Blog Entry Six

                                                               "Heroism
                                                    is redefined as not only
                                                       moving mountains
                                                    but knowing mountains;
                                                       being fully oneself
                                                             and seeing,
                                                          without denial,
                                                                 what is,
                                                           and being open
                                                      to learning the lessons
                                                             life offers us"

                                             – Carol Pearson The Hero Within


       Looking at the Pearson Archetype we have six main choices: Orphan, Wanderer, Warrior, Altruist, Innocent and Magician. We all have at least one or two archetypes. It depends who we are, it depends on our personality, some archetypes describe us more, some less. We also find many archetypes in other people: our family, friends, even neighbors and strangers.
       The archetype I would like to describe is wanderer, very strong, brave character, with power to explore and travel almost without a fear. Wanderers have both: positive and negative characteristics which could be very strong or barely noticeable. They usually are a type of survivors, resilient and realistic, sometimes suspicious and cynical, but their main goal is autonomy and independence. Wanderers usually leave known to discover and explore unknown. They brave with courage to live in loneliness and isolation to seek out new paths. They seek autonomy, fear conformity and very strongly need to develop their own sense of identity. When they don't feel secure, they run away.

On the picture I chose we clearly see the wanderer, lonely man walking to unknown, walking to another life... Maybe he is looking for something different, new answer. He is on the way to somewhere, on the path into the unknown.  He looks sad and troubled, but also very determined and alert. This lonely man is apart from others, striving for independence, he is surrounded only by the nature - birds and plants. He seems to be very concentrated and thoughtful, maybe because wanderers deal with their emotions in stoic silence, preferring not to express them to others and sometimes not even admitting them to the self.
Some sub-types for wanderer are Odysseus (who explores the world and psyche), King Arthur (who insists on living by his own rules), or Dorothy of Oz (who penetrates wild regions).
The Anima and Animus are different. The Animus is a prisoner, solider, wanderer - strong, brave man, always able to fight. The Anima would be weaker, delicate, more thoughtful and fearful.
The wanderer is an archetype who's heroic journey begins from separation, goes through adventure and ends with return. Best example for that is Odysseus, who leaves his wife Penelope, fights and finally travels back home. He is the hero of Iliad and the wanderer in The Odyssey. The Trojan War lasted ten years and his journey home took another ten years.
In the movie Stardust the main character-Tristan travels across the wall to find and bring back a fallen star. Before he meats Yvaine, he has to do everything by himself, make his own choices, use his own strength. He has plan and is very determined to execute it, no matter what. Tristan is powerful and aware of his important mission.