Maiden, Mother, or Crone-where does a woman in her forties fit in?Women who have turned to feminist spirituality for appreciation of women's ways of knowing have struggled with the confining concept of the Triple Goddess. Though no longer raising children, a woman may not yet be ready to be a "wise old woman." The Women's Wheel of Life offers a new archetype for this woman-the Matriarch.The Matriarch is the Queen of the Harvest-reaping the rewards of sustained work and effort, at the height of her sexual and professional power. Elegantly self-possessed, fueled by an intensity and direction, she is poised to rekindle the passions, dreams and spiritual pursuits of youth. She represents the challenge facing midlife women today-how to reap the harvest of one's work and make time for new creative and personal explorations.The Matriarch is but one of thirteen empowering archetypes presented in this book. From Daughter to Blood Sister, Mother to Amazon, Sorceress to Crone, this groundbreaking work reveals the grand pattern of women's lives, rich and complex, beautiful and mysterious.