#witch archetype

I’m confused why I got this ask. The story of “The VVitch” is, essentially, about a Puritan family using their teenage daughter as scapegoat for everything bad that happens to them (due to her gender and awakening sexuality) because of their religious patriarchal beliefs. That’s what causes them to believe Thomasin is a witch and the responsible for everything happening to the family. It’s considered a masterpiece of Folk horror; the folkloric witch is not the same as real witches, but many missed that detail. Moving on.

“Ultimately, as far as the end of The Witch, it’s real if you believe it is real. And that’s sort of the stance for the characters in my films”, said Eggers. When asked how his four films are connected, Eggers answered: “I have a primal narrative that comes out. It's not something that's designed, it just sort of happens. Everyone likes to die naked and insane…! I'm interested in folklore, mythology, fairytales, and archetypal stories.” He said this about “The VVitch”, but it’s true to every one of his films: “The plan was to make a world that’s utterly believable so that you can invest in the world and invest in the characters. You can be transported into their worldview as well. That’s what helps you believe in witches the way that these people would have. You can believe in supernatural stuff. Even the supernatural is articulated in a way that could, aside from a few shots, be explained scientifically.”

This is the collective psychosis angle of interpretation; Eggers creates his stories in a way the audience can choose either to believe the supernatural is real, or it’s a case of mass hysteria with characters using the supernatural as scapegoat for their inner demons. The meaning of the story is the same. Which, of course is the main reason the mainstream interpretation of Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is a load of rubbish.

Eggers wrote an entire essay about the role of the supernatural on his stories: “My interest in the macabre is often one of liberation. It is liberating to control my fears by recreating them cinematically. It is liberating to feel close enough to the darkness of death to fear it less. […] In earlier periods witches, vampires and werewolves could be the external scapegoats to our inner fears.”

End of disclaimer.

...

I am highly sensitive (sensorily, emotionally, and physically). I have empathy, in the sense of feeling other people's emotions alongside my own. I have experienced trauma...

... and the only archetype out there for me seems to be "the (wounded) healer".

I tried to do that once, and it does not fit me. At all.

Healers are great, but that's not me. Surely that can't be the only path people like me are walking?

Apparently there are also "protectors". I was intrigued by that archetype because when other people are being hurt, I feel intensely angry and yearn to Do Something about it. I have also been told I am nonjudgmental and emotionally safe to be around -- Protectors are said to act as a refuge for sensitive souls. I (Indigo child age) am extremely protective of my younger sibling (Crystal child age). But I'm the opposite of practical, action oriented, and secure. I hate and avoid taking responsibility for anyone but myself. Frankly, the archetype feels very masculine, and I've never been drawn to that -- I run feminine to neutral.

The only archetype I've ever seen that remotely fits me is witch. Or high priestess, in tarot.

I'm hanging out in my remote, comfortable little cottage in the woods, hugging my cat. I'm trying to improve the world from afar, or just have fun, with my spells. I'm not here just to heal. I'm here to enchant and conjure and transmute, and maybe cast a few illusions and throw a few fireballs. I'm the Cool Weird Auntie, like Miss Frizzle.

I'm aloof, a little selfish, and easily angry. I will help you if you ask, but I'm not out there looking for people to help. If you treat me and others badly, I will not hesitate to tell you, and warn other people about you.

I can heal you, but I'm more likely to teach you, or shatter an illusion you had, or give you a sword like Excalibur or some other magic item so you can go on your own quest.

The problem with Healer is it's necessarily part of a pair. Healer and healed. Giver and receiver. One needs someone or something else to live one's life purpose. No thank you.

I am here for myself and have my own life path. Plus, binaries are boring.

So, for now, I'll be a Witch/Sorceress/Wise Woman.

What other archetypes/life myths exist for highly sensitive, empathic types? Have I missed anything interesting?

The Witch Archetype, awakening her gifts & qualities 1/2

Slides continued in next post.

Awakening the Witch allows qualities of feminine consciousness to surface, to be remembered, integrated & embodied.

WE ARE BONES; “In archetypal symbology, bones represent the indestructible force. They do not lend themselves to easy reduction. They are by their structure hard to burn, nearly impossible to pulverize. In myth and story, they represent the indestructible soul-spirit. The soul-spirit can be injured, but it is very nearly impossible to kill.”