Originally posted 07/10/2022.
“Archetypes
are universal, inborn models of people, behaviors, and personalities
that play a role in influencing human behavior. Jung believed that we
inherit these archetypes much in the way we inherit instinctive patterns
of behavior.” (verywellmind.com)
Carl
Jung has been a fascinating man to learn from the last few years. While
I don’t agree with him on all his philosophies and personal beliefs, I
can’t deny how much his studies has helped me improve my own life
through a deeper understanding of myself as a woman. Amongst his work I
have become passionate about the understanding of archetypes. Amongst
many for both male and female, he identified 12 female archetypes, of
which I have chosen 4 to represent my coming collection. I would
therefore like to introduce you to these first, and I have no doubt that
learning about these archetypes can encourage you to grow and flourish
as a woman as it has for me. So let’s begin with the Maiden.
When
I think of the Maiden I envision an early teenage girl. In her fullness
I see a young, naive, curious, full of life force, independent,
youthful, and dynamic young girl. The playful and passionate nature, new
beginnings, curiosity, and a desire for exploration. The Maiden can be
seen represented clearly by some female characters that we might all be
familiar with. Think of Miriam the mother of Jesus, Dinah the daughter
of Jacob, or Cinderella and the Sleeping Beauty.
In
her shadow, the Maiden looks slightly different. As human beings we
mature as we grow, but we haven’t always been given the tools to do so
from our parents, and therefore we might remain immature in certain
aspects of our psyche. The immature Maiden has her shadows…
Many
women I meet, including myself, have struggled or still struggle with
co-dependency often tied together with people pleasing. Drawn to abusive
relationships that keep us stuck in that state of being excessively
compliant and lacking personal boundaries. The damsel in distress
that is waiting for something to happen in her life, waiting for the
prince that is coming to rescue her. An extended adolescence keeping us
stagnant to the initiation into the mature Maiden, that will then ready
herself to embody and mature into the next archetype and part of her
life cycle, the Mother. To have that initiation, the Maiden needs to be seen and integrated first, and that is what I want the first necklace of my coming collection to inspire and encourage you to do.
I
have chosen the Cream Fossil Jasper for the Maiden necklace. I chose
that stone intuitively because the light beige colour feels gentle and
sweet, reminding me of the sweetness of the Maiden and the gentleness we
need to have towards that part of ourselves. The stone simultaneously
symbolises wholeness, balance and transformation. That is what the
Maiden needs, and that is the prayer I speak over the necklaces for it
to carry to you — to find the gentle courage to transform the pain you
might face as you travel back in time to visit that story of your life
still within your psyche.
To
be a woman can feel difficult when we are disconnected from ourselves
and have parts that are still immature, shunned, shamed, and left in the
shadow. My intention with this collection and everything I do is to
connect you deeper to who you are as a woman by empowering you with
practices and wisdom to find self-love and healing, so that you can
embody a strong identity with confidence and self acceptance.
With love,
Miranda Maria.