The Warrior
The Warrior - As represented by the powerful and fearsome grizzly bear.
If you took the path to the left, heeding the calls of the one crying for help, then congratulations, you are what is known as the Warrior. As represented by the powerful and fearsome grizzly bear, you are driven by a need to prove your worth and gifted with the courage to do so. But in your journey to find purpose, beware of the trap that many Warriors fall into—fighting for a cause you don’t believe in.
Where change used to be brought about only through war and resistance, great change now comes from great knowledge. But that does not mean there aren’t still great battles to be fought. There are many causes you could choose to believe in and strive for. Whether that be for the underprivileged, a planet in need of an advocate, or even just for your family to live comfortably—use that power within you to keep going, to keep fighting, to just keep striving.
In your journey to prove your worth, remember that the healthiest Warriors do not need violence to win their battles. Words, deeds, and even art have won more battles than the sword ever has. The world will always need its Warriors, even when it claims you are no longer needed. So remain steadfast and know your cause when you see it.
Every society has warrior traditions. They can be protectors or terrorists. The warrior is the most controversial of all archetypes, for it is easy to lose their own humanity. They hold deep emotions. But we should not condemn the fire within. It lives on in spite of any shame we’re taught to feel for it. The repressed warrior spirit lashes out at those who don’t deserve it. You must explore how to relate to and grow your inner warrior in a healthy way.
There are many who portray the warrior as solely a masculine energy, but it is a mistake to not see its feminine energy in how it can empower and protect others.
The Warrior archetype is almost a religious type. Driven by a passion they aren’t always aware of. It is the kind of resilience that releases within us in times of struggle. They do not see themselves as victims or outsiders. The Warrior energy is much like Fire. There is a fire that creates and builds, but there is fire that can burn and destroy.
A warrior is driven by self improvement. Physically or emotionally or mentally or all of the above. The warrior archetype is actually most manifested in the montage scenes in hero movies. They know themselves, are loyal, and fight for those weaker than them.
But the warrior must be cognizant of what they’re fighting for. If they succumb to their desire to win over the desire of fighting what’s right, then they are at risk of falling. The healthy warrior does not fight for their own glory, but for the rights of others.
Warriors can be a leader and inspire just as much as other archetypes. Think of how fire can also provide light. But the Warrior can only lead when they learn to let go of their own desire for glory and recognition. Achievements do not equal fulfillment. They are deeply connected to their hearts. They have an inherent “gut” feeling. Follow your instincts.
But remember, warriors do not need a dragon to slay. Think of the ritual and how you came to be known as the Warrior. You ran to the help of someone in need. The warrior doesn’t need dragons to slay. Indeed, if you choose the wrong dragons, it is a figment of your mind and can break you when you do not find the salvation you are looking for. But remember, salvation comes not in defeating of dragons, but of being resolute in a cause, in helping others, and inspiring those around you to help as well.
Warriors embrace ideas with their whole hearts.
REMEMBER – The most powerful of all Warriors are those that strive for justice and helping others. In many ways, Steve Rogers (Captain America) is the quintessential Warrior. He is driven by an ideal that is beyond any group or symbol. He always does what’s right, even when it’s difficult or seemingly goes against a cause others think he should believe in. But the greatest of all Warriors follow their hearts, their internal compass, that feeling in their gut. Listen with an open heart when others try and tell you differently, but in the end, if it doesn’t feel right, what more can you do?
Other Notable Warriors in Fiction: Steve Rogers (Marvel’s Captain America), Furiosa (Mad Max Fury Road), Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter), Roy Kent (Ted Lasso), Wonder Woman (DC’s Justice League).
To continue to the second part of the ritual . . .