Female Archetypes

The Know-it-all: she likes it when bigots, especially the likes of fundamentalists (of any religion), creationists or patriarchal leaders get their arses handed to them on a plate. The more abject humiliation the better.

Goddess Demeter: body as vessel, lady of plants, menstruation, childbearing, earth mother, generation, nuturance, daughter.

Goddess Artemis: Amazon shamaness, blood, mysteries, adventures, huntress, lover of the wilderness, lady of the beasts.

Goddess Persephone: occult, medium, clairvoyance, visions, dreams, death & transformation, inner guide, healing, psychic power.

Goddess Aphrodite: sexuality, body as sacred sensuality, beauty, passion, the arts, salons, patroness, hetaera.

Goddess Athena: education, city culture, careerist competitor, intellectual dutiful daughter or rebel fatherworld logic.

Goddess Hera: empress, ruler wife, wordly power tradition, marriage partnership, morality matriarch.

The Matriarch: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.

The Fanatic: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong.

The Schemer: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good.

The Parasite: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself.

The Lunatic: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable.

The Backstabber: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time.

The Black Widow: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie.

The Bitch: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself.

The Stay at Home Wife: being the irresistibly gorgeous Kitchen Goddess, desiring a more traditional lifestyle, improved baking, cooking and drinks recipes, being a fine dining lover, extensive knowledge on aphrodisiacs for love, money & wellness, being a sensualist, cottagecore, sensuality, eroticism.

The Scholar Barbie/ Student/ Princess Academia: being both fabulously beautiful and brilliant, loving knowledge, developing curiosity, creative power, attaining hard to access work opportunities, elite portfolio building, uber feminine power dressing, nutrition for brain power, book divination, maintaining prestigious beauty and self-care rituals, pampering and wellness appointments.

The Dolled Up Beauty: improved makeup techniques, access to luxurious beauty treatments, enjoying wellness, self-care, being lavished and adored, refined knowledge on all things holistic, improved love life, becoming softer, gentle seduction because know all things related to the soothing of body & mind.

The Money Goddess: breaking guilt over loving splendor and extravagance, desiring more in life, breaking lack mentality, enjoying shopping sprees, associating self with beauty & splendor, enjoying spoiling, rejuvenation and pampering daily, living a luxurious lifestyle.

The Priestess: spiritual power, most luxurious pampering, connection to goddess power, deep ancient beauty and lifestyle secrets, understanding perfumes, herbs, roots, oils and incense, intense seductive power & dominance, Nefertiti level allure.

The Socialite/IT girl: invitations, becoming more outgoing, deluxe pampering and wellness, embodying fantasy, worshipped beauty and allure, access into exclusive environments, communication power, improved popularity.

The Courtesan: improved creative abilities, embodying luxury, divine taste in all things extravagant and decadent, invitations, amazing and generous suitors and lovers, great personal style, deeper love of fashion, established personal branding, advanced communication skills, deep seduction tactics.

The Nurturer: serene and capable, she nourishes the spirit. Not always Suzy Homemaker, this lady takes care of everyone. She is a wonderful listener, and a joy to have around, this heroine takes care of everyone. She’s serene, capable and optimistic. Think Michelle Pfeiffer in Ladyhawke, Alicia Nash in A Beautiful Mind, Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.

The Crusader: a dedicated fighter, she meets her commitments. No shrinking violet, no distressed damsel, here. This lady is on a mission, and she marches right over anyone in her way. Tenacious and headstrong, she brushes off any opposition to her goal. Think Diana Rigg in The Avengers, Sigourney Weaver in Alien, Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Lucy Lawless in Xena, Warrior Princess.

The Librarian: controlled and clever, she holds back. She’s prim and proper, but underneath that tight bun lurks a passionate woman. Dressed to repress, she might be the know-it-all whose hand is always up in class, or maybe she is the shy mouse hiding in the library. Think Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone, Ellen Barkin inThe Big Easy, Shelley Long in Cheers, Gillian Anderson in The X-Files.

The Waif: a distressed damsel, she bends with the wind. She’s the original damsel in distress. Her child-like innocence evokes a protective urge in the beastliest of heroes. But don’t be fooled, because the WAIF has tremendous strength of will. She won’t fight back; she’ll endure. Think Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, Marilyn Monroe in The Misfits, Peta Wilson in La Femme Nikita, Demi Moore in Ghost, Halle Barry in Monster’s Ball.

The Free Spirit: eternal optimist, she dances to unheard tunes. Playful and fun-loving, she travels through life with a hop, skip and a jump, always stopping to smell the flowers and admire the pretty colors. She acts on a whim and follows her heart, not her head. Think Jenna Elfman in Dharma & Greg, Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy, Alicia Silverstone in Clueless.

The Spunky Kid: gutsy and true, she is loyal to the end. She is a favorite of many writers, and for good reason. You can’t help but root for her. She’s the girl with moxie. She’s not looking to be at the top of the heap; she just wants to be in her own little niche. She’s the team player, the one who is always ready to lend a hand. Think Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle, Melanie Griffith in Working Girl, Mary Tyler Moore in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act, Fiona in Shrek.

The Seductress: an enchantress, she gets her way. This is a lady who is long accustomed to sizing up everyone in a room the minute she enters. Mysterious and manipulative, she hides a streak of distrust a mile wide and ten miles deep. Cynicism guides her every action, and her tough sense of survival gives her the means to do whatever is necessary to come out ahead. Think Liz Taylor in Cleopatra, Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, Vivian Leigh inGone With the Wind, Madonna in Evita.

The Boss: a real go-getter, she climbs the ladder of success. This is a “take charge” female, who accepts nothing but respect. Reaching her goal post the most important thing in life to her, and she isn’t bothered by a few ruffled feathers along the way. Think Annette Bening in American Beauty, Candice Bergen in Murphy Brown, Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth.