feminine archetypes: the 12 aspects of the divine feminine

Feminine Archetypes | You are not a single female archetype. When you call on all twelve aspects of the Divine Feminine in your daily life, you unlock your inherent feminine magic to achieve effortless balance, flow, ease and joy!

After reading the book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, I began looking for the mirror text that would guide me into the archetypes of the Mature Feminine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any books that illustrated the beautiful and complex world of female archetypes. Despite studying ancient literature and comparative mythology my whole life, I struggled to identify positive examples of the power I know resides within me and half the human race.

I found catalogues of goddesses and books telling me I was a goddess. I explored Jung, studied the Maiden, Mother and Crone tropes, and experimented with the four lunar phases of our monthly cycle. But nothing felt like the rubric I was searching for.

One night, I glimpsed a vision of a Circle, a space where all of the many facets of Feminine Strength could be celebrated. Twelve ‘muses’ stepped forward and presented themselves to me and I have done my best to write down the vision I saw.

I have begun the process of researching each archetype, but that will be a lifelong journey. I hope you will join me on that journey and go deeper for yourself.

Which elements resonate with you? Take what serves you as you continue your own Heroine’s Journey!

“Which Feminine Archetype am I?”

People ask me: “What female archetype am I?” They search for a female archetype quiz, so someone else can tell them which goddess they are. But the truth is: You are all of the feminine archetypes and none of them.

The real YOU — your soul which is none of the female archetypes and all of them — stands in the center of the Circle. As you engage with life, identify which of the feminine archetypes best serves each season and situation. Listen to the voices of all of the female archetypes, manage priorities and take action. Your role is Arbiter and Action-Taker.

At any given point in our lives, we experience Gaps. Gaps may manifest as not enough money, not enough time, not enough patience, not enough fun. Or we may identify gaps through uncomfortable emotions like depression, anger, jealousy, or anxiety. Gaps always indicate a lack of balance between the archetypes.

If you have been channeling one for too long or simply haven’t not recognized and made room for the other feminine archetypes, take this opportunity to feel into which one will serve you best. 

Personally, my Queen archetype reigned supreme for many years. I was exclusively focused on building my empire, making money and changing the world. And while the Queen Archetype is indefatigable and infinite in her ability to get things done, my poor little human self burned out.

I was exhausted, physically and mentally. Nothing was exciting anymore; everything felt like work.

The solution was making space for the Wise Woman. I spent time with my internal landscape to rediscover my true identity. I realized that I needed to prioritize the Maiden, who loves to play; the Lover, who values pleasure; and the Creator, who must express herself.

I now have play dates with myself and my kids; I enjoy delicious food, lots of sex, and bubble baths; and I’m pursuing the Muse wherever she leads, even if it doesn’t seem lucrative.

If you have historically associated with one archetype most strongly, try looking at the female archetype directly across from it in the circle. For example, if you’ve been filling the role of “The Mother” for too long, it may be time to tap into your “Lover” and prioritize personal pleasure for a while!

Why the Feminine Archetypes Matter

Each of the female archetypes is necessary for a balanced Feminine Life — not through dilution or moderation, but by allowing one strength to pull against the others. Think of the Circle as a trampoline with twelve anchor points.

A trampoline is held tight because each spring is actively engaged. If one spring fails, the trampoline sags; if too many springs are missing, it is no longer any fun (or safe enough) to bounce upon.

As individuals, we do not strive to “become” one of the feminine archetypes, but to allow the energy of all twelve to manifest in our lives as we need their particular flavor and strength.

We may have a primary archetype that we resonate most strongly with during certain seasons of our lives, but the goal is to live a fully-expressed life, where all of your beautiful self is celebrated and there is room to dance with all twelve Feminine Archetypes in their radiant perfection.

The Four Quadrants

Just as Nature has four seasons, the female archetypes can be classified into four distinct roles they play in our lives. In the same way that you cannot declare Summer better than Spring and Winter is as necessary as Fall, be sure to incorporate all four aspects of the Divine Feminine in your life to feel truly balanced.

Disrupt

The Warrior, Wild Woman, and Enchantress female archetypes serve to disrupt the status quo and destroy what no longer serves us. Too often we ignore the tempestuous power of the Disruptive Archetypes to our detriment, allowing people-pleasing habits and self-worthiness wounds to pile responsibilities onto our plate.

Lean into the unapologetically chaotic energy of these archetypes when you’re ready for a fresh start!

Restore

Occasionally misunderstood as “passive”, the Maiden, Healer, and Lover feminine archetypes serve a critical function in our personal lives and society as a whole. Don’t confuse meekness as weakness; it takes true strength to maintain your childlike heart in today’s world.

Channel these Restorative Archetypes when you need more play, grace, and pleasure in your life.

Create

The Visionary, Creator, and Queen feminine archetypes embody the magical ability of women to make something out of nothing. Driven to incarnate the beauty they see in their minds, the Creative Archetypes serve to birth and build the New.

Step into these archetypes when you need inspiration, creativity, and a boost of charismatic authority.

Nurture

Perhaps the most familiar quadrant, the Mother, Wise Woman, and Priestess archetypes are the ones who nurture the world. While their counterparts create new things or destroy old ones, they cherish, sustain and preserve what IS.

Call upon these Nurturing Archetypes when you need a little more compassion and a solid dose of self-care.

A Few Caveats

First, while some of the Female Archetype nouns are inherently “female” (like Maiden, Enchantress, Priestess, and Queen), I have not gone out of my way to feminize the other nouns (like Creator, Warrior, and Seer) by adding an -ix or -ess suffixes. I believe each archetype stands on her own, separate from gender. These are the manifestations of Feminine Energy which can be found in any body.

They transcend language and the political history of pronouns. Similarly, I use the word “God” rather than “Goddess” when referring to the Ultimate Reality, because I view it as the broader-encompassing title; much the same way “Man” refers to all humankind, while “Woman” inherently excludes males.

Second, I am clear that these are Archetypes, not goddesses. These are attributes of the Divine Feminine, not incarnations of it. While many goddesses throughout history have embodied certain archetypes, each goddess has her own personality, just as every woman does.

By all means, feel free to associate with a particular goddess or figure from history as your “patron saint” if it helps you understand and embody these principles, but you are not praying to the Archetypes themselves — they are serving you.

Third, you’ll notice that my Feminine Archetypes are “Shadowless.” A lot of Women’s Literature focuses on the Shadow Selves. Having done “Shadow Work” — bringing to light and making peace with the elements of ourselves that we have judged and shunned — I understand its importance in one’s personal healing journey (and I highly recommend Debbie Ford’s book The Dark Side of the Light Chasers).

However, I do not focus on the female archetypes’ shadows for several reasons. First, I felt that the “dangers” of each archetype have been adequately expounded upon in the last 3,000 years of literature. You won’t be able to read each Archetype without being able to identify how she has been vilified at some point in the past. You will be painfully aware of her weaknesses as you judge yourself and feel judged by others in each role.

Fourth, the whole point of the Circle is that where there is imbalance, you can look around the Circle for a contrasting perspective on the situation and decide which element best serves your immediate needs. Let the archetypes balance the archetypes, each one shining and bold, instead of trying to “temper” or dilute them.

Lastly, talking about the Divine Female Archetypes is not a space for male-bashing. Anthropologically, many civilizations and the main world religions have prioritized males for positions of power. As the record-keepers, men often mistranslated the Feminine Story. But I trust that all things are working out for the highest good of all.

I believe that the Divine Masculine is just as important for the balance of the cosmos as the Divine Feminine. I love men, and I believe that the majority of men genuinely desire women in their lives to step fully into their Power.

Unfortunately, I know too many women who have stolen their power from the men in their lives, rather than owning their unique strength and empowering everyone around them. I believe the Feminist Movement tried to emasculate the Masculine rather than embody the Feminine.

I advocate a world of High Contrast – the stark black and the blinding white of the undiluted Tao – where the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine dance in perfect power.

The Goal: Live “Fully Expressed” Using the Feminine Archetypes

It is my hope that you will see and love yourself in each of the Female Archetypes. Appreciate yourself as a complex whole who deserves to live a full-expressed life!

“Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything yet also nurture my self-care and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life – that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts.

We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides.
It is enough.”

― Victoria Erickson

THE WARRIOR – Feminine Archetype

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is
for good women to do nothing.”

Edmund Burke (adapted)

She Values: Justice

Her Function: To Fight

The Warrior is a Fighter. Her sensitive spirit discerns injustice and she refuses to condone it with silence. She will not hold back and never minces words; she calls out life exactly as she sees it.

When she identifies wrong-doing, she’ll move Heaven and Earth to set things right. Her voice is a trumpet’s cry, rallying people and resources for the battle. 

Like a Mama Bear, she will protect her own, and she embraces the whole world as her own. She is the Defender of orphans and widows, the broken and downtrodden.

Safety is not her concern; she doesn’t care if you like her or not. She is on a mission, willing to sacrifice everything for the cause, including her personal happiness. Her work is more important than her comfort. Righteousness will always win the day, if it’s up to the Warrior.

The Warrior is highly physical, recognizing that discipline and training not only enhance her strength and stamina, but hone her mind and will as well. Her high-energy and active nature inspire others to get up and tackle the challenges in their own lives.

Call on the Warrior when you want Courage to Change the Unacceptable;
when you need the strength to speak up for yourself and
stand up for what is right.

Some exercises for Awakening your Warrior:

• Allow yourself to feel into any anger you’ve been suppressing lately. Lock yourself in a room and rage. Scream, punch pillows, and howl at the moon. 
  
• Make a list of all the things you’ve been tolerating – all the “small miseries” in your personal and professional life, and resolve to address at least one
  
• Sometimes it’s easier to stand up for someone else than it is for yourself. Does anyone in your life need support to face a challenging situation or conversation? Offer your aid!
  
• Get active: Take up a martial art or kickboxing at the gym
  
• Hang a punching bag on your property and buy some boxing gloves
  
• Dance the Maoris’ Haka or try the Shakti Warrior Dance for Healing course by Alice Bracegirdle
  
• Listen to “My Fight Song” by Rachel Platten

To explore deeper, check out:

• Joan of Arc
  
• Rosa Parks
  
• “Women Warriors” by Pamela D. Toler
  

THE WILD WOMAN – Feminine Archetype

She Values: Freedom

Her Function: To Raze

The Wild Woman is a Force of Nature. Like a hurricane or a forest fire, she carries the power of the Creation-as-Chaos, cleansing the world of manmade artifices. She sees through illusion and can’t stand dishonesty, especially self-deception. With her, what you see is what you get and she does not apologize. Any attempt to tame or gentle the Wild Woman will backfire.

Like the Maenads of old, the Wild Woman is not regulated by traditional ties like family bonds or the status quo. She is made to run and jump and swim and fly — and no one can stop her!

In a world that craves continuous growth and only “Likeable” material, the Wild Woman is not afraid of Nature’s Dark Side. Death and destruction are simply the other half of the wheel of time.

She recognizes that the ebb is no better than the flow; that winter is as necessary as spring. She is unafraid to rip her work to shreds and start fresh.

Some shun her as a monster, because she does not fit into their sanitary, civilized milieus. She is not “nice”. She is certainly no lady.

But she calls out the wild and free in each of us, showing us a different way of life. For her, things are simple. Priorities are easy and taking action is instinctual.

Call on the Wild Woman when you want Freedom and a Fresh Start,
when you need the strength to make hard decisions and
let go of all that no longer serves you.

Some exercises for Awakening your Wild Woman:

• Spend time in nature – take a walk or a hike, or several days alone in a cabin in the woods
• Watch animals; play with the cuddly ones and carefully observe the dangerous ones – the Wild Woman is both
• Be loud. Make noise: Howl. Bark. Growl. Hiss. Purr. Roar.
• Break stuff. Old crockery you’ve always secretly thought was ugly? Throw it on the concrete and beat it with a bat. Ready to get rid of clothes that no longer fit? Rip them into shreds with your bare hands.
• If there are reminders the past that you wish to be free from, set them on fire

To explore deeper, check out:

• Kali, the goddess of death and change, born of Shiva the Destroyer
• Pan, the god who is half animal, and Artemis, the virgin goddess of the Wilderness
• “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

THE ENCHANTRESS – Feminine Archetype

“Where there is a woman, there is magic.”

Ntozake Shange

She Values: Mystery

Her Function: To Woo

Called many names throughout history – Seductress, Sorceress, Siren – the Enchantress is the embodiment of magic and mystery. She calls us from the Known into the Unknown, inviting us to leave everything that has defined us in the past, and forge ahead in pursuit of our dreams.

The Enchantress is a magnet for all that she desires, calling in the longings of her heart with ease. She is attractive in every sense, drawing people and opportunities to her continuously.

The secret of her allure is alignment – she trusts that everything she wants, wants her and she is worthy of every good thing. Her heart and its desires sing the same song.

Charming and charismatic, the Enchantress is a beacon that captivates the imaginations and hearts of others. She is bold and confident, shining and brilliant. Wherever she goes, she turns heads and leaves a wake of “wow.” She sees Life itself as an Epic Romance and relishes her role as the Leading Lady.

She refuses to dim her light or play small to accommodate others. She inspires us to step out and become our most vibrant and vivacious self.

Call on the Enchantress when you want Confidence and Excitement;
when you need the strength to claim your magic and
step into the spotlight.

Some exercises for Awakening your Enchantress:

• Stare at yourself in the mirror naked. Run your hands over your body and repeat, “Damn, I’m sexy.” Revel in every curve of your glorious, hot body.
• Honor the Sex Goddess inside you with beautiful things, like sumptuous clothing and expensive perfume
• Wear a red dress or red lipstick
• Take up Tango
• Buy yourself flowers
• Light candles at dinner
• Pleasure yourself at every opportunity
• Go “commando” in a flowing dress and drink in the attention you excite

To explore deeper, check out:

• Eva Peron
• Mata Hari
• Cleopatra
• Jacqueline Kennedy
• Madame de Pompadour
• “Pussy: A Reclamation” by Regena Thomashauer

AUTHOR’S NOTE: It can be difficult to find positive examples of the Enchantress throughout history. I believe this was because she was perceived as a threat; lust could dissolve marriages which would make it difficult to raise children.

Unlike other archetypes, the Enchantress hasn’t been vilified by men alone; as women, the Enchantress can activate our deepest insecurities and fears of inadequacy.

The Enchantress archetype has been leveraged to divide women and turn them against one another. Instead, I hope we can identify her magnetism in all of us, empowering us to delight in our sisters’ magic as a reflection of our own.

THE LOVER – Feminine Archetype

“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.”

Rumi

She Values: Pleasure

Her Function: To Enjoy

The Lover is Electricity. She is awake and on fire. The Lover is fully connected to her body; her senses are heightened. She is keenly attuned to light, color, smells, and textures. The sun shines brighter for the Lover, the birds sing sweeter, and the world moves gently on. She dances in a state of bliss, delighting in everything she sees.

She treasures every moment spent with the Beloved – whether she is in love with a person, the world or her own soul. Life itself is the Ultimate Romance. She daydreams about the future with fluttering butterflies of anticipation.

The Lover cherishes the memories of the past, finding silver linings for even the darkest moments. She savors the present with mouth-watering gusto. Love makes her fearless and she loves with reckless abandon.

Nothing is too good for the Lover. She wants the best of everything for herself and those she loves. Pleasure is her priority. She recognizes that time is short and life is fleeting and even the most trivial day should be celebrated. The Lover holds nothing back; she enjoys every moment!

Call on the Lover when you want more Passion and Pleasure;
when you need the strength to put your whole heart on the line.

Some exercises for Awakening your Lover:

• Run your hands slowly over a textured object: Silk, fur, even sandpaper… Close your eyes and focus on the sensation
  
• When in doubt – Indulge!
  
• Take a bubble bath
  
• Sprinkle rose petals in your hallway
  
• Let a piece of chocolate melt on your tongue, while you do nothing but concentrate on the flavor
  
• Pop a bottle of champagne and toast the fact that you are alive
  
• Wear luxurious clothing and sparkly jewelry
  
• Set the dinner table with your finest china and silverware
  
• Place fresh-cut flowers in every room of the house
  
• Snuggle up with a book by the fire

To explore deeper, check out:

• All poetry by Rumi
• “The Wild Woman’s Way: Unlock Your Full Potential for Pleasure, Power, and Fulfillment” by Michaela Boehm
• “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman
• “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson

THE HEALER | Feminine Archetype

“We repeat what we don’t repair.”

Unknown

She Values: Well-Being

Her Function: To Hold

The Healer is a Vessel of Grace. She sees everything as perfect, whole and complete, and holds that vision for the world until they can embody it for themselves. Her sensitive heart feels others’ suffering, and compassion moves her to take action. Whether she arrives with a hug or launches a global non-profit organization, the Healer cannot sit by in the presence of pain.

The Healer calls us to care for ourselves as well as others. She recognizes that the body and soul are intimately connected.

Encouraging us to treat our bodies like the temples they are, with clean water, nutritious foods, organic supplements, plenty of movement and adequate rest, the Healer prioritizes soul-enriching activities like reading, meditation, and quality time with loved ones.

The Healer trusts in the perfect wisdom of the body and the earth. She understands that most healing work entails removing the offensive elements and allowing the Divine Blueprint to effect the restoration. The Healer is always midwifing the Well-Being that is our birthright into the reality of time and space.

Call on the Healer when you want more Compassion and Patience;
when you need the strength to eliminate the toxic from your life and 
start a path of healing

Some exercises for Awakening your Healer:

• Pay attention to others. Listen deeply, to what they’re saying and not saying. See the world through their eyes.
  
• Apologize where you have injured others and forgive where others have injured you
  
• Visit new places and meet new people, studying their way of life
  
• Research charities and causes that align with your values and donate your time or resources
  
• Study the emotions and expand your vocabulary for describing emotional experiences without judgment
  
• Invest in your own healing, whether that looks like working with a therapist or a physical trainer
  
• Take up yoga and experiment with a plant-based diet
  
• Interview others about their hopes, dreams, and values, and the stories about why these things are important to them
  
• Practice random acts of kindness

To explore deeper, check out:

• The healing miracles of Jesus
• Mother Teresa (Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu)
• “Woman as Healer” by Jeanne Achterberg

THE MAIDEN | Feminine Archetype

“I want to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful and
afraid of nothing as though I had wings.”

Mary Oliver

She Values: Flow

Her Function: To Play

The Maiden lives in a state of ease, continuously protected and provided for by her Heavenly Source. She trusts everything and everyone. Her innocence and purity attract magical coincidences. She moves with synchronicity and serendipity.

The most “passive” of the archetypes, the Maiden is the ultimate receiver. Often criticized for being naive or weak, the Maiden understands that her strength lies in Surrender. If she attracts dragons, she will also attract Knights, because salvation is her Birthright. 

Unhampered by thoughts of the past or future, the Maiden lives in the present moment, delighting in the wonder of life. It’s not that she doesn’t care; she’s simply care-free. She sees everything with the eyes of a child and frolics in a perpetual Spring. Her curiosity is endless and she prioritizes Play.

Call on the Maiden when you need Ease and Joy; 
when you need the strength to savor the present moment and 
just have fun.

Some exercises for Awakening your Maiden:

• Play “hookie” for a day. Set aside your responsibilities and follow the fun. Without judgment, allow yourself to only do what you want to do for its own sake.
  
• Revisit your favorite childhood activities: play with toys & games, climb trees, wear a costume, lie back and stare at the clouds
  
• Wear colorful clothes that make you smile, even if they don’t match
  
• Get your face painted
  
• Instead of walking down the sidewalk, try skipping instead
  
• Take photographs of mundane things from a unique angle — find the sparkle in ordinary objects
  
• Compliment everyone you meet today

To explore deeper, check out:

• Lucy in “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis
• “Pollyanna” by Eleanor H. Porter
• “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri
• Read poems by Mary Oliver (my favorite is “Messenger”)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The Maiden is easily flattened into a two-dimensional character. We mistake her simplicity for lack of depth. Throughout history, the Maiden has been used as the backdrop for the plot, the catalyst for the hero, or the starting point of the journey — who we are before we understand how the “real world” works and become one of the other archetypes.

But I love this archetype. While it is ridiculously hard to maintain her spirit of optimism and faith, her tender heart is needed more than ever in this jaded world where we prize only power and production.

THE VISIONARY | Feminine Archetype

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Peter Drucker

She Values: Possibility

Her Function: To Inspire

The Visionary has been called the Seer and the Prophet, but she does so much more than predict the future – she shapes it. Known for her clear-seeing, her true power lies in her voice. With her words, she weaves her own fate and influences the destiny of the world.

Time and Space are irrelevant for the Visionary; she doesn’t care if something has never been done “this way” before. All she sees is Infinite Potential in all directions. She is a catalyst for transformation. By shining her light on “What Could Be”, she converts fear into faith and empowers everyone around her to move mountains.

The Visionary’s ability to see potential encourages and inspires others to step fully into their Highest Self. The eternal Optimist, she always sees the best in everyone, and considers every problem an opportunity in disguise.

Call on the Visionary when you want Clarity and Inspiration;
when you need the strength to see new possibilities and
call others into a better future.

Some exercises for Awakening your Visionary:

• Trust that everything is always working out for you.
  
• When something happens that feels negative, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this? How can I grow?”
  
• Sketch. Try to really see what you’re drawing
  
• Take photographs, asking yourself: “Why am I attracted to this image? What is my heart seeing here?”
  
• Practice empathy: try to see the world through another’s eyes
  
• Read autobiographies and study history
  
• Practice the Art of Appreciation, accepting everything that comes as it is
  
• Daydream

To explore deeper, check out:

• Cassandra of Troy
• Sybil, the Delphi Oracle
• Miriam, the sister of Moses
• Deborah the Prophet

THE CREATOR | Feminine Archetype

“Others have seen what is and asked why.
I have seen what could be and asked why not.”

Pablo Picasso

She Values: Beauty

Her Function: To Express

The Creator is the Maker. She creates worlds with words, dreams in paint, and casts her hopes upon the wheel. She sees things that others do not see, living in a world of her imagination as real as the physical universe.

Whether knitting together a pair of socks or knitting together flesh in her womb, the Creator is in the business of bringing new things into the world.

The Creator is a Vessel. She understands that her work comes through her, not from her. Her job is simply to stay open, pay attention, and bravely birth whatever the Muse brings her.

The Creator uses any medium she has on hand to express what is in her soul. She does not care how the end result is received, she only wants it to adequately reflect the image she conceived in her heart.  She is in love with each of her creations.

The Creator drinks in life and spills out art. She is the Crucible that transforms wounds into wisdom, horror into hope, and gold from ashes.

Call on the Creator when you want more Beauty and Creativity;
when you need the strength to share your perspective and
bring your vision to light.

Some exercises for Awakening your Creator:

• Give yourself permission to express yourself without judgment
  
• Practice: your creativity grows when you use it
  
• Fingerpaint
  
• Cut up old magazines and glue images you like into a collage
  
• Play with clay
  
• Think of one of your worst memories and turn it into a story that someone else lived through

To explore deeper, check out:

• Frida Kahlo
• Augusta Savage
• Georgia O’Keefe
• Virgina Woolf
• Jane Austen
• Sappho
• Louise Bourgeois
• “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
• “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
• “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
• “Buoyant” by Susie DeVille

THE QUEEN | Feminine Archetype

“Your ‘once upon a time’ is now.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

She Values: Legacy

Her Function: To Build

While all the archetypes have the potential to lead, the Queen is the Leader. Others naturally follow her; why they follow her is often determined by her secondary archetype.

The most masculine of the archetypes, the Queen harnesses strategy and power to serve something much bigger than herself. Her analytical mind can see every problem from many angles and easily proposes practical solutions.

The Queen is always conscious of Time and the ephemeral nature of Life. She intends to build something that will last, seeking to create a profound impact on the world and focuses on how her work today will affect future generations.

The Queen is a woman on a mission, the Movement-Maker. She is willing to sacrifices a “normal life” in pursuit of the extraordinary, continuously pursuing deeper levels of meaning and significance.

Like the Warrior, the Queen is characterized by high energy and activity levels. She is a powerhouse who changes her environment, shaping it to her needs. Understanding the importance of cultivating a “hive”, she has a strong retinue of supporters in her personal and professional life who enable her to focus on her calling.

She listens to her advisors, but when she makes the final call, she expects everyone to get on board.

Call on the Queen when you want Power and Charisma;
when you need the strength to build something significant and
pull together a committed team to achieve it.

Some exercises for Awakening your Queen:

• Study the female rulers of history. Which ones do you consider “Successful”? Why?
  
• Step up: Volunteer for responsibility.
  
• Trace your own Leadership Trail – notice in the past when you found yourself leading and following. How did you feel in each position? What did you learn?
  
• Identify your personal strengths and values: What are you uniquely good at? What do you care about?
  
• Craft your own Personal Mission Statement
  
• Purchase a crown and wear it around the house
  
• Honor your team and give them the glory for success
  
• Make eye contact with a stranger; wait until they look away first
  
• Stand up straight – shoulders back, head up, eyes bright
  
• Wear comfortable high-heels that “clickety-clack” when you walk
  
• Try on extravagant jewelry

To explore deeper, check out:

• Nefertiti and Hapshetsut, pharaohs of Egypt (especially “When Women Ruled the World” by Kara Cooney)
• Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and martial strategy
• British Queens: Elizabeth I & II, and Victoria
• Margaret Thatcher (watch “The Iron Lady” movie)
• “Inviting the Queen” by Sandra Rogers

THE MOTHER | Feminine Archetype

She Values: Home

Her Function: To Nurture

The Mother is the beginning and end of all things. She is the womb where life begins and the tomb that cradles us when we die. She is Yggdrasil, the Tree that upholds the Worlds.

Like a tree, the Mother’s strength is flexible, providing the necessary structure for her ivy-children to grow, but bending with grace to the winds of fate.

Love is the thread that unites all of the Feminine Archetypes, but the Mother’s love is unconditional. She understands that to love a thing, you must let it go. Everything has its season. Gestation is a beautiful space where she can protect and provide for her loved ones completely, but birth is a necessary and sacred parting.

She is eager for her chicks to fly, knowing that it is the nature of life to return to one’s source, and they will come home when they appreciate her value.

Longing for the Mother is eternal, for we all ache to be where we belong. No matter how old we are, resting in the Mother’s arms provides a sense of safety, peace, and hope. We must ground ourselves fully in this infinite steam of abundance before we can give ourselves fully to others.

Call on the Mother when you want Peace and Provision;
when you need the strength to pour yourself into others
without expectation or reciprocation.

Some exercises for Awakening your Mother:

• Mother yourself first. We cannot give from an empty cup. Ask your heart what it needs and take care of yourself with as much kindness as you would offer a child.
  
• Lots of Hugs, Snuggles, and Cuddles
  
• Bake cookies and give them away anonymously
  
• Invite people over for dinner
  
• Listen when people are speaking to you. Give them your complete, undivided attention with consistent eye contact and insightful questions.
  
• Release judgment of self and others. See the best in everyone and every situation.
  
• Encourage others

To explore deeper, check out:

• Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” and “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown
• Mother Nature, Gaia, Paccha Mama

Famous mothers throughout history, including:

• Marie Curie
• Abigail Adams
• Candy Lightner
• Indira Gandhi
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Women who have mothered the multitudes:

• Sojourner Truth
• Irena Sender
• Lou Xiaoyuing
• Theresa Kachindamoto

THE WISE WOMAN | Feminine Archetype

“There is no other teacher but your own soul.”

Swami Vivekananda

She Values: Intuition

Her Function: To Guide

The Wise Woman is Knowing. While the Priestess consults her Spiritual Guides, the Wise Woman trusts her own heart.

She evaluates the external world against her internal landscape. She carries within her the experience of her ancestors, the instinctual wisdom of her body, and an ever-present connection to her Highest Self.

The Wise Woman is often found on the mountaintop, because she recognizes that solitude and silence are sacred spaces. She needs to be alone to hear herself think. People seek her out for her guidance, and while she easily perceives the way forward, she is committed to empowering each of us to connect with our own Inner Wisdom.

Her sagacy comes through the hard-won way of experience. The Wise Woman is often associated with the Crone, because she is an Old Soul. Her maturity comes from a lifetime of having her heart broken and her choice to leave it wide open, continuously shedding all that is not her True Self.

Call on the Wise Woman when you want Wisdom and Direction;
when you need the strength to trust yourself and
steer your own course.

Some exercises for Awakening your Wise Woman:

• Solitude: Carve out time and space to be alone
  
• Silence: Start with 10 minutes of meditation and consider attending a “Silence Retreat”
  
• Journal
  
• Feel into your body. Notice how you physically respond to situations.
  
• Trust your emotional guidance system: your feelings will lead you into the truth
  
• Tap into your intuition. Start doing a “gut-check” when invited to make decisions.
  
• Delve into “Shadow Work” to make peace with your whole self
  
• Honor your hormonal patterns, through the month and over the course of your life

To explore deeper, check out:

• Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee
• Female shamans of indigenous peoples
• “The Woman in the Shaman’s Body” by Barbara Tedlock

THE PRIESTESS | Feminine Archetype

“There is no place in my soul, no corner of my character, where God is not.”

Evelyn Underhill

She Values: Enlightenment

Her Function: To Connect

The Priestess is a Mystic.  She stands at the crossroads of Nature and the supernatural; she sees everything as both a physical and metaphysical reality. For her, there is no profane; everything is sacred. Her spiritual connection with Source allows her to call in Heavenly resources in service of her community.

She cultivates connections between God, Humanity, and the Environment, encouraging us to recall our blessed state of Divine Union, where all is One.

Like the Warrior, she yearns to set things right, but the Priestess fights in the energetic realms, channeling Light into the Darkness. The Priestess is devoted to personal development and soul-care, often spending years studying the ancient ways, as she seeks to perpetuate and expand upon the Old Ones’ wisdom.

She works on the spiritual plane of existence, navigating the world into its next evolution.

The Priestess lives in a world of miracles. Nothing is impossible for one who walks with God. She understands that she is unconditionally loved and infinitely powerful. As a vessel for the Divine Plan, she need only ask and it will be given, to knock and it will be opened, to seek and she shall find.

Call on the Priestess when you want Connection and Alignment;
when you need the strength to see yourself as
the perfect Child of God that you are.

Some exercises for Awakening your Priestess:

• Schedule time for prayer and meditation
  
• Start a Blessing Journal or a “Faith Log”, where you write down prayers and take note of times that God has heard and answered you
  
• Spend time in nature, admiring the Creator’s handiwork
  
• Invite God to provide “mini-miracles” throughout the day – and start strengthening your faith to ask for bigger things
  
• Make space for the Divine in your daily conversations with others
  
• Ask someone if they’d like you to pray a blessing over them

To explore deeper, check out:

• Mother Mary, the Christ-Bearer

Read the biographies and writings of Religious Saints:

• Therese of Lisieux and Hildegard of Bingen (Christian)
• Alexandra David-Neel (Buddhist)
• Mirabai and Lalleshwari (Hindu)
• Rabia al-Adawiyya al-Qaysyya and Hazrat Babajaan (Islam)

• Enheduanna and “The Sumerian Temple Hymns”
• The Psalms, especially 91
• The Complete Works of Florence Scovel Shinn
• “Ask and It is Given” by Abraham Hicks
• “The Surrender Experiment” by Michael A. Singer
• “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda

Remember: You are not a single female archetype. Study and invite all twelve aspects of the Divine Feminine in your daily life. When you relax into your whole, Authentic Self, you will unlock your inherent feminine magic for more flow, ease and joy!