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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Women Who Run with the Wolves summary
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
18 mins
Brief summary
Women Who Run with the Wolves is a powerful exploration of the wild feminine spirit, filled with stories and myths that guide women on a transformative journey to reclaim their innate wisdom and strength.
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Women Who Run with the Wolves
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Key idea 1 of 5
Meet the Wild Woman
She is a familiar figure from old songs and stories: the witch, the healer, the shape-shifter, the forest-dweller, the woman who runs with the wolves.
In Hungarian, she is called Roszomak, the Wolverine; in Guatemalan, Humana del Niebla, the Mist Being; in Japanese, Amateratsu Omikami, the Bringer of Light. Every culture, at every time in history, has told stories about this fierce, powerful woman.
When women read about her, they may feel a primal echo. That is because the Wild Woman of the stories lies latent in their psyche. All women are in sisterhood with the wild feminine, even though society and patriarchy conspire to sever this connection.
Sometimes, women can taste fleeting glimpses of this wildness – during pregnancy, the primal, animal experience of birth and nursing; through passionate romance; through being in nature; through music and dance. Once a woman reconnects with the Wild Woman archetype, she becomes unstoppable. Her creativity, inspiration, sexuality, and intuition all blossom and thrive.
What are the telltale signs that the connection with this wildest part of the psyche has frayed? Women who aren’t in touch with the Wild Woman often report feeling fatigued, unfocused, doubtful, and out of step with their own inner tempo. A woman who has lost her connection to wildness is unhealthy. A healthy woman, meanwhile, is like a wolf: fierce, loyal, roving, attentive, territorial, following her gut.
In Jungian psychoanalysis, the Wild Woman is both the female soul and the source of the raw feminine. Jungians see stories as medicine; the way they play with archetypes, symbols, and patterns offers a framework for healing and learning. In that sense, the stories of the Wild Woman are far more than a string of words – if you let them be, they can also be maps that guide you back to your own wild inner power.
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What is Women Who Run with the Wolves about?
Women Who Run with the Wolves (1989) is a profoundly influential work of Jungian psychology that has shown countless women how to connect with the wise, abiding, and untameable presence of the Wild Woman archetype in their own psyches.
Women Who Run with the Wolves Review
Women Who Run with the Wolves (1992) explores the essential wild nature that resides within every woman, examining stories, myths, and folktales from different cultures. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers rich insights into the feminine psyche, empowering women to embrace their true selves and reclaim their power.
- Blending psychology, spirituality, and folklore, it presents a unique perspective on women's experiences and challenges, fostering self-discovery and personal growth.
- The book's compelling narratives captivate readers, drawing them into a world of ancient wisdom and inspiring a profound connection to their own inner wisdom.
Who should read Women Who Run with the Wolves?
- Women who want to awaken their innate connection to wildness and instinct
- Women who crave deeper experiences and relationships
- Women who yearn to rekindle their intuition
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Women Who Run with the Wolves FAQs
What is the main message of Women Who Run with the Wolves?
The main message of Women Who Run with the Wolves is the reclamation of the wild woman archetype and the power of female intuition.
How long does it take to read Women Who Run with the Wolves?
The reading time for Women Who Run with the Wolves varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Women Who Run with the Wolves a good book? Is it worth reading?
Women Who Run with the Wolves is a captivating read that celebrates the wild nature of women and encourages self-discovery. It's definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of Women Who Run with the Wolves?
Clarissa Pinkola Estés is the author of Women Who Run with the Wolves.
What to read after Women Who Run with the Wolves?
If you're wondering what to read next after Women Who Run with the Wolves, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
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- The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
- The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley
- The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn