31 Jan NEWSLETTER ISSUE #2 JAN 8th 2026
Welcome Back
Hey, great to have you back for Newsletter number 2. I hope all is well with you and yours and that you are as excited and expectant as I am for the journey. Don’t worry if you’re not yet, this will be a bit of a slow burn. But it’s time to take this opportunity that being a man presents us seriously and begin to realize the possibilities that life is handing us.- ‘Not everyone gets to be a man you know!’ – Have you ever been able to see this as a privilege?
Throughout the quarterly seasons, each season, The Idea of a Man™ is going to be focussing on one of the corresponding four male archetypes. The Male Archetypes of King, Warrior, Magician and Lover were identified by Jungian Psychologists Gillette and Moore and expanded on by Rod Boothroyd in his updated book for the 21st Century.
The King, the Warrior, the Magician, and the Lover
(A Fairytale)
ZaKaRaYaH’s Cunundrum
The Magician went to his quarters beneath the King’s palace. The Magician had two spaces within the palace; a room at the pinnacle where he could meditate and get in touch with his highest self and a basement laboratory where he could observe what was going on in the inner workings of the Kingdom. The Magician’s role up to this point in the Kings life had been to ensure the Kings survival, he more than anyone else was acutely aware of the unique pressures that the King faced, the expectations and responsibilities as well as the limitations, weaknesses, fears, and inadequacies with which the King wrestled. The Magician realized that if the King didn’t survive, he himself would be out of a job, a situation he’d rather avoid. However, he also knew that simply surviving was anything but living. The Magician’s name was Zakarayah. Zakarayah sat at his desk ensconced in books on shelves in front and on the shelves behind him. He reached up and took a book from the shelf, and grabbed a feather and dipped it in his ink pot before beginning to write in the Journal he kept for the King. He had decided to put together a schedule to take the King to the next stage in his journey. This was solely his responsibility; he was essentially the brains of the operation. While the King held the title which granted him sovereignty, with all its possibilities and opportunities, none of this would be fully realized or of any use to the King’s unique purpose and destiny until he realized life wasn’t to be simply survived – the objective of life was to thrive. The Magician reflected that unless he aroused the King’s awareness to the reality of his situation and what the universe had in mind when circumstances had conspired together such that he was here in this position at this moment in space and time, things would go on business as usual indefinitely. The Magician envisioned a life of continued playing tricks on the King and entertaining himself with the futile nonsense which he’d occupied himself up to now and knew there was no way this could go on. ‘Nope’, he said to himself, rising from his seat and walking over to his workstation where various bits of equipment were strategically placed. Expertly he began to mix a concoction, a special brew of chemicals and potions.
Throughout the 12 months of the year, each month, The Idea of a Man™ newsletter will focus on one of the 12 Chambers of Sovereign Mastery. Introducing and expanding upon these concepts and signposting readers to current relevant material and resources on The Idea of a Man™ website.
Who am I?
We are still asking the question of ‘Who am I?’, in fact this will be the case throughout January. In February we have another question to tackle. But without this foundation how will we even know if our authentic ‘self’ is joining us on the journey, or if down the road we’ll have to begin the game of self-discovery because we neglected to do so in 2026. Let that not be your portion. If you are reading this, let’s consider ourselves as a group of individuals who are partaking in this process of personal development and who are not playing games but are willing to do what it actually takes to be their own unique Idea of a Man™.
As I write, my mind is swirling with the world events occurring around me. My journey as a man has taken me through many twists and turns and I recognize what I have identified as a positive internal desire to genuinely help men on their life’s journey. However, I cannot be a part of the solution unless I deal with, and resolve my own issues. And I have been able to identify a good few of my own issues. In fact, since I first began putting together material for the concept of ‘The Idea of a Man’ my journey has intensified considerably, and I have had to face my demons and do my share of shadow work and plunge to the depth to find the gold at the bottom of the well. Therefore, I’m struck with mixed emotions when I hear of high-profile religious figures exposed and witness wars and rumours of wars with huge philosophical implications. Trying to make head and tail of it all can be disorienting at the least and at worst deeply discouraging.
However, this is exactly what this work is all about, as a man you may be asking what is a man supposed to do? where even should we plonk ourselves – ideologically, physically, relationally, communally amidst the shifting sands of bullshit in which we currently swim.
I have spent many years and considerable effort trying to resolve my own issues, trying to be a part of the solution as opposed to the problem, I don’t have all the answers. But what I have come across which has helped I’ll share.
I recognize I have lots to learn. However, some of the edges of naiveté and immaturity have been challenged at a high level. And I’m quicker to recognize if something is not effective or is set up to simply feed on the issues people face like rogue pharmaceuticals not providing the cure but creating a dependency. My passion is to promote what works and drop the other stuff like a hot sack of potatoes. With that in mind please read Rod Boothroyd’s book Warrior, Magician, Lover, King if you have not already and let your shadow work journey begin. ‘Man, know thyself’ was said for a reason. So if you’re ready The Idea of a Man™ has Podcasts, Videos and Articles as well as Courses and Events coming soon… so watch this space.
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