Identify Your True Image: Archetype Consults for Self-Discovery
- Sarah Engen
- Sep 28
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 5
Image and identity have always been integral to a woman’s psyche. Her image is her personal narrative and what precedes her, defines her, and inspires her.
But, there is a big misconception.
The misconception is that our self-image - the 'I' we see in the mirror - is real and conclusive. In truth, our reflection is a perception and merely subjective. It's a story we tell ourselves, again and again, until it now holds true. These personal narratives are so ingrained and familiar, it can be a conflict to even consider an alternative. This perceived idea of ourselves directs how we act, behave, and live. Yet, it’s often just smoke and mirrors - an illusion and a distortion.
The good news is that we have a true self which Carl Jung, a prominent psychologist, referred to as the “unification of our consciousness and unconsciousness”. It is, in a sense, our whole self manifested as intended. How do we discover her? By exploring the Inner Self or hidden root self - which is often obscured, invisible, or beyond our awareness. She resides in our unconscious.
This is where archetypal consultations come into play. By learning your archetype - your Image Type - you can connect to your inner self easily and gain valuable insights into your personality, motivations, purpose, and life path.
What Are Archetypes?
Archetypes are universal symbols or patterns of consciousness, frequently appearing in myths, stories, and art across various cultures. Carl Jung introduced the idea of archetypes as a component of his theory of the collective unconscious.
Our 36 Image Types system is a collection of archetypes that draw on classic psychology and feminine mythology and reflect varying and different aspects of the feminine psyche.
Each Image Type has a distinct sensibility and comprises a specific Feminine Presence, Psychology, and Essence. Your Image Type should resonate with you, feel familiar and recognizable.
Are you...
The Hearthkeeper - warm and grounded, maternal, resourceful and dependable, an anchor in her community, family or work.
The Wood Nymph - youthful, subtle and slight, in-tune with nature and her surroundings, astute and alert.
The Mona Lisa - a neo-classical beauty, impressive and prominent, the centerpiece and cornerstone, impressive and refined.
There are 36 Image Types in our system and one will fit you.
The Importance of Archetype Consultations
Archetypal consultations provide a structured way to explore your true self and nature and integrate it into your life.
The benefits of Archetype Consultations include:
Greater Perspective: Learning your Image Type brings your true self into perspective, by-passing limiting self-concepts that prevent you from seeing yourself in your true light.
Improved Decision-Making: You make better choices that align with your true self, so unconscious limitations no longer hinder your path, create distractions, or form personal blocks.
A Stronger Impression: Your key qualities become front and center, you communicate more effectively who you are and your purpose, so you no longer feel you have anything to prove.
Greater Emotional Resilience: Understanding your true self helps you navigate challenges with more confidence and certainty. You feel more comfortable in your skin and don't feel you have to play the part anymore.
You Know Where You Fit: Understanding where you fit among other women, how they respond to you and the effect you have on others, allows you to confidently navigate relationships in a personal or professional setting. Your now know your innate value.
Sacred Space for You: As you become more aware and conscious of who you are, you create a sacred space for yourself to thrive, feeling more connected to source and the world around you.
The Consultation Process
Introduction: We explain the process, archetypal theory and set the tone for the session, clarifying some of your expectations and reasons for the consult.
Exploration: We discuss your life experiences and key aspects of your nature that you identify with, and your dreams and aspirations.
Reflection: We discuss your perception of self versus how others perceive you, and reflect on your current self-image.
Reveal: We reveal the key qualities that represent your Inner Self:
Your Presence - your predominant feminine expression - Maiden, Matriarch or Seer
Your Psychology - your primary response to the world and whether you pull your energy inward or seek outward.
Your Essence - your core element that defines you - Air, Water, Earth and Fire, or referred to also as as Intellect, Emotion, Physical or Spiritual.
We then reveal your Image Type from the 36 Image Types.
The Profile: We discuss your Image Profile - an essential framework and overview of your Image Type including your defining qualities, your core elements and traits, your personality and approach to life, your aesthetic and key features, your feminine presence and how you impact others, your interests, ideal relationships and career, and your capsule wardrobe and ideal look.
Follow Up - You will receive a copy of your Image Profile. Further follow-up sessions to help you continue your journey of self-discover are also available.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
This consultation focuses on identifying our true self which, according to Robert Fritz - author of The Path of Least Resistance - is “one of the most important things we can do.'' Delving into the intricate tapestry of your identity is worthwhile as it allows you to live with intention and purpose.
The Archetype Consult is successful because it provides a way to see oneself objectively. When personal perceptions can obscure our judgment, it's crucial to have a process that enables you to detach and view yourself from an unbiased perspective, allowing you to see yourself in a completely new way. This is the path to becoming conscious.
Becoming Conscious
When you are trying to connect with parts of yourself that are not visible but invisible, classical systems of psychology and typology are invaluable.
Carl G Jung, a Swiss psychoanalyst and a pioneer in the study of personality, introduced the concept - the Four Functions – thinking, feeling, sensing and intuition, which reveal core ways people process information. The thinking person makes decisions without emotion and in a logical way. The feeling person makes decisions by evaluating the options and considers the human element. The sensing person deals with data as it comes and with realism, sometimes with an almost photographic memory. They are objective. The intuitive person deals with data in terms of their relationships to everything else, forming ideas and creating possibilities and concepts.
Jung also proposed that a person responds by either drawing away and pulling inward, or by reaching out and pushing outward. These he termed as introversion (from the Latin 'intro' to the inside) and extroversion (from the Latin ‘extra’ to the outside). If you are introverted you get your energy from within and from quiet isolation. If you are extroverted, you get your energy from interacting with others or the outside world, and can feel isolated if you are removed from that for too long. This is one of the key distinguishing characteristics we use in our consult.
Another typology is the four fundamental substances or the Four Elements. The world and all matter within it were believed to be composed of and governed by these elements:
Earth: Solidity, stability, and the dry and cold qualities.
Water: Liquidity, adaptability, and the cold and wet qualities.
Air: Gas, intellect, and the wet and hot qualities.
Fire: Energy, transformation, and the hot and dry qualities.
Feminine mythology is another way to understand more about who you are. In ancient times, women were regarded according to their role in the tribe. Their unique individual qualities were acknowledged from a young age and were cultivated and nurtured as they grew to be women. There was a ceremony even to initiate her and celebrate her value and individual contribution and role. Feminine mythology is a key component of our archetype system as it draws the client back to her core feminine sensibility and allows her to understand her role and where she fits. We use the 3 feminine ages and the archetypes - Maiden, Matriarch and Seer, and sub-categories there of, to determine your feminine qualities and psyche.
All these aspects combine to guide us towards your Image Type.
Embracing Your Archetypes
Once we have identified your Image Type and you have received your Image Profile, the next step is to embrace it. Here are some practical tips:
Celebrate Your Strengths: Acknowledge the positive traits associated with your archetype and Image Type. Consider how you already integrate her in your life by the choices you have made and the relationships you have.
Address Your Challenges: Recognize the areas in your life where you are not empowered to live according to your true self, or feel thwarted in some way, and consider what practical steps you can take to integrate her.
Invoke Your Archetype: Introduce your Image Type into your life by reviewing your wardrobe and removing or introducing pieces that harmonize with you. Consider your career choices and whether you can include more of your true qualities in your work or what roles you can take on that would be more fulfilling. Examine your relationships and consider how you can express yourself more authentically and be happier within yourself embodying more of your true self.
The Transformative Power of Archetypes
As you embark on your journey of self-discovery, keep in mind the transformative power of archetypes. Your Image Type can provide insights that lead to personal growth and fulfillment ongoingly for years to come.
With this new awareness of who you are, you now have the potential for growth personally and within the feminine tribe. The tribe is a complex macrocosm that requires all elements of herself to contribute to function effectively. All women have a role to play and provide great value, and you do too.
You may also want to contemplate the archetypes of other women in your life to consider the dynamics in your relationships, how well you work or live with others, and also why conflicts may have at times come about. Seeing yourself as part of this greater community and part of the natural world allows you to feel more connected and useful. If you have felt discomfort or isolated within the tribe, you may gain new insight into why, be able to make sense of it, and feel more in-tune. Clarification on how you are perceived by others and the relinquishing of false self-concepts can make it easier to integrate with those around us.
How to Prepare for an Archetype Consultation
To get the most out of your consultation, it is essential to prepare. Here are some steps you can take:
Reflect on Your Life: Think about significant events, relationships, and experiences that have shaped you.
Identify Patterns: Look for recurring themes in your life. Are there certain challenges you face repeatedly?
Set Intentions: Consider what you hope to achieve through the consultation. Do you want to gain clarity on a specific issue, or are you seeking a broader understanding of yourself?
Image Questionnaire: Complete the Image Questionnaire and provide the appropriate photos for us to prepare for your session. Much of the analysis is done prior to your appointment so we have more time for the reveal during your session.
By taking these steps, you will be better equipped to engage in meaningful discussions and have a life-changing experience.
Moving Forward with Confidence
As you move forward, remember that self-discovery is not a destination but a continuous process. Embrace the insights gained from your Archetype Consultation and allow your Image Type to guide you.
By understanding your archetype - your Image Type, you can invoke your true self and live a life that is authentic and fulfilling.
In the end, the journey of "individuation", as Carl Jung named it, is about going within and rather than seeking outside of you. You already have all you need within - your whole self. "The kingdom of heaven is within you".
So, take the leap, explore your archetypes and identify your Image Type from the 36 Image Types.
Your true self is waiting for you.