Beebe's eight archetypes
The Senex and the Witch
Seat 6, in the shadow
Also called the Critical Parent; CS Joseph calls it the Critic
The shadow of the Parent, seat 2
The Senex or Witch is your Parent's function facing the other way: the cold, critical side of care, and the wisdom hidden in it.
The role
The sixth function uses the same process as the Parent, in the other direction. Beebe called it the Senex, Latin for old man, or the Witch: the critical, limiting, belittling side of the parent. Where the Parent encourages, the Senex or Witch judges and casts the spell "you are not enough". It is also called the Critical Parent, and CS Joseph calls it the Critic.
It can be turned on others, or on yourself, as the inner voice that freezes every attempt.
BeebeCS JosephSigns of the Senex or Witch
- CriticismYou are not enough.
- LimitsA trapped mindset.
- ShamingMaking others feel small.
- AuthorityDemanding obedience.
- RigidityRefusing to change.
- HypocrisyDo as I say, not as I do.
- ParalysisFrozen by fear.
- The curseHarsh self talk.
- BitternessOld and hard.
- Hard wisdomLessons from a crisis.
Its gift, and its trap
The gift
- Deep, detached wisdom.
- Healthy boundaries.
- The elder who knows what really lasts.
The trap
- Harsh judgment of others and of yourself.
- Elitism and hypocrisy.
- Freezing every new attempt.
The light it shadows
It is the shadow of the Parent, seat 2: the same urge to guide, turned cold.
BeebeGrowing with it
Hear the critic, then answer it. The Senex or Witch becomes wise when its judgments serve life instead of stopping it.
BeebeIn the hero's journey
The trials on the road, and Campbell's atonement with the father: making peace between the good parent and the critical one.
How all eight seats fit Campbell's story: The hero's journey within.
MazWiz readingThe Senex or Witch in each function
Every function can sit in this seat, and it feels different in each. Yours is marked.Pick your type at the top to see yours.
Introverted IntuitionINFP INTPYou
When you feel cornered, you can turn cold about the future: you dismiss other people's visions as fantasy, or pronounce a harsh verdict on where their life is going. Accepted, it becomes a quiet wisdom about time and consequences.
Extraverted IntuitionENFJ ENTJYou
When you feel attacked, the what ifs become weapons: a cold list of everything that could go wrong, or contempt for ideas that seem frivolous. Accepted, it gives you a wise sense of which possibilities truly matter.
Introverted SensingISFP ISTPYou
When you feel attacked, you quote the past like a judge: old mistakes, broken promises, rules that were not followed. Accepted, it becomes the wisdom of someone who remembers what really lasts.
Extraverted SensingESFJ ESTJYou
When you feel attacked, you turn coldly physical: you dismiss others as shallow or reckless, or use force and blunt facts to put them in their place. Accepted, it becomes a calm, grounded realism.
Introverted ThinkingINTJ ISTJYou
When you feel attacked, you become a cold critic: you take other people's arguments apart and call them stupid. Accepted, it becomes clear, fair judgment.
Extraverted ThinkingENTP ESTPYou
When you feel attacked, you become a harsh manager: you judge people as useless and lay down the rules. Accepted, it becomes the wisdom to set limits and get things done.
Introverted FeelingINFJ ISFJYou
When you feel attacked, you become a moral judge: you condemn others as selfish or fake, and you hold grudges. Accepted, it becomes a deep, quiet integrity.
Extraverted FeelingENFP ESFPYou
When you feel attacked, you turn the group against someone: guilt, shame, or the cold remark that "nobody likes this". Accepted, it becomes a wise sense of what people need.
The texts are our reading of Beebe. BeebeMazWiz reading