Review of “Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype”
Where do I begin in describing my accolades for “Women Who Run With the Wolves”? And more so, how it has enlightened my healing journey? As a Wild Woman who relates personally to the stories and messages in this book and Psychologist deeply interested in other’s growth and healing, I come at this review from an interconnection of both personal and professional. “Women Who Run With the Wolves” combines the infinite wisdom of stories passed along from generation to generation with the brilliant interpretation and sharing of Clarissa Pinkoka Estes, Ph.D. A woman at any stage in her journey will find truth in this book about her own struggles, strengths, and enduring nature.
It took me almost 8 months to read through this book once. 8 months! Usually I devour books much more quickly. But this book was different. I needed time to process the infinite wisdom and allow it to sink into my bones. I think it will take a lifetime or more to fully sink in, but as I see it, I’m both breaking down unhealthy ancestral patterns and recreating healthier ways of being and relating to the feminine spirit that will impact those who come after me.
As women, we bring unique gifts to the world. Unfortunately, there are many barriers, both internal and external, that stifle our ability to find and stick with our true nature. There is certain wisdom and knowing, and intuition, in all of us. For some of us, this knowing has been covered, under water, infrequently coming up for air, for generation after generation. The wisdom is in our ancestors. In stories. In mother nature. And it calls to us. We have the choice of whether to connect to it or deny its existence, essentially denying the longings and gifts of our spirit and soul.
As a Wild Woman, I struggle at times when I over identify with my willful nature. I try to make things happen when the world just isn’t quite ready yet. The dual nature of the Wild Woman can escape me. Where is my receptivity? It’s gone out the window. And who knows when it will come back. I can become very focused on taking action and almost always “overdo,” trying to bring life to something that just isn’t quite there yet. I’m denying the life/death/life cycles of nature, trying to give life to something in the death phase. I must bring conscious awareness to the cycles of life and the cycles of my own nature. This is my challenge on my journey. Embracing receptivity and patience is my medicine.
I’m interested to know what medicine this book has for you, Wild Woman. Perhaps you are at a place in your journey where you’ve given too much of yourself to others. And now it’s time to reclaim your spirit. So where do you start? Every woman needs time to herself for her creations and reflection. Time to ask herself in peace and calmness “what do I need right now?” and “What deep longings have I been denying?” Go now; begin to connect to your Wild Woman journey. I’d be happy to know how it goes!
