and spiritual world. Lastly, another important way that the alchemist appears in mythology is through the concept of inner conflict, which connects to Jung’s concept of the Shadow. The Shadow represents the hidden, often darker parts of a person’s psyche that they may not want to acknowledge (Society of Analytical Psychology, n.d.). Within the alchemical stories, working with dark or base elements often symbolizes the process of facing these uncomfortable parts of the self. The alchemist plays a key role in this process by guiding individuals through their inner struggles. By doing so, this helps the individual confront and accept the darker sides of themselves. This is what Carl Jung called the Shadow. The alchemists reveal how mythology can give shape to the parts of us we don’t always recognize. This supports the idea that archetypes become easier to understand when they appear in myths through powerful characters and meaningful stories.

The Role of Archetypes and Myths in Understanding Personal Development

Archetypes are universal symbols and patterns that represent different parts of the psyche, such as the hero, the shadow, the animus/animas, and more. These concepts were developed by a Swiss psychologist Carl Jung who founded analytic psychology. Archetypes play a crucial role in personal development, by offering different insights into the unconscious behaviors and patterns that shape our lives. The role of archetypes play a crucial role in understanding personal development, by unlocking your personal potential through the power of archetypes. The concept of archetypes holds a significant importance in the role of personal growth and development, by helping to shape our thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. Furthermore, it guides our journey on personal growth and self-discovery. Understanding archetypes requires us to examine our unconscious motives, habits, and behaviors, which is a transforming process (Morgenstern, 2024). We can learn more about ourselves and the world around us by investigating these ideas. We can also find any archetypal patterns that direct our life and uncover any hidden influences that mold our lives. Once we identify the type of archetype we are, when we fully embrace it and work with them, that’s when our we can unlock our full potential, align ourselves truly with what we believe in, and we tend to live authentically by making choices that truly resonate with our personal beliefs and who we truly are. There are multiple examples that show how Carl Jung different archetypes play into personal growth, such as ‘The Sage’ which represents knowledge, introspection, and wisdom. This archetype shows a deep understanding of others and shares their wisdom and knowledge with others as well. This example provides a glimpse on how archetypes can play a role in our lives by shaping our personal experiences and growth. They can show up in various ways, such as thoughts, dreams, actions, etc. By exploring and embracing all these archetypes, individuals have a deeper understanding of themselves, such as what motivates them or why they reacted in that specific way. They can also gain a better understanding of those who are around them by learning or identifying their own personal archetypal patterns. By doing this they can become more empathetic and compassionate. The more we embrace and understand our own personal archetypal patterns, the better we become for understanding ourselves and connecting with other people. Overall, myths and archetypes can help us to understand the journey of personal growth and development through an externalized representation of unconscious patterns. The Hero’s Journey as a Structure for Personal Growth The Hero is one of the most well-known archetypal structures, this structure is used in many stories, myths, and movies, etc. There are many different characters that have the ‘Hero’ archetype such as Frodo Baggins from the ‘Lord of the Rings’, Achilles from the Greek Mythology, Luke Skywalker from ‘Star Wars’ and more. The article ‘The Role of Mythology in Understanding Archetypes’ talks about how the ‘Hero’ journey and narrative follows an individual who is about to go on a transformative journey, where they might face challenges (Alex, 2025). The Hero archetype is a framework for any individual to reflect on their own personal life experiences and use it as a roadmap for all their difficulties and challenges that they might face during their journey on personal growth, this can help with the individual embarking on their trip by growing and discovering who they are. This archetype can be used as a model for an individual or they find the parallels between their lives as the journey of the hero that they must go through by fostering resilience and finding their sense of purpose when engaging in different myths (Alex, 2025). The hero represents different traits such as courage, strength, and resilience. These traits and patterns show the form of the basis of personal development and self-improvement. This archetype represents the individual’s journey on self-discovery, transformation, and the face of obstacles. This journey is shown in many ways, such as myths, which reflect the process of individuation- where the individual must face external and internal obstacles and challenges to realize their true and full potential. By doing this the individual embodies different traits like courage, strength, sacrifice, and perseverance (Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, 2024). There are 3 stages of the Hero’s journey that an individual must go through the departure, where the hero leaves to go on their journey because of an inner necessity; the initiation where the hero encounters many challenges and trials along the way they encounter helpers, enemies, or forces. This stage is where significant growth, transformation, and self-discovery happens; the last stage is return, it’s where the hero returns to their world with new wisdom. This has psychological significance because it illustrates how a person must face their fears, limits, and shadow characteristics in order to develop and change. Every obstacle an individual faces is a symbolic step in the process of self-realization, aiming to incorporate various aspects of their psyche and come together to make them feel stronger and more whole. By applying and understanding the ‘hero’ archetype when an individual is going through a personal growth, they can feel that their personal struggles are a part of a meaningful process, making more of their challenges feel that they have a purpose rather than feeling like they are overwhelming or a struggle. Myths and archetypes play a crucial part in understanding self-actualization, and the archetype’s structure ensures personal progress as a continuous process of transformation.

The Shadow and Self-Discovery

The Hero isn’t the only archetype that is used as a model for an individual’s journey for personal development, growth, and discovery. There are many other archetypes that are helpful for personal development, understanding human experiences and behaviors. Carl Jung made the ‘Shadow’ archetype that represents a darker side of a person’s personality. It represents the unconscious aspects of the self, such as any repressed fears, emotions, desires, and any unknown traits that often manifest our internal conflicts. By understanding and incorporating the ‘Shadow’ in our lives, it can be essential for individuals when seeking complete growth, allowing them to face and confront any hidden aspects. The shadow tends to represent the hidden or repressed parts of our personality, this is a part of personality where we tend to deny or feel uncomfortable with acknowledging it. However, by confronting and incorporating the shadow, we can achieve a greater self-acceptance and inner harmony. Jung suggested that incorporating shadow is essential for personal growth and individuation (Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, 2024). He believed that by recognizing and accepting the dark parts of oneself, the individual can avoid being controlled by these unconscious forces and instead try to channel them in different ways. For example, when included, an aggressive trait can be replaced by assertiveness and jealousy is a trait that can be seen as an indication of unfulfilled emotional demands. Our shadow can appear in various ways such as in myths, dreams, etc. Overall, when an individual embraces their ‘Shadow’ they can turn any fears or repressions that they have into empowerment, which can help the individual to gain their goal of personal growth and self-acceptance.

The Role of Dreams in Personal and Cultural Mythmaking

Dreams have long been viewed as a conduit to a realm beyond everyday experience – a source of insight that can guide personal and cultural narratives and experiences. From ancient societies who saw dreams as messages from the gods to modern psychology’s notion of the unconscious, there is a common thread that dreams connect us to a “beyond” which transcends the individual, Carl Jung placed this idea at the center of his theory: he argued that dreams are a window into the collective unconscious, revealing universal myth making processes at work in the individual psyche. These archetypal images arise spontaneously in individual dreams and resemble the mythic figures found across the world and cultures. Through this lens, recurring figures in dreams become a source of personal meaning-making and simultaneously contribute to the creation and reinforcement of cultural myths (Jung, 1969; Campbell, 1949).

Archetypal Symbols in Dream Imagery

One way dreams link personal experience to cultural narrative is through the appearance of recurring archetypal symbols—like the Wise Old Man, the Hero, and the Anima/Animus.
Jung identified the Wise Old Man as a frequently occurring archetype in the collective unconscious, representing wisdom and guidance. This figure often manifests in dreams in guises such as a venerable grandfather, a student, a teacher or a priest imparting advice or secret knowledge to the dreamer. Such dream encounters mirror mythic motifs: across cultures, heroes and legends receive counsel from these wise elders or divine mentors for example, Odysseus guided by Athena. The Hero archetype itself can emerge in dreams when individuals find themselves on a quest or facing challenges in their sleep-life. A person might dream of embarking on a journey, or fighting a monster, narratives strikingly similar to heroic epics in mythology. Jung interprets these “hero’s journey” dreams as the psyche working toward growth and individuation, using the same narrative structure that underpins myths of gods and heroes. The Anima/Animus represents the dreamer’s inner opposite gender, appearing as emotionally charged dream figures that guide self-awareness and development (Jung, 1969). These archetypes create continuity between dream symbolism and cultural myths, demonstrating how dreams can perpetuate and inspire narrative structures across generations. Nightmares function as a critical means by which individuals encounter and begin to integrate their Shadow in the self, and into the hidden, darker dimensions of their personality. Simultaneously, cultural myths and legends extend this individual psychological dynamic to a collective level, reflecting and addressing societal anxieties, moral tensions and taboos. Contemporary psychological research supports Jung’s assertion that confronting nightmares—rather than avoiding or suppressing them—can lead to significant emotional and psychological breakthroughs.

Confronting the Unconscious Through Dreams

Nightmares frequently personify the Jungian concept of the Shadow, embodying the hidden, darker, and repressed elements of one’s psyche. Jung described the Shadow as encompassing qualities that individuals wish to hide or deny about themselves, often arising as disturbing images within dreams to force confrontation with these hidden aspects. Dreams involving frightening or repulsive figures like monsters, attackers, demons or dark spirits, often signify an individual’s encounter with repressed fears or taboo impulses. Such nightmares offer opportunities for psychological growth by compelling individuals to acknowledge and integrate these disowned aspects of their personalities (Johnson, 2020). Similarly, cultural narratives often externalize these fears and moral taboos into cautionary myths and horror stories, featuring monsters and villains as personifications of collective anxieties (Bulkeley, 2016). The integration process depicted in dreams—facing and conquering the Shadow—parallels heroic myths and tales of redemption and transformation that appear across cultures. Dream researchers and Jungian analysts alike suggest that nightmares often portray the dreamer being chased, attacked, or confronted by threatening entities (Schredl,M 2000). Such terrifying dreams symbolically reveal a person’s suppressed anxieties, guilt, shame, or unresolved emotional trauma. For instance, dreams of being pursued by unknown assailants may symbolize the psyche’s attempt to escape from self-awareness of hidden impulses or suppressed memories From a Jungian perspective, these cultural myths serve as collective equivalents to individual nightmares, allowing communities to symbolically explore and resolve tensions around their shared Shadow elements. Such myths and legends help articulate otherwise inexpressible fears or moral conflicts, providing socially acceptable frameworks for confronting and understanding collective anxieties. Jungian theory holds that the ultimate aim of engaging with the unconscious (through dreams and other means) is individuation, the process of becoming a whole, authentic self-individuation requires integrating the shadow, recognizing and assimilating the disowned parts of oneself so that they can contribute positively to the psyche. Nightmares, by confronting us with our shadow in a direct way, present powerful opportunities for personal development.

The Connection Between Archetypes, the Collective Unconscious & Psychedelic Experiences as a Path to Mystical Awakening

So far, this paper has explored Carl Jung’s concepts, their possible historical roots, and their manifestations in universal experiences such as dreaming. In this section, however, we would like to shift the focus toward a more personal application of Jungian theories. Specifically, we aim to connect these concepts to the growing interest in psychedelics, their potential for spiritual awakening, and their possible implications for psychological therapy. Psychedelics are considered substances that are “causing effects on the mind, such as feelings of deep understanding or usually strong experiences of colour, sound, taste, and touch” (Cambridge Dictionary, 2019, para. 3). The most popular examples of substances that are categorized as psychedelics include: LSD, Psilocybin (“Magic Mushrooms”), DMT, Mescaline, Ayahuasca and many others. The word “psychedelic” comes from the two Greek words: “psyche” – meaning mind or soul, and “delos” – meaning manifesting or revealing. This term was introduced for the first time in 1956 by British psychiatrist Humphry Osmond, however, psychedelic substances were widely used thousands of years before this date. Historical evidence suggests the use of psychedelics by Ancient Civilizations (i. e. Aztecs and Mayans), as well as by Indigenous and Tribal Communities across the world (Hill, 2019). Under the influence of psychedelics, people usually report experiencing visual and auditory distortions; enhanced feeling of connection with the self, others, and nature; generally heightened senses; and “expanded” thinking. After the “psychedelic trip”, many people report feeling a heightened sense of meaning and insight for as long as multiple months after use – an experience that is very contrary to the majority of other mind-altering substances.
In his book Confrontation with the Unconscious (2019), Dr. Scott J. Hill, a researcher studying the intersection of psychedelic studies and Jungian psychology, explained why these psychedelic-enhanced experiences may resemble the realm of the collective unconscious and the process behind it. Hill (2019) proposes that a main mechanism behind psychedelic influence being so vivid and transformational is due to the “lowering of the threshold of consciousness”, or “abasement” – a term proposed by Carl Jung himself. Jung explained that this state can be reached not exclusively by the use of psychedelics, but also by many simple factors like extreme fatigue, intense emotions, or even extreme religious devotion, and is characterized by reduced conscious control followed by a strengthening of the unconscious. Based on Jung’s vision, people in this state are susceptible to experience hallucinations and other forms of vivid imagery as a manifestation of the unconscious. Hill (2019) clarifies, that by manifestations of the unconscious, Jung was particularly talking about archetypes. Jung proposed that archetypes have a specific “charge”, which, upon entering the conscious mind, causes an even further reduction of conscious control. This way, psychedelics allow the constant “flow” of unconscious materials towards consciousness, which brings an even deeper state of “abasement” – eventually leading to a full immersion of the two parts of the psyche. In simple words – the borders of consciousness and unconsciousness disappear, two entities become one with a mutual “flow” of information. One such experience was documented by Maria Estevez during her time as a participant in a psilocybin-induced study. In his book, J. Hill (2019) presents Maria’s strong emotions after the experience: “psychedelic experience left her with a sense that, at the age of sixty-two, she had for the first time understood familiar religious principles” (Hill, 2019, p. 4). Ms. Estevez recalls her experience as being “guided by transcendent spiritual intelligence” (Hill,2019, p. 4), which left her feeling the “expended thinking” effect, filled with joy and meaningful insight. It seems like Maria’s experience was extremely positive and transformational, which makes me wonder about the potential therapeutic properties of psychedelic substances. Can we all integrate our most productive archetypal schemas into our lives with the help of psychedelics?

Psychedelics as a Conduit to Self-Therapy

When applying Jungian theory to psychedelic experiences, it is important to note that Carl Jung himself was not in favor of using psychedelics as a means of uncovering unconscious content. Jung specifically emphasized the tremendous power of unconscious images, and the dangers associated with their discovery by an unprepared mind. He argued that the primary goal of exploring the unconscious is to achieve “integration” of its content into conscious awareness. However, given the overwhelming effects of psychedelic substances on the mind, this integration is rarely possible. Here is Jung’s comment on using mescaline for self-therapy: “Mescaline, however, uncovers such psychic facts at any time and place when and where it is by no means certain that the individual is mature enough to integrate them” (Hill, 2019, p. 14). Despite Jung’s opposition to the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, many modern psychologists highlight recent positive research findings on their potential benefits and seek to explain the mechanisms behind their healing effects. For instance, in the paper “A Psychoanalytic Perspective on Psychedelic Experience”, Dr. Jeffrey Guss (2022) is using the terms “ego death” or “egolysis” to explain the healing impact of psychedelics on the mind from a psychoanalytic perspective. Guss (2022) provides the central conceptual framework of the “self” in modern psychoanalysis, in which the self is understood as a unity of different elements: self-referential elements (“what I think about myself”) and external elements (“what I think about others and how I think I’m being perceived”). Based on this perspective, the discontinuity and failure of integration among these elements lead to deep psychological problems, while psychedelic substances assist in the full conjunction of the two. The further integration of this experience into conscious awareness allows a previously undiscovered view on oneself. Additionally, based on this theory, this conjunction triggers the dissolution of all the defense mechanisms and resurfacing of repressed desires – a scary, but extremely insightful experience named “ego-death”. Both processes triggered by the use of psychedelics usually lead to expanded self-awareness and understanding of the self, causing a therapeutic effect. Additionally, in Confrontation with the Unconscious (2019), Dr. Scott J. Hill explores another important implication of psychedelic-assisted treatment – its potential for addressing trauma-related disorders. Dr. Hill discusses the work of clinical psychologist and Jungian analyst Dr. Donald Kalsched, who has devoted significant time to analyzing childhood trauma through its unconscious manifestations. Dr. Kalsched observes that individuals suffering from childhood trauma frequently encounter dark unconscious forces in their dreams or during so-called “bad trips” induced by psychedelics. Specifically, they often face archetypal demonic images such as a witch, a ghostly axeman, a mad doctor, the Devil, or the Shadow. Dr. Kalsched proposes that when conventional defense mechanisms fail, archetypal defenses emerge to protect against trauma, forming what he calls “the psyche’s archetypal self-care system” (Hill, 2019, p. 60). In this context, psychedelics – when used with proper guidance and support – can help uncover the root of the trauma by bringing negative archetypal images to the surface, breaking dissociation, and fostering integration between the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche.

Conclusion

In exploring the intricate relationship between imagination and Jungian archetypes through the lenses of myth, dreams, and psychedelics, it has been shown how imagination, though seemingly boundless, follows patterns that align with the archetypal structures that reside in the collective unconscious. From the universal themes in ancient myths to the symbolic imagery found in dreams, and even the transformative visions brought on by psychedelics, we can trace a common thread that reveals archetypes as both the foundation and guiding force behind these expressions of imagination. Future research could work to better define imagination and explore how it functions in an individual. Although this chapter was able to explore imagination broadly by exploring myth, dreams and psychedelics, it didn’t talk about how it truly looks and functions in an individual. However, this is fair to a point, because the concept of imagination is quite elusive so it’s hard to explore the exact mechanics of it. Regardless, if the concepts in this chapter were paired with current neuroscience of dreams, psychedelics and the human tendency to live life through a story, there might be very fruitful outcomes. In conclusion, understanding the relationship between imagination and archetypes allows us to gain insight into the wonders of the human mind and by exploring the exact nature of this relationship, being that archetypes act as the foundational framework for imagination to flourish, the mysteries of the unconscious are slowly revealed. And finally, finishing this chapter off with a recommendation: Explore… adventure… wander… and as long as you keep your imagination alive, you will be tethered to the world… to the collective unconscious.

Study Guide Resources

Key Terms
Abasement – a state where a person feels deeply devalued or humiliated. Instead of the ego disappearing, it becomes weakened, causing feelings of powerlessness, shame, or insignificance.
Alchemist Archetype – The alchemist archetype symbolizes inner transformation and personal growth. In Carl Jung’s view, the ancient practice of alchemy represented the psychological journey of individuation, where a person becomes whole by integrating the conscious and unconscious mind.
Archetypes – A psychological concept developed by Carl Jung, archetypes are universal symbols or images that exist in the collective unconscious. They are the abstract framework behind all perceivable ideas and can guide people toward self-understanding when recognized in their own behavior.
Dream Symbolism – The use of recurring, often archetypal images in dreams that reflect unconscious thoughts, conflicts, or potential for personal growth.
Ego death – a term from psychoanalytic and transpersonal psychology that describes a temporary loss of the ego. In this state, the usual sense of self – along with things like defense mechanisms and the way we normally process reality – fades away. Without it, a person can see themselves and the world in a completely new, often transformative way.
Hero Archetype – The Hero Archetype is a common symbolic structure found in many stories and myths, where a character undergoes a journey filled with challenges and transformation. This archetype reflects personal growth and can serve as a roadmap for navigating life’s struggles.
Imagination – Imagination is the human ability to create endless and varied mental images, ideas, and experiences. It manifests in different forms, such as dreams, myths, and heightened experiences through substances like psychedelics.
Individuation – The process refers to the journey of personal development and self-realization, where an individual integrates both the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind. This process involves confronting and embracing the “Shadow”
Myth – Myth is a narrative form that has evolved over time, originally meaning oral stories and later coming to involve tales centered around gods or natural forces. In context of this chapter, myths reflect human intuition and imagination, often shaped by recurring abstract patterns and similarly represented across different cultures.
Shadow Archetype – The shadow archetype represents the darker, unconscious aspects of the self, such as repressed fears, emotions, desires, and traits that often fuel internal conflict. It includes parts of the personality people tend to deny or feel uncomfortable acknowledging.

Discussion Questions
1. How do recurring archetypes in dreams reflect both personal development and broader cultural myths?
Answer: Recurring archetypes like the Hero or Wise Old Man in dreams reflect the dreamer’s inner psychological development (e.g., self-awareness), while also connecting the individual to mythic structures found in global storytelling traditions. These archetypes serve as a bridge between the unconscious personal psyche and the collective cultural imagination (Jung, 1968; Campbell, 1949).

2. How can psychedelic substances support personal therapy through the lens of Jungian theory, especially regarding the collective unconscious and archetypes? What are the underlying processes at play?
Answer: Psychedelic substances can facilitate psychological processes such as “ego death” and “abasement,” enabling a partial or complete dissolution of the boundary between the conscious and unconscious mind. This fusion allows archetypal imagery to surface into conscious awareness. In the absence of ego defenses, these archetypal forces can introduce novel ways of thinking and perceiving, giving rise to new behavioral patterns and insights often experienced as spiritual wisdom.

3. How does the historical presence of mythology across cultures suggest a deeper connection to Jungian archetypes?
Answer: The cross-cultural presence of similar myths throughout history suggests that they stem from something deeper than individual imagination. These shared patterns point to common inner structures that have guided storytelling for centuries. This supports the idea that myths are built on archetypal ideas that exist in the collective unconscious and naturally emerge through human imagination over time.

4.  How does the alchemist archetype in mythology function as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind?
Answer: In myths, the alchemist often guides characters through hidden or mysterious experiences. This mirrors how our unconscious mind holds parts of ourselves we’re not fully aware of. By representing these hidden parts to the surface, the alchemist symbolizes the journey from unconsciousness to self-awareness.

5. How can the Hero archetype serve as a model for personal growth and self-discovery?
Answer: The Hero archetype offers a framework for understanding personal growth by illustrating a transformative journey. Like the heroes in myths, such as Frodo Baggins or Luke Skywalker, individuals face challenges that help them grow, develop resilience, and discover their purpose. The Hero’s journey is broken into three stages—departure, initiation, and return—where an individual confronts their fears and limitations, ultimately gaining wisdom and transformation. By relating their own life struggles to the Hero’s journey, individuals can view their challenges as meaningful steps toward self-realization and growth, making personal obstacles feel purposeful rather than overwhelming.

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