One of the things I love is stories (and books, of course!).
Stories are powerful tools through which you can learn life lessons, morals, and values. Every great story since the beginning of time has included archetypes that you can identify with on a collective level. Itās through these archetypes that you can begin to sculpt an understanding of yourself and the world around you.
A while ago I bought Beneath the Moon: Fairy Tales, Myths, and Divine Stories from Around the World, written and beautifully illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani. Out of the stories I have read so far, "The Little Mermaid,"Ā a Danish fairy tale originally written by Hans Christian Andersen and published in 1837, caught my attention. The image portrays the Little Mermaid seated on a rock, gazing up at a castle perched high on a mountaintop, the story relates to Fool card in the tarot deck.
Disney vs. Original Tale
We all know the Disney version of this story: Ariel is a mermaid who dreams of living on land. She rescues a prince from drowning and falls madly in love with him. She takes a gamble and strikes a bargain with Ursula, the evil sea witch. Fully aware of the risks, she trades her beautiful voice for legs so she can be part of the human world and win the love of the prince she rescued. In the Disney story, love wins the day and they both live happily ever after.
The original story has no happy ending, and your heart breaks for the mermaid who agreed to pay the price the wicked sea witch demanded for love, unrequited. The Little Mermaid is unable to win the love of the prince, watches him marry another, and dies, turning into sea foam. Apparently, Hans Christian Andersen revised the ending to a more hopeful conclusion, where the Little Mermaid becomes a daughter of air and earns a soul, something she wanted all along.
Reflections on The Little Mermaid
I was a little sad at the ending and began to think about the moralĀ of the story, the lessons, and what the story reflected backĀ at me. I felt like there was not only some personal introspectionĀ required but a collective messageĀ here to investigate.
Disney movies of the past have adjusted the true valueĀ of stories by appealing to our sense of romance, adventure, and the fight against good and evil. In the retelling of these stories, the truthĀ and depthĀ have been compromised. The morals, values, and lessonsĀ have been rewritten to disempower both the feminineĀ and the masculine. The Little Mermaid was determined to āchangeā herself and give up everything for the love of a man she hardly knew, even knowing the risks.
This retelling has entrapped women into believing that we need a heroĀ to save us and to be dependentĀ on the love of another. On the flip side, the powerless female characterĀ is what the masculineĀ is taught to desire.
The true meaning of The Little Mermaid has been covered up, denying us the moralĀ of the story and encouraging women to change yourselfĀ to suit the mainstream narrative and to give in and lose your voice. In the movie, girls are encouraged to change themselves, even āsilenceā themselves, in the name of love.
Women are not damsels in distress, we are not powerless, and we do not need saving. We can save ourselves by appreciating and loving ourselves first.
Losing Ourselves to Fit In
Women have given up a lot of their innate magicĀ to suit the patriarchal narrative. To fit a script that tells us we are not good enough, that we need to look a certain way, and more specifically, that we need to take on attributes of the masculineĀ to make it in this world.
We often allow ourselves to get into situations where we lose our voicesĀ and our authenticity.
We step into our wholenessĀ by following our hearts and what we truly want and rejecting the perverted version of what society has told us we want or how we should be.
For me, the moralĀ of the story is that when we give up so much of ourselves to fit in, we curtail our freedomĀ and give up our authenticity and override our innate feminine magic. We need to think hard about how much of our personal and collective value we have given away, including our voices, to fit in.
Where have you surrendered your magical depths and your feminine ebb and flow in exchange for something that has deprived you of your true magic?
I went on to read many different opinions and theories on the original story. Some offered hope from a more spiritual perspective, others felt it articulated the harsh consequences stemming from the mermaid's impulsive actions. Some even argued that in the end, her good deeds gave her what she wanted: eternal life.
Another thought was that the more bittersweetĀ the ending, the more realisticĀ it is. We cannot make people love us and we need to learn to live with that fact. The best we can do is act gracefullyĀ towards them.
I believe that stories are medicine for our soul, reflecting back what we need to know or consider. My interpretation will be different from anyone elseās, shaped by my own unique personal experiences.
Tarot of the Divine Interpretation
In the Tarot of the Divine by Yoshi Yoshitani, the Little Mermaid represents the Fool, who is carefree and excited about life regardless of the warnings. You see the mermaid depicted in the card, sitting on a rock looking up at a castle on a high mountaintop - a castle in the sky.
A Gentle Reminder
For me, the moral of the story is a warning. A warning not to give up parts of yourself for the sake of another (or the mainstream patriarchal narrative). To slow down and think before you rush in and to not create dreams, hopes, or plans that are impossible or unrealistic.
The Little Mermaid represents the Maiden Archetype. This archetype displays a youthful effervescence and determination. She has a sense of curiosity, which she uses to explore the world around her. She is creative and has an instinctive approach to the world; however, she lacks experience. The world is your oyster when you are a maiden.
The shadow aspect of the maiden is self-centred. All her energy is expended on achieving her own personal needs and goals. She struggles to realize her full potential and she tends to be fearful and co-dependent. She does not consider the consequences and trusts it will all work out.
Reflecting on my Personal Journey
If I reflect on my own personal story, I resonate with the shadow aspect of the Maiden. Having grown up in a restrictive religion (you can read about my story here) then desperately trying to escape, I started to look for love in the wrong places, looking for a hero to save me. I became co-dependent, lacked boundaries, and sought validation in all the wrong places. Determined to live my life on my own terms, I ignored all the warning signs, even my intuitive ones.
Self Inquirey
Where have you given up your voice to keep the peace and fit in?
Where have you knowingly given up your deepest feminine attributes to fit into patriarchal society?
Iām sure there are many other threads to unpick in this very profound fairy taleā¦
What personal connection do you have to the story?
What part resonates with you the most?
Iād love to hear your thoughtsā¦
Final Reflections: Embrace Your Unique Voice
In a world that often pressures us to conform, and change ourselves to fit in, the story of The Little Mermaid serves as a poignant reminderĀ of the importance of staying true to your authentic self. Embrace your unique voice and follow your heart's beat to reclaim your power and find genuine fulfilment. YOU have the strength and magic within to create your own happily ever after.
Listen to your inner melody, honour your truth, and let your authentic self-shine.
Your voice is a powerful vessel for expression and connection with your deepest essence. Reclaim your unique voice to navigate life with clarity and purpose.
I invite you to listen to my Power Song and then drop into into the magic of your own wild heart and listen to it's beat!
Reclaiming my voice has been a pivotal part of my journey, and I hope it inspires you to sing your own song.
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