The Repeated Resurgence of the Feminine Archetype Over the Millennia

It's important to note that the understanding of the feminine archetype has evolved over time and can vary greatly depending on the cultural context. I found it interesting that even under the patriarchy women have suffered under over the past 3000 years or so, the Feminine archetype has poked her head out during various historical periods.

Ancient Civilizations

In Neolithic cultures from about 10,000 to 5,000 yrs ago, the Great Goddess was worshipped as the supreme deity. She was seen as the source of everything in creation just as an infant perceives its mother as the center of everything and in fact perceived as merged together as one.

During this time, people saw their world as cyclical, a feminine quality, noting the cyclical nature of the seasons, the routines of each day, and the movement of the stars in the night sky.

After patriarchy established itself as the major driver in many cultures about 2500-3000 yrs ago, the Great Goddess was knocked off her pedestal, demoted to be a pantheon of other rank and file deities. As such she was split into different goddess archetypes that had specific functions, usually around fertility. Additionally, instead of being the supreme, independent deity, she became the dependent consort of a male god.

While these goddesses still had powerful positions within religious and mythological narratives, their myths were told through a patriarchal lens. For example, Hera in Greece, the consort of Zeus, went from being an example of healthy bonding between women, to a shrew with a reputation for jealousy, insecurity, and pettiness. When I looked at other examples of goddesses who were downgraded, I found Isis in ancient Egypt, Athena in ancient Greece, and Kuan Yin in East Asian cultures. All of them started out as a supreme, primary deity in their respective cultures, only to be demoted as patriarchy took hold.

First Century CE

In the early first century CE, the Feminine again resurged, this time in the Roman Empire through the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The primary message of his movement was “God is love”. And this love was egalitarian, encompassing all persons, regardless of gender, age, class, race, or nationality. He showed concern for all persons, and broke cultural and legal prohibitions regarding women’s spiritual and social place in Jewish culture and ministered to women and men alike. In fact, his ministry was funded largely by wealthy women.

Interestingly, although today, Christian doctrine recognizes only 12 male apostles of Jesus, there is some indication that Mary Magdalene was herself an apostle, whose gospel was excluded from official Church cannon by the patriarchy of the Early Medieval Church.

Middle Ages and Renaissance (13th-15th centuries)

During the Middle Ages and to the early Renaissance, the image of the feminine archetype became more complex. On the one hand, women were often idealized as chaste and virtuous, embodying qualities of purity, motherhood, devotion, and modesty. The Virgin Mary in Christian iconography is an influential archetype during this period, and many of the great cathedrals of Europe were constructed in her honor, including Notre Dame, Chartres, Westminster Abbey, as well as the many “lady” chapels built around Great Britain. When you consider these cathedrals took generations, decades to build, you see the fervor of the devotion to her.

A contrasting image during this same period was the femme fatale, which symbolized the dangers of unbridled female sexuality, sensuality, and danger. The wicked, seductive enchantress typified in Morgan le Fay personified the archetype. She was the powerful and ambiguous enchantress from the legend of King Arthur. Even though she started out as an admirable character in the early years of this tale, her role devolved over the ages from Arthur's benevolent sister, who was his magical savior and protector, to being portrayed as his unpredictable, plotting, nemesis. For her literary reputation, patriarchy had the final say again.

Enlightenment (1685-1815) and Victorian Era (1840-1901)

Even though patriarchy was still the prominent value system, between 1685 and the early 1800s, the Enlightenment brought about discussions about women's rights and gender equality. This time period also saw people’s revolutions for democracy in what is now the US and in France. For both the American and the French Revolutions, the ideal of democracy is a very feminine value.

A few years later during the Victorian Era, beginning in 1840, there was an increasing awareness of women's rights and their roles in society. This led to discussions about women's education and suffrage even if these rights were not extended to women on a wide-spread basis. This is the period when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in the U.S. were active in the suffrage movement.

However, masculine values still won the day for Victorian women. For example, rigid gender roles that kept women at home and allowed men to venture into the public sphere prevailed. As did the ideal of women of the "angels in the house”, which emphasized women's domesticity, nurturing roles, and self-sacrifice.

Early 20th Century and Feminist Movements

The early 20th century saw the continuation and rise of feminist movements that challenged traditional notions of femininity. Women began to break free from restrictive roles and continued the fight for suffrage, education, and equal rights of the Victorian Era. In the 1960s and 70s and beyond, culture in the U.S. saw further exploration of the feminine archetype. There was a focus on women’s independence, autonomy, individualism, self-expression, as more women entered the work force, opened bank accounts, and qualified credit cards without their fathers and husbands having to sign for them. Still, sexual harassment still occurred regularly.

Today

Even though the masculine remains heavily favored in Western culture, the feminine archetype has continued to evolve and rise in prominence. Feminist movements have expanded the range of roles and qualities associated with femininity, emphasizing strength, agency, and empowerment. The rise of pop culture icons, female leaders, and diverse representations in media has contributed to a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of the feminine archetype, which led to a broader range of identities shown in the media now. More and more both fathers and mothers participate in the nurturing and care of children much more today than in previous decades.

It's important to note that the emergence of the feminine archetype is not uniform across different cultures and societies. Various cultures have their own unique perspectives on femininity, influenced by their histories, religions, and social norms. For example, while the archetype of the strong, independent woman has been celebrated in many cultures, the specific attributes associated with femininity can vary widely across cultures.

Still, throughout history, the feminine archetype has evolved from nurturing mother goddesses to complex and multifaceted representations. It reflects the changing attitudes and roles of women in society, as well as the ongoing conversations about gender, equality, and identity.

This repeated resurgence of the feminine archetype has not been a linear progression but a dynamic and perhaps a spiraling, cyclical process influenced by cultural, social, and political factors. The expression of the feminine archetype continues to be a dynamic and evolving process, shaped by the ongoing interactions between culture, society, and individual experiences.

In the long run, though, I am hopeful that the powerful Feminine archetype is rising faster and with enough strength to balance out the oppressive masculine. Finally.