Hudson Archetypal Goddess Scale

Test scores

Bolen's psychology includes the six goddesses, from the Twelve Olympians: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Artemis, Athena, and Aphrodite. The archetypes she portrays in her book, «Goddesses in Everywoman», are the six Olympian goddesses, mentioned above, along with Persephone, whose mythology is related to that of her mother, Demeter.

Below are brief descriptions of each of Bolen's seven goddess archetypes:

• Artemis

The Artemis archetype is about the independent feminine spirit and enables a woman to achieve her goals. She represents an attitude of "I can take care of myself'. She bases her identity and sense of worth on who she is as a person rather than if she is married, thus enabling her to feel whole without a man. She is able to concentrate intensely on what is important, leading to her accomplishments and achievements. «Artemis represents qualities idealized by the women's movement – achievement and competence, independence from men and male opinions, and concern for victimized, powerless women and the young». The Artemis archetype is activated in a woman when she feels the interconnectedness of all things, and spiritual union with nature. She is an active rather than passive woman, and feels and responds passionately to what she believes in. She is most likely a strong supporter of women's rights. An Artemis woman is nontraditional and may receive criticism from others for not being more like a woman. She often feels equality with men and a sense of connection with other women. An Artemis woman has contempt for vulnerability, and may be cruel to a man who loves her if he displays signs of weakness or neediness. Thus, «emotional distance is a characteristic of an Artemis woman, who is so focused on her own aims and undistracted that she fails to notice the feelings of others around her».

• Athena

Athena was known for her strategic, wise, and practical solutions. Athena as an archetype is the pattern in which logical women subscribe for they are ruled by their heads rather than their hearts. A woman whose Athena archetype has been activated is inclined to focus on her own priorities rather than the needs of others. Athena is sensible, pragmatic, and realistic. Athena the goddess was a father's daughter, and sided with the patriarchy. She thrives on knowledge, behaves professionally, and is objective and skillful. However, she may be impersonal, and unlike Artemis who may take things personally, Athena is well armored and defended. She stays in her head, braces her intellectual defenses, and protects herself from feeling pain. Since Athena seeks things in moderation, she never experiences the throes of passion nor the deepest of suffering.

• Hestia

«Hestia represents the Self, an intuitively known spiritual center of a woman's personality that gives meaning to her life». Hestia is inwardly focused and relies on her abilities of perception and intuition. Hestia seeks solitude, tranquility, and hearthkeeping. She is generally emotionally detached and exhibits the ability to let go of expectations and outcomes. She demonstrates a wise woman and old soul quality, and an inner centeredness which enable her to be grounded despite what occurs externally. The Hestia archetype is also associated with women's spirituality, and the importance of finding peace and making meaning of one's life. The woman with an active Hestia archetype is able to listen to others and embody compassion. «As an archetype of inner wisdom, Hestia lacks negativity» ... and the axiom «'Still waters run deep' describes Hestia's introverted feelings, which lie below the surface». Many people in a Hestia woman's life may be unaware of how she feels about them due to Hestia's undemonstrative nature.

• Hera

Hera, unlike any of the other goddesses, «has markedly positive and negative attributes. The same is true for the Hera archetype, an intensely powerful force for joy or pain in a woman's personality». The most fundamental yearning of the Hera archetype is to be a wife because she feels incomplete without a partner. When partnered, a Hera woman exudes her capacity to commit and bond. She is able to be loyal, faithful and devoted to her partner. However, if a Hera woman is spumed, she reacts with activity and rage. A woman with an active Hera archetype typically places little value on her relationships with other women, and usually does not have a best friend. Many Hera women marry hoping that their husbands will fulfill them and make them complete. Consequently, a «Hera woman's disappointment and pain are proportional to the discrepancy between her· archetypal expectations of fulfillment and reality, and the gap may be great».

• Demeter

Demeter is the mother archetype that represents maternal instinct. A woman with an active Demeter archetype longs to be a mother and nurture others. She may be a giving provider, a persistent protector, or a generous mother who provides support and nourishment. A Demeter woman frequently has an Earth Mother quality. She is generally other directed, altruistic, grounded, solid, and dependable. She speaks and behaves with integrity. However, a Demeter woman is vulnerable because she has great difficulty in saying no. Therefore, she may become involved in relationships where others are willing to take advantage of her. Though she may behave in ways which communicate she has an unlimited capacity to provide, a Demeter woman runs the risk of depleting her energy by helping everyone around her. She will become overburdened, and may begin to behave in passive-aggressive ways.

• Persephone

The goddess Persephone is most recognized through her relationship to her mother, Demeter. In the «Hymn to Demeter», Persephone is abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld. As an archetype, Persephone is compliant and passive. One aspect of Persephone is the Kore. «The Kore was the 'nameless maiden'; she represents the young girl who does not know 'who she is' and is as yet unaware of her desires or strengths». Women with an active Persephone archetype are uncommitted, indecisive, and «waiting for something or someone to transform their lives». A Persephone woman is malleable, chameleonlike, and conforming. This archetype represents the woman who possesses youthful qualities, procrastinates, and complies with the wishes of others. She is easily dominated by others, and is depicted by her lack of ambition, drive, and direction. A negative aspect of this archetype is the problems that may ensue when a Persephone woman feels powerless and dependent on others. She may devise ways in which to have her needs met indirectly through use of manipulation and lying.

• Aphrodite

Bolen described Aphrodite as the alchemical goddess. Like the vulnerable goddesses (Hera, Demeter, and Persephone), Aphrodite desires relationships. However, Aphrodite was also able to maintain her autonomy, much like the virgin goddesses (Artemis, Athena, and Hestia). «She valued emotional experience with others more than either independence from others (which motivated the virgin goddesses), or permanent bonds to others (which characterized the vulnerable goddesses)». The archetype of Aphrodite presides over women's delight in love, beauty, sexuality, and sensuality. Also known as the Goddess of Love, «an Aphrodite woman is recognizable by her attractiveness rather than by her appearance alone. The Aphrodite archetype creates a personal charisma – a magnetism or electricity». Concerning relationships with women, an Aphrodite woman may be mistrusted by other women. However, others may enjoy her spontaneity and attractiveness, thus providing an Aphrodite women with a wide circle of female friends. Aphrodite women are extraverted, live in the moment, radiate a love of life, and relate in a warm and attentive manner.

Bolen grouped the goddess archetypes into three categories: the Virgin Goddesses, the Vulnerable Goddesses, and the Alchemical Goddess. The three virgin goddesses were Artemis, Athena, and Hestia. They «personify the independent, active, nonrelationship aspects of women's psychology». The three vulnerable goddesses were Hera, Demeter, and Persephone. They «personify archetypes that represent the traditional roles of women- wife, mother, and daughter». The alchemical goddess was Aphrodite. The goddess Aphrodite «maintained her autonomy, like a virgin goddess, and was in relationships, like a vulnerable goddess». This archetype personifies interdependence – the ability to be both independent and relational.