If you were raised female you were taught on some level to be the damsel or princess. This is a call to the princesses in the world who are ready to step into their power in a big way. If you are powerful in many ways in the world, you tend to be blinded to the ways in which your princess self disempowers you. You do not always see yourself.
You do not see the you who wants or expects to be waited on simply because you think yourself to be fabulous. Be fabulous, darling! Be bold! True power means giving yourself the love and power of stepping fully into YOU, regardless of what everyone else is doing — not needing them to love you, serve you or move mountains for you.
Do you recognize your own patterns below in these six shades of the damsel?
Bella Swan, archetypal Helpless Damsel
She takes many forms, not simply the common “damsel in distress” version of the archetype we usually conjure up. The way you grew up, the messages you were taught, and how you internalized them impacts how she shows up in you.
Of course, you may find overlap in these types. Maybe you are an angry damsel on some days and a power princess on others; sad damsel one week and helpless damsel another. Or a perfect blend all the time. The point is to ask: “How is the damsel showing up in my being?” What would it mean for you to face her and heal her? She will tug at your insides until you see her — really see her. There will be a limit to your own power-fullness until you reckon with the part of yourself that is damsel.
Which Damsel type are you?
I invite you to look at how your Damsel is serving you and how she keeps you small. I think this work is so important for women — that’s why I’ve taught entire weekend retreats focusing on the Damsel — so that no matter which shade of Damsel you’re in, you can empower yourself to care for YOU better, learn the actual tools required to make your own money and pay your own bills, have the sex you really want to have (whatever kind of sex that is) and use your voice without fear in the world and in your relationships.
I know these topics bring up a LOT in women. The feedback has been pretty astounding and as we continue to open this dialogue about the Damsel archetype, I’d love to hear how it resonates with YOU and which shade of Damsel you feel you are.
