Archetypes of the Masculine Divine in my Life
Sarah Rehfuss Bastian
Photo by Karl Fredrickson on Unsplash
As the sunshine streamed through the window in his laboratory, a figure in a green-hooded cape carefully poured the contents of the magical elixir into one of the small cobalt blue glass bottles that he had carefully taken down from the shelf. With the lid fastened tightly he slipped the potion into the handcrafted pouch at his waist, and with a swish of his cape he silently left to find someone in need of his healing remedy. This is who my eight-year old son, Ian, decided to be yesterday. Tomorrow morning he may come down the stairs with a scepter in hand declaring he is supreme emperor of the land of “Bastonia” and we his royal subjects owe allegiance to their kind and magnificent ruler. The day after that he may carry a sword and a shield he has meticulously designed out of Legos™, claiming to be protector of the weak and defender of the helpless. Each day both he and his brother provide me with another view of life different from my female perspective—the masculine divine.
In contemplating this article, I began to think of all of the various faces of masculinity that have presented themselves throughout my life. I considered the many times I sat snuggled next to my bookshelf devouring myths and legends of old, or biographies of famous people of the past. I reflected on my father, three brothers, husband, and two sons. They each seemed to lean toward one facet more than another, but the idea of being able to balance all aspects and move easily between one to the other is where I believe the masculine divine truly resides.
As I began my search for some information on the different expressions of masculinity that I have been exposed to, I found a wonderfully written book which describes male archetypes that are both timeless and concur with what I have observed in my own life. In their book, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette creatively present the idea “that mature masculinity is not abusive, domineering, or grandiose, but generative, creative, and empowering of the self and others.”
Moore and Gillette present the “King” archetype as one who is caring, orderly, and just. I have observed this aspect many times in my life, but no one has carried this “King” consciousness as strongly as my middle brother, David. From the time that he was a child, he always helped the “underdog,” gave confidence to those with very little, and led others with great respect. I can specifically remember a time where his confidence protected him and his friend from a situation that might have ended in harm. He is a natural born leader and guides with great consideration. At the present, he is the head of a very successful self-built company in which he, at times, offers a second chance to people who have been denied an opportunity elsewhere because of their past mistakes. I admire the qualities that he so easily displays and honor him as a kind and generous man who values justice and fairness for all.
The “Warrior” is described as one who is eager to serve and protect. He naturally possesses focus and discipline, and has clearly defined boundaries. I look at the youngest of my brothers, Jed, and have always seen him in the stance of a peaceful warrior. I remember distinctly a day, when he was six years old, that he came home from school distraught over the fact that one of the girls in his class didn’t have enough money for something. He didn’t tell any of us what he had planned; instead he set out to earn money raking leaves for people. At the end of the week he brought the money that he earned to school for that little girl. As a young man he continues to express the “Warrior” archetype. He maintains focus, is ready to serve and protect, and recognizes the boundaries he has which allow him to make wise choices for his future.
The authors illustrate the “Magician” as holding the energies of healing, insight, deliberation and transformation. I am closest to my oldest brother Seth, since we are only a year apart in age, and often played together as children. He wears many of the other “faces” of masculinity mentioned earlier, but to me he greatly models the energy of the magician. He has always thought deeply about things and was often the inventor of many of the wonderful childhood games and adventures we had as kids. He possesses many skills, but has an innate knowledge of building and creating things with his hands that I respect greatly. He has successfully transformed many of his ideas into profitable businesses and creations. His life is an example and an inspiration to his three beautiful children to reach their highest aspirations in life.
In contemplating this article, I began to think of all of the various faces of masculinity that have presented themselves throughout my life. I considered the many times I sat snuggled next to my bookshelf devouring myths and legends of old, or biographies of famous people of the past. I reflected on my father, three brothers, husband, and two sons. They each seemed to lean toward one facet more than another, but the idea of being able to balance all aspects and move easily between one to the other is where I believe the masculine divine truly resides.
As I began my search for some information on the different expressions of masculinity that I have been exposed to, I found a wonderfully written book which describes male archetypes that are both timeless and concur with what I have observed in my own life. In their book, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette creatively present the idea “that mature masculinity is not abusive, domineering, or grandiose, but generative, creative, and empowering of the self and others.”
Moore and Gillette present the “King” archetype as one who is caring, orderly, and just. I have observed this aspect many times in my life, but no one has carried this “King” consciousness as strongly as my middle brother, David. From the time that he was a child, he always helped the “underdog,” gave confidence to those with very little, and led others with great respect. I can specifically remember a time where his confidence protected him and his friend from a situation that might have ended in harm. He is a natural born leader and guides with great consideration. At the present, he is the head of a very successful self-built company in which he, at times, offers a second chance to people who have been denied an opportunity elsewhere because of their past mistakes. I admire the qualities that he so easily displays and honor him as a kind and generous man who values justice and fairness for all.
The “Warrior” is described as one who is eager to serve and protect. He naturally possesses focus and discipline, and has clearly defined boundaries. I look at the youngest of my brothers, Jed, and have always seen him in the stance of a peaceful warrior. I remember distinctly a day, when he was six years old, that he came home from school distraught over the fact that one of the girls in his class didn’t have enough money for something. He didn’t tell any of us what he had planned; instead he set out to earn money raking leaves for people. At the end of the week he brought the money that he earned to school for that little girl. As a young man he continues to express the “Warrior” archetype. He maintains focus, is ready to serve and protect, and recognizes the boundaries he has which allow him to make wise choices for his future.
The authors illustrate the “Magician” as holding the energies of healing, insight, deliberation and transformation. I am closest to my oldest brother Seth, since we are only a year apart in age, and often played together as children. He wears many of the other “faces” of masculinity mentioned earlier, but to me he greatly models the energy of the magician. He has always thought deeply about things and was often the inventor of many of the wonderful childhood games and adventures we had as kids. He possesses many skills, but has an innate knowledge of building and creating things with his hands that I respect greatly. He has successfully transformed many of his ideas into profitable businesses and creations. His life is an example and an inspiration to his three beautiful children to reach their highest aspirations in life.
The archetype of the “Lover” has been found often in early literature and folklore. It depicts the man who is in touch with sensuality as well as the man who finds joy in life, values community, and creates intimacy in an effort to further connect with others. My husband, Michael, is a shining example of this aspect for me. He is passionate about life and strives daily to focus on the positive. As a child, he was taught an appreciation of beauty in nature, people and the world as a whole. Through the many home businesses his parents managed when he was a child, he gleaned experience in truly connecting with people. The beliefs he holds about the importance of nurturing intimacy in our relationship makes me feel incredibly loved and appreciated. I am so blessed and grateful that he loves the time that he spends with our three kids.
The main male figures in my life have moved in and out of these different facets of masculinity throughout the spectrum of their lives. My dad, being the eldest of those men, seems now to embody all of these and has learned how to move gracefully between them as life situations present themselves. As a young child, I saw him as the “King” and “Warrior,” since he displayed the stereotypical characteristics of provider and protector. As both he and I have grown older, I recognize and honor the wonderful “Magician” he truly is. For my wedding, he gifted me with a beautiful cedar chest that he designed and built with his love. With the addition of grandchildren to his life, I have seen him embrace and connect with the “Lover” inside. He takes so much pleasure in the times that he spends with his grandchildren and is very mindful of his connection with them. The spark that lights my dad’s eyes as he plays and laughs with my youngest son, Nathan, is one of those memories I will cherish forever. Time and experience in life has helped my dad move easily and divinely through these facets of masculinity.
As I made these observations about the different faces of masculinity, it became clear to me the reason that legends and myths of old are so important. The folklore and traditions of different cultures that contain so many significant leaders, warriors, wizards and lovers are there as allegorical examples of what our men strive to be like. My boys both love the time we spending reading. I will now look at it in a different way because I see it is slowly helping them to define and “try-on” what it means to be a man.
I feel so blessed for all of the diverse faces of masculine divinity that the significant men in my life have shown me. I thank them and love them all deeply for their compelling examples of character and masculinity that they have shared with me and the rest of the world. Without them, my life would lack depth and balance. I enjoy and embrace the many opportunities I have to be in the presence of the “King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover” in my daily life. I look forward to the numerous years ahead that I will share together with my two boys on their own journey to become mature men that emanate the various faces of the masculine divine.
The main male figures in my life have moved in and out of these different facets of masculinity throughout the spectrum of their lives. My dad, being the eldest of those men, seems now to embody all of these and has learned how to move gracefully between them as life situations present themselves. As a young child, I saw him as the “King” and “Warrior,” since he displayed the stereotypical characteristics of provider and protector. As both he and I have grown older, I recognize and honor the wonderful “Magician” he truly is. For my wedding, he gifted me with a beautiful cedar chest that he designed and built with his love. With the addition of grandchildren to his life, I have seen him embrace and connect with the “Lover” inside. He takes so much pleasure in the times that he spends with his grandchildren and is very mindful of his connection with them. The spark that lights my dad’s eyes as he plays and laughs with my youngest son, Nathan, is one of those memories I will cherish forever. Time and experience in life has helped my dad move easily and divinely through these facets of masculinity.
As I made these observations about the different faces of masculinity, it became clear to me the reason that legends and myths of old are so important. The folklore and traditions of different cultures that contain so many significant leaders, warriors, wizards and lovers are there as allegorical examples of what our men strive to be like. My boys both love the time we spending reading. I will now look at it in a different way because I see it is slowly helping them to define and “try-on” what it means to be a man.
I feel so blessed for all of the diverse faces of masculine divinity that the significant men in my life have shown me. I thank them and love them all deeply for their compelling examples of character and masculinity that they have shared with me and the rest of the world. Without them, my life would lack depth and balance. I enjoy and embrace the many opportunities I have to be in the presence of the “King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover” in my daily life. I look forward to the numerous years ahead that I will share together with my two boys on their own journey to become mature men that emanate the various faces of the masculine divine.
Moore, Robert and Gillette, Douglas. King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine. San Francisco, California: Harper, 1991.
First printed in Inner Vision Magazine July 2009. Reprinted here with permission from InnerVision Magazine. www.innervisionmagazine.com
First printed in Inner Vision Magazine July 2009. Reprinted here with permission from InnerVision Magazine. www.innervisionmagazine.com