Understanding The Sage

The Sage archetype, called ‘senex’ (old man in Latin) by Jung, is one of wisdom, knowledge and power. It represents the innate spiritual aspect of our personality in the unconscious and according to Carl Jung, appears in our lives through different symbols. It may take the form of people, dreams, insights, or our life’s learning we pass on to others.

In literature, the sage often takes the form of a mentor or a teacher to the hero, playing a crucial role in the hero’s journey. The sage archetype may be portrayed by a God or a Godess, a magician or wizard, a philosopher or an advisor.

The sage is usually depicted as a wise old man or an old crone with great foresight, who offers measured advice and guidance to help the hero in his quest, and at the same time letting the hero choose his path towards destiny.

The sage archetype has been described in various forms throughout literature across cultures. The sage archetype makes its presence felt in modern popular fiction as well, for instance, as Yoda from Star Wars, as the Wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and as Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter series to name a few.

The Sage’s Quest for Truth

 

The Sage is a seeker of truth, and this archetype operates from a fundamental principle that ‘the truth will set you free’. It is associated with attributes of self-reflection and understanding that enlightens our path to individuation. It implies asking questions to self in order to reach to the answers one seeks in life.