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.