Archetypes Identify Order Beneath Chaos 

The eye of a hurricane is the calm, clear centre of a storm. It’s where the winds are light, and there is little to no rain.  In nature, the unpredictable dance of weather patterns is governed by underlying laws of physics and ecology. In the same way, human life, moments of turmoil or apparent disorder can lead to personal growth. They can signal periods of transition and transformation.

An archetypal perspective pulls you into the eye of the hurricane.

Gail Goodwin 2025

Chaos is not entirely random. It conceals patterns that give our life depth and purpose. Of course, those patterns can be identified with archetypes.

The human need for certainty drives us to search for order beneath surface chaos. We hope that what appears disorganised or unpredictable on the surface is actually underpinned by a hidden, meaningful structure. It is not irrational to think this way. This concept resonates across philosophy, spirituality, and science.

Sacred or scientific, there is a sense of order underlying chaos. 

At its core, choosing this perspective invites us to learn that chaos is not purely random. Chaos conceals patterns. Archetypes are patterns. And patterns can be read. 

Archetypes identify order in the heart of chaos.

Gail Goodwin 2025

An archetypal perspective pulls you into the eye of the hurricane and back down to earth.

To arrive at an archetypal perspective, you can Self-author any archetype.

1. Pinpoint the chaos in your life and use an archetype to describe it.
2. Brainstorm and list 10 negative associations for the archetype, then brainstorm and list 10 positive associations for the archetype.
3. Refer to both lists. Use your associations as prompts to articulate the archetype’s Desire, Goal, Fear, Trap, Gift, and Strategy. Desire – the wish or best-case scenario; Goal – the aim, outcome or purpose; Trap – the biggest obstacle; Fear – the greatest weakness or worst-case scenario; Gift – the greatest strength or talent; Strategy – outlines a plan of action.
4. Now you need to let your hard work mull. This is the hands-off point of the Self-authoring process. Simply watch what happens. Here’s an example.

Choosing an archetypal perspective will keep you grounded in the midst of chaos. Searching for order underneath chaos encourages acceptance and inquiry, and therefore the ability to move forward. It invites us to look beyond immediate appearances to seek meaning in our struggles.

Rather than falling into a sense of powerlessness, recognising order beneath chaos empowers us to embrace life’s challenges as opportunities for learning and renewal. Even in disorder, there is a quiet, purposeful, archetypal design.