The Seeker Archetype: Learn About Seeker Archetypes Today

The Seeker Archetype is about seeking something better, and going on a journey of discovery to find it. It’s about longing for a sense of grounding and belonging, and searching for a place where you feel like you fit in. The Seeker is always looking for something more, and they are never satisfied with the status quo. They are always on a quest for new opportunities and new experiences, always seeking out new possibilities and challenges. They are always looking for an answer to a question, and their journey is one of wisdom, culture and self-discovery. They are non-conformists who embrace change and new ideas. They are also very intuitive and can see the world in a different, more tangible way.

Although the Seeker archetype is very similar to the Explorer archetype, the Seeker is not one of Carl Jung’s 12 archetypes (although the Explorer is). In fact, Explorer may be considered one of the categories that fall within the overarching Seeker archetype. There are a handful of others, too, and each one showcases a slightly different take on the Seeker.

The Seeker archetype is one that focuses on a thirst for knowledge and a desire for adventure. Wanderlust may be the name of the game for Seekers, and they may do a lot of physical traveling even as they expand their mental and emotional horizons as well.

The Seeker wants to learn everything they can, although sometimes their area of focus may be limited to certain topics they are most interested in. For many versions of the Seeker, this information can then be used to follow their goals and achieve their dreams.

And the Seeker usually does have many dreams, some of which are more realistic than others. Some Seekers may strive to make changes in the world, while others may simply want to live their lives the way they think is best.

If you think you might be a Seeker archetype and want to learn more, take a look at the details below.

Seeker Details

Here, you’ll find specifics on the Seeker as well as the categories that fall within this archetype. Take some time to think about whether or not you, the people you know, or your favorite fictional characters fall within the Seeker archetype.

Variations

• Wanderer: The Wanderer tends to wander in order to avoid commitment. They are wishy-washy, although not always intentionally, and can’t make up their mind about difficult decisions.
• Explorer: The Explorer seeks out those who can answer their questions or give them information. They may spend a lot of time reading or physically exploring their surroundings.
• Pilgrim: The Pilgrim is called by the feeling that there’s something out there beckoning to them. Some Pilgrims listen to this call and keep looking for the source of it for their whole lives, while others ignore the call because they’re too nervous to see what’s out there.
• Iconoclast: This Seeker is focused on spiritual or religious goals. They want answers to deep questions about themselves, the world, and the universe. They may rally against religion after this long pursuit is done, or they may finally choose to side with a specific religion or spiritualist movement instead.

Objective:

• The ultimate goal of the Seeker is to find the truth for themselves. This may refer to truth in a literal sense (such as uncovering mysteries, solving problems, or diving deep into religious or paranormal studies), but it may also refer to truth in a more metaphorical sense. When metaphorical, this goal may be more in reference to the Seeker finding a place to live and finally settle down.
• Many Seekers long to find a better life in some way, or strive for a goal that simply can’t quite ever be reached.

Desires:

• The Seeker wants to be themselves at all times. If they are currently in a situation where this cannot happen, then they work even harder to escape that situation and find a place where they can more freely act, think, and speak without worry.
• The Seeker wants to take care of themselves. This archetype doesn’t want to rely on others to accomplish their own goals, although they aren’t above asking for a little assistance now and then.
• The Seeker wants to find out information and solve mysteries. These mysteries may be on a large scale, but they may also personal ones.

Goals:

• Seekers tend to feel as though they’re never fully satisfied wherever they are. Because of this, they may develop strange or lofty goals that they can never accomplish.
• For example, the Seeker may decide that they can never truly belong until they are with someone they lost in the past. But that person may have passed away or may simply be uninterested in reconnecting with the Seeker, leaving them constantly searching fro something they can’t have.
• The Seeker strives for a perfect life and enough knowledge to feel comfortable and in control of themselves and the world around them.

Strengths:

• The Seeker is focused and driven. They know what they want, and they aren’t afraid to work for it, even if their version of working for it may be a little off the beaten path.
• The Seeker, like the categories that fall within this archetype’s definition, is strong in their sense of Self. The Seeker isn’t afraid to be who they are, and in fact, that’s what they want.
• The Seeker can handle things on their own. Although they may not choose to be a Loner as well, many exhibit both of these archetypes.

Weaknesses:

• Most Seekers are not very good at forming lasting bonds with other archetypes. They may struggle to make friends or keep relationships going over time.
• The Seeker is afraid of commitment. Deciding to settle down in one place may mean the Seeker is no longer able to keep seeking, and therefore, their purpose may go unfulfilled.
• The Seeker is not good at making decisions for much the same reason. They may flitter back and forth between solutions until someone with a better decision-making archetype steps in and chooses—or until fate decides for them.

Qualities:

• Seekers are often willing to physically travel far to find the answers they’re looking for.
• Seekers may be very spiritual, religious, or both—or they may be focused on the paranormal instead.
• Seekers often believe there’s more to the world than what we are told or what we can necessarily see.

Conclusion

The Seeker is a bit different from the archetypes that fall beneath it as an umbrella category. For that reason, it can be tricky to understand what constitutes a Seeker and what does not. In order to better learn this, you may want to think about some fictional characters who exhibit the Seeker archetype, and use their personalities, traits, beliefs and skills to weigh your own against for the purposes of analysis.

Consider the following potential Seeker archetypes:

• Odin from myth: Through several myths, Odin seeks truth and enlightenment as well as information.
• Gil Grissom from CSI: Written specifically to come across as a modern Sherlock Holmes, this character cares a lot about logic and truth.
• Fox Mulder from The X-Files: Constantly looking for the truth and evidence of what he believes, Mulder is an iconic Seeker.
• Dipper from Gravity Falls: Dipper is fond of solving mysteries and uncovering clues through investigation.
• Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote: This character strives to solve murders and uncover the truth, sometimes in unconventional ways.

When you have a solid understanding of what makes up a fictional Seeker archetype, it will be that much easier for you to determine where this archetype fits into your own life and the lives of other real people.

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH:

https://www.allisonkelsey.co.uk/articles/2017/3/13/the-seeker-archetype
https://kiraswanson.com/2019/04/08/cant-finish-what-you-started-maybe-youre-a-seeker-archetype/
https://fractalenlightenment.com/34367/life/the-seeker-archetype-the-path-of-the-brave-wanderer