The Visionary and Prophet enhance the Creative Family and float a bit above the others in this group. The Visionary archetype lets you imagine possibilities that are beyond the scope of your individual life and that benefit all of society. The Visionary brings into view what could develop if certain choices are made, or what is inevitable given choices that have already been made. The Prophet proclaims a message associated with Divine guidance, as in the Hebrew Prophets, some of whom also appear in the Quran. (Islam reveres both Jesus and John the Baptist as prophets). Both the Visionary and the Prophet engage their abilities on behalf of humanity rather than for personal use. Visionaries tend to be celebrated for their capacity to read what is just over the horizon. Many Prophets, however, are rejected by the group they were sent to enlighten, or perhaps exiled from their homeland—which is part of their archetypal journey. Prophets come to bring a message the tribe generally does not want to hear because it signals creative waves coming in that are going to bring change, transformation, and destruction.
Mikhail Gorbachev has the Prophet archetype. The Prophet often operates as the Visionary until it is time for the prophecy to come through. Gorbachev delivered the message of Russia becoming a democracy and dismantling the Soviet Union. When the time was right, his forces came in and that is when he shifted from Visionary to Prophet.
The shadow Prophet or Visionary manifests as a willingness to sell their visionary abilities to the highest bidder, or to alter their vision to make it more acceptable to society. In extreme cases, tainted visions may lead entire societies into murderous or destructive rampages; then the Destroyer archetype may supersede the Visionary, as in the case of
Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Although throughout history most Prophets have been male, woman can also be Prophets.
Film Reference: Peter Finch in 'Network' (Shadow)
Mikhail Gorbachev has the Prophet archetype. The Prophet often operates as the Visionary until it is time for the prophecy to come through. Gorbachev delivered the message of Russia becoming a democracy and dismantling the Soviet Union. When the time was right, his forces came in and that is when he shifted from Visionary to Prophet.
The shadow Prophet or Visionary manifests as a willingness to sell their visionary abilities to the highest bidder, or to alter their vision to make it more acceptable to society. In extreme cases, tainted visions may lead entire societies into murderous or destructive rampages; then the Destroyer archetype may supersede the Visionary, as in the case of
Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Although throughout history most Prophets have been male, woman can also be Prophets.
Film Reference: Peter Finch in 'Network' (Shadow)