River
About The River Archetype
The River archetype represents a person who is not in a hurry to plant a flag or overly define themselves but is content with the journey no matter where it may take them. They feel generally protected because as the banks of a river contain the river’s direction, they feel they are held and guided by the wonders of the universe. They are comfortable with the smaller changes in life but may struggle with bigger changes. They do however eventually adapt to those bigger changes when they occur because their natural tendency is to keep flowing and not get stuck.
A person with the River archetype is connected to their purpose and acts on that purpose. This purpose may be best represented in their career, in their family life, in an impassioned hobby, or in their spiritual outlook. Whichever it is, passion is the word to keep in mind. While they are passionate about their purpose they are also letting it all ‘flow’ knowing that keeping their passion alive is far better than over-defining it and trying to make it something it is not meant to be. In relationships, this archetype needs someone willing to go for the ride and not expect life to be too predictable. The River archetype is not a worrier and believes the river will always reach its destination just as it will always keep flowing.
This archetype is a person who thinks philosophically about life but who can at times seem to be a paradox. Sometimes their paradoxical nature shows up like white water rapids in a river. First, there is a shift in their attitude, although not always obvious, that quickly leads to agitation, frustration, and perhaps anger. This can go on for a time, but not unlike the rapids, it will calm down and return to normal. Since this archetype is usually relaxed in terms of something happening in a specific way or at a precise time, it can be surprising to see them change so quickly. Once they release this extra emotional energy they are generally back to their normal calm state for an extended period of time. The question for this archetype to ask themselves is, why do they react so strongly sometimes? It would be valuable for them to discover the answer.
Being a water element, the River archetype is naturally reflective in two ways. First, people often feel seen and heard when interacting with this archetype because this archetype reflects a person back to themselves without judgment and with support. And second, they are self-reflective and have a developed understanding of themselves, although not in their ‘white water’ moments. This archetype tends to be self-compassionate and therefore compassionate toward the struggles of others. This archetype can make a good healer, especially in non-traditional modalities. This archetype is active and usually highly productive and also calming to be around. They don’t draw attention to themselves but are always worth getting to know and spending time with.
River’s Gifts
Embracing the Journey: Content with the unfolding journey of life, not rushing to define themselves.
Connected to Purpose: Passionately engaged in their purpose, whether in career, family, hobbies, or spirituality.
Relaxed and Non-Worrisome: Generally relaxed and not burdened by worries, trusting in the flow of life.
Philosophical and Reflective: Thinkers who ponder life’s deeper questions and possess self-reflective understanding.
Compassionate Healers: Naturally compassionate toward others’ struggles, making them good healers, often in non-traditional modalities.
Supportive and Calming Presence: Supportively reflect others back to themselves, providing a calming influence.
Adaptive to Change: Able to adapt to bigger changes over time, avoiding getting stuck.
Challenges
Paradoxical Nature: May show shifts in attitude and emotions like white water rapids, sometimes surprising others.
Reactivity: Reacting strongly at times, they can benefit from exploring the reasons behind these reactions.
Struggle with Predictability: They thrive in less predictable situations, which may pose challenges in relationships.
Balancing Passion and Flexibility: Balancing their passion for purpose with an openness to go with the flow.
Tips
Explore Emotional Reactions: Reflect on why they react strongly at times, seeking self-understanding.
Embrace Non-Definitive Life: Embrace the journey without rushing to over-define themselves.
Find a Compatible Partner: Seek partners who embrace the unpredictability of life’s journey.
Nurture Self-Compassion: Continue to be self-compassionate and extend that compassion to others.
Engage in Reflection: Cultivate self-reflective practices to deepen self-awareness and understanding.
Practice Calmness in Turbulence: Develop techniques to remain calm during challenging or emotional situations.
Stay Connected to Purpose: Continuously connect with and act on their passion and purpose in life.
Guided Exercise
Finding Calm in Life’s Turbulence
While much of the River archetype’s strengths are found in its ability to feel taken care of by the universe there are times when emotions can override this sense of protection. When life’s turbulence arrives like white water rapids, this archetype can be swept far from its naturally stable and more trusting state. To help prepare for these inevitable instances, practice this exercise enough so that the state of calm it creates can be quickly called up.
While standing, draw an imaginary circle around your feet two to three feet away from you. As you stand within this imaginary circle let it fill up with a color of your choosing. Try not to choose the color consciously and let your intuition make the choice for you. If your mind jumps in and picks a color for you, use that color. You will repeat this exercise a number of times over the coming weeks and before too long your mind will step aside and let your intuition make the color choice. We want your intuition to make this choice when it can because it will choose the color that will calm you the quickest and with the most balance. The color your mind picks will also work, but not as effectively.
Allow whatever time is required for this color to fill the circle. Sometimes this color will be solid and static. Other times it could be moving. Either version is equally fine. When the circle is filled with color, turn a one-quarter (¼) turn to your right and pause. Allow the color in the circle to begin to slowly cover both of your feet and calves to just above your knees. As this happens take a deep, cleansing breath. If you would like to place your hands in a prayer position/namaste hands in front of you throughout the exercise, you may do that. Spend at least a minute in this new facing.
When the time feels right, turn another quarter (¼) turn to your right and pause. You will be halfway around the circle. Allow the color to slowly continue up your body until it is just above your hips. The color is now covering half of your body. Take a deep, cleansing breath and spend at least a minute in this new facing.
When the time feels right, turn another quarter (¼) turn to your right and pause. You will be three-quarters of the way around the circle. Allow the color to slowly continue up your body until it reaches the base of your neck and include your arms as it rises. The color is now covering most of your body. Take a deep, cleansing breath and spend at least a minute in this new facing.
When the time feels right, turn a final quarter turn to your right and pause. You will be facing where you started. Allow the color to continue up to cover your head. The color is now covering your full body from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. The color may have changed as it made its way up your body. Take a deep, cleansing breath and spend a few minutes in this position. Feel, or imagine you feel, this color relaxing you as much as possible. Do not rush this. Take the time needed to feel yourself shift.
When you feel you are nearly ready to end the exercise give any worry or anxiety you are holding within you to the color gently encasing you. This color is designed to absorb these specific energies from you. You will not harm it in any way. Instead, you are letting it fulfill its designed purpose.
Once this transition has happened, the color will disappear taking the energy you have given it. You are seeing all of this in your mind’s eye or perhaps feeling it with a heightened sensitivity. Take a final cleansing breath or two and continue with your day. You may repeat this exercise as often as you like.
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Your Nature Archetype came from nature and what we mean by that is Michael, our co-founder, telepathically received this information from nature intelligence - the conscious intelligence behind nature.
Nature intelligence has been watching humans for millennia. It’s safe to say they know us very well and that knowledge shows in the depth of information contained in the 12 Nature Archetypes.
Our communication with nature intelligence is the heart of Sulphur Mountain Road and it has also helped make our Sun, Earth & Ocean Solutions.
If you’re ready for a safe, deep and natural transformational process that starts with feeling more grounded then you’ll love our Solutions.
