These are universal (generic) themes, or models, of the "human condition". Illustrated through mythology (for example; greek mythology), fairy stories, modern psychology, deity systems, spiritual traditions, and many films, they provide us with an understanding - "a model or pattern" - of our life experiences. Archetypal story telling polarizes (splits into positive and negative themes) the choices we make in tackling life's challenges and changes; whether we opt for courage or cowardice, patience or impetuousness, thought or action, logic or intuition, etc..

Archetypes are far more "black and white" than real life often is, so we can see more clearly the underlying duality in life issues. Archetypes usually come in pairs. For example, the "negative Patriach" and "the responsible and loving Father", are two sides of the same coin, the issue involved is that of being a Father to a family and the two archetypes represent extremes on the spectrum of possible approaches and attitudes to the life issue. As is the case in real life, we general tend to experience both attitudes throught out the life role.

There are both functional and dysfunctional archetypes associated with common place life issues. Understanding archetypes can help us put into order many of the life roles and challenges that we face daily.

There are archetypes associated with each chakra in the seven chakra system.

Related Reading.

• Popular Deities and Their Meanings.
• Jungian Archetypes.
• The Psychological Meanings of the Tarot Cards.
• The Archetypes of The Chakras.
• Stages of Individual Development.