“May I Help You?”

Unstated Intention of the Server Archetype 

Card Implications in the Upright or Positive Pole.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was a wealthy socialite and wife to one of the most powerful and long serving Presidents of the United States: Franklin D. Roosevelt (Mature – Sage), and favorite niece of President Theodore Roosevelt. She, an Old Soul Server, was one of the most potent and energetic women of the modern era. Mrs. Roosevelt was instrumental for her tireless efforts to have the United Nations adopt The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/); a document which went further than Jefferson’s proposition that “all men are created equal.” On the United Nations web site she is pictured holding a copy of that document. A champion of the “common man” FDR regularly utilized her as a goodwill ambassador. Much of what now is the Social Security fund, is a direct result of her input. Her life paints us a picture of a Server who had monumental influence on not just the U.S. during a time of economic despair, but by the codification of Human Rights, will forever be a stamp of humane ideals and a baseline of basic judicial rights.

Card concepts and  in the Illuminated position.

+ Service

(Capable, caretaker, caring, competent, devoted, friendly, inspiring, loving, nurturing, sweet, warm, personable)

1. Remember what Galadriel said to Frodo in the movie Fellowship of the Ring, “Even the smallest person can change the course of events.” Do not underestimate how pivotal your effect might be. Do your part!
2. You can be of service anytime you put the needs of the person you are with ahead of your own desires. Remember to acknowledge those who have done that for you.
3. When you draw this archetype card, the general message is one of loving service to others.
4. “It is better to give than receive.” This is especially true when you feel abundant enough to share what you have with another. However, when you genuinely receive a gift, you share in the abundance as well. Do both freely.
5. You deserve some help. Get some now. Make sure to ask for it!
6. Servers need to be needed. For this they must connect with others. This card declares that giving service is a source of prowess.
7. What are you doing to contribute? You can tell because it makes you feel vital.
8. A person appears willing to be of service. The skill they offer gives you an advantage, receive it.
9. You can be of service anytime you put the needs of the person you are with ahead of your own desires. Remember to acknowledge those who have done that for you.
10. When you draw this archetype card, the general message is one of loving service to others.
11. Servers comprise the every man. The most populace role, they fill niches that assist all other roles in their progress. Listen to Aaron Copeland’s “Tribute to the Common Man”. Listen and be inspired.
12. The situation requires you to do whatever is necessary to assist or advance. Remember that love is better than guilt for motivating action or giving help.
13. Forget thinking that serving is lowly! Perhaps leading the charge helps most?
14. The key motivation here is to put the needs of another before your own.
15. Drop all airs and be of service.
16. Fill a niche and be of assistance to others.

 Quotations that illustrate this Overleaf pole:

• “Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” Gautama Siddhartha, the Buddha
• “You cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening your own.” Ben Sweetland
• If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve? ~John Adams
• “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”~ Woodrow Wilson

Card Implications in the Reversed Position or Negative Pole 

In keeping with the more contemporary and recent historic memory, it was less than a century ago, that children were exploited in the United States; as they are still in many other countries. Bondage = no choice! This image taken from the National Archive, shows a group of boys – all less than age 12, who worked 60 hour weeks as coal miners in the Appalachia’s. Contrary to the ridiculous arguments made by exploiters of cheap labor, these children were not “participating in a free labor market” any more than the African slaves put in bondage during the first 200 years of America’s history. Actual bondage may involve chains, or imprisonment, or physical enslavement; but practically speaking it is the powerlessness to make changes on their own behalf, a lack of options, and subjection to harsh reprisal that defines those in this pole. It reminds us that the battered wife, the child sold into factory work in some 3rd world sweatshop – all serve, but gain none of the rewards, and have barely enough to survive themselves.

Card messages in the Negative or Shadow Pole.

– Bondage

(Covert, Domineering, Doormat, Enslaved, Frustrated, Martyred, Manipulating, Overworked, Self-Sacrificing, Subservient, Victimized, covert, sniping, doormat, subservient, slave, servitude, malicious obedience, ridiculing-ed)

1. When you believe that you have no choice over your actions, then you live as a slave to fear!
2. When one believes they are manipulated by Fate life loses joy. You are in bondage! In this situation, who is manipulating whom?
3. “Poor me look at how helpless I am.” The downtrodden believe that the only power they have is to tug at the heart strings of another. Notice if you or some else is manipulating the situation with this act. Pity demands others indulge it, not empathize and support a solution.
4. The mood carries a feeling of burden and overwhelm. Beware the immobilization of helplessness.
5. Remember that your waiter or waitress is handling your food. Being a jerk to those who serve you just because you think yourself in control can invite unexpected consequences. Remember: what is out of sight is out of mind, but NOT out of the range of possibility.
6. Are you under the whip? If you are feeling abused get out, or examine your own masochism.
7. Remember the maid character in the movie “The Help”? The pie she made for her spiteful employer had ingredients that were nasty! Just because you think yourself in control, what is out of sight is out of mind. 
8. Surrender and defeat are not the same. The first is a choice to live life. The second is a giving up on life and waiting to die.
9. There is a manipulator in your midst posing as a helper while subtly directing other through feigned deference of seemingly advantageous suggestions. Name him/her.
10. All one has to do to become a slave to some habit or individual is to go along without questioning or challenging assumptions or orders. Eventually, one is so used to the status quo they can’t even see it anymore…but they chafe under it continuously.

Quotations that illustrate this Overleaf pole:

• “Servitude degrades men even to making them love it.” Vauvenargeues
• “Pressed into service means pressed out of shape.” ~ Robert Frost
• “Where there’s service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.” ~ Ayn Rand
• “Citizenship consists in the service of the country.” Jawaharlal Nehru

Server Role Overleaf Energy in The Michael Teaching

Service and essence-effacing simplicity is said to have the mark of true inspiration attached to it. The Server is the individual whose native view of the essence has connected to it a need to demonstrate adequacy. The Server will always seek out the road, even reluctantly, that leads to fulfillment of the drive to take care or another thus feeling that they have a place. Though capable of great power behind the scenes, the Stoic repose. Though highly sensitive, the Server would often rather withdraw than confront. This sort of resignation can lead to a passive-aggressive way of dealing concepts rooted in it make it the most useful for future expansion. When a Server is underutilized there actions will be fragmented or stiff. When over utilized the mood changes to one of burden, but when provided a challenge in which they see a mutual gain, they are tireless.

When cast in terms of the Divine Nature of an Omnipotent Being, it would be associated with aspects we might call personify as the Loving and Healing quality of God – personal and present.

Life Metaphor and Implied Motto

Life is for doing good in the world. Hard work. Giving to other people.

Cultural & Historical Context

Perhaps called the every man, or the backbone of society, or the fabric of the community, this is the character of simply doing what needs to be done. Often with little fanfare and reward, the Server connotes modesty in action. This Archetype draws satisfaction from a job well done. Focusing on the task rather than the reward, this is the energy of “hard work” and the “Protestant Work Ethic.” Achievements are seldom just for personal gain, but somehow must serve a purpose for something greater than themselves. This may occur either with desire or under the whip of actual slavery or perceived bondage. Because this energy is not boisterous nor overly self-aggrandizing, it often lacks status or public exaltation or the wealth that accompanies great achievement. When exalted roles speak about all of the “little people who made it possible” they are addressing the Server whose “behind the scenes” efforts shores up the ability of the more extroverted to perform. Consider this comparison: while laurel wreaths are bestowed upon the Warrior as hero, the common soldier, sadly but often “cannon fodder” is the Server. Positions generally nondescript like the staff, or chorus, or workers, or laborers, or rabble, bear the mark of an Archetype that does not tend to distinguish itself for its own purpose and therefore tends not to be recognized, nor necessarily aspire to, individual self expression. Mom, is the ultimate Server caretaker.

Famous Examples of this Archetype

1. People: Mother Teresa, Jimmy Stewart, Florence Nightingale, Peter Lorie, Anne Frank, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, George W. Bush, Phil Donahue, Prince Charles of England, Ram Dass, Pope John XXIII, Monica Lewinsky, Emily Post, Grandma Moses, Mother Mary (of Jesus), Garrison Keeler, Dr. Gabor Mate. Harriet Tubman,
2. Mythical or Cartoon characters: Cupid, BooBoo the Bear (of Yogi Bear), BabaLou (of Quick draw McGraw), Sancho Panza (Don Quixote), Tanto (to the Lone Ranger)
3. Institutions: Hinduism, Red Cross, Salvation Army, CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) Peace Corp, Hospice
4. Familiar Occupations: laborers, warehouseman construction workers, food service, prostitutes, nurses, general practitioner doctors,
5. Animal Totems: Elephant, sheep, cows, sea urchins, krill, ants
6. Inventions or works of art: Plow, shovel, restaurants, hotels, toilet
7. Cities and Nationalities China, India, Hawaiian Islanders,

Identity Statements for the Server Role Energy
(Not every aspect may be in play.)

1. I see myself in a support position.
2. I try to treat people as an equal.
3. My efforts are best given in a personal one-on-one way.
4. My attention tends toward eliminating problems and suffering that I can directly affect.
5. Service others in a practical way makes me feel useful and competent.
6. Though working alone is OK, I enjoy being on a team that serves others.
7. I regard service as a noble endeavor, and at times, even a duty.
8. I’m feel most inspired when I am needed.
9. Like it or not, I tend to be forgiving and nurturing.
10. I relate to the common man, the lowly, the working class, and pity the poor.
11. When needing to get things done, I might try to exert control by being pushy or manipulative.
12. If people would just let me take care of them, they’d be fine.
13. My intentions are always with your best interests at heart.
14. Since I consider meeting the needs of others my special calling, I get frustrated when I’m not allowed to serve.
15. I notice that I am under appreciated and can be taken for granted.
16. People see me as a caretaker, a tool, take me for granted and treat me like a doormat.
17. My need for and sense of home and to provide a haven that nurtures everyone is of paramount importance. How it looks is of secondary importance.
18. Careers or vocations that seem to naturally appeal to me are doctor or nurse, diplomat, public or civil servant, social worker, construction laborer, office worker, food server, doting husband or wife, PTA member, or Scout leader.
19. Making sure that people are fed and warm is a big driver of my ideals.
20. I assume leadership if is to serve the personal needs of others and ease undo hardship.
21. Being less boisterous and rarely seeking to draw attention to myself, I prefer to serve the goal rather than simply serve myself for praise or gain.
22. Friends and family would probably say of me that I am one of the first to chip-in and help; and usually good-natured or self-effacing about it.

The Server Set

• Unifying Set Image: Fireman’s Helmet – Significance = Selfless Service of the First Responders
• Common Color: Green: denoting the Heart chakra, the Emotional Center
• Background Image: Meant to denote the land, vegetation, and free flowing willingness to be a primary source of nourishment for all who partake. It is beauty in simplicity.

The Server Set comprises the fundamental energies listed below. These subordinate Overleaves are second-nature to that Role. They are embedded in, and native to, the construction of this Role as design defaults. Visually displayed under the Server column on the Card Color Chart in Section 1, realize that if no other Overleaves were chosen from other categories by a person of that Role, they would automatically orient to these nested qualities.

The Server Cards are all Ordinal (Card 59), Inspiration-oriented(Card 63), and possesses the native desire to attend to the common good. Instead of the acceleration of Growth they will slow their advance in the Goal of Re-evaluation (Card 12), and even retard their own efforts. Their Mode of Reservation (Card 33) always seeks out the road where it is least noticed or offensive to others but when it is does so with grace and courtesy. So much so, that they may slump into Self-Deprecation (Card 26) the Chief Feature which causes one to perceive themselves, or their needs, of lesser value than others. Yet, they are capable of great power behind the scenes, and are helped by maintaining the repose of a Stoic Attitude (Card 19). The anchoring into the Emotional Center (Card 40) equips the Server with the sensitivity that would often rather have them withdraw rather than confront. This sort of resignation can lead to a passive-aggressive way of dealing with concepts rooted in it but makes it the most useful for future expansion.

Capable of setting a tone of inspirational hard work, they usually resist the limelight or grand adulation. On the downside, they can feel downtrodden, unhappy, burdened, and trapped by their sense of duty. To escape feeling encumbered they may take to manipulating others sympathy. It their way of exerting covert control and is the way that the meek inherit the earth. Preferring to blend and not be too visible, they prefer the almost plain look of the Lunar Body Type. Its features are simple, almost childlike in their minimal development and otherwise draw little attention to themselves except how “average” it
might appear.

When a person has chosen any of the Server characteristics, they are engaging aspects to utilize or evaluate. Notice the particular card you draw. If you chose the Server Role, you are asked, “How can you make a contribution in supporting the common good?” Not as you define it, but as what you bring as skills to help. It is not about you, it is about making something better. This includes you as well as others.

From One Archetype to the Next…

Servers, you are the raw materials, ready to be shaped. How can it be best formed and utilized? The need for an inventor and designer is ready to be manifest. TAO directs the process toward the force which makes the scenery and writes the scripts. For that purpose of making the costumes, building the sets, composing the background music, and putting the actors on their marks, the next aspect to explore is the Artisan Role – Card 2.

by Stephen Cocconi –  2011 © Updated 2024

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