Most people fall into one or more of the eight money archetypes. (You can read about the first four money archetypes – innocent, victim, artist/creator, and magician – here. ) This is a simple way to identify and evaluate your relationship with money, and how the archetypes might be affecting your financial success. Money types might, and most likely will change over time. The more you work on your limiting beliefs, patterns, and behaviors around money, the faster you can change the unfavourable money types into more positive ones. Below, you can read about martyr, fool, tyrant, and warrior archetypes.

Characteristics of the Martyr Type: ● Controlling ● Manipulative ● Long-suffering ● Secretive ● Caretakers ● Self-sacrificing ● Disappointed ● Critical ● Judgmental ● Perfectionist ● Resentful ● Passive-aggressive ● Compassionate ● Wise

Busy taking care of others’ needs, but often neglect their own. Not conscious of their own suffering. Tend to be self-sacrificing and long-suffering. They may be financially generous/giving but can have strings attached. Can have boundary issues. Needs to learn to receive. “I’m so tired – when is it going to be my turn?”

Financially speaking, Martyrs generally do more for others than they do for themselves. They often rescue others (a child, spouse, friend, partner) from some circumstance or other. However, Martyrs do not always let go of what they give and are repeatedly let down when others fail to measure up to their expectations.

They have formed an unconscious attachment to their own suffering. The Martyr moves between two distinctly different energies: one that seeks to be in control and control others, and the other is the wounded, often very needy, child. Martyrs tend to be perfectionists. They have high expectations of themselves and others, which makes them quite capable of realising their dreams because they put so much energy into needing to be correct.

Like Victims, Martyrs often live in high drama, experience a lot of highs and lows. They struggle with their attachment to a negative experience. They see the glass as half empty instead of half full. Their focus on the negative often keeps them from realising the deep wisdom that lies within their experience. Martyrs who are willing to do their own work to heal their woundedness can become gifted healers and powerful manifestors – money Magicians.

Characteristics of the Fool Type: ● Restless ● Undisciplined ● Financially irresponsible ● Impetuous ● Optimistic ● Overly generous ● Happy-go-lucky ● Adventurous ● Lives for today

 elatively fearless, often impulsive, and can get caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment. May lack discipline, be restless, or overly generous. Need to develop patience and slow down their decision-making process.

The Fool plays by a different set of rules altogether. A gambler by nature, the Fool is always looking for a windfall of money by taking financial shortcuts. Even though the familiar adage “a fool and his money are soon parted” often comes true, Fools often win because they are willing to throw the dice and take chances.

The Fool is really a combination of the Innocent and the Warrior. Like the Innocent, the Fool is often judgment impaired and has difficulty seeing the truth about things. An adventurer, the Fool gets caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment, caring little for the details. The primary difference between Fools and Innocents is that Fools are relatively fearless in their endeavors and remain eternal optimists regardless of the circumstances. Fools are like Warriors as they always land on their feet and are not easily defeated.

The Fool also sets out to conquer the world but is easily distracted and lacks the discipline of the Warrior. The Fool is much more interested in money-making as a sport or form of recreation than as a serious endeavor. Fools would happily give the shirt off their backs only to realize later that it wasn’t their shirt or that it was their last.

The Fool does possess some rather remarkable qualities that, if mastered, make him quite capable of becoming a Magician. The Fool lives very much in the moment and is relatively unattached to future outcomes. Most of what Fools pursue is for the simple pleasure of doing it. Most of us could learn from this characteristic of the Fool. However, until the Fool becomes enlightened, they will attract money easily only to have it quickly slip through their fingers, simply because they are not paying attention.

Characteristics of the Tyrant Type: ● Controlling ● Rigid ● Manipulative ● Fearful ● Oppressive ● Secretive ● Highly materialistic ● Unforgiving ● Prone to rage or violence ● Highly critical and judgmental ● Aggressive

Can use money to manipulate and control people, events, and circumstances. May not feel at peace or comfortable with themselves. Money makes them feel safe. Their greatest fear is loss of control and that without money, they would be unloved and worthless.

The Tyrant hoards money, using it to manipulate and control others (Think about Scrooge McDuck). Although Tyrants may have everything they need or desire, they never feel complete, comfortable, or at peace. The Tyrant’s greatest fear is loss of control. Tyrants have often overdeveloped Warriors who have become highly invested in their need for control and dominance.

While Warriors are often heroic in their genuine concern for others’ welfare, Tyrants are purely self-interested. This type is interested in power and control for its own sake and will forsake other people if necessary to gain more of it. Throughout history, the Tyrant has emerged as the ruler who dominates and destroys with no remorse. Tyrants are the political leaders, businesspeople, or family figures who use whatever means necessary to win at all costs.

The Tyrant is a master manipulator of both people and money. Perhaps it’s because the Tyrant type is often the most financially successful image in our society. So many of us believe that money is the root of all evil. Tyrants, however, are not as rich as they appear. Sure, they have everything money can buy (which often includes beautiful people) and never have to worry about paying the phone bill. Still, they lack many things that money cannot buy. They are often, despite their apparent success, very fearful and rarely feel any sense of fulfillment. The Tyrant suffers from a condition I call “chronic not-enough-ness.”

Characteristics of the Warrior Type: ● Powerful ● Driven ● Loyal ● Competitive ● Disciplined ● Goal-oriented ● Financially successful ● Confident ● Calculating ● Generous ● Rescuers ● Wise ● Discerning 

The Warrior is an ideal Money Type. Take charge, be goal-oriented, get it done. Successful in business, focused, decisive & in control. Discerning, powerful, driven, and financially self-actuated. The Warrior sets out to conquer the money world and is generally seen as successful in the business and financial worlds. Warriors are adept investors — focused, decisive, and in control.

Although Warriors will listen to advisors, they make their own decisions and rely on their own instincts and resources to guide them. Warriors often have difficulty recognising the difference between what appears to be an adversary and a worthy opponent. A worthy opponent should be embraced as an opportunity to put down the sword and recognise the potential for growth and transformation being offered in disguise. Worthy opponents are most easily recognised as the person with whom you have the most significant conflict.

When we step back and recognise the lessons this person has to teach, even when disguised as conflict, their presence is worthy of our attention. The world is filled with Warrior types. Some enjoy the sport of business and the skillful art of negotiating. Others have a single-minded intent to simply win at any cost.

The primary fears at the heart of a Warrior are dependence and loss of power. The spiritual journey of Warriors, financially speaking, is to understand what they are genuinely seeking to protect or conquer and establish boundaries around what is truly important to them. This means knowing when to pick up the sword and why and when to put it down. We all need a bit of healthy Warrior inside of us, and it is this dimension of us makes things happen. The question is, at what cost? An enlightened Warrior knows the answer.

Read about the other four money types, innocent, victim, creator/artist and magician, here.

It takes time and patience to learn to become a money Warrior and Magician. By discovering and evaluating your particular money types, you can begin a different kind of financial education, one that is specific to you. Money coaching provides the framework to explore your personal money behaviour in the context of your unique background, beliefs, and experience. Doing this work will prepare you to realise your long-term goals.