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 Goddess
Gift Excerpt
The Lover Archetype
The Lover is the archetype of play and sensual pleasure. Living
in the moment and tuned into her physical environment, the Lover
is deeply connected to the energy of the universe—experiencing
and empathizing with the world of people and things that surround
her.
With a sparkle in her eyes and
a gentle laugh that radiates affection, all the Lover has to do
is show up to captivate her audience. Whether she is outfitted as
a femme fatale or a girlie-girl, there is no mistaking that her
behaviors are designed to emphasize that she is female. A man-magnet
she may be, the woman who is a Lover type usually has plenty of
girlfriends in her life.
Self-confident, poised, and generous
to a fault, the Lover considers herself a work of art. And she is
not ashamed to show it. She is the archetype of the Designing Woman,
always paying attention to the effect she is producing. Her goal
is to inspire tenderness, protectiveness, and passion. Her self-assurance
usually serves her well.
It is almost as if she does not
experience herself directly but instead searches for herself through
the responses of others. The Lover's self-esteem is tied to the
quality of her relationships and based upon how others interact
with her. She works hard to make a good impression.
The Lover is capable of intense
passionate appreciation and devotion to the people and things that
add beauty to her life, whether it is art, music, or gourmet dining.
The Lover's alluring enthusiasm for life draws suitors to her side.
Though she may seem full of "feminine wiles," singing
harmony to her mate and letting him take the lead, it is often a
mistake to think that she has accepted a subservient role.
The woman with The Lover as her
archetype is not the least inhibited in demonstrating her childlike
qualities. Her playfulness brings fun and laughter to social situations.
She is determined to remain youthful in body, mind, and spirit.
Unfortunately, this eternal youthfulness in the woman who has yet
to embrace the fullness of the archetype may appear as a reluctance
to grow up and accept responsibility.
The Lover thrives on stimulation
and is capable of intense, passionate appreciation of all things
that add beauty and excitement to her life. Unwilling to put up
with drabness or boredom, she rushes from one experience to the
next, bringing color into the lives of those around her. This enthusiastic
pursuit of experiencing everything that the world has to offer can
also lead her into trouble.
The immature Lover may turn to
self-destructive behaviors such as sexual promiscuity, compulsive
shopping, or substance abuse to bring excitement into her life that
counters the restlessness and emptiness she feels when life gets
too staid or stuffy.
Many myths of the Lover type goddesses
are tales of transformation. Sometimes it is the goddess herself
who undergoes the magical process of rebirth, shifting shapes or
forms. But often the story is about a lesson that the goddess demands
that another must learn. The power to transform oneีs self, to shed
the old skin and start over again rejuvenated, belongs to the Lover
archetype.
Hope, lightheartedness, and vitality
are the goddess gifts of The Lover. As an archetype of rebirth and
transformation, the Lover shows us how to leave behind the parts
of our self that we have outgrown so that we can become the goddesses
that we were meant to be. Her grace and confidence bestow love and
healing to those around her.
Aphrodite,
Greek Goddess of Romance: An Example of the Lover Archetype
The original "Golden Girl," perfectly attired in a simple
string of pearls and a couple of strategically placed scallop shells,
stepped out of the ocean on the island of Cypress and set the ancient
world on its ear. Never had there been such sensual beauty and impeccable
taste. A new standard had been set, and the world would never be
the same! Henceforth, there would be candlelit dinners, heart-rending
arias, high-heeled shoes and bright red lipstick (not to mention
soap operas). Romance was here and planning to stay.
Publisher's
note: more information on this archetype in the Lovers Chapter.
Author
Sharon Turnbull, Ph.D.
ISBN:
978-1-884743-07-8
$16.95 US
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