The Initiated Woman

This short article is drawn from a larger work that includes a book draft, and the basis of current and future seminars, workshops and immersions.

If you are interested in these ideas, and working with Passages and Initiation you can get Free Resources - including a beautiful PDF and two, 45-minute workshop videos on Women’s Rites of Passage here.

You can also find out more about the upcoming Initiated Woman Gatherings below

Please share this essay with those you care about who might find this work of value.

When I talk about the initiated woman I speak of her as an archetype.

It would be a rare creature who could say she is a pure, fully initiated woman. As noted by Dr Clarissa Pinkola-Estes-Reyes, a mortal and conscious initiated woman “knows there is always more initiation".

I would place her in a triptych with her sisters, the Wise Woman and the Wild Woman. So just as Wild and Wise Woman are symbols for healing, growth and transformation, turning to the multifaceted symbol of Initiated Woman can serve as a beacon to inspire in new ways.

I feel this is important now as old paradigms continue to reorganise, and as many women feel adrift and would value guidance to see them through the seasons, passages, and shifting moments across their lifespan.

What is an archetype?

Archetypes are ancient, although Carl Jung is best known for bringing the term into modern use.

We can never grasp an archetype in its entirety as they contain all the forms, symbols, patterns, characters, and processes - energetic, physical and psychological - of a thing.

They are also cross-cultural and so universally understood. For instance when speaking of a "house" we immediately understand what that is - a building to live in, that has walls, rooms, a roof, doors, windows ... We conjure an image, that might have little to do with our personal house. 

Same with "father", "mother", "criminal", "clown", "train", "bird" "snake" "mountain" etc ...

But note - it's a mistake to project the archetypal symbol of these onto actual things and people, i.e. your father can never meet the complete ideal of the archetypal father. You cannot ever BE an archetype. They are impersonal.

Archetype is concentrated psychic energy, and symbol provides the mode of manifestation by which the archetype becomes discernible. We can never encounter an archetype, only its symbol.

Edward Whitmont

Photo by Corscri Dage Tutti 

So, what is the purpose of archetypes?

Although you can't BE all of an archetype they still influence us - consciously or not -  because they exist within the collective unconscious which we are a part of. Knowledge of particular archetypes and their power can help us make sense of our lives, and offer a framework for our personalities, motivations, beliefs, emotions, and behaviours.

When we work with particular archetypes and glance at their energies, they can help us to see themes in our lives, and find meaning and direction. For example, the symbols, and energies of the "warrior” archetype can inspire courage and taking a stand, a "sage" can activate wisdom and trusting experience, and a "queen" can encourage poise, authority and leadership.

Martha Graham via Pinterest

The Initiated Woman Archetype: my offering

Remember, you cannot hold all of the Initiated Woman Archetype. She represents the energies of all the selves and others who have been INITIATED - who have gone through Passages, been transformed by the process, and have entered into - begun a new phase of life.

… An initiated woman knows herself - and has a sense of inner authority and personal sovereignty.

She carries herself in a particular way. Her posture, presence, energy, and voice are steady and assured.

She is empowered in and of herself and empowers others with her presence.

She has an 'original voice'. She speaks from her core in a way that’s honest, clear, and rhythmic. She listens deeply and knows when to be quiet.

She’s rooted in her being - strong from her core and can hold her centre. She can be in the presence of others without losing herself to them.

She is compassionate. She has a soft front and is not afraid to be vulnerable with herself and others.

She has a strong back. She can stand up for herself and for those around her.

She feels—often deeply—and can process her emotions and respond in the moment with the right amount of care, power, or force.

She doesn’t easily become overwhelmed. If needed, she will retreat and regroup, but she always returns.

She gives and receives - she offers to herself and her-others.

She honours her roles, responsibilities, ideas, intuitions, desires, and preferences without identifying with them.

Her boundaries are clear and flexible. She confidently communicates them with those around her and is open to discussion, collaboration, and mutual understanding.

She shows clear discernment.

For her, success and failure are neither encouragement nor discouragement.

She has knowledge of her wounds and how to heal and builds scar tissue as evidence of her journey.

She takes responsibility for her choices and reviews, adjusts and amends as she goes.

She is resourceful and has stamina - she knows how to move and direct her energy.

She knows when to act and mobilise and when to pause, rest and restore.

She is both active and receptive - fire and air work with earth and water. She can balance her energy, working inner alchemy to know what type of energy is needed in the current circumstance.

She values doing and thinking as equally as being and feeling - dancing together in receptive action.

She has a healthy relationship with men (and other women).

She demonstrates humility - she knows her foibles and - is willing to face them.

She is wild and disciplined.

She works and plays.

She is serious and austere, and she laughs and cries.

She is a thinker, maker and creator.

The Yellow Sail. Pastel. 1905. Odilon Redon

What I’ve offered above is a glance; beyond the qualities I’ve shared here, there are certainly others - something community networks and dialogue can expand upon.

And, the Initiated Woman is not meant to be entirely embodied and can show up in multiple ways depending on which phase of life and Rite of Passage you are moving through. Over time, you can experience and embody these qualities in degrees and layers.

Mendy xx