What is the archetype of the enchantress?
Apr 07, 2025
As women, we are cyclical beings. During our menstrual cycle, we go through different phases, each corresponding to an archetype. If you want to get an overview of the four different phases, check this article. The luteal phase, which happens before our periods, corresponds to the enchantress archetype. For many women, this is the most challenging time of the cycle, but once you understand this archetype better, you might start to look forward to it. The Enchantress is a decisive, magical, creative phase that can tremendously enrich your life.
The enchantress archetype
In nature, the enchantress is associated with autumn. Her energy is felt as the leaves change colors, transforming the forest into a stunning display of reds and golds. She embodies the onset of night and the approach of winter, signifying a time when life begins to slow down. She is like the ebbing tide in the ocean. In our menstrual cycle, there are four phases: two with an extraverted energy (the maiden and the mother) and two with an introverted energy. The enchantress represents the first introverted phase, followed by the witch phase (the menstruation). As such, she is characterized by a decline in both our physical and mental energies, along with a natural desire to slow down and withdraw from the world.
The challenge of luteal phase energies
The enchantress archetype represents a wise and assertive woman—a seductress who is fully in touch with her magic. She manages change with ease and is willing to let go of old stories, places, and patterns. This powerful woman is unafraid to express her needs and is deeply connected to her creativity. During the luteal phase, we perceive the world through the lens of the subconscious and the creativity that comes with it.
One significant challenge of the enchantress phase is that it embodies both a mysterious and powerful archetype, while simultaneously prompting us to slow down and retreat inward. Society and the workplace often overlook our cyclical nature. During the more extroverted phases of the maiden and the mother, this lack of acknowledgment is not usually a problem.
However, when we are unable to adjust our routines and daily tasks to meet the needs of the luteal phase, we miss the opportunity to fully embrace the energies and benefits of the enchantress. The enchantress offers us immense creativity, spiritual energy, and a unique ability to embrace change during this cycle. For many women, though, if they cannot take time for themselves or engage in activities that nurture their spiritual side, this phase can become a time of exhaustion, mood swings, anger, and anxiety.
How to Embody Enchantress Energy
A key aspect of this phase is allowing ourselves to rest as much as possible. We naturally tend to need more sleep, and we will benefit from dedicating time to our creativity and spirituality. The strong emotional reactions we may experience come from the enchantress within us, who interacts with the world through the subconscious. This way of engaging with the world is also a strength. It is the perfect time to read tales and stories or connect with your spiritual expression.
"A woman’s issues of soul cannot be treated by carving her into a more acceptable form as defined by an unconscious culture, nor can she be bent into a more intellectually acceptable shape by those who claim to be the sole bearers of consciousness.” Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Our creativity might feel a bit extreme, chaotic, and impulsive, but if we allow ourselves to embrace it, we will experience immense joy and satisfaction. A great way to feel more balanced during this period is to channel this powerful creative energy into a project without focusing on the results. This is not the time for careful planning or gentle steps; instead, it’s a time to unleash a wild part of your feminine essence and flow with the urge to create and share.
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