The concept of an archetype is found in areas relating to behavior, modern psychological theory, and literary analysis. An archetype can be
- a statement, pattern of behavior, or prototype which other statements, patterns of behavior, and objects copy or emulate;
- a Platonic philosophical idea referring to pure forms which embody the fundamental characteristics of a thing;
- a collectively-inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., that is universally present in individual psyches, as in Jungian psychology;
- or a constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting, or mythology (this usage of the term draws from both comparative anthropology and Jungian archetypal theory).
quoted from wikipedia
I ask for a card that requires my immediate attention and pull out a rescuer card. It resonated. Many times in life I remember a part that truly wants to help or rescue when I see people of fallen grace. Many a times I will bury myself deep into the rescue mission and many times I will overdo it to a state that I bend over my back and break it. When that happen I felt helpless and fell into a deep hole of self pity. When the rescued does not reciprocate in moment like this, I tend to go into a self pity overdrive and self destructive negative spiral. This is the typical shadow attributes of a rescuer.
I identify a part in me with an rescuer archetype, he is the Empathetic White Knight. The shadow journey with him have taught me priceless lessons about boundaries and self love and self respect. All these are important lessons that will groom the light attributes of a rescuer.
Light attributes of a rescuer is to provides strength and support to others in crisis. Acts out of love with no expectation of rewards.