I'm only two chapters into this book, and so am fumbling to describe it accurately. Instead I'll let one of the Amazon.com blurbs do the talking:
Folklore, fairy tales and dream symbols are called on to help restore women's neglected intuitive and instinctive abilities in this earthy first book by a Jungian analyst. According to Estes, wolves and women share a psychic bond in their fierceness, grace and devotion to mate and community. This comparison defines the archetype of the Wild Woman, a female in touch with her primitive side and able to rely on gut feelings to make choices. The tales here, from various cultures, are not necessarily about wolves; instead, they illuminate fresh perspectives on relationships, self-image, even addiction.
So far, Women Who Run With the Wolves has been very thought-provoking, especially coming at it from a background of eating disordered behavior and addiction, dysfunctional family life, and a long repression of my femininity. Empowering, too. Interestingly, while I thought the concepts of this book might conflict with my faith, I'm finding that I can draw a lot of parallels between the archetypes and stories Estes writes about and Jesus and the Bible. Interesting indeed!
The image at the top of this post is a mixed media creation I made in response to what I've read so far. It was fun to respond in a visual way, as I usually just respond with words.
What's on tap for your weekend (besides the apocalypse, of course -- oh wait, that didn't pain out)? ;)
Beautiful artwork, Beth. The book sounds interesting; if I didn't already have an entire bookcase waiting my perusal (including an e-book to review for Booksneeze), I'd hunt it down. Maybe in a month or two...
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, welcome to the Day After. Obviously, we didn't rise to meet Jesus in the air with our dearly departed loved ones. Pity; it would have made my aunt's funeral yesterday even more of a life celebration than it was. Oh well, guess we'll have to wait a while longer.
I'm sorry about your aunt -- but glad we get to rock it out on this earth a little while longer. :)
ReplyDelete