Myths and folklore are ancient doorways into the soul, especially for women. These stories, passed down through generations, weave their way past the logical mind and plunge directly into the depths of our inner world. They are keys to the forgotten, shadowy corners of our psyche, illuminating the timeless themes of transformation, loss, and rebirth. Through these tales, we glimpse the hidden, often unspoken parts of ourselves—the wild, instinctual nature that longs to be set free.

Clarissa Pinkola Estés, in her transformative work Women Who Run With the Wolves, speaks of myths as vessels of ancient wisdom, particularly for the feminine soul. She shows us that folklore is far more than entertainment; it is a map to the forgotten territories of our deepest selves. Estés speaks of a “deep knowing” within every woman—a fierce, intuitive wisdom that can only be accessed when we reconnect with the wild woman archetype. Myths, she tells us, are the voices of our ancestors, calling us back to the truths we've buried under layers of conditioning, trauma, and societal expectations.

To engage with myths is to embark on a journey into the soul. They remind us that our struggles are not new, that women for centuries have walked this path before us. In these ancient tales, we find permission to rest, to rage, to shed what no longer serves us, and to reclaim what has been lost. Myths speak to the parts of us that know, deep down, that to grow and heal, we must first descend into the darkness, where the seeds of transformation wait to bloom. Through the symbolic language of story, we rediscover our wild selves, our innate power, and our soul’s true voice.

There was a knight, who is not a very good knight, but rather a creature of his appetites. One day, he sees a woman in the woods, and because she is alone, he uses his physical strength and intimidation to take something from her, something precious that, once taken, she could never get back.

What the knight didn’t know was that this woman was a princess. As the story goes, and as it’s told in many different ways, she tells what happened and identifies the knight. She describes what he looks like, and as it happens, the knight is recognised and brought to court.

A trial begins, but interestingly enough, it turns out not to be about what the knight did, but about the woman’s reputation. She has been tarnished because of the event that occurred in the forest. And many of us know what that means: something happens that isn’t your fault—you’re just existing—and suddenly it becomes your fault. You’re the one held accountable, rather than the person who did the harm in the first place.

But what happens here that is different is that the women of the court—the handmaidens, the ladies-in-waiting, and the women advisors—are the jury.

They bring the knight forward, and of course, he says, "I really did nothing. I mean, she was there, and I was there, but I just... well, you know."

The ladies say to him, "You have a year. A year to exonerate yourself, because we see that this has nothing to do with the princess and everything to do with you. We will give you a year, and you need to go out and ask a question. Bring back the answer that will satisfy all of us women—all of us. The question is: ‘What is it that women truly want?’"

The knight thinks, "Well, that shouldn’t be hard. I’ll figure that out." Thinking he has a whole year to figure this out, he doesn't bother at first but rather spends his time eating, drinking and making merry.

After some time, he goes out and asks women in the marketplace. They say, "If the turnip crop is good, then we are happy." So, he returns to the court and tells the women, "I have the answer. It’s the turnip crop. If the turnip crop is good, then women will be happy." But the women look at him and say, "That is not the answer. It might be the answer for some, but it is not the answer for all."

They send him back out, reminding him he has a few months left.

He goes to all kinds of women and takes their answers back to the court, but each time, the court women discard his responses, saying, "No, that’s just the answer for some women, not all."

Finally, it’s the last day, and the knight is about to lose his life if he cannot answer the question, "What is it that women truly want?"

He meets an old woman by the side of the road, and she laughs. "I can tell you the answer," she says. "Hahaha! You want to know? I’ll tell you."

Desperate, the knight says, "Alright, tell me! What is it?"

She says, "Well, there’s a little catch."

He replies, "I don’t care! Just tell me! I only have one day left until they kill me."

And she says, "Marry me."

Shocked, the knight stammers, "Marry you? Are you...? Ah, marry you?"

She says, "Yes, if you marry me and take me to bed and fulfill your duty to me as a husband, then I will tell you what women truly want."

He thinks, "There is no choice. I have to marry this old hag." So, he does. He takes her to the marriage bed but hesitates outside, thinking to himself, "I don’t know, I can’t..." Finally, he pulls himself together, steadies his nerves, and opens the door and then the curtain to the bedchamber. Before him, instead of the old woman, lies the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She is not young nor old, but stunningly beautiful. They are married, and in the midst of their lovemaking, she says to him, "I want to be on top." He is in such ecstasy, he no longer knows top from bottom.

She rises above and says, "Now, do you want to know what women truly want? I’ll tell you the secret. Women, all women, want sovereignty over their own lives."

The knight almost passes out from the intensity of the moment. When he awakens, the silken sheets are wrinkled, trailing on the floor, and the pillows are scattered everywhere. He asks, "Are you going to remain this way—as this beautiful woman?"

She replies, "Here’s the deal: I can be young by night and old by day, or I can be old by night and young by day. You choose."

The knight groans, "Oh no, oh my god. Young by night means I can roll in the silks with you, but old by day means everyone will know I’m married to a very old woman. Young by day means everyone will see I’m married to a beautiful woman, but old by night means I’ll be making love to a very old woman." And the woman smiled.

He thought and thought, back and forth—old by day, young by night, old, young, young, old, day, night, night, day. "What am I going to do?" he wondered.

Finally, he says, "I cannot do it. I cannot choose. You must choose for yourself."

She smiles and says, "That’s the right answer. Go back and tell the women of the court, and they will exonerate you." And he did, and they did.

More than that, she became a woman who was ageless from then on. She was young when she chose and old when she chose. She became an advisor, wise, long-lived, joyful, inventive, creative—a beautiful spirit, the spirit of a woman.

The archetypes in any story are mirrors reflecting the deeper truths within us. By exploring these archetypes, we uncover hidden aspects of ourselves—our fears, desires, strengths, and vulnerabilities. In this way, the characters we encounter in stories are not just distant figures; they are pieces of us, guiding us toward greater self-awareness and transformation. Through them, we learn to embrace the complexity of who we are.

The story of "The Loathly Bride" presents several archetypes, each representing aspects of the feminine psyche and the broader dynamics of women's experiences. Here's a simple breakdown of these archetypes:

The Princess (Wounded Feminine): The princess represents the part of the feminine psyche that is vulnerable, often exploited, and blamed for events beyond her control. This reflects how women, throughout history, have been subjected to harm and then held accountable for the damage done to them. She symbolises the wounded or oppressed feminine, whose value and autonomy are diminished by external forces, yet who holds the potential for powerful transformation and truth.

The Loathly Lady (Wise Feminine/Sovereign Feminine): The old, unattractive woman who later transforms into a beautiful, radiant figure embodies the archetype of the Wise Woman or Crone. She represents the feminine wisdom that is often overlooked or dismissed due to superficial judgments (her age or appearance). She teaches the knight (and society) that true feminine power lies in sovereignty and control over one’s own life. Her transformation into a beautiful woman signifies the inner beauty and wisdom that emerge when a woman's autonomy and choices are respected.

The Court Women (Collective Feminine): The women of the court represent the collective feminine voice, the chorus of experience, wisdom, and judgment. These women embody the power of community and solidarity, particularly in holding the knight accountable for his actions. They represent the idea that women’s desires and needs are varied but equally valid, and they challenge the knight to understand this deeper truth. This archetype resonates with the psyche's collective wisdom, a reminder that women’s experiences are complex and cannot be reduced to a single answer or stereotype.

The Knight (Unconscious Masculine): The knight, who is initially driven by selfishness and ignorance, symbolises the unconscious masculine aspect in relation to the feminine psyche. His journey is about coming to terms with the deeper needs and autonomy of women. The knight’s eventual surrender—his inability to choose for the woman and leaving the decision to her—symbolizes the necessary recognition and respect for women’s sovereignty. His transformation is a reflection of how the masculine psyche must evolve to honor and respect the feminine.

Together, these archetypes illustrate the journey toward feminine empowerment, sovereignty, and the need for collective recognition of women's autonomy and complexity. The story speaks to how the feminine psyche seeks both validation and the power to govern itself, while also portraying the role of community in reinforcing these truths.

Here are some soul-based journaling prompts inspired by the archetypes and themes in "The Loathly Bride" story:

The Princess (Wounded Feminine):

- Reflect on a time when you felt blamed or held accountable for something that wasn’t your fault. How did this experience affect your sense of self-worth, and what did you learn from it?

The Loathly Lady (Wise Feminine):

- What parts of yourself do you feel have been judged based on appearance or age, rather than inner wisdom? How can you honor the wisdom and beauty within yourself that others might overlook?

The Knight’s Journey (Unconscious Masculine):

- In what ways have you, or others in your life, tried to control or influence decisions about your body, desires, or life path? How can you reclaim that sovereignty?

The Court Women (Collective Feminine):

- Think about the women who make up your personal "court"—your friends, mentors, or family members. How have they supported you in your growth and autonomy? How do you support the women in your life?

The Knight’s Transformation (Surrender):

- Reflect on a situation where you had to surrender control or admit that you didn’t have all the answers. How did that surrender help you grow, and how might surrendering control benefit you now?

The Loathly Lady’s Request (Marriage of Shadow):

- What aspects of yourself (shadow or difficult traits) have you avoided accepting? How might embracing these “less desirable” parts of yourself lead to a deeper sense of self-love and freedom?

Sovereignty (What Women Truly Want):

- What does sovereignty over your own life look like to you? Are there areas where you feel you don’t have full autonomy, and how can you begin to claim that power?