The Prostitute Archetype:
The Prostitute Archetype reflects our desires for security and survival, sometimes leading to compromises and undervaluing ourselves. By nurturing self-worth and self-esteem, we empower ourselves to negotiate from a place of strength, setting clear boundaries and expectations.
Welcome back to your archetypal journey! On this journey thus far, we have explored the essence of archetypes and the four survival archetypes that are at the root of the healing journey. In the past few months, we explored the nature of the child archetype, the saboteur, and inner victim. This month, we are going to dive into the prostitute archetype.
The prostitute is the part of us that compromises or negotiates. It is the archetype that allows ourselves to be taken advantage of. It is also the part of us that can manipulate or take advantage of others. The prostitute has one goal in mind: security and ensuring physical survival. The prostitute will essentially do anything (including sell itself) to ensure safety, security, and survival.
If we explore the nature of a physical prostitute, we find a few key ingredients. A physical prostitute does not have boundaries or self-worth. He or she allows themselves to be used, abused, and taken advantage of for a guaranteed payout. There is no evidence of values, self-esteem, or connection to personal power. It is simply a transaction with elements of compromise, negotiation, and manipulation.
The prostitute is always looking for “a guarantee.” This guarantee might be in the form of loyalty, a steady paycheck, or any aspect of physical survival. For example, we may work for a boss who abuses us or we may work for a company that is not aligned with our beliefs or values. Although it is far from aligned or ideal, the steady paycheck keeps us from leaving the position. We may stay in a marriage that is abusive or not aligned because of financial security. Or we may simply allow ourselves to be taken advantage of in a relationship through playing the role of the people pleaser. The people pleaser is an expression of the prostitute archetype (pleasing everybody to safely micromanage their experience of us).
The key to healing the prostitute archetype is finding self-worth. Self-worth and self-esteem are the missing ingredients when the shadow expression of the prostitute surfaces. Once we have established a sense of value within oneself, we can now negotiate with others from a place of empowerment.
The light side of the prostitute is seeing the transactional nature of things. Many relationships are simply two individuals coming together to get their physical and emotional needs met. The healthy prostitute sees the transaction and says, “This is what I have to offer you. This is what I expect in return.” This can show up in a place of business, finance, or even personal relationships. The healthy prostitute negotiates from a place of power rather than self-compromise.
Another aspect of healing the inner prostitute is self-trust. The prostitute usually compromises its values and integrity because it does not trust itself and does not trust life. Our intuition is always speaking to us, but our intuitive guidance often invites us into territory that is uncomfortable for our ego structure.
What feels safe and secure is often in conflict with what feels free and empowering. If we do not trust ourselves or trust life, we will often compromise ourselves and our intuition for guaranteed security. We may get the intuitive hit to leave a relationship or leave a job that we have been at for many years. If we are still trapped in our fears of security, survival, or any aspect of people pleasing or approval seeking, we will turn down this invitation from the higher self.
Therefore, healing the inner prostitute always comes back to the core ingredients of self-trust, self-worth, and self-esteem. It is rooted in our willingness to follow our inner guidance system, even when we feel uncomfortable. (This does not mean putting yourself in harm’s way or ignoring personal responsibilities). It does mean differentiating discomfort from danger and realizing that on the other side of these fears lies our own freedom and empowerment.
To learn more about these key archetypes that are at the root of the healing journey, I am excited to share with you that I recently launched a brand new online program Healing Your Core Archetypes: A Journey of Empowerment.
In this program, I guide you through the healing process of seven key archetypes using various meditations, energy medicine techniques, and deep inner and integration work. Simply go to healing4d.com/hca to get started.
Greg Schmaus
CEO of Healing 4D, a Holistic Health Practitioner, Shamanic Energy Healer, Massage Therapist, the creator of “Healing The Mind,” a 21 day holistic mental health program.
https://www.healing4d.com
