Eternal Child Archetype

October 3, 2013 — 4 Comments

Each of us has a child archetype within our psyche. Carolyn Myss outlines six kinds of archetypal children. They are:

• Eternal child
• Divine child
• Magical child
• Orphan child
• Nature child
• Wounded Child

The eternal child has an attachment to youth and immaturity.  The positive eternal child is the stuff that ads are made of, enthusiastic, fresh and free.  The shadow eternal child has a resistance to responsibility and rejection of the aging process.  The need to stay youthful may lead to extreme dependence on others for security.  The puer aeternus is a man who never accepts responsibility.  He is frequently a character in fiction, and sadly appears often in real life.  Peter Pan is a modern eternal youth story with Tinkerbell playing the puella aeterna.  Clinging to youth can prevent one from reaching the full range of emotions and insights.  Youthful enthusiasm and a willingness to make fresh starts are the positive aspects of this child persona.  Adults who are consistently unreliable or dependent on others reflect the worst aspects of the eternal child.

Peter Pan