Image by Phungvulian Phuong
I never used to see value in studying and learning from the goddesses of world history. After all, it was so long ago and all so far-off mythological. How can they have any bearing on our lives today? However, after recently reading up on them, I realized that historical goddesses are incredibly significant and relevant today! These ancient archetypes are alive in our subconscious. We are living and breathing them. An archetype is “a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches.” The archetypes of the Greek and Roman goddesses were present at the beginning of Western Civilization and formed the foundation of our identities whether we’re aware of it or not.
Some modern psychologists use these archetypes as a form of therapy -- the idea being that they are all parts of a whole, with the whole being the Great Mother or “whole” woman. Ideally, we are a balance of all the archetypes. Too much of one, however, may cause problems. After taking three different tests, I was surprised and delighted to discover I am pretty well balanced, but mostly Aphrodite! It was a revelation similar to having my astrological chart read or taking a professional personality test. I am now able to embrace my sensuality fully and understand my motivations better. Not only do I understand myself better, I am able to understand other women, too. Do you know a woman whose life mostly revolves around her children? She’s a Demeter. Do you know a woman who is happy to be home, make her home a haven for herself and doesn’t care to have a partner? She’s a Hestia. Do you know a woman who prefers to be out in the world involved in civic groups and politics? She’s an Athena.
I highly encourage Western women learn about the 7 ancient Greek/Roman goddesses -- their archetypes and relevance in our modern lives. Two great books for this are The Goddess Within: A Guide To The Eternal Myths That Shape Women’s Lives, by Jennifer and Roger Woolger; and The Goddess in Every Woman; A New Psychology of Women, by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. Another fun thing to play around with is Doreen Virtue’s Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. There are also many other goddesses besides the Greek and Roman ones. It’s very interesting to learn about them all and the cultures they came from.
If you know which goddess you are predominantly, please share. I’d love to hear your experiences!
Some modern psychologists use these archetypes as a form of therapy -- the idea being that they are all parts of a whole, with the whole being the Great Mother or “whole” woman. Ideally, we are a balance of all the archetypes. Too much of one, however, may cause problems. After taking three different tests, I was surprised and delighted to discover I am pretty well balanced, but mostly Aphrodite! It was a revelation similar to having my astrological chart read or taking a professional personality test. I am now able to embrace my sensuality fully and understand my motivations better. Not only do I understand myself better, I am able to understand other women, too. Do you know a woman whose life mostly revolves around her children? She’s a Demeter. Do you know a woman who is happy to be home, make her home a haven for herself and doesn’t care to have a partner? She’s a Hestia. Do you know a woman who prefers to be out in the world involved in civic groups and politics? She’s an Athena.
I highly encourage Western women learn about the 7 ancient Greek/Roman goddesses -- their archetypes and relevance in our modern lives. Two great books for this are The Goddess Within: A Guide To The Eternal Myths That Shape Women’s Lives, by Jennifer and Roger Woolger; and The Goddess in Every Woman; A New Psychology of Women, by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. Another fun thing to play around with is Doreen Virtue’s Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. There are also many other goddesses besides the Greek and Roman ones. It’s very interesting to learn about them all and the cultures they came from.
If you know which goddess you are predominantly, please share. I’d love to hear your experiences!
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