The Magical Earth Maiden
Pattern
from
A Feminist Re-envisioning of
Mythic Imagery
by
Terry D. Johnson University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
The pattern, which for reasons which will become
obvious, we called the Magical Earth Maiden.
1. A young orphaned girl, on the brink of womanhood.
2 lives in a remote place of power.
3. The maiden does not usually travel; she may be carried off by an
evil female.
4. The Maiden is possessed of a power but may not realise it.
5. The power may be symbolised by a token, ring, necklace, or jewel.
6. The Maiden’s power is transformative, healing, or creative
connected to the earth.
7. She may be threatened by a powerful rival female who turns out to
be a witch.(See #3)
8. She may have a wise mentor who teaches the arts of the earth and
to use her attractive power prudently. The mentor is often her
deceased mother.
9. The Maiden attracts a young male, often a prince or a person of
power and prestige.
10. The Prince may already be on a quest, which may be the rescue of
the Maiden; or he is set a quest by the Maiden.
11. The Prince needs help from the Maiden and she gives it.
12. The quest is completed successfully and the pair are united in a
bond of friendship, familial love or marriage.
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