These two archetypes are so close that for practical purposes you can consider them together. Midas turned everything he touched into gold, including, tragically, his beloved daughter. The archetype is associated with entrepreneurial or creative action. That Midas was a King symbolically implies that the Midas figure has the power to generate wealth for an entire kingdom yet is interested only in his personal aggrandizement. Greed is his downfall. For that reason, lessons of generosity are a large part of the characteristics of this archetype.
The shadow Midas or Miser creates wealth by hoarding money and emotions at the expense of others, and refusing to share them. Although the desire to earn a living or become wealthy is not negative, this archetype also represents a need to control the forces around you for fear of losing your wealth. The challenges inherent in the Miser and Midas can go so far as to make a person confront what he is willing to do to create a mountain of wealth. The Miser shows people his wealth but refuses to share his wealth. Building wealth requires energy and action. The lesson for the Miser involves identifying the motivation for accumulating anything, whether it is money, possessions, knowledge, or wisdom. There is no point to accumulating resources if one is not going to use them to improve the lives of others. The whole point is to give it back and help others with all the wisdom and knowledge you accumulate. The cosmic truth is that if you starve others, you have starved yourself; what goes around comes around; just give and it comes back tenfold.
Film Reference: Bette Davis in 'The Little Foxes'
The shadow Midas or Miser creates wealth by hoarding money and emotions at the expense of others, and refusing to share them. Although the desire to earn a living or become wealthy is not negative, this archetype also represents a need to control the forces around you for fear of losing your wealth. The challenges inherent in the Miser and Midas can go so far as to make a person confront what he is willing to do to create a mountain of wealth. The Miser shows people his wealth but refuses to share his wealth. Building wealth requires energy and action. The lesson for the Miser involves identifying the motivation for accumulating anything, whether it is money, possessions, knowledge, or wisdom. There is no point to accumulating resources if one is not going to use them to improve the lives of others. The whole point is to give it back and help others with all the wisdom and knowledge you accumulate. The cosmic truth is that if you starve others, you have starved yourself; what goes around comes around; just give and it comes back tenfold.
Film Reference: Bette Davis in 'The Little Foxes'