The Method
How It Works
Chapter I
Four movements of reflection
Step 01: Reflect
Answer questions about situations, reactions, values, relationships, fears and behaviour. Questions are interleaved and their answers shuffled, and you never see archetype names while you answer.
Step 02: Reveal
Each answer contributes small, weighted signals to several archetypes and to underlying behavioural markers. No single answer decides anything.
Step 03: Explore
Signals are organised into archetypal themes: a primary pattern, secondary patterns, a possible Persona, possible Shadow themes and inner tensions — each described with cautious, open language.
Step 04: Integrate
Use journal prompts to explore what resonates, what does not, and what you notice about yourself. You can tell the mirror where it got you wrong.
Chapter II
How We Interpret Your Answers
One answer, several patterns
No answer maps to a single archetype. Each choice adds a small amount of weight to several archetypal patterns at once, and to underlying tendencies such as how you handle uncertainty, help or conflict.
Recurring signals, not single answers
Your result comes from what repeats across the whole assessment. A pattern only stands out when many different situations point the same way, so no single answer can decide it.
Compared with chance, not with other people
Each signal is compared with what answering at random would tend to produce. It describes how your answers leaned — not how you rank against anyone else, and not a measured trait.
Shadow and tensions need more evidence
A possible Shadow theme appears only when two separate patterns are present, each supported by more than one answer. An inner tension appears only when both of its sides show up.
Your words stay yours
The optional written reflections are never scored. Questions and answers are shuffled for every assessment, and passing on a question simply leaves it out.
We don't publish the exact weightings: if the questions were easy to steer, the mirror would only reflect what you hoped to see. The method is a reflective framework inspired by Jung — not a validated psychological test.
Chapter III
The “Reflective Signal”
Each archetype receives a number from 0 to 100. Around 50 is roughly what answering at random would produce; higher means your answers leaned toward that pattern more than chance. It is an internal representation of alignment with a theme, not a scientific score, and it is always shown with a word — strong, moderate or faint — rather than as a precise measurement.
The concepts of archetypes, Persona, Shadow and Self are Carl Jung’s. The twelve archetypes, the questions and the scoring are a modern interpretation built for this product — Jung did not create them. Read: What Are Archetypes?
Chapter IV
What this is not
This experience is for self-reflection and educational purposes. It is not a clinical assessment or diagnosis.
It never labels you or anyone you write about. If you are struggling, please reach out to someone you trust or a qualified professional.
Chapter V
Further Reading / Sources
Jung’s own writings
- The Archetypes and the Collective UnconsciousC. G. JungCollected Works vol. 9i — the core essays on archetypes, the Mother, the Child and the Trickster
- Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the SelfC. G. JungCollected Works vol. 9ii — the Shadow, Anima/Animus and the Self
- Two Essays on Analytical PsychologyC. G. JungCollected Works vol. 7 — the Persona and individuation
- Symbols of TransformationC. G. JungCollected Works vol. 5 — the hero myth
- Psychology and AlchemyC. G. JungCollected Works vol. 12 — transformation and images of the Self
- Man and His SymbolsC. G. Jung, with M.-L. von Franz and others1964 — Jung's own introduction for general readers; the best place to start
- Memories, Dreams, ReflectionsC. G. Jung, recorded by Aniela Jaffé1962 — Jung's autobiographical account of his ideas
Later interpretations
- Awakening the Heroes WithinCarol S. Pearson1991 — archetypes as stages of personal growth
- The Hero and the OutlawMargaret Mark & Carol S. Pearson2001 — source of the twelve-archetype set used in The Inner Mirror
“CW” refers to The Collected Works of C. G. Jung (Princeton University Press / Routledge). The Inner Mirror’s questions and scoring are original to this product and are not drawn from any of these works.
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Begin Your Reflection