Meet your cycle archetypes: The Queen/The Mother

Image: Alex Sorto via Unsplash

Archetypes represent aspects of the human psyche that have been embedded in our consciousness over generations and they’re an amazing way to connect to your cycle. Because archetypes are about personality, attitude and outlook, getting into the ‘character’ of them can help you embody the attributes you need to find balance. They each have a special energy or superpower you can make use of, depending on what you need

In this four part series, I’ll be giving you an overview of their attributes, superpowers and vulnerabilities, as well as tips to help you to connect to them. You’ll notice that I’ve used both the common names for them as well as my own - that’s because I find archetypes to be multifaceted and these names resonate better with me. You may well have your own!

The Queen a.k.a The Mother

The Queen is most often referred to as The Mother, and represents the Inner Summer or ovulatory stage of the cycle. She’s the archetype of our adult childbearing years and in Greek Mythology, she’s usually represented by the goddess Demeter. When looking at The Queen, Aphrodite might resonate with you more.

Who is she?

Ovulation is the pinnacle of the cycle, when hormones are high and an egg is released in hopes for fertilisation. This is the time when we could become, at least on a super cellular level, mothers to a little zygote (a fertilised cell that’s not quite a foetus) so it’s fitting that The Mother is the archetype for this phase. The Mother is about love - romantic and platonic, desire and sexuality. It’s a nurturing energy with stamina and endurance, exactly what’s needed for the task of birthing and mothering creations, whether human or business related. Her energy is about community and connection. It’s selfless, potent and can be incredibly healing. This is an archetype that represents what women have most been entrained to be: caring, giving, available and loving to the ends of the earth.

I also call give the energy of this phase of the cycle a different name: The Queen. We all know the stereotype of the Mother who puts everything and everything ahead of herself, leaving her burnt out - a real shadow of the archetype. The Queen is the remedy to that. She, too, is about caring for others. Think about a Queen with her Queendom and citizens to look after. But she’s not getting in the thick of things herself. She’s slightly at a distance, understanding that to look after others, she first has to look after herself. The Queen, is all about pleasure and directing the energy we dish out in out inner summer back towards ourselves.

In both cases, The Queen and The Mother are about pleasure, being in your fullest expression and nurture.

The Queen/Mother Superpowers

The Queen and The Mother have the ability to do things on an epic scale, especially when it comes to community. Some of her superpowers include:

• The ability to take on responsibility and get the job done

• True selflessness

• Tolerance

• Heightened pleasure and intimacy

• Endurance

• Creativity

• Connecting to others and the earth

• Generating and feeling love and harmony

The Queen/Mother Vulnerabilities

Because the energy of this archetype is about community, there can be a real tendency to overdo it and put others first in stark contrast to The Rebel/Maiden who was all about The Self. Some vulnerabilities include:

• Martyrdom and self-sacrifice

• Being the victim in all things

• Burnout fatigue

• Pleasure addiction

• Being superficial when spread too thin

• Slipping from Queen to Dictator

How to connect to your inner Queen/Mother

The great thing about archetypes, is you can try them on at any time of your cycle. I like to think of them as sisters who can step in to help, wherever you are. The Queen/Mother is a great archetype to tap into if you feel habitually lonely or want to work on your pleasure, intimacy and libido. As always, there’s no need to wait until you’re in the correlating phase but her energy will likely feel easier to connect to or more apparent, in your ovulatory/inner summer. Have a play around and see!

Here are some of my favourite ways to tap into The Queen/Mother:

• Rediscover your senses: The Queen is all about pleasure and sensuality, and a great portal to that is your five senses. Schedule time to simply sit and play with your body. Notice the sensation of your clothes on your skin, or the sun on your face. Treat yourself to some delicious food that you can really enjoy the taste of - some dark chocolate or spices. Light some incense or a scented candle to connect with your sense of smell.

• Connect to your womb: The womb is central to the cycle but also The Mother. This is where babies (both human and creative) are birthed from. Take some time to put your hands over your lower belly and imagine you have a pair of lungs there to breathe into. Notice any sensations, colours or textures. You can do this for as much time as you like!

• Treat your yoni: Connecting to your vulva and vagina can be a super healing practice, and can also help kickstart a flagging libido. A jade egg/yoni egg practice can be lovely, as can a yoni steam. If you have a hand mirror, try looking at your vulva.

• Spend time with loved ones: There’s nothing The Mother loves more than being with her loves. Socialise, go on dates, get out into your community and network!

• Sex and self-pleasure: Both The Queen and The Mother are about pleasure. Whether you’re single or partnered, make time for sex. If you can, schedule it in to give yourself a good window of time, set your space up with candles, music or whatever else helps you to tap into your desire.

My personal favourite ways to connect to The Queen/Mother

• Sex and self-pleasure

• Long, hot showers with body scrubs

• Making a spa at home with face-masks, deep hair conditioners etc

• Resting! Afternoon naps and chilling with no agenda

• Dancing to music that feels sexy

• Enjoying all my favourite foods

How do you connect to your inner Queen/Mother? Is she someone you know well, or do you need to place a little more focus on her to incorporate her energy into your cycle?

If you’re struggling with your cycle and would like to see how using archetypes and coaching can help, schedule your free 30min call with me or check out my menstrual cycle coaching space.

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