While we are all fundamentally unique as humans, we also have a lot in common. We can fall into similar habits, interests, and even personality types based on our signs and alignments. We can also transform into different archetypes to serve our environment and the people within our spaces.
After years of working with women on all sorts of journeys and goals and obstacles, I can say that the below four archetypes are easily the most common I’ve captured, the most common for women to find themselves in and channel their strengths.
The Lover
She’s soft and sensual. Comfortable in her sexuality, wanting to give and receive pleasure. Compelled to connect. Connect with a partner, herself and her creativity and passion. She is a work of art. A poem. A ballad. A manifestation of a new reality.
“There is something moon soaked and dawn flavoured about her. Something kissed by the wild and loved by lightning.
She looks like Artemis after a night of storm hunting. She looks like the sun as it rises after kissing the dawn.”
Nikita Gill, Artemis Girl
The Goddess
Also, sometimes mistaken as the Queen. She is powerful and commands attention and respect. Unlike a queen, she is not defined by her partner, nor beneath them. She is equal, she is a leader. She is wise and gracious, but will wield her sword when necessary.
“She dug her hands in the dirt filled ground, grasping for something unseen.
Knowing that her power had no bounds, she held on to the nothing in the leaves.
And suddenly, the Earth gave a strong loud boom.
And the dirt on the ground, was nowhere to be found.
And the girl turned into the moon.”
Iniko, Luna
The Mother
With her gentle loving nature, she is the caretaker. This archetype is not defined by having children herself though. She is responsible, protective, reliable and takes great pleasure in caring for others. She tends to put herself last, which can be an obstacle for this archetype. But she is compassionate and grounded.
But when I find my sense of peace
I can walk through hell with ease
I might fall a thousand times but I shall rise
Fia, Shedding Skins
The Warrior
If you search this archetype, you may find her called The Huntress. But I look at The Warrior as a mix between both The Huntress and The Sage. Both are dominant and independent. She knows her power, knows her strengths, takes aim and slays her goals and is a fierce protector of not only her own energy, but the energies of the people she cares most about.
“I am a warrior in the time of women warriors; the longing for justice is the sword I carry.”
Sonia Johnson
I find myself going in and out of each of these and more. But these four are powerful to capture in photographs. The energy of each is felt at a core level. They really encompass a woman’s ability to be caring but set in her boundaries. Loving but powerful in her worth. Gentle but absolutely un-fuckable-with.
So here’s to all women. Of every walk of life, from every corner of this beautiful planet. I see you all and love you all and am proud to know so many unbelievably amazing women because of this ridiculously rewarding career I’ve been so lucky to find myself in.
Erika Letitia
Empowering + Holistic photographer
erika@allebachphotography.com