A perfect example of the Pluto archetype can be found in Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth. It’s a melancholic, imaginative tale with an ambiguous ending – like all good fairytales before they were sanitised for children. The film references loads of other fantasy films and fairytales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Alice… Continue reading Pan’s Labyrinth and the Power of Imagination
Pluto represents how you relate to the cycles of life and death and the process of transformation. It’s associated with the primordial instincts and the elemental forces of nature and power. Whether you’re ready or not, Pluto confronts you with the necessity for regeneration and the evolution of your soul. Pluto is a dwarf planet… Continue reading Planet Myths: The Story Behind Pluto
An excellent example of the Saturn archetype can be found in the six-part BBC series The Living and the Dead. It’s a supernatural thriller structured around a love story set during the Victorian era in rural Somerset. The haunting music is based on old folk songs which adds to the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. There… Continue reading The Living and the Dead – “You will reap what you sow”
Saturn represents your need for structure, limitation and security. As the reality principle, it stands for the workings of karma and necessity. It keeps you grounded in the material world through your relationship to time and the facts of existence, suffering, old age and death. In the past, Saturn was known as the Greater Malefic… Continue reading Planet Myths: The Story Behind Saturn
The Intouchables is a perfect example of the Chiron archetype on film. It’s based on a true story about the friendship that develops between two men who under normal circumstances, never would have met. The film is heart-felt, inspiring and funny, and touches on many themes, including disability, immigration, family and loss, the healing power… Continue reading The Intouchables and the healing power of friendship
Inside Story by Dara Marks is a book that can help you to write stories with real emotional depth and impact. It’s aimed at screenwriters but the advice can be applied to any story of any length. The transformational arc refers to how your characters change over the course of a story. But it’s not… Continue reading Review: Inside Story – The Power of the Transformational Arc
The Fountain is a perfect example of the Pisces archetype on film. It’s a visionary love story about the quest for immortality that interweaves three parallel storylines that span a thousand years. This is probably Darren Aronofsky’s best film. It’s a work of art with stunning visuals, a glorious soundtrack and beautiful performances by the… Continue reading The Fountain and the Road to Awe
