Peter Pan — The Trickster
A young, free-spirited boy who we all know and love.
He was the magical boy who had a golf session at 4 and a ballet recital at 5.
Perhaps in your mind, as it was in mine, Peter Pan looked a bit more innocent and light-hearted. I was surprised to find that he was able to make such a mischievous expression.
The face of Peter Pan is that of an Archetypal Trickster.
The downward arch of his eyebrows, lowered gaze, and smirk indicates an ulterior motive. The Tricker loves the absurdity of reality and finds amusement in reminding others of that fact.
The Trickster loves to twist reality — it loves to explore anomalies and see if anything unexpected would happen. It finds enjoyment from deception, perhaps to humble the rational parts of ourselves from time to time.
We think we can expect and know everything in this world. The Trickster understands that it is not possible, and reminds them of the fact every once in a while.
Perhaps to remind us to lighten up and laugh at ourselves and our situations:
We are able to know, but we will never be able to know if we know something for sure.
We live paradoxical lives:
- We can embody fear and courage
- We can embody love and hate
- We can embody strength and weakness
- We can embody hope and despair
Sometimes we live embodying one while forgetting that we are fully capable of embodying the other.
When we fear something, we forget that we are fully capable of leaping into the unknown, even when it seems risky.
When we hate something and hold resentment and vengeance in our hearts, we forget that we are fully capable of forgiving and loving. We are both angel and demon.
When we feel weak and think we are at the lowest, we forget that we are fully capable of picking ourselves and others back up.
When we feel despair and sense impending doom, we forget that we are fully capable of giving hope and becoming the savior of your family, friends, and the broader community.
These living paradoxes make the human drama a worthwhile watch.
While fires blaze in the external world, the internal world dances the eternal paradox.
Life and Death. Light and Darkness. Order and Chaos.
Whenever I think life will go smoothly, the Peter Pan within me pulls the rug from beneath my feet and I come crashing onto my head, convoluted into a human pretzel.
I can try to struggle as hard as I can to get out of the knot, but to no avail.
All I can do is accept the fact of my paradoxical existence, laugh about it, and find the first limb that I can move to untangle myself.
