The beginning of The Triple Goddess Archetype is The Maiden, the symbol of youthful energy, vitality, and potential. Associated with springtime, The Maiden is new growth and open possibility. For women, this is the time of self discovery in one's separate identity, creativity and growing out and beyond family and society expectations. Women learning to trust their own instincts and make choices that truly align with their hearts and intentions embody the spirit of The Maiden.
In Greek Mythology The Maiden Archetype is represented by Persephone. The goddess Persephone is known for serving as Goddess of Spring. Vegetation, animal, or even scent representing new life was related to Persephone in some way because it was only upon her return to Earth that life could go on each year. There is a division at the heart of Persephone, who is at once the bringer of spring and not of her own will - the grim Queen of the dead. Her story is full of innocence and tragedy, something most women are familiar with.
Examples of The Maiden Archetypes can include Ophelia, Snow White, Cinderella, Dalai Lama, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
In my artwork The Maiden, I represent her with the growth of spring and flowers of beauty. The soft fabrics and colors define innocence. She is fresh with naivety that could be protected and nurtured by the world, yet she faces judgment and violence if she leaves herself open. Her train is decorated with photos of my grandmother, mother, my aunts, me and my daughter in the era of youth and possibility.
Did we meet ourselves at this time? Did we imagine all we could be? Prose on the caged crinoline haunts the heart of The Maiden.
The Mother is the powerful central figure in the Triple Goddess Archetypes. The Mother represents nurturing, life giving, creativity, protection, and embodies these qualities both physically and spiritually. Nurturing and growth in relationships and societies is at the core of The Mother energies, whether one has children or not. She is fiery, full as the summer harvest moon, intent to care for everyone around her.
The strongest representative of the Mother Archetype in (Greek) mythology is the Olympian Goddess of Harvest and Agriculture, Demeter. She presides over crops and grains as well as the fertility of the earth.
Examples of The Mother Archetypes can include The Virgin Mary, Lady Diana, Mother Earth, The Fairy Godmother…
In my artwork of The Mother, I represent her in all red. The blood of life, the fiery passion, the energy of life itself. She is the creator, the love that is shown in the universe. Stars are formed, life is born, the fullness of beauty. The House symbolizes comfort, shelter and safety, the positive traits of the mother. Inside the house, hung like a mobile, are vintage school learning cards with words capturing the harried and chaotic nature of being in the Mother role.
The last and potentially the most powerful of The Triple Goddess Archetype is The Crone.
The Crone represents a lifetime of wisdom, transformation, introspection, and the grand acceptance of life's cycles. Transcending physical aspects of aging, the Crone embodies deep wisdom from experience in the archetypes she has lived through. Embracing and guiding others through the darker phases of life is often the role of the Crone.
The Crone archetype challenges cultural norms in society, around the issues of aging. In our own society we prioritize youth and productivity, and the Crone becomes invisible, marginalized, with her wisdom undervalued, and her role in the community diminished.
The Crone in Greek mythology is Hecate who was wise and knowledgeable. Hecate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, (remember them?) guiding her through the night with flaming torches. She was known to mediate between mortal and divine spheres.
The dictionary provides a definition of the word Crone as a cruel or ugly old woman. Throughout time in patriarchal societies, the older women were dismissed to a role of witch or evil. These most likely came from a place where older women were healing and using natural ways to view and care for the world. I choose to reclaim the Crone archetype into the true nature of growing old, as a positive and productive element in society. Aging is a bitch, but it’s also a blessing that many do not receive. I hold a place for myself growing into the elder role, and embrace the Crone in every way. She is the wisdom gathered from my previous selves. She provides solace in a youth worshiping and dismissive society. She is a healer and guide.
The Crone sculpture is inspired by a Scrapbook Dress from the early 1920’s. In the scrapbook dress of the Crone, I have attached mementos of remembering my Grandmother, Mother and my Aunties, and also myself as the Crone unfolds for me. The mirror reminds all of us to look aging in the eyes and rethink how we move through these final chapters.
