I first stumbled upon the whole concept reading, Women Who Run With The Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estes. The book was a life changer. I have since re-read it a few times, something else calling out to me at whatever stage I am in in life. I have encountered the idea again and again. As a follower of Earth based spirituality it has repeatedly come up in books and learning. Obviously there are numerous 'faces' of the Archetypes but they basically fit the molds of a more standard dozen or so.