The Clown

Hi, Everybody –

It’s time for another archetype video. This week, I’m doing the clown. And what a curious archetype. I was surprised to find out the amount of literature on the clown. Before I do a video, I like to check out what’s out there. Many people wrote doctoral dissertations and master’s theses on the role of the clown and the fear of the clown, and Jung had some of the most interesting thoughts about clowning.

The clown tampers with power polarities. It tampers with happy and sad, rich and poor, shy and expressive, silliness and seriousness, creating and destroying. So, it operates in this theater of power and transformation.

The power of clowning is that it can disguise what we don’t want to approach directly. Often, a clown can break through the unapproachable, the profound suffering, and the deep guilt. Just punch a hole in it to let in a little air.

For so many, clowning became an art form and a way they could communicate in that paradoxical language that is the clown. So, to all of you who have the clown archetype, pay attention to how you change when you put your mask on. What does it allow you to say that you don’t say without it? Does it bring out the courage to speak truth to power? If I were your spiritual director, we would walk right into that place and say, what about truth scares you so much that you must mask it to deliver it?

Fascinating. I love all this archetype stuff. I love it.

Thank you for watching these videos. I am amazed at how popular they’ve become. I just started this to chat a bit with all of you, but it’s turned out to be quite fun. And I appreciate you watching. Thank you so much.

Love,
Caroline