The Networker
(Messenger, Herald, Courier, Journalist, Communicator…)

Although networking seems like a very modern skill tied to career advancement in the media age, it is actually quite ancient. Networkers expand their sphere of influence by forging alliances and making connections among vastly different groups of people and can be traced back to the intrigues of the Middle Ages, Greece, Rome, and ancient China. Networking would also have been an integral part of any military alliance as well as all social and clan confederations in prehistory. In its positive aspect, this archetype helps us develop social flexibility and empathy that enables one to find commonality with others who might not at first seem to be potential friends, allies, or confederates. Like the related archetypes of Messengers and Communicator, the Networker has the skills to bring information-or power-and inspiration to disparate groups of people. The shadow Networker merely uses others for personal gain.

Films: Peter Finch in Network; John Boles in A Message to Garcia; Stewart Peterson in Pony Express Rider; Jeff Goldblum in Between the Lines.

Religion /Myth: Almost every culture on earth has or had a messenger of the gods who networks between the divine and human realms, including the angel Raphael (Judaism); Gabriel (Christianity); Jibril (Islam); Matarisvan (Vedic India); Eagle and Coyote (American Indian); Iris and Hermes (Greece); Mercury (Rome); Sraosa (Zoroastrianism); Nusku (Assyria); Nirah (Sumeria); Srosh (Persia); Paynal (Aztec); Savali (Samoa); Gou Mang (China);  Narada (Java); Gna and Hermod (Norse).

Work Cited 

Myss, Caroline.  Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential.  New York:

      Three Rivers Press, 2002, 2003:  403.  Print.

While it could be considered profiling, I step toward the cinnamon-sugar bagels as a group of teenage girls walk in. They huddle around the glass separating the guests from the assortment of cream cheeses and wait for me to take their order, “Hello, welcome to Bruegger’s. What can I get for you today?” Sure enough, they all want a cinnamon-sugar bagel with strawberry cream cheese. No, I am not a psychic, but I have come to understand a lot about the people who step through our doors. It seems I am not just another baker, but rather a psychologist studying the human psyche through bagel eating habits. They do not know it, but as I analyze their every move they help me decide the kind of person I want to be.

The proverbial “teenage clique,” for example, more often than not orders the same sugary combination of bagel and cream cheese. They search for an odd acceptance which relies wholly on their choice of bagel. They fear individuality and bask in the idea of “fitting in.” However, as the teenage years of our guests fade, their expository bagel- eating qualities that define who they are inevitably change. Young couples, for instance, care less about what they order as long as they stay away from breath-harming garlic in the morning. They care more about pleasing their partner than satisfying their craving for a savory morning bagel. Interestingly enough, this shifts completely for elderly couples who will not let anyone, even the love of their life, get in the way of what they want— an everything bagel with onion and chive cream cheese. Then there are the “regulars.” If I have one piece of advice, do not mess with the routine of a regular. They know what they like and how they like it. Ever so often, however, their routine gets jumbled causing them to do the unthinkable, change. When put in such a situation, they respond in either of two ways: they succumb to change and try something new or leave in a melodramatic dash. 

Yes, in my intensive study I have come to learn a lot about human nature. But, as cliché as it sounds, I’ve learned more about myself. From every guest, I understand a little more the person I want to be. As I imagine my college experience, I want to be myself and express my individuality, regardless of peer approval, unlike the stereotypical “teenage clique.” I want to be like an old man and his morning bagel. I do not want to change for others simply to please them. I want to shape my identity from my own experiences. This can only happen if I stop being a “regular” set in his ways and instead become acquainted with change. In the next four years, although I might not always feel comfortable, I want to try new things because nothing life changing ever comes from comfortable or a cinnamon-sugar bagel with strawberry cream cheese.

- Alex Peters 

Alex will be attending George Washington University in the fall as a freshman.  He wrote this piece for his college application essay, and I loved it!  I feel although it may not directly seem like a testimony for the common Networker archetype, it reveals a narrative view of the Networker’s interaction in groups, couples, cliques, and work settings. We are networking energetically each time we come into contact with anyone.  Our lives crisscross one another, and we look for ways to have social flexibility and empathy towards one another.  Working in environments that allow us to develop these skills is a gift that will impact our lives in immeasurable ways.  Good luck Alex!

Coyote is sometimes compared to The Joker or Fool, which puts me in mind of a description I’ve heard of The Joker in a common card deck.  It tells of the once-a-year event, on New Year’s Eve, when the Court Jester (or Joker) is allowed to mock and poke fun at the royals, imitating and acting out their character traits, flaws and all. 

The jokester who makes people laugh, sometimes at his own expense, may bring pain, but this is also a way to get to the underlying truth of who we truly are. We are not perfect, we make mistakes, we often walk around playing a role that doesn’t feel right or true, and when we are reminded to lighten up and let down our guard, a divine hand is guiding the show. 

COYOTE/Trickster 

• Use this medicine to add cheer to a party, lighten up old fogies, sabotage nosey questions about your personal life; have fun!
• Coyote medicine is on its way, and you will laugh, possibly painfully.
• Are things too serious?  Laugh and joke so that new viewpoints may be assumed.
• Beware the art of self-sabotage or being too serious.

Consider this character description of Coyote from The Wisdom of Animals: “You can be sure that Coyote will teach you a lesson about yourself.  He has many magical powers, but they do not always work in his favor. His own trickery fools him.  He falls into his own traps. And yet he somehow manages to survive. He may be banged and bruised by the experience, but he soon goes on his way to even greater error!  He may have lost the battle, but he is never beaten.” Does that sound like a familiar character? The personality traits of Wile E Coyote are no accident!  (The wisdom of animals is old and insinuated into our culture if we look carefully.)  

Coyote represents all the humorous and whimsical things you encounter along life’s way. But also, to many North American indigenous peoples, Coyote is the trickster, whose tricks sometimes backfire. When this happens, go beneath the surface of your experiences to find out what you are really doing and why. Have you conned yourself, your family, your friends, or even the public at large into believing that you know what you are doing? See through the genius of your acts of self-sabotage and laugh! 

When Coyote visits, she is reminding us to lighten up, to not take ourselves so seriously. This provides an opportunity to see things in a new light, and when we allow ourselves to look up from our serious business and have fun or laugh at our mistakes, we enter a new state of being. From this place, wisdom is allowed to emerge. Rather than just the mundane fool – one who trips up again and again without learning from his mistakes – you can use Coyote medicine to become the Divine Fool, mirroring lightness of being in the world and showing others how to live from joy, no matter the circumstances in which they find themselves. The Divine Fool, personified in Tarot, holds within him the wisdom of life and is poised to step into a new future. Coyote’s behavior holds a mirror to our own, reflected with all of our human dichotomies of spirit – generous and greedy, wise and foolish, loving and fearful. We are all things and manage to persevere just like Coyote, who has been maligned and persecuted but adapts and persists.

Here’s another somewhat unique trait of Coyote – he stays with his partner ‘til death do they part. Once a partnership is formed, the pair spends 80% of their time together, often acting as one, lives forever intertwined. With any animal you encounter, consider the traits you want to embody and consciously choose them as your own. What could be more important in life than to find more humor and fun! This is when we are most divine, living in truth and joy.

Everyone will be more interested in intellectual pursuits.  We will all have more difficulty focusing.  We will feel sociable, friendly, enthusiastic and may over-work.  We will find life exciting and we will be attracted to variety.  You will find yourself more than usually swayed by others’ opinions but are quick to comprehend.  You may feel discontent with your situation but your imaginative abilities will be heightened.    Health-wise, there may be the possibility of infections and/or chest colds or chest afflictions during this month.  It is a good opportunity to come up with new ideas for your life, present and future.  You will like 2 of everything.

With Mercury and Venus conjunct in Gemini you will feel sensitive, expressive, agreeable and lighthearted.  You will be kind, sympathetic and fun to be around.  Jupiter adds an expansive quality to your mind, wit, and creative ideas.  You will feel optimistic and hopeful with a generosity of spirit where you will want to spread your happiness.  You must be careful not to be lazy.  Luck should be in your favor with this Jupiter and Venus conjunction.  You will feel affectionate and friendly with lots of positive energy.  It is a good time for romantic endeavors to flourish.  It is a great time for artistic and/or creative activities.

If Gemini rules the first house of your birth chart, you will be especially interested in working quickly and your mind will be inquisitive more than usual.  All of your activities will be protected and you will be interested in self realization processes as well as spiritual topics.  Your personality will be more pleasing than usual, but you may try too hard to please.  You will be attracted to expansive and artistic endeavors.  Happiness and variegated interests should avail themselves in your life.  Your mate should be more attracted to you than usual.

If Gemini rules the second house of your birth chart, you will gain wealth and be clever at finances.  You will speak clearly and you will be humorous in your communications.  You will have benefits from education and it would be a good time to study varieties of topics.  Your speech will be more eloquent, sweet and rapid than usual.  You will eat well but must be careful of over-spending or over-eating.  You will feel jovial and prosperous.  You will become more attracted to your profession or will find a profession that you love.  You may gain jewelry and/or enjoy studying.

If Gemini rules the third house of your birth chart, your businesses may flourish and your communications will improve.  Your writing abilities should be increased.  You may take advantage of educational facilities.  You will feel inclined to travel and your over-all determination will increase.  Your interest in the arts and your family will be heightened.  Your nature will become more refined and you will have pleasant communications.  Your mind will feel creative and resourceful.

If Gemini rules the fourth house of your birth chart, you will win the favor of others with your pleasing speech.  You will feel devoted to your mother or mother figures.  You will be especially kind, considerate and happy.  You must be sure to exert enough effort to accomplish the varieties of projects you have conceived.  You will have good company this month.  You may have the opportunity to gain property or fixed assets.  You may get an opportunity to vacation during the month.  You will spend some enjoyable times with good people.  You will feel spiritually inclined and your personality will be amiable toward everyone.  You may entertain and will feel generally wealthy and fortunate.

If Gemini rules the fifth house of your birth chart, your interest in educating others and/or speaking will increase.  You will socialize with important people.  You may be more interested in sports than usual.  You will be victorious over enemies and you will feel generally successful.  You will also be more spiritually inclined than usual and your happiness with your partner will be more than usual.  You will experience a more affectionate, romantic and imaginative mood.  Your children should prosper this month and you will be drawn to higher education and spiritual thought.  You will feel affection toward and from your children or those whom you mentor.  You will become more wealthy and wise.

If Gemini rules the sixth house in your birth chart, you will be inclined to use your intellect for selfless service.  You will be more intent on your work and may travel.  You may become aware of your enemies but will outsmart any opposition.  You will be clever at planning and strategy.  You may earn through services rendered.  You will conquer over opponents elegantly and will be clever at protecting your interests.  You must be careful of your health and from suffering from over-indulgence.  People will be impressed with you.  You will spend economically for good purposes.  You may get a pet. Your interest in loving affairs will increase.

If Gemini rules the seventh house in your birth chart, your wealth should increase.  Your status in life may improve and you may gain through partnerships, contracts, speech, traveling and/or business.  Your fame may improve.  You could be inclined to change partners and/or jobs.  You will deal well with people and may travel particularly for spiritual purposes.  You will be generous and will gain success and happiness through marriage.  You should experience more conjugal happiness than usual and will be able to avoid friction or quarrels.  You may be called upon to work in group situations and these will be successful.

If Gemini rules the eighth house in your birth chart, your thinking will be transcendental.  Your meditation will be deeper than usual and you will get philosophical insights.  You may gain some inheritance or wealth through others. You may feel some lack of support or recognition.  Your resistance to disease may be lessened.  You may have powerful and clear dreams.  You may gain through your marriage and prosperity could come through your partners.  You will love spiritual pursuits and may gain favors.  You may love solitude more than usual.

If Gemini rules the ninth house in your birth chart, you will be wise in your thinking.  You will speak well and will be charitable.  Your occupation may flourish.  You will be more clever, eloquent and/or religious than usual.  You may travel to foreign lands for knowledge.  You will feel powerful and optimistic.  You could get good teachers or gurus during this time.  You may gain some good reputation for your good works.  You may have prophetic dreams.  Success in publishing could happen.  You will love higher knowledge.  Your talent and/or interest in art will increase.  Your life will become more comfortable.

If Gemini rules the tenth house in your birth chart, your actions will be above blemish.  You will increase your intellectual occupations and be extra thoughtful and discriminating.  You could obtain a raise in your career or take on a second career or field of interest.  You may earn through learning.  You must be careful not to be overly optimistic or extravagant.  You may perform charitable or pious work.  You should be more successful in your business or politics.  Public recognition could be yours.  Social and financial success may occur.  Your love for your work and partner and home will increase.

If Gemini rules the eleventh house in your birth chart, your influence and wealth will be enhanced.  You may gain some prominent people in your life.  Friendships should flourish.  You will be able to hear knowledge from the right sources that will help you gain in your life.  Growth opportunities and profits should increase.  Your cash flow should also increase.  You must be careful to avoid over-expansion or that your children drain your resources.  Your happiness from your children should increase.  Money should increase without effort.  Your nature will be more friendly and merciful than usual.  Your social contacts will increase and improve.

If Gemini rules the twelfth house in your birth chart, you will feel more oriented toward liberation and enlightenment.   Your mind will feel unbounded.  You must be careful of false gurus or authorities.  You will progress in your meditation practices.  You may become fonder of research, investigations and unusual lines of thought.  You may be more inclined toward seclusion.  You must be careful not to be too extravagant.  You will feel inclined toward romance and adventure.  There may be opportunities for you to do good deeds toward your future births.