Searching for the Eternal Girl/Boy P. 1 Puella Aeterna/Puer Aeternus and Corne/Senex

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Does fantasy lead to escape, or to the embracing of a new perspective? In other words, does it support psychic growth or impede it? That distinction is often complicated by paradox, but it helps to ask ourselves, “Is concentrating on this fantasy or daydream opening my creative possibilities, or is this sapping my ego strength in the real world?” ~Marion Woodman

This excerpt begins Marion Woodman‘s foreword from Ann Yeoman’s book, Now or Neverland, which I read some time ago, thanks to Deborah Gregory‘s recommendation, and I am very grateful for it.

Frankly, when I began reading this book, I felt at home; I saw myself as a puer aeternus, struggling to stay balanced on life’s rollercoaster.

Traditionally, the term ‘puer aeternus’ (Latin for ‘eternal boy’) is used to describe a child-god who remains eternally young. In Carl Jung’s psychology, it refers to an older person whose emotional life remains stuck in adolescence, often referred to as the “Peter Pan syndrome”. Jung suggests that the puer lives a “provisional life” due to a fear of being trapped. They seek independence, resist boundaries, and find restrictions intolerable. In Greek mythology, the term ‘puer aeternus’ originates from the Metamorphoses, an epic poem by Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – c. 17 AD) that explores Greek and Roman myths. Ovid refers to the child-god Iacchus as “puer aeternus” and praises his role in the Eleusinian mysteries. Iacchus is linked to Dionysus and Eros. The puer represents a deity of vegetation, resurrection, and divine youth, similar to Tammuz, Attis, and Adonis.

Senex is a Latin term that literally means “old man.” It can also be used to describe: a wise, elderly person, an archetype. The wise older person (also known as senex, sage, or sophos) is an archetype outlined by Carl Jung, as well as a familiar literary figure, often portrayed as a stock character. Such a figure can be a profound philosopher renowned for wisdom and sound judgment.

Marie-Louise Von Franz summarised her view of the puer as follows:
None of his reactions are particularly personal or special. He becomes a type—the type of the puer aeternus. He becomes an archetype, and if you become that, you are not at all original… He is merely the archetype of the eternal-youth god, and, therefore, he has all the features of the god: he has a nostalgic longing for death, he thinks of himself as being something special, and he is the one sensitive being among all the other tough sheep. He will have a problem with an aggressive, destructive shadow that he will not want to live with and generally projects. There is nothing special whatsoever. The worse the identification with the youthful god, the less individual the person, although he himself feels so special. (Puer Aeternus, pp. 121f)
Another type of puer that does not display the charm of eternal youth, nor does the archetype of the divine youth shine through him. On the contrary, he lives in a continual sleepy daze, and that, too, is a typical adolescent characteristic… The sleepy daze is only an outer aspect, however, and if you can penetrate it, you will find that a lively fantasy life is being cherished within. (Puer Aeternus, p.2)

Reflecting on my childhood, after my father passed away and my mother kept it a secret from my brother Al and me, I became very introverted. Once I learned the truth, I simply didn’t want to grow up. Al and I drew closer because of our mother’s lie, and over time, during our youth, we swapped roles as eternal children. Initially, I wanted to remain a child forever, while Al, aware of our father’s death almost from the moment it happened, tried to act as a mature older brother to look after me.

As we entered puberty, our roles underwent significant changes. I developed a strong sexual desire much earlier and believed I had to act like a man to attract girls, while Al began creating his own solitary world. For many years, this condition persisted. Although I was accepted into Al’s world and was part of it, I was the one who had to maintain contact with the outside world. As a result, I assumed the role of the senex, but I longed for my puer aeternus and tried to keep it concealed yet protected.

Let’s conclude this now, and I look forward to discussing this topic further in the next part. 🖖🙏

28 thoughts on “Searching for the Eternal Girl/Boy P. 1 Puella Aeterna/Puer Aeternus and Corne/Senex”

    • Thank you, my lovely teacher. I find them on the web; I always do my best to find a suitable image for my topic!🙏💖
      By the way, I couldn’t access your website recently, which made me a bit worried. It’s nice to see you now.🥰

      Like

      • Jean Raffa's avatar Jean Raffa

        Your images are perfect. My website was down for four days. It was pretty scary to think of losing 15 years of work. And, of course, I had no way of letting readers know. But it’s back now and I’ll try to publish another post on Tuesday. I loved your piece on the exquisite duck/bird earrings but couldn’t find a comment place to let you know. Anyway, it’s good to see you back in full force. J

        Liked by 2 people

      • Thanks for the inspiring words, which I really appreciated. I kept closing the comments on my Egyptian posts because every time I felt the comments were repetitive. However, your comment on that post is most welcome. 🤗💞
        It’s also reassuring to know that the issue was a technical one. I’m looking forward to your new, informative, and educational articles.💖

        Like

  2. 🧚‍♂️🪝🏮Thank you for teaching me about the complimentary archetypes of Puer Aeternus & Senex. I am currently reflecting on the myth of Peter Pan, which I know only via the Disney animated movie, and “Hook” starring Robin Williams… Peter is obviously the puer aeternus. The Form! Curiously, I find no Senex for Peter. Or at least, ‘mentor’ … But ahhh wait— perhaps it is Captain Hook? Which Peter has made adversary of. Instead of ally… Listening to Bob Dylan’s song, “The Man in Me” yesterday… After many LaLaLa’s😅 I heard the lyric, “The man in me will hide sometimes to keep from being seen. But that’s just because he doesn’t wanna turn into some machine.” Reminded me of Star Wars also. I’ll share the song below for anyone interested.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Most interesting, Aladin.

    I get it, at least so far in what you have written. I look forward to the follow up post.

    What is special is that you have attached your personal experience to this article.

    2 things here: You are intelligent and insightful & (I have said this before) you love your brother in a special way.

    I never had that with my sister. I loved her in a dutiful way, when I found the time.

    💙💙🤗💙💙

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Thank you so much, dear Aladin, for writing about these fascinating topics.

    I can’t wait to read your next post.

    I really appreciate that whenever you can, you also share your personal experiences and, above all, remember your beloved brother.💖

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Pingback: Searching for the Eternal Girl/Boy P. 2 Puella Aeterna/Puer Aeternus and Corne/Senex – lampmagician
  9. Pingback: Searching for the Eternal Girl/Boy P. 3 Puella Aeterna/Puer Aeternus and Corne/Senex – lampmagician

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