I think a lot of times, we romanticize the idea of activating and working with an archetype in life.

It sounds wondrous, powerful, expansive, exciting. And it can be those things, no doubt. But one thing we have to keep in mind is that a constellated archetype has an incredible gravitational force that can consume and overwhelm us.

The archetypes, the generative layer of the psyche that orients and conditions experience, hold more psychic weight. In the face of their influence and demands, we may be powerless. Especially if we are unaware of its presence.

The archetypal framework that gives rise to Artemis has had an incredible impact on my life. It has provided a ground of meaning and depth to experience, it has initiated me into the wonders of the wilderness and the puella spirit.

But she is a demanding god, one that can overwhelm and draw me into her vortex if I’m not careful.

The task, in this case, is to build greater ego strength to meet the archetype, so I can navigate her commands and impulses with discernment. Honor her, while not being swallowed whole.

In this article, I touch back into this discourse, a drive to immerse myself in the wild—in Artemis’ realm—that I’ve been tending for years and years now.