Tyrant or Weakling, the Shadow King

August 20, 2013 — dark side, shadow king, tyrant

In archetypal roles we have potential to play out a positive aspect of a well-known character, such as the king, or play the shadow aspect. The king is such an essential male character in myth and culture that most men see themselves in some way to be a king.  King of the home castle may be the only one, but there is a royal male at some point that will be portrayed by a man.  The inner king and queen relationship, the balance between understanding and wisdom vs discipline and justice is at the heart of any society.  When power is in the hands of weak or corrupt leadership, even within one’s own personality, balance must be restored for the good of society.  When we see the strife in Syria and Egypt today it looks like the end of civilization.

The war and economic destruction still rampant in the world is the collective consciousness struggling with this ruling authority.  I wonder, when I watch my neighbors as well as rioting middle easterners, if the earth will perish in flames sometime soon.  Radioactivity is spewing out of Japan and sewage rolling into rivers all over the globe.  When post apocalyptic themes are portrayed in fiction they seem too close to reality today.  I love the movie Tank Girl which is a parody about authority, power, and the use of resources.  Tank Girl is part of a severely abused underclass, dominated by the all-powerful utility company.  They control all resources, except the resourcefulness of Tank Girl herself.