The Trump Phenomenon Via Archetypal Lens --a Bigger Picture?
A View of The Trump Phenomenon Via Archetypal Psychology
By Marcia Singer, MSW, CHt
How can a bigoted, bloviating, politically clueless investment mogul /TV star attain traction as a ‘serious’ candidate for POTUS?Enquiring minds want to know!
Two of my favorite in depth psychologists, Doug Gillette and Dennis Moore, shine light on The Trump Phenomenon via their groundbreaking book on the male psyche. King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine regards the King as pivotal to the development of the other personas, in exploring what kind of leader a man might become. Using a pyramid model, they place at the top a fully Realized, mature ideal.At the base are two opposing, yet complimentary Shadow Kings, inexorably entwined in bi-polar dysfunction; One over-identifies with Kingly powers (the Tyrant), the other under-identifies (the Weakling.)
Moore and Gillette begin their investigation of what makes a King, with the birth of an archetypal Divine Child.At the top of this pyramid is a blessed Babe, adored by all, upon whom Heaven reigns itsblessings, promising life’s best.He is the hope of the world.At the base of this as-yet-immature royal figure pyramid are two Shadow types: a High Chair Tyrant, and a Weakling Prince. They too sit on a dysfunctional teeter-totter.
Donald Trump typifies the authors’ depiction of the ego-centric King from high chair into adulthood. The Donald throws tantrums, displaying a ‘tremendous’ sense of entitlement, and begs to be adored in the mix.But unlike the fully ensconced Divine Child who is connected to his Birthright and legacy of loving, the royal Child Trump is demanding, competitive, temperamental. He lies and cheats to win bigger than anyone else, as if eventual fame, fortune and power will secure admiration and approval. But beneath all the bluster and show, we sense the Weakling Prince, feeling alone and vulnerable, even victimized.
But every child –even a divine one, must mature to become a viable leader, a Generator of Good for his people and land.A Self-Realized King has a transpersonal vision of Service beyond self interest. His ruling presence brings order, stability, centeredness, abundance and fertility to his nation.He’s the compassionate, bountiful, protective leader, steward and father figure. This fully empowered King epitomizes generativity and responsibility, ruling as an emissary of the Divine Creator in the flesh.In return, we the people pledge our love, loyalty, fealty.
Alas, most kings ‘sin,’ missing the mark of growing up to be great leaders. They fall instead into passive and/or aggressive, bi-polar Shadow leadership styles. A bloviating, narcissistic Tyrant King (e.g. Trump) denies having any vulnerable feelings or ‘inferior’ traits, projecting them onto hated others. But his professed superiority belies a classic, hidden inferiority complex which his puffed-up, alpha male chest-pounding tries to hide (even from himself!) Conversely, a sniveling, cowardly, potentially paranoid Weakling King, if sufficiently triggered, tormented, cornered, provoked, can turn into a terrorizing, attacking aggressor. No army or wall will be “yuge” enough to save him from himself: Only awakening to his native, divine, interconnected, spiritual nature can do that.
Conclusions? The Trump Phenomenon reveals the extent to which our nation may collectively, naively, desperately miss the mark of recognizing or empowering true leadership. Mature cultural role models are scarce.Anger, fear, grief at the loss of an American Dream are running amok, attracting the potential reign of a Shadow King.I believe that we each have a spark of divinity, and thus an inborn sense of ‘entitlement’ to well being---to be safe, protected, free to pursue dreams, realize our Gifts.And a potential to lead. So do our politicians: But is America, collectively mature enough for visionary leadership? Can we see past our infatuation with Reality TV show-manship and celebrity? Materialism? Instant gratification?Past the snake oil of easy fixes for our all too real unmet needs? Past blame and retribution? Willingness to make violence socially acceptable, or bigotry fashionable again?Can we bring compassion, empathy, curiosity, wisdom to bear in making our electoral choices--as individuals, and a nation?
How will we resolve the conflicts between our sense of divine right to be well, our country’s struggle to fulfill its Promise to assist us all, and the candidates’ bids to lead us there? Will it be King Donald, or a more mature Queen Hillary?
Re: The Trump Phenomenon Via Archetypal Lens --a Bigger Picture?
What the Tarot tells us about the Candidates!
In my upcoming book, Magick Tarot, I explain how to discover your archetypal life, and current year, lessons through the Tarot.
Here are the archetypal cards for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein.
Since Hillary’s personality card is The Universe/World XXI, and her life card is The Empress, we have a woman who aspires to rulership of the world. May she reinvoke the loving, creative aspects of of Venus, that govern this card, through her work for families and women.
Donald’s personality card is The Fool 0, and his life card is the Emperor IV. We have a man who exhibits the worst aspect of The Fool, as in the guy wearing the dunce cap in the corner, who pretends to the throne of The Emperor.
Its fascinating that in my book the only cards I have renamed to evolve the Tarot archetypes, are The Empress, who is now Gaia, and The Emperor, who is now the Visionary Activist (thank you, Caroline Casey!).
We need to see the Earth as the living body of feminine nature and the masculine becoming the embodiment of power from within who expresses love, service to, and protection of Gaia.
Hillary is a Scorpio, born on Oct. 26th, 1947, and will be in a Libra Justice VIII year until 2 weeks before the election. This suggests that legal threats to her candidacy will be in play until she moves into The Hermit year on her birthday. (BTW, there have been more Scorpio presidents then any other sign.)
Donald’s birthday is June 14th, 1946, a typical Gemini who can flip flop without seeing that as a problem. He is already in the Leo year, definitely displaying all the worst Leo aspects by being egotistical, melodramatic, and wanting to be at center stage no matter what.
Bernie is a Virgo, born on September 8th, 1941 and his life card is The Hierophant/Teacher V. He has expressed the Virgo characteristic of service through shunning the tendency of our political game to make everything about cults of personality. Instead he chose to be the wise elder who educated us about socialism and what has gone so very wrong in this heartless, capitalist system. He entered the Justice year on his birthday. Thank you, Bernie!
Jill Stein was born on May 14th, 1950 and entered the Fortune year on her birthday. She brings the qualities of an educated and determined Taurus to the fore. Her soul card is The Chariot, VII, helping us on our journey to come home to Mother Earth.
Election Day, Nov. 8th, is a Fortune day, so anything can happen!
As Dylan said, “Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
…And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's (Fortune) still in spin
For the loser now
Will be later to win
And the times they are a-changin'”
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by anaturalwoman:
A View of The Trump Phenomenon Via Archetypal Psychology
By Marcia Singer, MSW, CHt
How can a bigoted, bloviating, politically clueless investment mogul /TV star attain traction as a ‘serious’ candidate for POTUS?Enquiring minds want to know!...
Re: The Trump Phenomenon Via Archetypal Lens --a Bigger Picture?
Adding another perspective, astrologers link Trump, Orion and the election:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...clinton-zodiac
