Reimagining Who We Can Become
What if the roles we’ve been handed by our culture no longer reflect who we are—or who we are becoming?
Many of us feel that the maps we were given to navigate life are out of date. The dominant archetypes -The Hero, The Leader, The Hustler, The Influencer- may have served a certain era, but they don’t speak to the deep longings many of us carry now. Longings for meaning, connection, soul, and sustainability. Longings to live in ways that feel rooted, real, and life-giving—not just for ourselves, but for the world.
This is the starting point for the Alternative Archetypes project.
Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be exploring a series of new archetypes—images of possibility that offer gentler, wiser, more imaginative ways of being in the world. These archetypes aren’t about personality types or job titles. They’re deeper than that. They’re soul patterns. Invitations. Inner guides.
Each one offers a doorway into a different kind of life path—one that might not be reflected in the dominant culture but is deeply needed now.
Why This Project, and Why Now?
We are living through times of rapid change, deep uncertainty, and what many call a crisis of meaning. The old stories—about what makes a good life, a successful person, a worthwhile path—are fraying at the edges. More and more people are sensing that the conventional roles we’re encouraged to play aren’t the full truth of who we are.
In these times, we need new guiding images. We need archetypes that honour the inner life, that celebrate slowness, community, ecological wisdom, creativity, service, and radical honesty. Archetypes that make space for grief and joy, for solitude and connection, for not knowing and deep listening.
The Alternative Archetypes project is my small offering toward that larger cultural shift.
The Roots of the Work
This project has grown from years of reflection, deep reading, and personal exploration into how we might live more meaningful, connected, and soul-aligned lives. It’s grounded in archetypal psychology, eco-spirituality, and a belief in the anima mundi – the soul of the world.
It’s also been shaped by my own life experience: by questions that wouldn’t go away, by feeling out of step with dominant values, and by a longing to honour both the inner and outer landscapes we inhabit.
Who This Is For
This project is for those who feel out of step with the dominant culture.
For those who have always sensed there was another way.
For those who are weary of endless striving and long for something slower, deeper, more soulful.
For creatives, carers, rebels, mystics, elders-in-the-making.
For anyone standing at the edge of an old story, wondering what comes next.
What to Expect
Each archetype will be introduced on the website with a symbolic image and a brief written overview—just enough to give you a taste of its energy and essence.
These tasters are invitations to imagine what’s possible. If one sparks something in you—a sense of recognition, curiosity, or creative energy—trust that. Follow the thread.
The full, in-depth explorations (including the origin story, core traits, light and shadow sides, daily applications, and a contemporary fairy tale) will be included in the Alternative Archetypes book, which is currently in progress.
The archetypes will be grouped into themes such as Wisdom & Insight, Creative & Expressive, Healing & Service, Community & Connection, Earth & Eco-Spirituality and Change-Oriented. Some may speak directly to you. Others may challenge you. All are invitations to consider who you are becoming—and what kind of world you want to help create.
Where to Begin
The first archetype is now live on the Alternative Archetypes page. I invite you to read it and see what stirs in you.
Each week, I’ll be adding a new archetype with a shortened version of what will appear in the full book once published.
To receive a gentle round-up at the end of each month—including the archetypes added and reflections on the deeper philosophy behind the project – sign up for my monthly Alternative Archetypes newsletter.
This is an unfolding journey. I hope you’ll come along.
In Closing
We are in a time of great unravelling – and great possibility. The stories we tell about what it means to be human matter. They shape what we value, what we strive for, and how we treat each other and the Earth.
The Alternative Archetypes project is my way of offering new stories. I hope they help you see yourself – and the world – a little more clearly. And I hope they remind you that your way of being, no matter how unconventional, may be exactly what’s needed right now.