An exploration into the force that rises to meet us when we step into purpose

The Dream that Would Not Let Go

In my early thirties, I began to experience a recurring dream. In it, a dark figure chased me relentlessly. There was no ambiguity about its intent - it wanted to destroy something essential within me. This dream came again and again, and although I explored it extensively in psychotherapy and tried to approach it from every psychological and spiritual angle I could, nothing quite shifted its presence.

It was reflected to me that this dream figure symbolised an inner fear, a part of my psyche that I had disowned or suppressed. The interpretation made sense to some degree. I could feel how this energy surfaced in waking life as a harsh inner critic - an internal voice that rose up in moments when I moved toward something meaningful, attempting to paralyse me with doubt or perfectionism. But even with this understanding, something about the dream continued to feel unresolved. There was an intuition that this energy was more than a fragmented part of my personality; it felt larger than me, something archetypal, ancient and collective.

As I continued my own healing and soul work, and as I began supporting others through their personal transformations, I started to see the same pattern and a similar energy reflected back in their experiences - either through similar dreams or parts that arose in our sessions. This was particularly present among those who felt called to serve, to share a message, or to bring something meaningful into the world; there was almost always a moment where this destructive force appeared in some form or other.

The Inner and Outer Manifestations of Resistance

In the work I do with clients - many of whom are preparing to step into new roles as coaches, guides, or creators - I often witness the emergence of this distinct energy just as they begin to bring their work into the world. Internally, this can manifest as self-doubt, perfectionism, parts which fear being seen, or a sense of fraudulence. Externally, it often takes the form of criticism, resistance from others or the sudden appearance of obstacles.

This energy always seems to surface when someone is standing at the edge of their expansion, ready to birth something that feels connected to their purpose. However, it’s not always just a part of them holding fear or procrastination; it’s often something more charged, a force which is both personal and collective that becomes activated precisely when we move toward our deepest sense of purpose.

The Predator Archetype

What I have come to experience is that this energy is not simply a psychological part, like an inner critic or wounded child, but it’s something archetypal that lives within the collective human experience. It is what Francis Weller has called the ‘predator archetype’, which is a psychic force that seeks to devour potential, suppress vitality and sabotage authenticity. In his book The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Weller describes the predator as a shapeshifter. It can appear as addiction, perfectionism, numbness, or chronic indecision. Its purpose is consistent: to pull us away from the life we are meant to live, and to seduce us into a smaller version of ourselves. It is especially active when we approach the threshold of meaningful work. 

Clarissa Pinkola Estés also writes about this archetypal energy in Women Who Run with the Wolves. In her interpretation of the Bluebeard myth, she introduces us to the ‘natural predator’ that exists in the psyche and seeks to kill off the creative, intuitive, and instinctual aspects of the self. It is cunning and elusive, often appearing in the guise of rationality or false humility, convincing us that it is dangerous to be fully seen, to speak our truth or to step into leadership.

Similar figures appear across cultures - the Wetiko spirit in Native American tradition is considered a parasitic force that feeds on fear and causes individuals or societies to turn against life, to forget their inherent connection to spirit, and to destroy what is sacred. 

The Real Consequences of Listening to the Predator

When we do not recognise this archetypal force for what it is, we risk believing its voice and begin shrinking or silencing ourselves - turning away from our purpose. The more we retreat in fear, the more power we give to the predator. This force does not always appear monstrous as it did in my dreams; sometimes it wears a mask of reason, telling us to wait until we are ‘more qualified, ’ ‘more healed,’ or ‘more certain. ’ It may sound like humility, but its purpose is to keep us from the fullness of our lives, and the closer we get to our calling, the louder it becomes.

Reframing the Predator as Threshold Guardian

Rather than seeing this force as something we must destroy or overcome, we can view it as a guardian of the threshold - something that is meant to be met by us. In mythology, the hero is always met by a being or force that stands between the old self and the new life. This guardian tests the hero’s readiness, demanding a kind of inner fortitude before access is granted to the 'next level' of consciousness. This is similar to how, in Jungian psychology, the shadow is not an enemy but an essential part of the individuation process. We do not become whole by eliminating darkness but by facing it with awareness, compassion, and courage. The predator archetype, in this context, may be a test before transformation. 

Meeting the Predator with Awareness

When this energy appears - whether in ourselves or in those we support - it is crucial that we do not dismiss it or bypass it with 'positive thinking'. We must name it and understand the terrain we are walking through.  In my work, this means creating space for the full complexity of what is arising. We explore the form, the emotions, the message and the deeper layer of what is calling for attention. Often, the predator does not need to be defeated so much as to be met, respected, acknowledged, and honoured as part of the soul’s journey. Through this process, we reclaim the authority to choose how we move forward.

An Invitation to the Soul

So, perhaps the appearance of the predator energy is not a sign that something has gone wrong, but that something is being born. It may be that the fear we feel in these moments is not a warning to stop, but a signal that we are nearing the edge of something sacred. The question is not whether we will feel fear or doubt, but how we will meet it. By engaging it with awareness and courage, we take back our power to choose, to step forward anyway, and to live from our soul’s truth. The predator, then, becomes not the destroyer of our path, but the dark initiator that confirms we are indeed walking it.

About the Author: Jules De Vitto 

Jules De Vitto is a transpersonal coach, trainer, and experienced educator with over 18 years of study and practice in the fields of psychology, coaching, therapy, and education. She holds a BSc in Psychology, an MA in Education, and an MSc in Transpersonal Psychology, Consciousness, and Spirituality. Jules specialises in guiding individuals through deep emotional and spiritual transformation, supporting them to align with their authentic power and life purpose.

With a strong foundation in transpersonal approaches, Jules draws on integrative methods that honour the intersection of psychology, consciousness, and spiritual growth. She is a Reiki Master and Teacher and has completed Michael Harner’s Shamanic Practitioner Training through the Foundation of Shamanic Studies, as well as a Grief Ritual Leadership Training with Francis Weller. Her work is rooted in years of personal and professional engagement with transformative healing modalities.