Women’s archetypes in literature
A selection of books on archetypes and their meanings
Every woman carries a world of symbols and images within her that embody strength, wisdom, tenderness, and passion. In analytical psychology, these are known as archetypes. First introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, archetypes are innate images and motifs that shape behavior and worldview.
Women’s archetypes are rooted in myths, culture, and the collective unconscious, each revealing unique personality traits. Studying them can help women better understand their strengths, recognize their inner needs, and find harmony within. ELLE O’zbekiston presents a selection of books on women’s archetypes, offering insights to explore your nature and harness its power in everyday life.
«Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself» by Lisa Marchiano
In this book, Lisa Marchiano delves deeply into myths, fairy tales, archetypal images, and symbols accompanying motherhood’s journey, from the first months of pregnancy to letting go as children grow up. The author invites readers on a symbolic exploration of the mother role and its archetypes, showing how embracing different aspects of oneself can lead to inner harmony and confidence in one’s values.
Lisa Marchiano is a Jungian analyst with over 25 years of practice in Philadelphia, USA. She works with clients and lectures, and shares her insights with others.
«Daughter of Earth: Transformation of female destiny» by Regina Zhilyaeva
This book tells the story of a heroine’s inner transformation, a symbol of every woman’s journey of self-discovery rooted in understanding her worth and strength. The author emphasizes that our body is a repository of feelings and memories, and to share love, a woman must first nurture herself, finding roots like a tree that won’t bear fruit without them. Through this profound connection to herself, a woman realizes she embodies love.
Regina Zhilyaeva is a psychologist and expert in body and sound practices who has guided thousands of women in reconnecting with their feminine nature and self-acceptance.
«Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype» by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Every woman holds within her a natural, intuitive being endowed with instinctual goodness, creative power, and ancestral wisdom. Estés invites readers to rediscover this primal spirit by delving into the female unconscious through “psychoarchaeological digs.” The healing archetype of the Wild Woman reflected in ancient myths and fairy tales, can be awakened in the soul of modern women, reconnecting them to intuition and insight.
Clarissa Pinkola Estés is an American poet, philosopher, Jungian psychoanalyst, and award-winning author. She is also the founder of the Guadalupe Foundation, dedicated to human rights.
«Images of the Feminine: Clinical and Psychopathological Perspectives» by Houari Maïdi
In this book, Houari Maïdi explores what it means to be a woman, what desires drive women, and the nature of femininity. The author uses Freud’s concept of psychic bisexuality to examine femininity and its representations in the context of key psychological themes. By examining female images, Maïdi delves into their connection to human needs and psychological structures.
Houari Maïdi is a French psychoanalyst and psychology professor teaching at universities in Lille, Paris, and the University of Burgundy Franche-Comté in Besançon, France.
«6 Goddesses in Everywoman: Thirteen Powerful Archetypes in Women’s Lives» by Jean Shinoda Bolen
This book offers a unique approach to women’s psychology based on the archetypes of ancient Greek goddesses, which are present in the psyche of every woman. The author discusses seven archetypes: Artemis, Athena, Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Persephone, and Aphrodite. Each represents certain characteristics and values that influence a woman’s behavior, interests, and goals. These archetypes help women understand their inner motivations, define their strengths, and find sources of fulfillment. Through these archetypes, a woman can gain a deeper understanding of her reactions to life situations and identify the interactions that suit her best.
Jean Shinoda Bolen is an American psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and author known for her books on women’s psychology and personal growth.
