Reclaiming the Feminine Psyche: Lessons from Women Who Shaped Depth Psychology
There is a wisdom older than time, carried in the bones of every woman. A knowing that pulses beneath the noise of daily life, waiting to be heard. Depth psychology has been shaped by many brilliant women - thinkers, seekers, and healers who understood the deep workings of the soul. Yet, too often, their names are overshadowed, and their contributions are left unrecognised.
I’ve gathered some of my favourite quotes from just a few of these remarkable women. This is not an exhaustive list, there are many more whose voices deserve to be heard.
Their words remind us to trust our instincts, embrace our depth, and honour both the light and the shadow within us. These aren’t just lessons. They are invitations. They are a remembering.
Marion Woodman: Embracing the Feminine Soul
“A life truly lived constantly burns away veils of illusion, burns away what is no longer relevant, gradually reveals our essence, until, at last, we are strong enough to stand in our naked truth.” — Marion Woodman
Marion Woodman teaches that the feminine soul is not about perfection. It is about truth. It is about shedding old layers, letting go of false identities, and allowing ourselves to fully step into who we are meant to be. When we embrace this process, we reconnect with our deepest, most authentic selves.
Reflection: What illusions are you ready to release so you can stand more fully in your truth?
Clarissa Pinkola Estés: The Wild Woman Archetype
“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.” - Clarissa Pinkola Estés
The Wild Woman is not separate from us, she lives within us. Estés teaches that our wounds, our losses, and even our deepest longings are not barriers; they are openings. They invite us to step into our fullness, to reclaim what has been lost, to reconnect with the instinctual wisdom that has always been ours.
Reflection: What doors have been opening for you through your scars and your stories?
Jean Shinoda Bolen: Goddess Archetypes in Women
“The Olympian deities exist as archetypal patterns in us. The Greek goddesses and gods provide us with images and names of psychological patterns, that when active in us help us to understand our priorities and behavior.” — Jean Shinoda Bolen
Bolen teaches that within every woman, there are archetypal energies that shape how we move through the world. Whether we embody the wisdom of Athena, the nurturing of Demeter, or the wildness of Artemis, these energies are alive within us. Recognising them allows us to move through life with deeper self-awareness and intentionality.
Reflection: Which goddess archetype do you feel is most active in your life, and how does it influence your decisions and actions?
Maureen Murdock: The Heroine’s Journey
“The feminine journey is about going down deep into soul, healing and reclaiming, while the masculine journey is up and out, to spirit.” — Maureen Murdock
Murdock teaches that the feminine path is not about achievement or external success, it is about inner exploration. It is about stepping away from societal expectations and turning inward to heal, reclaim lost parts of ourselves, and embrace our true nature. This journey takes courage, but it is a return to wholeness.
Reflection: How can you honour your inner journey of healing and reclamation today?
Sylvia Brinton Perera: Descent to the Goddess
“Complaining is one voice of the dark goddess. It is a way of expressing life, valid and deep in the feminine soul.” — Sylvia Brinton Perera
Perera teaches that the Dark Goddess is not something to fear but a powerful force within the feminine psyche. She represents the raw, unfiltered expression of what has been suppressed. When we allow space for all parts of ourselves, including frustration, grief, and anger, we reconnect with the fullness of our feminine essence.
Reflection: How can you honour your authentic feelings today, allowing space for all emotions without judgment?
Other Women in Depth Psychology
These are only a few of the brilliant women who have shaped depth psychology. Others include:
Marie-Louise von Franz – Known for her work on dreams, fairy tales, and the symbolic life of the psyche.
Mary Esther Harding – Explored the feminine psyche and the role of the unconscious.
Toni Wolff – Developed the concept of the Four Feminine Archetypes (Mother, Amazon, Hetaira, and Medial Woman).
Helen Luke – Wrote on myth, depth psychology, and the journey toward individuation.
Anne Baring – Focuses on the Sacred Feminine and the mythic imagination in psychology.
Each of these women has gifted us with a legacy that is relevant now more than ever. Their work continues to illuminate the path of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual depth.
The Invitation: Do You Feel the Call?
Did something in these words stir you? That’s no coincidence. That’s your soul speaking.
This is your invitation to step deeper into your own wisdom, to explore the hidden corners of your psyche, to reclaim the parts of yourself that have been waiting.
Book a free intro call and let’s explore what’s ready to unfold.
