Artemis Oracle

Divine Masculine Archetypes

A note about the archetypes you'll meet here

Mythology, history, and allegory have given us countless depictions of masculinity — some inspiring, some tender, others violent or self-serving. These figures, these stories, hold up a mirror to who we are and ask us to reflect: "How am I this?"

The archetypes in this deck may feel familiar, but many have been intentionally reimagined. Their essence emerged through personal meditation and attunement to the collective unconscious — not through scholarly research or strict fidelity to myth. As such, what you find here may differ from traditional stories or interpretations.

This divergence is not a flaw. It is part of the medicine.

Archetypes live and evolve with us. Over time, you may come to see these figures differently, or hear them speak to you in ways this guide does not capture. Good. That means they’re alive. Start with the meanings written here. Then, as you build your own inner pantheon, let these archetypes speak through you — and to you.

Sexuality, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Queer Representation

This deck has been designed to be queer-inclusive. For many LGBTQ+ folk, masculinity has felt (perhaps even still feels) dangerous, off-limits, and difficult or problematic to embody authentically. But at the same time, it represented safety. Many of us, in our adolescent years, spent a great deal of energy and effort attempting to emulate masculinity — and in doing so, exiled aspects of ourselves that were inherently not masculine.

Therefore, this work is also intended to support queer men, and any masculine-identifying or presenting person, in safely exploring a broader range of masculine archetypes. Some are inspired by queer figures and thus become celebrations of the femininity that all men — in truth — embody to some degree.

Effort has also been taken to include a diverse representation of culture, race, ethnicity, age, body type, and other lived experiences. These expressions of masculinity are not one-size-fits-all; they are nuanced, plural, and deeply personal.

Divine Masculine: Sojourn into the Underworld

The divine masculine archetypes are presented as five journeys that mirror life stages: adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, wizened adulthood, and elderhood. But this progression has little to do with chronological age — and everything to do with what the soul has encountered and endured. Each journey reflects the challenges one has faced and the presence with which those challenges were met, leading to growth, resilience, and humility.

Use the numbers on your Artemis Oracle cards — and the lists below — to navigate easily to each archetype profile for insight and interpretation.

In the tradition of the tarot’s Hero’s Journey, each of the five stages is accompanied by a story told from the perspective of a central archetype — a guide or protagonist for that part of the path. Together, the Divine Masculine Sojourn into the Underworld becomes an allegory of lifelong individuation and integration — for seekers walking the moonlit path.