Remember, we are more than one archetype. If you haven’t read my information about archetypes, please read this first.
It’s hard for some people to imagine that animals might be creative or artistic, and it’s true they don’t take pen to paper or colors to canvas, but there are other ways they express this archetype. Being creative is more than creating art, it is a way of living outside of the box.
I want to address the painting elephants you may have seen on the internet – they are beaten into moving the brush in certain strokes. That is NOT animal creativity (more info here).
However, the male Australian bowerbirds go above and beyond in creating a beautiful nest to find a mate – and the female must equally appreciate the creativity:
Crows get creative to get food:
And most amazing is the puffer fish and its stunning creation:
But how do these qualities express in your beloved domesticated animal? It might be perfecting the bed before lying down, or arranging their toys in a particular way before they play. Most animals do find creative ways to do things – how they get your attention, how they get the other dog/cat to leave them alone, or conversely, engage in play, or even in the way they wake you up in the morning.
Creativity is about finding new ways to express oneself, or finding solutions. Your dog, cat or chinchilla that has a strong creative archetype might be labeled as “smart,” which is true, but they also might be more clever or creative than smart. If they’re finding new ways to do things, especially forbidden things like finding the trash, you may have a strong creative on your hands.
You’ll need to think one step ahead of them in order to keep order at home, and you’ll need to keep them mentally stimulated all the time. There are games designed just for these types, or you can make up your own. Games or toys that make them find patterns are very helpful, and any time you interact with them it’s a good idea to have them solve a puzzle first, such as hiding something or asking for a behavior.
Expressives can also be very dramatic with their creativity, acting as if they feel the pain of the whole world! I’ve known cats and dogs that are the best actors when things don’t go their way. The horribly sad or distraught look they give you as you leave the house can haunt your entire day. They’ve mastered creativity in action. When they step on a rock, they will limp until you acknowledge it, but then run free to catch the frisbee!
As with all the archetypes, if it seems they are playing these characters too far, it’s time to balance with their lesser archetypes. The most important thing to know when living with them is to keep them busy and stay one step ahead of them!
That’s how we are, and that’s how the animals are: different archetypes emerging at different times. Pay attention to the strongest qualities that your animal shows, and remember to play up or down the different qualities as needed.
Please share this with someone you think will enjoy it!
