Anemone's Research Emporium

Introduction to Goddess and God Archetypes

I have tried out many personality inventories and systems over the years (Myers Briggs, big three, big five, Holland codes, Enneagram . . . ). When I first came across Jean Shinoda Bolen's goddess archetypes in the 1980s (Goddesses in Everywoman, 1984 and Gods in Everyman, 1989), I took a relativistic stance, trying on each of the types and claiming the ones I wanted, which is pretty much the approach she takes in her book. It was fun but didn't really help me with my life.

Cut to a decade later. I reread the books as part of research for my ten extra years book, and was shocked to discover a completely different take on the types. First of all, I no longer identified with any of the archetypes I'd identified with ten years earlier. Instead, my reaction reading the descriptions was "I was never like that in the first place - I just wanted to be or was taught I was". Second, I identified for the first time with Persephone, and saw that her description actually predicted how my life had gone in the intervening decade. Finally, a system with predictive, not just descriptive value! The only problem was that Bolen's description of Peresphone was so negative I could see why I would not have wanted to identify with her back then.

So that's why I'm hooked on this system now. I've read over 300 biographies since that "aha" moment, and here are updated descriptions of the types based on Bolen's descriptions, my experiences typing people over the years, and biography readings. I have attempted to ensure that each and every archetype is presented in a positive light, in the spirit of neurodiversity. Some of my descriptions are virtually identical to Bolen's (Ares, for example, she got spot on), while others are significantly different (Hestia, Persephone). Still others probably still need more work (I still find Poseidon confusing even after all my reading, and don't know if I've gotten that one down yet or not). I suggest you check out Bolen's books if you want further reading, regardless of whether we agree or not. There are also other goddess type books and questionnaires on the internet that you might like as well, for perspective. You don't have to agree with my versions if you don't want to.

People can take these types relativistically, as I did in the beginning, and just have fun with them, or they can take them as complex wholes, as I do now. Your call. My hope in the long term is that I will be able to relate these types to other major personality inventories, and, should research suggest it, combine or split types if it turns out differences are more or less meaningful than they are presented here. For now, the number of types is just about right: enough to encompass a wide array of human diversity, but not so many that you can't use these types to understand other people.

For the purposes of my research, please choose one and only one type, of the same biological sex as yourself (unless you qualify for a sex change operation). If you're intersexed (hermaphrodite) consider the types for both sexes. Most people are toned down versions of their type rather than completely like the description. It may be that you feel like you are more than one type. It is true that there are probably many people who are sort of between types, but you will find that one of those types will be your main type.

Diagnostic questions:

• If they were making a movie of your life, who would you want portraying you?
• If you were an actor, whose life would you want to portray?
• Who are you a fan of? Who can't you stand? Any patterns?
• Who are your heroes? Do they concentrate in one category?

The Three Independent Goddesses: Artemis, Athena, Hestia

These three just go ahead and do what they do, without waiting for anyone else's opinion. They can structure their own lives. They're independent (task oriented) rather than relationship oriented, which means they're out doing things while more relationship oriented types are sitting around talking about relationships.

The Three Vulnerable Goddesses: Hera, Demeter, Persephone

Everyone needs to be attached to others for survival, but these three feel it the strongest. Relationships come first, then careers. Their awareness of the importance of relationships and the receptivity to others that is part of this makes them more emotionally open and vulnerable.

The Alchemical Goddess: Aphrodite

This goddess has a golden, magical kind of energy that inspires people and makes them feel special. She is very relationship oriented, but to everyone, not just a select few, and is owned by no one.

The Father Gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades

These gods are naturally dominant, the alpha males of their respective domains, and have a masterful air about them.

The Son Gods: Apollo, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus, Dionysus

These gods don't have their own domains and are known for the jobs they do. They have a boyish quality to them.