SO, WHAT IS THE INNER COUNCIL?
‘The Inner Council’ is a symbolic system of characters representing different identities, forces, and patterns in each of us that shape how we think, feel, and show up in this world. Rather than seeing our identity as fixed, The Inner Council recognises that we move between different states of being depending on context, experience, our belief systems and internal patterns.
At times we can decisive, expressive, and certain. But at others times, we can find we’re overly cautious or overthink every damn thing we do to the point we withdrawn from society. These shifts aren’t random, they are structured repeatable patterns that can are recognisable within each of us.
And this is the fun bit, ‘The Inner Council’ gives form to these internal way of being.
Now, as I’ve said, each character represents a distinct identity or force, something that already exists within you, whether you’ve named it or not (or, if you’re anything like me, you’ve ‘filed’ each one under, ‘you can stay’, or you can ‘f*ck off’ category, ha!) So, by turning these invisible forms into something tangible it allows our internal world to be seen rather than it lingering in the recesses of our psyche as something abstract or difficult to define. You don’t need to study the characters to understand them. Recognition often comes first; the body often knows way before logic catches up.
The Role of The Character
Each character within The Inner Council embodies a specific way of thinking, feeling, or response to the world. Some may represent clarity, self-expression, or certainty. While others reflect protection, hesitation, contradiction, or internal tension. None are of our internal characters are random, and neither are they purely fictional. They’re symbolic representations of patterns that exist within the human experience. The purpose of each characters isn’t to label or limit our identity, but to make it into a tangible, visible form.
And when something becomes visible, it’s easier to recognise, question, and step into in an empowering way. This is why we’ll feel an immediate connection to a certain character, because it reflects something inside of us that already feels familiar, even if it hasn’t been consciously acknowledged.
The Domain within 'The Inner Council'
‘The Inner Council’ isn’t just a collection of characters either, (I know - I think too deep at times, ha!) They’re structured into specific domains to create the broader areas of human experience, AND to help encapsulate the storytelling side of life that we humans love, I mean who doesn’t love a good story, right?
These domains represent key aspects of each identity such as self-expression, perception, protection, growth, or internal conflict (to name a few), and each domain acts as a layer within my system to help explain how the different identities relate to one another.
As ‘The Inner Council’ expands, these domains will become more defined over time which will allow for a clearer vision on how each part of us interact, influence each other, and shift over time. This structure allows the system to grow and develop into something with depth and clarity (or at least that’s the goal).
Language, Indentity and Influence
Now here’s the part I think truly brings it all together: our internal language. Language plays a central role in how our identity is formed. The words that we use, both internally and externally, shapes what we believe about ourselves and how we show up in the world. Over time, what we repeatedly tell ourselves, through our chosen words becomes an belief system, and it’s that system that informs our subconscious who we ‘think’ we are and have we must behave in our environment.
Each character within ‘The Inner Council’ carries its own form of language. This may appear as a mantra, a phrase, or a specific tone of thought that reinforces each identity. These aren’t abstract ideas (oh no!) These are practical tools to support a shift in identity; think of these words as a spell to cast, to encapsulate the desired state of being, and when cast enough times, you’ll begin to live that identity and, like magic, the world around you will start to reflect those words back at you.
So, by becoming aware of the language associated with all your different identities, it becomes possible to shift the identities you’re reinforcing on a daily basis. Remember, what we think and say on repeat eventually becomes what we embody. And, guess what, The Inner Council makes this process visible.
From Concept to Form
’The Inner Council’ isn’t designed to be theoretical. Each of the character’s in theis world is translated into a physical form through paintings, prints, sculptural pieces and snazzy merch. These aren’t representations, they’re artefacts that act as a visual anchor. which allow an identity, perspective, or state of being to exist in your physical environment (who doesn’t love a mind personified?)
It’s a common concept in psychology, (and metaphyics) that what we surround ourselves with ultimately influences how we think, feel, and behave. With that in mind, all these pieces are have been designed to reinforce what they represent through their continual presence.
Where Do You See Yourself?
You don’t need to understand the entire system to begin collecting the artefacts. I’ve found most people start with recognition, as in, noticing which character holds their attention, and questioning why that is. it’s that moment of recognition that is often the most important part. It signals that something within you already resonates. And from there, the process becomes less about learning, and more about noticing.
