Waves of energy move through us and conflate to form a body or field of subtle energy. Subtle energies constellate in variable ways and the configuration is constantly shifting and morphing. It depends on the situation or the circumstances we find ourselves in, on the time of the day, what is on our busy mind, the concerns and worries catching our attention, who we are in contact with, what might be gently maturing in our heart, towards what and whom our love and caring capacities are directed. Far from being static and fixed in time forever, the constellation is a living body of energy which dwells in us and moves us, consciously and unconsciously.
Mindfulness practices apprentice us to observe the moving patterns of the body of subtle energy. Through disciplined practices we become ever more aware of the collection of bodily sensations, feelings and thoughts that make up our subjective experience. Gradually, we learn to detach ourselves from this experience however tantalising or horrifying the images and stories might be. Most of them are egoic ramblings and, if we want to unveil the true nature of who we are, we must relinquish the compelling narratives of our personality and pierce the veil of illusionary stories and fantasies that keep us stuck in self-aggrandisement or traumatic circumstances.
Part of the first half of the odyssey with wholeness is about understanding the living body of energy that shapes our experience and, for this, we need a good tool to decipher the intricacies of subtle energies and their constellations within and without.
There are many ways of working with subtle energies and just as many schools of thought with cosmological maps of a multilayered universe to help us wander, and wonder, in the imaginal realm. Personally, I am attracted to the archetypal psychology developed and promoted by James Hillman who articulated his line of work on Jung’s archetypes and shadow concept.
In a few words, archetypes are the universal patterns that the psyche draws upon to make sense of reality and shape the human experience. Archetypal psychology uses myths, symbols and imagery to understand the imaginative dimensions of life and the sources of inspiration which we draw upon. The focus is on the nature of the psyche and its manifestations, rather than on the process of individuation and the egoic operating system. This orientation fits in well with my vision of the odyssey with wholeness, where the destination is wholeness of selfhood or ensouled individuality.
The approach I have developed, inspired by Hillman’s archetypal psychology, postulates that subtle energies can be expressed in terms of archetypal motifs which constellate to form a figure or complex pattern. I then discern twelve figures making up the body of subtle energy: the Dreamer, the Sage, the Sovereign, the Companion, the Nurturer, the Lover, the Trickster, the Explorer, the Rebel, the Artist, the Warrior and the Magician.
This is one representation among many and it does not, by far, represent an absolute truth. Nonetheless, a model based on twelve archetypal figures is not operating in a vacuum. It is the fruit of several crosspollinations and can be paired with other personality type systems, for instance, astrology where each sign has a correspondent figure, for instance: Aquarius, the Trickster; Pisces, the Companion; Aries, the Warrior; Taurus, the Dreamer. The twelve figures can be associated with the four elements of earth, water, air and fire, become placeholders for yang or yin energies, or be at the helm of the ship navigating the waves of the odyssey: material purification, psychological integration, imaginal purification and spiritual growth.
Because of the plasticity of archetypal constellations, it is difficult to provide a general reading in terms of a profile – a personal archetypal identity card so to say – as we might be tempted to do with the enneagram, astrology or human design (gene keys).
A word of caution here. Readings based on personality type tools are not meant to validate the beliefs of the personality, but more to open windows and shed light on the blind corners lurking in the darkness. The outcomes of tests and surveys are not truths per se, only tools for blasting open the conversation with higher orders of reality. They should not feed into self-fulfilling prophecy, but hoist us up to a threshold of understanding from which we leap into the unknown.
The best intuitive readings, whatever the tool, come when we go within, connect to our higher self and bring our attention to a specific issue or question for which we want to understand how the energies organise themselves when we engage physically, emotionally and mentally with the situation or circumstances.
For this reason, I have designed a test that charts the archetypal configuration forming, and informing, a specific situation or circumstance of interest. This is a complementary option to the intuitive reading inasmuch as it provides nuanced and detailed information. It helps apprehend what is stuck in our present life and visit another chapter of shadow work to bring it into the light.
How do the 12 archetypal figures come together in this particular situation or circumstances? Who dominates? Who is hiding in the shadows? Which energies are overpowering and might need to be turned down? On the contrary, which energies might benefit from being turned up? And how do we do both?
For those of us who are passionate observers of our subjective experience and the ongoing storylines that lace our inner worlds, the archetypal constellation provides a frame for unpacking the layers of complexity and pulling apart the ball of knotted threads, some of which seem impossible to untangle. The reading brings spaciousness where there is tightness and helps spin a thread leading out of the labyrinth of the mind and on to the pathway of contemplation.
There are three steps to uncovering the archetypal configuration for a given situation.
Step 1: Silence & Stillness
Before completing the test, it is important to slow down and take some time to select the situation or circumstances for which we are seeking information in terms of archetypal energies.
I suggest sitting in a quiet space where there is no risk of being disturbed, mobile phone and other electronic devices off. Once settled in, following the in-breath and the out-breath, we can invoke our guiding spirit and then say out loud what issue, question, situation or circumstances we want to work with.
Then, we sit in quietness for at least 20 minutes and connect to the topic of our inquiry with object-focused awareness. During the sit, we pay attention to the bodily sensations, feelings and thoughts that arise in resonance with our question.
Step 2: The Test
Before sitting, I recommend printing the test and having it at hand so that you can take it when you come out of the time of silence and stillness. It is always better to work with pen and paper rather than with a digital version. This helps keep the space energetically clean.
I recommend reading each of the statements of the test out loud to feel their vibratory qualities. Then, for each of the statements, we choose the option that corresponds the most to who we are in the here and the now. Most people find the statements desirable, a description of who they aspire to become. Therefore, it is important to be honest and accurate in our responses knowing that the test reveals a pattern for a given situation and is not a authentic portrayal of who we are in wholeness of selfhood.
Once completed, the test is sent back to me and I do the rest, that is, draw up the chart representing the configuration of archetypal energies for the given situation or circumstances.
Step 3: The Chart
I schedule a 60-minute call for reviewing the chart which I send prior to the meeting. During the meeting we discuss the dominant archetypal figures and their potential partnership with the other figures. We can look at the differences between instinctive and untapped archetypes or how to enhance an archetype from competent to wise. We also discuss any adjustments that feel important and conducive to recalibrating the constellation and moving towards compassionate equanimity.
If desired, it is possible to schedule a follow-up session, one or two weeks after the first call, to discuss changes implemented, effects observed and, if necessary, course correcting.
Alternatively, the Words & Music Guided Meditation is a good segue, a possibility to follow on with an in-depth exploration.
Taking the test followed by a 60-minute call for reviewing the chart costs 1’500,00 kr.
Taking the test with a 60-minute call for reviewing the chart and an additional follow-up call costs 1’850,00 kr.