Archetypes are ancient images in the collective unconscious. They are transcendental energies that are often projected into our dreams and works of art. Plato defined them as the pure forms of primordial energies that encompass the universe. Similarities between themes in personality systems make up each of them. In fact, the personality traits of sun signs described by the zodiac have many similarities with each of the Jungian archetypes. Furthermore, they can be associated with Indian chakra centers and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Comparative mythology can also be described by the archetypes; there are many myths around the world which essentially tell the same story using a different god or goddess. Here I’ve attempted to reconcile all these psychological dynamics into a comparative study that illuminates the principal psychic energies from which we are born.
First, a word about elements in the zodiac. The single quality that most determines the personality traits of a sun sign are its element and its state of matter. There are four elements: earth, water, fire, and air. Additionally, there are three states that each element can be- cardinal, fixed, and mutable- adding up to 12 total signs on the zodiac. Cardinal elements are the strongest and purest in form. Fixed elements are the most grounded and least susceptible to change, while mutable elements are flexible and most open to change. Since there are 12 astrological signs and 16 Myers-Briggs types, several of the zodiac signs will combine MBTI personality types in this classification system. These combinations will be indicated by an X in the MBTI code.
Secondly, the reader should know that just because someone is born on a certain date doesn’t mean they have to resonate with their sun sign. In advanced astrology, many other factors contribute to someone’s personality, such as their moon sign and the positions of the planets at the time they are born. It’s far more complex than it might appear to the newcomer, but we won’t go into any in-depth astrology here. I’m just stating this to make it clear that many of the people referenced below weren’t born under the sign I’m describing; they simply fit its archetype.
Now, let’s spin the wheel.
Capricorn is the Caregiver. She begins the year, as she bears all children. Being the cardinal Earth element, her chakra center is grounded in the feet. Her MBTI is IXFJ- the "Nurturer" and the “Protector” (X meaning both ISFJ and INFJ). She makes an excellent mother because she takes on a lot of responsibility, is extremely loyal, and is the most traditional of the archetypes. At her worst, she is stubborn and bitter, prone to mischievous plotting and catastrophic self-criticism. Rhea most represents her in Greek myth, being the mother of the Olympian gods. Known to Hindus as “The Great Divine Mother”, Shakti is also comparable to her; as is Isis, from Egyptian myth. Queens are often associated with Capricorns, being the ruling feminine body. Famous historical persons of the archetype are the Virgin Mary, Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth, and Mother Theresa. Maria Von Trapp, Wendy Darling, Margaret March (Little Women), and Jean Valjean* are strong Nurturers in the fictional realm.
*If it seems odd to include a member of the opposite sex in an archetype that describes their opposite, then it shouldn’t. A man may certainly be a strong Nurturer. In fact, several of the archetypes below have more members of the opposite sex than the sex you might associate them with.
Aquarius is the Creator. Being the fixed Air element, he has the most rigid mind and can focus greatly on any intellectual tasks that fancy him. His MBTI is INTP- the “Thinker”. Drawing his power from the Third-Eye Chakra, he is mostly interested in knowledge, theories, and dreams. By applying his imagination to real world situations and using his analytical ability to solve problems, he creates the greatest art and the most convincing theories. At his worst, he is self-centered and isolates himself from the world, becoming lost inside his own thoughts. Artists and inventors make up a great amount of the Creator type. Daedalus, the creator of the Labyrinth on Crete, was a God of invention in Greek myth. Apollo can also be represented as the creator god of the Greeks, but more strongly resonates with the Inspirer (see below). Ptah was an Egyptian God of craftsmen and architects, who thought the world into being. Saraswati, a Hindu Goddess of knowledge and the arts, is often depicted seated in a lotus position, playing a stringed instrument. Many of the greatest geniuses the world has produced are identified with the Creator, in both the sciences and the arts. Among them are Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, and William Shakespeare. Will Hunting, Sheldon Cooper, Dr. Greg House, Willy Wonka, and Lisbeth Salander are all fictional geniuses that can focus greatly on solving problems at hand.
Pisces is the Magician. She is the mutable water element, and so can perform miracles and see things before they happen. She is an enigmatic recluse, and the most psychic of all the archetypes. Her MBTI is INFP- the “Dreamer”, because anything is possible with her. Her chakra is the digestive system, a miracle in itself, being able to transform food into whichever chemicals the body needs for survival. The power of change lives strong in her, and she is the best listener of all the archetypes. But at her worst, she abuses her power by becoming manipulative and twisting words around with the greatest of ease. She can also be illogical, indecisive, delusional, and lacking in attention to detail. Prominent in the black arts, her gods are often mysterious paragons of sorcery. Crones, hags, and witches mostly identify with her. The Greek goddess Hecate ruled the moon, magic, and witchcraft. In Slavic mythology, Veles was a supernatural force from the underworld, being a God of magic and magicians. In Hawaiian myth, Kapo was a goddess of sorcery who could assume any form she wished. A legendary figure of the archetype is Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian legend. Famous individuals are Nostradamus, Harry Houdini, Baba Vanga, and Marie Laveau. Fictional ones are Genie (Aladdin), Mary Poppins, Blanche Dubois, Maleficent, and Don Quixote.
Aries is the Rebel. He is the cardinal fire element, quick to anger and primitive in his desires. His MBTI is ESXP- the "Doer" and the "Performer"- because he is the most active of elements. His chakra is the navel, where he can generate the most energy and find balance between all areas of the body. His familiar is the ram, whose ability to strike dubs him the alpha male of the zodiac. Athletes, warriors, salesmen, and activists are strong in this archetype, because they have the ability to motivate people by their own desires. Being the cardinal fire element means that passion burns the greatest in them. This can make them quick to anger, yet they utilize this emotion better than any other. Ares and Thor are the most famous of mythological war gods. (I don't know whether the Greeks had the spelling of Ares' name in mind when they named him, but it's only one letter short of the one they gave to the Sun Sign that describes him best- Aries.) Indra, Set, and Pele are also war gods in Hindu, Egyptian, and Hawaiian mythologies, respectively. Like Thor, these gods are also thought to be the cause of thunderstorms and volcanic explosions. Famous individuals of the archetype are Che Guevara, Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, Michael Jackson, and Crazy Horse. Fictional ones are Stanley Kowolski, Han Solo, Tom Joad, Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights), and finally, Achilles.
Taurus is the Innocent. She is the fixed earth element: loyal and exuberant yet spoiled by those who protect her. Her MBTI is ESTJ, the "Guardian", because she in turn protects that which is important to her. Unfortunately, this can make her appear materialistic and narrow minded. Her chakra is the anus, not because she is dirty (in fact, she is arguably the cleanest of the archetypes, symbolizing the freshness of youth and fertility), but because her power comes from being grounded to the Earth. Since the material of the anus returns to the Earth, that is where most of her energy comes from. Because of her youth and her connections to the planet, she is attached to many material objects. She dresses well, likes to shop, admires herself in the mirror, and is often beautiful. The goddesses associated with her are ones of fertility. Astarte, Ishtar, Brigid, Artemis, and Parvati are all similar goddesses of fertility and childbirth. Female celebrities are usually the most famous of Innocents, such as Marilyn Monroe, Paris Hilton, and Shirley Temple. Fictional ones include Shakespeare’s Juliet, Cosette (Les Miserables), Helen of Troy, Ariel, Princess Jasmine, and Dorothy Gale.
Gemini is the Trickster. He is the mutable air element, which means that his thoughts precede action. He is constantly scheming and teetering on the edge of allegiances, thus giving him the impression of having split personalities, or "twins". His MBTI is ENTP- the "Visionary". The mind of a trickster is more flexible than anyone, and he is often enthusiastic about the ideas he envisions. He loves to debate because his chakra is the throat, and he will even switch sides during one, just for the thrill of it. He makes an excellent comedian or lawyer, as he is keen on manipulating laws, making impressions, and mocking social systems. Unfortunately, this can make him appear unethical and dishonest. Loki from Norse mythology is probably the most famous trickster god. Others include Coyote of the Navahos, Hermes of the Greeks, and Huehuecoyotl of the Aztecs. Many figures in film resonate with the Trickster, such as Jack Sparrow, Ace Ventura, Jeffrey Goines (12 Monkeys), Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker), and the Joker. Howard Beale, Odysseus, and Iago are a few others. Vigorous, verbal, and amusing men that most resemble the archetype are Russell Brand, Robin Williams, and Jim Carrey.
Cancer is the Lover. She is the cardinal water element, making her the most emotional and sensual of the archetypes. Her MBTI is EXFJ- the "Giver" and the "Caregiver". Her chakra is the solar plexus, where intense emotions are thought to come from. The sexual chakra is also strong in her but is more strongly tied to the Artist. Though she is selfless and lives to please others, she is prone to wild mood swings and has fits of passion. She feels deeply, and her strong intuition can cause baseless emotional reactions that usually come from reading into the hidden meanings of words and facial expressions. Aphrodite is the greatest goddess of love in the Greek pantheon. Freyja, the fertility Goddess of Norse myth, thought of herself as the most lustful being in existence. Xochiquetzal from the Aztecs is another one of her mythological embodiments. Famous individuals of the archetype are Sylvia Plath, Barbra Streisand, and Lana Del Rey. Catharine Earnshaw, Hamlet, Catwoman, Anna Karenina, and Scarlet O’hara are a few of her fictional favorites.
Leo is the Ruler. He is the fixed fire element, earning him a steady hand in the most powerful of elements. His MBTI is ENTJ- the “Executive”. He is driven by achievement and has a great ability to lead others. The sun is his emblem, and his chakra, the heart, burns ever so violently in his efforts to lead his people to be the best. National leaders, team captains, and CEOs are the forgers of his crown. The worst of Rulers can be insensitive, arrogant, tyrannical, and impatient. Zeus is the principal figure in Greek mythology- the father of the Gods and men. Odin is a similar figure in Norse myth. In Egypt Ra was the sun god, ruling over all the world; Huitzilopotchtli is the Aztec version. Famous leaders that resonate with this archetype are King David, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Henry VIII, and Mike Ditka. Others that were portrayed very well on film are William Wallace, Leonidas, Jordan Belfort (The Wolf of Wall Street), and Paul Rusesabagina (Hotel Rwanda). Fictional greats are Aragorn, Tyler Durden, Mufasa, and Coach Boone (Remember the Titans).
Virgo is the Discoverer. She is the mutable Earth element, causing her to be the hardest worker out of all archetypes. Her MBTI is IXTJ- the "Scientist" and the “Duty Fulfiller”. Her chakra is the knee, because it's the most mobile joint in the body and empowers her to go places. She is methodical, organized, imaginative, and ambitious, a great description for any scientist, explorer, inspector, or hunter. At her worst she can be so rigid and perfectionist that her high expectations of others destroy many of her relationships. Although she is referred to as a woman here, most of the members in her archetype are men. However, some cultures prized the huntress as a woman instead of a man. The Greek goddess of the hunt was Artemis, and her Egyptian counterpart was Pakhet. Diana and Sevana, from Roman and Slavic myth, were also goddesses of the hunt. Sedna was an Inuit Goddess of the sea and sea hunting. Famous Discoverers were Marie Curie, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, and Charles Darwin. Fictional ones are Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Inspector Javert, Katniss Everdeen, and Nancy Drew.
Libra is the Wise Old Man. He is the cardinal Air element, deeming him the giver of light, truth, and knowledge. Ruled by the planet Venus, he has a strong connection with feminine virtues, as exemplified in the Greek concept of Sophia, or the fallen wisdom of God. His MBTI is ENFP- the "Inspirer". His chakra is the crown; it rests at the top of the head because he is closer to God than any other. Being the oldest and most educated of the archetypes has given him great balance and a large array of perspectives that help guide others through life. All the greatest shamans, priests, rabbis, judges, teachers, and counselors have the Wise Old Man ingrained into them. Philosophy and poetry are also thought to be strong in him. He's always striving to make the world a better place, and enjoys communicating his idealism through speeches, writing, and the arts. A lack of devotion to any particular field can make him lazy and indecisive. Apollo was the God of light and knowledge in ancient Greece. Thoth and Ganesha had similar traits in Egypt and India, respectively. Quetzalcoatl, or "wind jewel", was a major God in Aztec life- also a god of knowledge. Buddha, Jesus Christ, the Dalai Lama, Marcus Aurelias, Walt Whitman, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King Jr. all resonate strongly with the Wise Old Man. Fictional greats are Gandalf, Yoda, Morpheus, and pretty much every Morgan Freeman character.
Scorpio is the Shadow. She is the fixed water element, able to preserve in time the complexity of change and movement. Her MBTI is ISFP- the "Artist", and her chakra is the sexual region, where the body can create things in the most mysterious ways. Her perceptive ability to recognize the details about people and their environment is second to none. As the Shadow, she's often able to read into people and see the secrets they keep hidden from the world. She remains very reserved and has few close companions because she spends a lot of time alone and likes to experiment with unconventional forms. More extroverted types can be extremely seductive and good at acting. At her worst, she uses her seductive powers and deep perceptions to intimidate people and get whatever she wants. Because of her ability to register the unseen aspects of life, she is mostly represented by gods of death and the underworld, including Osiris, Hades, Persephone, and Kali. Famous Shadow types are Madonna, Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie, Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Boleyn, Sigmund Freud, and Maynard James Keenan. Fictional ones are Mrs. Robinson, Hannibal Lecter, Maude Lebowski, and Lily (Black Swan).
Sagittarius is the Hero. He is the mutable fire element, always active and adaptable to any situation in which he can come in handy. His MBTI is ISTP- the “Mechanic”, and his chakra is the hand, the organic tools of his trade. He’s often the best in his field because he makes good use of his practicality and technical skills. An adventurous and courageous spirit gives him the ability to carve his own path and find success that way. His adaptability makes him feel like he can conquer anyone and anything. Unfortunately, this can make him overconfident and prone to injuries more than other types. Because of this, he fears failing at any task greatly, and he’ll get down on himself more than anyone else when this happens. Depression can be common among Heroes, though they usually bounce back stronger than ever. Mythological heroes are Hercules, who slayed the Hydra; King Arthur, who led Britain against Saxon invaders; Horus, the “ultimate victor” in Egyptian myth; and Rama, the “Archer” of the Ramayana. No greater figure in myth may represent Sagittarius as Rama does, seeing as its symbol is literally the arrow. Famous Heroes are Noah, Moses, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Jackie Robinson. Fictional ones are Robin Hood, Maximus, Luke Skywalker, Peter Pan, James Bond, and Rocky Balboa.
All twelve of these primordial energies have co-existed since the dawn of time. On the Wheel of Life, every single behaviorism known to man is derived from them. Even animals may display several of them; therefore, the lion is thought of as a Leo and the ram as an Aries. Being the most advanced of species, we’ve incorporated all the archetypes of lesser animals into our collective unconscious. It’s possible that evolution may reveal more intricate emotions and personality dynamics that we aren't aware of existing, and therefore more archetypes. But until then, these twelve will inherit the Earth.
A Comparison of the zodiac with the MBTI:
*May represent two MBTI types- I picked the more popular one.
The four elements alternate through three cycles. Air and fire are associated with the masculine, while water and earth are associated with the feminine. Since each astrological sign is assigned to an element, each sign has the embodiment of sex. This is why all of the odd rankings in the chart are associated with male signs and even ones with female.
As the zodiac moves through the year, there are subtle differences between signs that are juxtaposed, but not when they are on the cusp of a changing season. All of the autumn and winter signs are introverted except for Libra, which lies on the cusp of summer. Likewise, all of the spring and summer signs are extroverted with the exception of Virgo, which lies on the autumnal cusp right next to Libra. Libra and Virgo are virtually opposite in every MBTI category despite being right next to each other. This makes sense because the autumn equinox is a time when the most rapid seasonal changes are occurring.
Aquarius and Pisces are right next to each other on the zodiac, only differing by their F and T types on the MBTI. They are both similar in their tendencies of magical thinking, but since Aquarius is mutable and stronger in thought, he will appear more grounded and erudite. A radical change occurs during the spring equinox, in which the shift from Pisces to Aries creates changes in three of the MBTI categories. There is little change in the types through spring, as there is only one difference between Aries and Taurus and two between Taurus and Gemini.
Summer creates another big shift; Cancer differs in two or three MBTI categories from Gemini, and only one or two from Leo. Leo and Virgo only differ by one or two as well. All of the autumn signs differ by two types. The difference between Sagittarius and Capricorn, which resides on the winter solstice, is also large, having two or three differences between their types.
The symmetry between the seasons, elements and MBTI types is nearly perfect. You would expect all the cardinal signs to be similar, and they are. Most of them are extroverted or feeling types, with a broader range of influence given by their X factors. The fixed signs are dominated by introversion, thinking, and perception. Most of the mutable signs have strong extroverts and thinkers.
