The lover archetype represents the pursuit of pleasure, passion, and intimacy.
She is one of our most powerful female archetypes and is a very common figure in mythology, literature, popular culture, and archetypal psychology. The lover archetype embodies sensuality, presence, and creativity. Her life force energy is magnetic (to both men and women), charismatic and she has an appeal that’s irresistible.
The Lover archetype is one of the twelve archetypes first introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, the founder of analytical psychology. Yet here we’ll look at her in relation to the 7 female archetypes.
The 7 female archetypes
Within the field of myth and storytelling, researchers using the theories outlined by Jung on the unconscious, have identified 7 main archetypes characterising the female experience.
These 7 feminine archetypes are universal energy patterns, and they’re said to embody each aspect of womanhood.
They’re a bit like blueprints, or essential forms that crosses space and time, existing in the collective unconscious.
These feminine archetypes serve to give structure and to hold the exploration of the fullness of divine feminine energy (beyond the confines of patriarchally defined femininity).
Discover the 7 female archetypes...
What is lover energy?
The energy of the lover archetype is charged with a pulse that feels electric.
Imagine a woman tapped into her sensuality. She feels pleasure on her skin and tastes eros on her lips. She is confident and aligned, enjoying being in full presence with the moment.
The lover archetype is on fire with desire, bliss, and pure pleasure.
This archetype lives in the present moment. Instinctively connected to her senses, she is closely attuned to the here and now. And this, in turn, tunes other people to the present moment too. Maybe that’s key to her magnetism? Her seeming ability to make love to the moment, diving into the eternal now, with her heart and soul.
The lover represents the primal, life-bringing impulse of nature itself. She dances with eros, savoring and offering her pure feminine energy as a prayer to the world.
Someone with a strong lover archetype tends to be guided in life by her body, and her emotions. Whether she chooses romantic love or creative passion, the lover burns her path through everyday life by following what feels good. For some women, this powerful energy may emerge as the desire to procreate.
But it may also express through pure creative instinct. The lover archetype contains the desire and drive to fuel any creative project (often this can be several projects, at once). Plus, she can attract money, support and extra partners in abundance.
To the lover archetype work is play and play is work, and every moment of every story is celebrated.
The lover archetype passionately seeks connection, and is motivated by creating relationships.
She cherishes time with her beloved and makes a passionate lover. When her senses are heightened, and she’s all-in with her loving devotion, she’s at her most alive! Yet her sexuality is about more than just sex. It contains a spiritual love and healing potency that our modern societies have all but forgotten.
The lover archetype holds the frequency of sacred sensuality, sexuality, and eroticism that used to be recognized and revered in the temple cultures of old.
Her focus on pleasure can stimulate the sweet waters of healing inside the body. Through deep, loving connection, lovers are able to offer the kind of closeness that can catalyze profound healing.
Do you know somebody like this?
It’s rare for women to fully embody this sacred feminine archetype, as lover archetypes can be the target of so much shame and unease (both projected and self-shaming). Her energy isn’t something we’ve been taught to celebrate.
YET, by embracing the lover archetype, you can tap into your own creativity, and sensual pleasure, as well as achieve intimacy with yourself and the world that you’d only previously dreamed about…
Traits, qualities, and characteristics of the lover archetype
Embodying a particular stream of divine feminine energy, the lover archetype has a sensual embodiment and a creative radiance that’s unique.
Here are some examples of the key characteristics, qualities, and traits of the lover archetype:
Passionate: The lover is known for her extremely passionate nature, and the eternal fire that burns within, keeping those inner flames alive.
Romantic: The lover is often associated with romance, love, and intimacy. She also tends to have a deep appreciation for beauty and aesthetics.
Creative: The lover archetype is one of the most heart-felt creative and artistic of all. And with this comes a strong appreciation for music, art, and literature.
Compassionate: This sensitive archetype is compassionate to the core. She has a strong desire to help others, born from her instinctive ability to deeply connect with them.
Empathic: The lover is deeply empathic, with a strong ability to understand and relate to the emotions of others.
READ THIS RELATED POST: What is the Caregiver Archetype
Sensitive: The incredible capacity for feeling, possessed by the lover archetype means that she can hold the entire spectrum of intense emotions.
Emotional: The Lover is in touch with her emotions and is not afraid to express them openly and honestly.
Intuitive: Because she is so connected to the present moment, the lover is often highly intuitive, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart.
ALSO READ: Mystic Archetype – 10 Ways to Embody her Power
Sensual: Of all the archetypes, the lover has the strongest association with her senses. She absolutely survives, by indulging in pleasure and sensory experiences.
Loving: Above all, the lover archetype is known for their capacity to love deeply and unconditionally, making them highly valued and cherished by those around them.
While these traits may vary, depending on the culture or mythology in which the lover archetype appears, they’re generally consistent across different traditions.
The lover is strongly related to the siren archetype
Check out this post next: What is a Siren Woman? 10 Ways to Activate this Seduction Archetype
Weaknesses and shadow side of the lover archetype
The weaknesses or limitations when it comes to the lover archetype definition may be expressed consciously, as behaviors that manifest daily in a woman’s life. OR they may exist in the unconscious, emerging through the shadow side.
Here are some examples of the key weaknesses, negative qualities, and shadow aspects relating to the lover archetype:
Obsessive: The lover can become overly fixated on their romantic or sexual partners, leading to possessiveness and jealousy.
Impulsive: Those with a dominant lover archetype can be impulsive and may make decisions based on their emotions rather than rational thinking.
Self-centered: The lover can become overly focused on their own needs and desires, neglecting the needs and desires of others.
Addictive tendencies: With such a focus on what feels good, lovers can become addicted to the sensations of love and infatuation, leading to destructive behaviors and broken relationships.
Idealistic: Just as the maiden archetype can be idealistic in life, the lover can have unrealistic expectations of their partners in love, leading to disappointment and disillusionment.
Codependent: The lover can become overly dependent on their partners, leading to an unhealthy and unbalanced dynamic in relationships.
Has a lack of commitment: Craving the thrill of a new intimate acquaintance, the human lover can struggle to stick to one partner, project or opportunity at a time, seeking new stimulation instead of working with what she has.
Insecure: The lover can be deeply insecure and may seek validation and acceptance from their partners, leading to clinginess and neediness.
Superficial: Lover archetypes can be overly focused on appearances and physical attraction, neglecting deeper emotional and spiritual connections.
Escapist: This archetype can be prone to using love and sex as a way to escape from her problems and responsibilities, leading to avoidance and denial.
How to explore the lover archetype through shadow work
Many women have a strong link to the lover archetype… but they may not realize it, because her qualities exist in the shadow.
We all have a shadow side – a part of the unconscious psyche where we put all the parts of ourselves we have rejected.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SHADOW: What is Shadow Work?
But the relationship that many women have with their sexuality has been distorted over many, many generations, it’s only natural we’ve been conditioned to reject aspects of our inner lovers. But we absolutely need her, not only for our sexual liberation (personal and collective) but for her healing potential.
If you relate to any of the weaknesses, or shadow sides of the lover archetype, then you may want to spend time diving into your shadow. Looking deeply into our (very human) negative traits can bring up intense emotions, trauma responses, and a lot of discomfort, so go carefully.
You can start here: The Honeyed Shadow is a self-led 13-day journey into the sweetness of your personal shadow. It’s a great place to begin peeling back the layers of your unconscious, in a gentle and supportive way. To learn to handle intense emotions that shadow work flare, and to arrive at a place self-acceptance and sweetness!
ALSO READ THIS: 20 reasons to do your shadow work
What are the different characters related to the lover archetype?
In popular culture and the world of fame, typical lover archetype examples are Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.
Yet in television, movies, books and stories, the lover archetype shows up as many different characters. Just as love has many guises, there’s no one perfect example of the lover archetype.
Here are 6 different examples of the lover that show up pretty frequently. You should recognize them all, even if before now you didn’t realize they were examples of this ancient energetic blueprint.
Romantic partner: The lover archetype is often associated with romantic love and can play the role of a passionate and devoted partner and “true love” in a romantic relationship.
Artist: The lover is often creative and can play the role of an artist or musician, expressing their passion and emotions through their art.
Caregiver: The lover archetype is deeply empathic and compassionate, and may show up as a caregiver, nurturing and caring for others.
Friend: Lovers may also play the role of a friend or best friend, forming deep and meaningful connections with others based on mutual love and respect.
Spiritual seeker: The lover archetype can be deeply spiritual and can show up as a character exploring the mysteries of love and the divine. Also connected to the mystic archetype.
Activist: The lover archetype tends to be passionate about causes and may appear as an activist, fighting for justice and equality in the name of love.
Examples of the lover archetype in mythology and literature
As mentioned above, the lover archetype is a common character appearing in mythology, folklore, film, literature – and in the people you meet in everyday life!
Here are 10 lover archetype examples from mythology, film, and literature:
Aphrodite: In ancient Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love well known for her beauty, passion, and sensuality.
Juliet from Romeo and Juliet: A beautiful young woman, deeply in love with Romeo and willing to risk everything for their relationship.
Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind: Scarlett is a passionate and impulsive woman in love with Ashley Wilkes but she ends up falls for Rhett Butler.
Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby: A beautiful and alluring woman who is in love with Jay Gatsby but ultimately chooses her own comfort and safety over their relationship.
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Holly is a free-spirited and romantic woman in love with Paul Varjak but in the end chooses to prioritize her own independence and freedom.
Anna Karenina from Anna Karenina: A passionate and sensual character who falls for Count Vronsky but faces tragic consequences for their relationship.
Guinevere from the Arthurian legends: Guinevere is a beautiful and alluring woman in love with Lancelot, but ultimately causes the downfall of King Arthur’s kingdom.
Bella Swan from the Twilight series: Bella is deeply in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire, and their relationship is characterized by passion, intensity, and a deep emotional connection.
Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre: Jane is a deeply emotional and passionate woman who falls in love with Mr. Rochester but then chooses to prioritize her own values and morals over their relationship.
Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City: Carrie is a romantic and passionate writer. She desires Mr. Big but learns to prioritize her own happiness and independence.
15 ways to embody the lover archetype: A comprehensive list
Embodying the lover archetype is about activating the love you have for yourself, others, and the world around you.
Remember, the lover isn’t limited to romantic love, but encompasses all forms of love, including self-love, platonic love, and love for nature. When you’re able to embody the energy and power of this beautiful and sacred female archetype, you radiate warmth and enthusiasm. And this, in turn, will attract positive energy and experiences into your life.
Here are 15 really powerful ways to get you started on the journey of embracing the lover archetype in your life:
1. Practice self-love
Loving yourself is the first step to embodying this female archetype.
Be your own love interest!
But this needn’t mean getting all gushy, gazing into your own reflection in the mirror and repeating self-affirming affirmations! Simply learning to take care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and respect is a HUGE deal.
2. Express your emotions
Be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling. Embrace your emotions and express them in a healthy way. Share your feelings with your family.
3 Learn presence
The lover archetype has the capacity to be more present than all other archetypes. She is intimately in touch with the emergent field, which allows her to create such close and precious presence with the rest of nature and life itself.
Learn presence by practicing mindfulness, and gradually cultivating awareness, and presence in the moment. Meditation may help. And also practice being deeply present and attentive to your partner, friends, and family. At every opportunity, put away distractions, such as your phone or computer, and focus on the person in front of you.
4. Connect to your body
Connecting with your body can mean doing some kind of movement practice – dance, yoga, athletics, or getting out into nature for a long walk. But having an embodiment practice is much more about getting in contact with the sensations of the body, wherever you are. It’s about noticing sensation, becoming really attuned to your physical state, and listening to the wisdom your body holds.
5. Awaken your sensuality
Explore your 5 senses, and really get in touch with your connection to sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. Savour sensory experiences by slowing down and noticing all the beauty that surrounds you.
Remember – sensuality doesn’t have to be sexual. So indulge in activities that make you feel sensual, for example – dancing, taking a ritual bath, smelling beautiful flowers, inhaling enticing smells, or wearing clothes that make you feel divine!
6. Explore your sexuality
Embrace your sexuality and explore it in a safe and consensual way. Learn about your body and your sexuality, and explore what feels good and pleasurable for you.
7. Explore desire
Get in touch with your desires and fantasies. Give yourself time to explore these on your own, or communicate them with your partner and explore them together.
8. Cultivate intimacy
Intimacy doesn’t have to be sexual. Make time for meaningful conversations with those you love. Spend time cuddling, holding hands or gently stroking each other’s bodies. If you’re normally closed off, then practice being affectionate, and melt into how it feels to both give, and receive affection to your loved ones.
9. Be playful!
A sense of play is something we all naturally have as children, but it seems to slip away as we mature into adulthood. But it’s something that can (and needs to be!) reignited. Put effort into embracing your playful side and having fun with your family and friends. Laugh, joke around, and enjoy each other’s company.
10. Be vulnerable
Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open with your family. Reveal parts of yourself that you normally keep hidden.
11. Develop your communication skills
Practice communicating openly and honestly with the people around you. Learn to express your needs, wants, and boundaries clearly and respectfully. The flip side to this is learning to listen actively and empathetically to others.
12. Practice forgiveness
Forgive yourself and others for past mistakes and hurts. Let go of grudges and resentments, and forgive those around you. Release yourself and others, from the bonds of script and story from the past. Doing this will create the sense of personal freedom and connection that the lover archetype thrives on.
13. Nurture your creativity
The lover archetype is strongly associated with creativity and artistic expression. Take time to nurture your own creativity, whether it’s through writing, painting, music, or any other form of artistic expression. But try not to pick up a creative project with a goal or specific outcome, but purely for the sake of creative exploration.
14. Be open to new experiences
Embrace new opportunities and experiences. The lover is the perfect example of someone who lives in the moment, and this means welcoming what’s new.
15. Actively cultivate your confidence
Believe in yourself and your worth.
Practice speaking affirmations aloud every day.
Challenge your negative self-talk.
Choose to surround yourself with positive people who support and encourage you.
Nurture the emergence of this ancient, healing, connecting archetype
There are SO many reasons to nurture the emergence of your own inner lover archetype, whatever stage of life you’re in.
She may never be a dominant archetype for you, but in order to powerfully navigate life as women we need to draw on aspects of all the different archetypes. Lover included!
Feminine transformation is a constant initiation.
So get to know yourself. Befriend yourself, and trust yourself. WOrk with the practices and methods in this article, to enable the emergence and strength of your inner lover.
Embodying the lover archetype takes practice, patience, and dedication. Practice Makes Perfect (though who really wants perfect? 😉
Now have a look at some of these…
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