“A glorious book. Jean Shinoda Bolen’s weaving of myth, science and keen observation makes this an outstanding contribution to the humanities.” — Rita Mae Brown
Jean Shinoda Bolen’s celebrated work of female psychology that uses seven archetypical Greek goddesses to describing behavior patterns and personality traits, as relevant and timeless today as when it was first published thirty years ago.
Myths are fascinating stories that provide a framework for self-knowledge, becoming even more intriguing when we realize that they can reveal intimate truths about ourselves and others. Drawing on her experience as a Jungian analyst, Jean Shinoda Bolen brings the Greek pantheon to life as our inner archetypes and applies the power of myth to our personal lives. Once we understand the natural progression from myth to archetype to personal psychology, and realize that positive gifts and negative tendencies are qualities associated with a particular goddess within, we gain powerful insights.
Depending on which goddess is more active within, one woman might be more committed to achieving professional success, while another more fulfilled as a wife and mother. From the autonomous Artemis and the cool Athena to the nurturing Demeter and the creative Aphrodite, she teaches women how to decide which to cultivate and which to overcome, and how to tap the power of these enduring archetypes to become a better “heroine” in their own life story.
This landmark book provides the tools to understand your own inner landscape, offering profound insights into:
- The Seven Goddess Archetypes: Explore the virgin goddesses (Artemis, Athena, Hestia), the vulnerable goddesses (Hera, Demeter, Persephone), and the alchemical Aphrodite to learn which patterns govern your life.
- Jungian Psychology Made Clear: Grasp complex concepts like the collective unconscious through vivid mythological stories and relatable examples from Dr. Bolen’s twenty years of clinical practice.
- A Feminist Perspective: Gain “binocular vision” by understanding how inner forces (archetypes) interact with outer cultural expectations (stereotypes) to shape a woman’s experience.
- Pathways to Personal Growth: Each chapter offers practical “Ways to Grow,” helping you cultivate underdeveloped aspects of your personality and move toward wholeness and conscious choice.
