This week, we dive into one of the pioneering works on masculine psychology, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette. Written in the early 90s, the guidance it contains for men is more relevant now than ever.
For this series, each edition will explore one of the four major “archetypes” explored in the book. Each one of these archetypes provides an ideal to strive for in our personal development journeys.
We’ll start with “the king”…
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
🎯 The Idea In a Nutshell:
Many societal forces push us to be average.
Strength and power have come to be seen in a decidedly negative light.
The King archetype gives us a more rounded, positive view.
Cultivated properly, this archetype promotes benevolent leadership, not maniacal tyranny.
There is no shame in asserting our authority, provided it’s directed in a healthy direction.
📝 Diving Deeper
Turn on the news or scroll through social media, and it’s easy to get the impression that power is a purely corrupting force. Given the state of the world today, it’s an understandable impression. But we should be careful not to shun the idea of strength altogether.
Authority itself isn’t the problem. The wrong kind of authority is. The world may not need kings in the literal sense, but it does need more of the king archetype. This archetype provides a model for healthy authority. It is the controlled, masculine energy focused on bringing stability to its environment and empowering others to thrive.
In times like these, it’s tempting to put your head down. Go along to get along. Don’t rock the boat. But the world doesn’t benefit from you being passive; it needs more forthright men who know right from wrong. Who take a balanced view of complex issues. Who cultivate knowledge and live with humility. And who shun ego-driven, chest-pounding aggression in favor of benevolent leadership.
Cultivating this energy doesn’t mean becoming a tyrant. It’s about learning to be the calm in the center of a storm. It’s about ensuring your family’s financial and psychological well-being. It’s about maintaining a firm moral compass.
Like anything, power is dangerous when taken to excess. But don't let the noise convince you that masculine strength is inherently bad; that’s painting with too broad a brush.
A more nuanced view reminds us of a simple truth: our families and communities desperately need men with a healthy sense of inner authority. Men who use their strength not for selfish purposes, but to bring security, order, and prosperity to those around them.
👉 Why it matters:
Inside each of us exists a drive for prosperity, security, and stability.
If repressed, this drive plays out in unhealthy ways.
If channeled properly, it radiates outward to our families, our communities, and our businesses.
🤔 Prompts for Reflection
In what part of your life are you taking a passive stance when a more assertive one is called for?
What narratives have formed in your head about asserting your own power?
How could your family or business benefit from you having a stronger presence?
Make today impactful.
~Jason