Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon my Darlings. Today’s post is about what I call the Enchanted Elf Archetype and how to embrace this archetype in your own life! First I want to give a brief overview of what the Enchanted Elf Archetype is. The Enchanted Elf Archetype is a combination of several ways that the Elf is represented in folklore. This includes the regal and royal energy of the Queen of Elphame, intellect and inspiration, sexuality, and playful energy. I will go over each of these energies within the archetype in their own sections below. Without further ado, let’s dig a little deeper into the Enchanted Elf Archetype!
REGAL & ROYALTY
~We begin looking at aspects of this archetype with what is probably the oldest folkloric representation of the Elphame energy. The Queen of Elphame is one of the most famed folkloric Faery Queens, and she was referred to even in the Scottish Witch Trials. As Elphame, like most Faerylands, is a Monarchy there is an energy amongst most Elves to generally fit within a Courtly structure. That is why I consider having a Regal and Royal energy to be part of this archetype. When I refer to a Regal and Royal energy it means that you have a deep sense of self-respect and the ability to hold your head high even through many trials and tribulations! It is also that confident and self-assured aura about you that gives people who know you a sense that you are comfortable in your own skin.
INTELLECT & INSPIRATION
~The next aspect of the Enchanted Elf Archetype is a bit of an offshoot of the last one. Having a great amount of self-respect and the ability to hold your head high with regal dignity is often controlled by Intellect and Inspiration. When you can draw upon your desire to learn knowledge and follow your muse to create new circumstances, you can gain a tremendous amount of confidence, which is the root of this aspect of the archetype! It should not be surprising that the Enchanted Elf Archetype prizes wisdom and knowledge in this way, as Fae are generally known for their ancient knowledge, sometimes gifted to humans.
SEXUALITY
~The third aspect of the Enchanted Elf Archetype is a deep connection to Sacred Sexuality. This is a rather obvious aspect of most if not all, Fae-related archetypes. The Fae folk are very deeply connected to Sexuality due to their connection to nature and love of embracing the wildness within. As for the Enchanted Elf, it was a common theme in folklore for the Queen of Elphame to take mortal lovers and consorts, famously in the Ballad of Thomas the Rhymer or True Thomas, who gained many gifts after being the lover of the Queen for seven years!
PLAYFUL ENERGY
~The final aspect of the Enchanted Elf Archetype is the Playful Energy often associated with Elves, probably most iconically with Santa’s Elves at Yuletide. Playfulness is very often associated with most types of Fae folk, just like the previous aspect. Embracing the Playful Energy of this archetype is a perfect way to keep childlike wonder alive! This can be as simple as watching old films from childhood or reading your favorite collection of fairytales, anything that makes you feel your worries melt away for a time enhances Playful Energy.
~I hope you have enjoyed this short overview of the Enchanted Elf Archetype. What is your favorite aspect of the Enchanted Elf? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is a lovely artwork of the Queen of Elphame. I found the image on https://www.etsy.com/listing/752852965/queen-of-elphame-the-empress-a4-print-21.
Tarot Note: I have a page offering tarot and oracle readings for those interested in these services! I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon! Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/
Further Reading
- The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey
- Fairy Queens by Morgan Daimler
- Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk by Morgan Daimler
- Travelling the Fairy Path by Morgan Daimler
- The Ancient Art of Faery Magick by D.J. Conway