Return of the King

For some time now, I’ve been a wanderer, a seeker, chasing mirages in the vast, unforgiving desert of the real, a landscape that often blurs the lines between illusion and truth. I had as my guides The Fool and The Magician.

The fool, with his fearless embrace of the unknown and his willingness to leap into the void, has been a constant companion in my adventures. Energetically, the fool represents the spirit of exploration and the innocence of beginning, a reminder that every journey starts with a single, often uncertain step. I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few years chasing the feeling of new beginnings and basking in the heightened energy that comes with uncertainty. And once the high was gone, so was I. I enjoyed blowing things up so I could start again.

The magician, on the other hand, has been the embodiment of transformation and manifestation. This archetype has enabled me to tap into my inner resources, harnessing the power of creativity and will to shape my reality. The magician is a master of the elements, bending the very fabric of existence to his will, a testament to the power of intention and knowledge. Energetically, the magician fuelled my curiosity for mysticism, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind. For most of my life, I’ve chased the esoteric, desperate to harness it’s secrets and use its power.

But now, I hear the call to evolve, to adopt a new archetype that resonates with my current phase of life. It’s time to give the fool and the magician a well-deserved rest and embrace the archetype of the warrior-king. Energetically, the warrior-king represents the confluence of personal leadership, strength, and wisdom gleaned from a life of many battles fought, won, and lost. It speaks to a maturity of spirit and a readiness to rule, not necessarily over external physical domains but over inner realms. The mastery of self.

The Returning King is an ancient narrative echoing through the corridors of history and literature. From King Arthur, who is fabled to return in Britain’s greatest hour of need, to Aragorn in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” who reclaims his throne and restores peace to a troubled land, the theme is universal. Its roots are entrenched in the fertile soil of human imagination, branching out into countless cultures and epochs.

In mythology, this archetype often symbolises the end of chaos and the ushering in of a golden age. The king is not just a ruler but a pivotal figure who embodies the highest ideals of the land and its people. His return marks the culmination of a journey, both literal and metaphorical, reflecting the inner transformation and the overcoming of great trials. This journey often parallels our own personal quests for growth and understanding.

In literature, particularly in the postmodern and cyberpunk genres, this theme can take on more complex and nuanced forms. The returning king might not be a monarch in the traditional sense but could be an idea, a lost piece of knowledge, or a revolutionary technology that changes the course of history. This reinterpretation challenges the classical notion of the king, inviting us to explore the concept of leadership and governance in a rapidly changing, technologically advanced world.

But what most attracts me to the warrior-king archetype is its image as a restorer of balance. Particularly for me, inner balance.

Across myths and stories, this figure emerges to set right what has gone awry, defeating shadows to usher in peace and harmony to fractured lands. I’m drawn to this restorative quality—the potential the warrior-king represents for rebirth and renewal, not just of external realms but of our internal landscapes as well.

In the context of contemporary society, where leaders are often scrutinised and the world faces numerous challenges, the myth of the returning king offers a beacon of hope. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos and complexity of modern life, there lies the potential for transformative change and the emergence of leadership that can guide us towards a brighter future.

This narrative also invites introspection. It asks us to consider our own roles in the unfolding story of our time. Are we passive bystanders, or are we actively engaged in the pursuit of a better world? In what ways do we embody the qualities of the archetypal king in our own lives and communities?

The archetype of the returning warrior-king is a powerful metaphor, and one that I will take forward with me into 2024 and beyond.

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