The Prophet: Vision, Charisma, Wisdom, and Guidance
- olivierbranford
- Oct 31, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 25
This article explores the essence of the Prophet archetype and its role in embodying vision, charisma, wisdom, and guidance.“ Where there is no vision, the people perish” - Proverbs 29:18.
The Prophet archetype
Introduction
The Prophet archetype embodies vision, charisma, wisdom, and guidance. Representing the desire to foresee future possibilities and provide guidance based on profound insight, the Prophet inspires us to look beyond the present and prepare for what lies ahead. This article explores the characteristics, historical roots, modern examples, and practical applications of the Prophet archetype.
Historical context
The Prophet is neither the ecstatic holy man of the magician nor is he the measured powerful priest.
The Prophet is a marginal - an outsider. But he’s not an alien. He’s not entirely separate. He is as the theologian Richard Rohr has put it at the “edge of the inside”. The Prophet is close enough to be well-versed in the tradition. They know the priestly tradition; they understand the system. They understand where it is broken; and more importantly they are free to criticise the tradition.
It is with the Prophets that the message of salvation comes and it is the urgency of this message that drives the prophet even though the world might reject them and the powers that be try to do away with them. The work of the prophet isn’t an idle intellectual game; it’s an existential question - a matter of life and death.
The Prophet archetype has deep roots in religion and mythology. One of the earliest representations is Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received divine revelations. In ancient Greece, Cassandra represents the Prophet through her gift of prophecy, despite being cursed to never be believed.
In the case of Muhammad we have the life of the Prophet which is a lofty ideal that Muslims are encouraged to emulate and then there is the doctrine that was revealed through him i.e. the Quran. In the case of Jesus there is his life and then there is the Truth that was revealed through him. In the case of the Buddha there is his lived example and there is the teaching - the dharma - that he revealed.
While the life of Jesus is admirable and we would do well to emulate it, the truly important element of Christianity is the revelation - is the salvation that comes from believing in Christ and the resurrection. It is the ethical component that dominates over the exemplary. John the Baptist was the last Christian Prophet before Jesus. Today, Russell Marion Nelson Sr., a former surgeon with a doctorate is considered a modern day Prophet.
However in the case of an exemplary Prophet like Buddha his teaching i.e. the dharma is obviously very important but not as important as life. In one of the famous stories of the Buddha he compares the dharma to a raft which helps us cross the river. Why he asks us would you keep carrying the raft when you have reached the other side. And so the revealed doctrine is a means to a better way of being and not the end in itself.
In literature, Merlin from Arthurian legend is a quintessential Prophet, whose wisdom and foresight guide King Arthur. Similarly, Paul Atreides from Frank Herbert’s “Dune” exemplifies the Prophet archetype through his visions of the future and leadership.
Refusal of the call
The Prophet is outside the institutional power structure. They are outsiders — not by choice. This is a key characteristic of the Prophet. They are not creatures of conscious will. The Prophet is passive; rather than being a rebel or revolutionary, the Prophet is merely the greatest servant or the emptiest vessel of the Higher Power.
As such the Prophet does not choose to become an outsider nor are they born as outsiders. Prophets were once on the inside; they were once regular people. But then they were torn from their world - not by choice but by a Higher Power.
Fans of Joseph Campbell will recognise the initial arc of the Hero’s Journey here with the hero’s unwillingness to go on the journey and their refusal of the call. It’s something we see play out directly in many of the Biblical prophets. The Prophet Jonah tried to escape his call and ended up inside the belly of the whale-like leviathan.
The Prophet is dragged on their journey by something beyond their will. This is an individual who is torn from their comfortable life and pushed into the role of Prophet. A Higher Power calls them or gives them an illumination. They experience a shattering encounter with the truth and they cannot go back to their previous life.
There is no better example of this than the founder of Islam. Muhammad went from being a successful trader in Mecca until he had the role of Prophet thrust on him by the force of revelation. He had to speak against his own tribe and their excesses and go to war with them.
But this outsider position of the Prophet gives them a vantage point from which to look at their old world - a world which has become alien and intolerable to them. Being outside they are no longer controlled by the incentives of the inside. They are free to think differently and to honestly evaluate the system.
Modern examples
In contemporary culture, the Prophet archetype is embodied by characters like Gandalf from “The Lord of the Rings,” whose wisdom and guidance are crucial to the Fellowship’s success. Morpheus from “The Matrix” is another example, representing the Prophet through his visions and guidance for Neo.
In real life, individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr. epitomise the Prophet archetype. His vision of racial equality and his powerful oratory provided guidance and inspiration during the Civil Rights Movement. Steve Jobs, with his visionary approach to technology and innovation, also embodies the Prophet through his foresight and leadership at Apple.
Characteristics of a Prophet
Vision: The Prophet possesses a clear vision of future possibilities.
Charisma: The Prophet has a magnetic energy that draws presence.
Wisdom: They provide profound insights and guidance.
Guidance: The Prophet leads others based on their vision and wisdom.
Inspiration: They inspire others to strive towards a better future.
Integrity: The Prophet upholds truth and integrity in their guidance.
The Prophet’s journey
The Prophet’s journey often involves receiving visions, providing guidance, and inspiring others. Key stages in the Prophet’s journey include:
Revelation: The Prophet receives visions or profound insights.
Guidance: They offer guidance and wisdom based on their visions.
Inspiration: The Prophet inspires others to act towards a better future.
Fulfilment: Their visions come to pass, validating their guidance.
Interaction with other archetypes
The Prophet archetype often interacts with other archetypes in ways that highlight their vision and guidance:
The Hero: The Prophet often mentors the Hero, providing visions and guidance. An example is Morpheus guiding Neo in “The Matrix.”
The Sage: The Prophet and Sage share wisdom, but the Prophet focuses on future possibilities. An example is Gandalf and Elrond in “The Lord of the Rings.”
The Warrior: The Prophet’s vision often directs the Warrior’s actions. An example is Merlin guiding King Arthur.
The Ruler: The Prophet provides the Ruler with foresight and guidance for just leadership. An example is Paul Atreides in “Dune.”
Practical applications
Personal development
Embracing the Prophet archetype can inspire individuals to develop vision and wisdom. Recognising the Prophet within can motivate personal growth through foresight, guidance, and a commitment to truth and integrity.
Business and leadership
In the business world, leaders who embody the Prophet archetype can drive innovation and strategic planning. Prophet leaders demonstrate vision, wisdom, and a commitment to guiding their organisation towards a successful future.
Creativity and innovation
In creative fields, the Prophet’s vision and guidance can fuel groundbreaking and transformative projects. Writers, artists, and innovators can draw upon the Prophet archetype to produce work that inspires and provides profound insights.
Conclusion
By the time the age of the Prophets had come to an end the landscape of religion was transformed. The magical religions existed only in the pockets where Eurasian civilisation had yet to penetrate. Meanwhile the sacrificial religions of the pre-prophetic religions were all but wiped out in the West though they fared better in the East with their ability to beat back the exemplary prophetic tradition of Buddhism.
The Prophet was a new archetype that brought in a new way of being religious. It was a revolution against the priestly religion from the inside. This rupture in the tradition brought about something new.
There have been many that have drawn comparisons between the era of the Prophets and our own modern times. It is a time of liminality in which we can see the re-emergence of the exemplary prophetic traditions like Buddhism and Stoicism.
I can’t help but wonder whether this is a new age for the emergence of the Prophet archetype or perhaps whether an even newer archetype might see its day to emerge and take us into the next period of stability in our meaning system.
The Prophet archetype continues to captivate and inspire us through its portrayal of vision, wisdom, and guidance. By understanding and embodying the qualities of the Prophet, we can develop foresight, provide guidance, and inspire others towards a better future.
Namaste.
Olly
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