Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype - Women Who Run with the Wolves

I've read this book twice. Provides amazing insight and helpful for every woman's life's journey. I bought this copy to a young woman I know that just graduated college, to help her understand herself as she heads out into the world.

Author is a gifted writer - she combines symbolism, Jung psychology, archetypes and story-telling to weave a marvelous book on the inner psyche of woman. It is insightful, compassionate and motivational all at the same time. I was so impressed with my paper-back copy, I ordered two more hard-cover copies. One to read and re-read and mark-up and contemplate, and the other to store untouched in my fine-works library. Love it, love it, love it.

Women Who Run With the Wolves is a wonderful book that could (and probably did) empower many a woman. It is psychological and shamanic. The stories presented are not modern but archetypical and deep in their content. They are gathered from all over the world, and Mrs. Estes did a hell of a job in bringing them to the reader as a one piece.

She is knowledgeable: knows what women need and what they should avoid. To Run Wild one needs to be very smart and know the habitat and habitual patterns of their chosen totem. Men are not the enemy but a source of much learning, not that a woman can't survive without them.

The book is about learning what you are capable of and avoiding the dangers, just like a she-wolf, you need to be courageous, ready to act by yourself, and be mindful and ruthless to both the family and the outsiders.

For me as a male it was an interesting female perspective and I think very insightful - I learned more about the women in general and about what makes a Wild woman in particular

really wanted to like this book, but the author is most concerned with proving her intellect with an unusual and unreasonable amount of words per sentence making it impossible to find a flow when reading. Its as though she's trying to prove herself through how many overly intellectual words she can through into each and every sentence within the book. Its self indulgent to say the least.

Also - if you are a modern woman who doesn't need to connect to your womb to feel of value in the world - this book is alienating. Matriarchy is not the only narrative for femininity - yet this book encourages women to think this is the case.

I find this book to be overly revered for the perspective and narrative it actually offers.

This is a beautiful book, very intelligently written and researched, it has been recommended to me by many amazing women in my life. A guide based in what should be mainstream but is more occult information about being a woman rooted in personal-creative-power.

This is not typical fiction. It is a compilation on stories and a dissection of their archetypes. I recommend this book to any woman who wishes to understand herself on a deeper level. I LOVED it, such an inspiring read. Also, you don't have to read it front to back, you can read one story at a time, jump around, what ever tickles your fancy!

I have read this book several times...it has many folklore tales from many countries. They are messages for women, but I suspect men could also find this book valuable for the tales always involve a male or masculine figure in the story. I have given this book to women of all generations. It is not a book you need to read from beginning to end, you can start anywhere in the book. The stories resonate with your own experiences and life history at different phases of maturity and development of mind body and spirit.

Well, the book should be read by every woman (and men who can relate), especially those going through life changing events, then the understanding of what drives us, and what ultimately keeps us alive, is understood. If we don't understand ourselves we will never be able to reach the happiness we deserve. Happiness and joy that comes from the soul are quite different from the artificially induced happiness, that as an American we are taught to create, all too often developing toxic environments that kill, that which is precious and life-fulfilling. I see now life gives me the answers when I ask, and when I listen, to anything I am struggling with. It is a power we should all have. It is a power that eliminates all need for war and hatred and selfishness in anyway. Wow, I can't believe I said that!!

really wanted to like this book, but the author is most concerned with proving her intellect with an unusual and unreasonable amount of words per sentence making it impossible to find a flow when reading. Its as though she's trying to prove herself through how many overly intellectual words she can through into each and every sentence within the book. Its self indulgent to say the least.

Also - if you are a modern woman who doesn't need to connect to your womb to feel of value in the world - this book is alienating. Matriarchy is not the only narrative for femininity - yet this book encourages women to think this is the case.

I find this book to be overly revered for the perspective and narrative it actually offers.

This is a beautiful book, very intelligently written and researched, it has been recommended to me by many amazing women in my life. A guide based in what should be mainstream but is more occult information about being a woman rooted in personal-creative-power.

This is not typical fiction. It is a compilation on stories and a dissection of their archetypes. I recommend this book to any woman who wishes to understand herself on a deeper level. I LOVED it, such an inspiring read. Also, you don't have to read it front to back, you can read one story at a time, jump around, what ever tickles your fancy!

I have read this book several times...it has many folklore tales from many countries. They are messages for women, but I suspect men could also find this book valuable for the tales always involve a male or masculine figure in the story. I have given this book to women of all generations. It is not a book you need to read from beginning to end, you can start anywhere in the book. The stories resonate with your own experiences and life history at different phases of maturity and development of mind body and spirit.

Well, the book should be read by every woman (and men who can relate), especially those going through life changing events, then the understanding of what drives us, and what ultimately keeps us alive, is understood. If we don't understand ourselves we will never be able to reach the happiness we deserve. Happiness and joy that comes from the soul are quite different from the artificially induced happiness, that as an American we are taught to create, all too often developing toxic environments that kill, that which is precious and life-fulfilling. I see now life gives me the answers when I ask, and when I listen, to anything I am struggling with. It is a power we should all have. It is a power that eliminates all need for war and hatred and selfishness in anyway. Wow, I can't believe I said that!!

This book was recommended to me by an artist friend. it delves deeply into women's psyche, explaining the why behind so many of our feelings and reactions to our surroundings, and relationships. I read a few pages, then go away and think about what I've read, digesting the pearls of wisdom C.P.Estes puts out for all to read. I highly recommend it to women who want more clarity about their "wildish" nature.

This is a collection of myths and stories handed down in the oral tradition, centered around women's instinct and ability to protect themselves. It is enlightening. You will never look at familiar tales that same way after reading this.
In the preface, Pinkola Estes explains that while a mother wolf teaches her female cubs to avoid danger and defend themselves, while human mothers teach their female children to be demure and pliable which sets them up for danger and pain.

Woman who run with wolves: Myths And Stories Of The Wild Woman Archetype by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

Introduction:
I must honestly confess that my partner advised me to read this book. To start with I had some doubts. I already knew a lot of the myths, legends and fairy tales that are used in this book but in another context and different explanation.

After reading I must say that it is true, that the book leads to a better and closer understanding of women. Now I can not only understand, but also ‘feel’ some of the ideas of my partner better.
Next to that I am also a father of two daughters. By reading this book I also gained a better understanding about my role as a father. Never before I say so clearly that it is a task of the father to guide his daughters in their contact with men and tell and explain to them about the nature of men.

So yes it was a very interesting (long) read.
I read the book with a special guide book (only as e-book on BookRags.com) next to it, that was very helpful. And it is certainly not necessary to read the book al at ones. Different chapters can easily be read separately.

Below you find some more information about the book and the used legends.

About the book:
Within every woman there lives a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. She is the Wild Woman, who represents the instinctual nature of women. But she is an endangered species. In Women Who Run With the Wolves, Dr. Estés unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, and stories, many from her own family, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature. Through the stories and commentaries in this remarkable book, we retrieve, examine, love, and understand the Wild Woman and hold her against our deep psyches as one who is both magic and medicine. Dr. Estés has created a new lexicon for describing the female psyche. Fertile and life-giving, it is a psychology of women in the truest sense, a knowing of the soul.
“Woman who run with wolves isn't just another book. It is a gift of profound insight, wisdom, and love. An oracle from one who knows." Alice Walker.
This volume reminds us that we are nature for all our sophistication, that we are still wild, and the recovery of that vitality will itself set us right in the world." Thomas Moore (Author of Care of the Soul)
"I am grateful to Woman who run with wolves and to Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. The work shows the reader how glorious it is to be daring, to be caring, and to be women. Everyone who can read should read this book." Maya Angelou
"An inspiring book, the 'vitamins for the soul'

The book presents woman as strong and healthy. The older woman can find great power and joy within herself. Pay the right attention (not too much and not to little) to periods of transformation (external reality of inner life)
Also for partners and fathers there is a lot to be found in this book.

Chapters of the guidebook and of 'Woman who run with wolves'

Guidebook Chapter 1 page 8 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 2 page 38
‘Bluebeard’
Story of Bluebeard, female naïveté towards men. It is a task of the father to guide his daughters there.
Also see Blue Beard p59.

Guidebook Chapter 2
(this chapter failed in my version of the study guide)

Guidebook Chapter 3 page 11 Noising out the facts. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 3 page 76
Tendency towards obedience in an effort to be treated properly or pleasing others with correctness and kindness. Under many conditions this is an effective strategy.
But there are times when it pays off to not be nice, whether we like this truth or not.

Guidebook Chapter 4 page 14 The mate. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 4 page 121
A man is courting twin daughters. The father simply wants the man to be interested in the true essence of his daughters. If he takes a deep interest they can be married with an enduring kind of real love.

Guidebook Chapter 5 page 16 Hunting: when the heart is a lonely hunter. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 5 page 137
Circle of life.
‘Eros and Tanatos’
About relations:
Intimate relationships confront us also with feelings how have nothing to do with that relation.

Guidebook Chapter 6 page 18 Finding one’s pack. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 6 page 177
Story of the ugly duckling.
Fitting in after not having done so for such a long time. One has learned much from being different, finding a ‘fit’ will all the more be gratifying.

Guidebook Chapter 7 page 21 Joyous body. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 7 page 213
Discovering the beauty of the female form the position of strength. All marks (not only physical but also mental) of pregnancy and child birth are icons of natural female power.

Guidebook Chapter 8 page 23 Self preservation. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 8 page 230
Part of what is being taught her is that development includes a long process of initiation. A multi-step process, where a set of tasks must be completed in order to arrive.

Guidebook Chapter 9 page 27 Homing: returning to oneself. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 9 page 276
Story of the seal-woman.
Every woman has a ‘seal-skin’ or soul-skin. This is the true self. Return home does not necessarily mean divorce or separation, it can also be a powerful protection of a woman’s well-being.

The man who becomes her husband hides her skin in order to force her to stay in her human form and marry him. Her son later returns the skin to her and she can become her other aspect again, that of the seal.

Guidebook Chapter 10 page 29 Clear water. Nourishing the creative life. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 10 page 322
This chapter is devoted to the flow of creative forces (a river) in a woman’s life. ‘the woman as life giver’ when the waters are pure there is plenty of life in the river.
The story of La Llorona ‘the weeping woman’

Guidebook Chapter 11 page 31 Heat: Retrieving sacred sexuality. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 11 page 362
A sexually mature perspective of life can save a woman from depression.
Story of Demeter (the goddess of harvest) her daughter Persephone and Hades ( the god of the underworld)

Guidebook Chapter 12 page 33 Marking territory: The boundaries of rage and forgiveness. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 12 page 375
The story of the war veteran and his wife.
The basic idea is learning to honour legitimate rage. It can be a great protector when in control.

Guidebook Chapter 13 page 37 Battle Scars. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 13 page 404
Something’s on the surface seam unrelated, but are connected on a deeper level.
Story of the husband who commits suicide, this man had been treated extremely bad by his family, but his family did not admit that their cruelty had anything to do with his dead. It helped the woman when she finally did talk about that.
Woman can recognize and honour the scars and battles they came from as integral tot the lives of woman as a whole.

Guidebook Chapter 14 page 40 The initiation in the underground forest. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 14 page 418
A story needs a receptive mind in order to make an impact.
Story of the Little Match Girl.
A story of gain, loss, redemption followed by real love, separation, living with grieve and sorrow and finally reunion and real happiness.

Guidebook Chapter 15 page 44 Shadowing: Canto Hondo. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 15 page 493
Here Estés uses the metaphor of the ‘shadowing of wolves’ in a way of gathering vital information.
Later she tells about the power of dreams and the wisdom of the ‘one who knows’ together they can help naïveté girls to become woman who will let the right men close. Again the father is important here as an example for his daughters.
Readers are encourage to find out where they belong, to be the swan and not the outsider. See Chapter 6 page 18 Finding one’s pack.

Guidebook Chapter 16 page 47 The wolf’s eyelash. 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 16 page 499
Story of the woman and the wolf.
A woman helps a trapped wolf and receives a gift, an eyelash in return. This eyelash gives the woman the power to sense motives. Thanks to that power she is able to surround herself with kind and good people. All without losing sight of the truth that a wolf is a wolf.
Estés’ hope is clear: that readers have found the joy of many stories and a greater access to wisdom within themselves and the world.

Guidebook Chapter 17 page 49 Afterword story as medicine. 'Woman who run with wolves' Afterword page 504
Stories are a special kind of medicine designed to be used as such.
Storytelling is a skill and a profession with an extensive training, both as a medicine and as entertainment.
Stories also require the right audience.

Important People:

Estés is specialist in Jungian psychology and archetypes. The roots and branches of archetypes are from diverse sources; ethnic roots, daily life, the history of the pre urban or even contemporary rural life.
Archetypes can help us to heal on an emotional and mental level. Archetypes can point us directions for growth.

Guidebook p51 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 3 page 76 and many other places
Baba Yaga
This is the wild woman as the wise old woman, she is depicted as old, ugly, intimidating and extremely powerful. A girl child (also a version of the wild woman?) is sent to meet her.
Baba Yaga harbours all manner of wisdom and insight, knowledge and skills. She provides discipline and basic training for adulthood. She is protective as well as educational. The Baba Yaga is equally magical as realistic.

Guidebook p52 'Woman who run with wolves' page 8, 99, 209 and many other places
Spider woman
The Spider woman has transformative and healing powers.

Guidebook p53
La Que Sabe
The one how knows. She is the wild woman in the form of a wizard, the powerful and wise old lady. As the one who knows she is able to assist others in gaining knowledge and wisdom.

Guidebook p53 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 5 page 137 and many other places
Skeleton woman
The skeleton woman is all about the circle of life.
She is terrifying and deeply sad. She finds herself restored through a loving and intimate relationship with a man. Neither the man nor the woman expected this. After he surrenders to his inability to escape, he sets her in order, attends to her needs and when he relaxes enough to rest himself, she comes to life and becomes his companion.

Guidebook p54 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 3 page 76
Vasalisa
Vasalisa is a young girl. She suffers. She represents the hard childhood in contrast to the easy, idyllic one. The child suffers the disappointment that the step relatives may have been fine for her father but were not doing her any good at all.

Guidebook p54
Hidalgo
He is La Llorona’s lover and the father of her two children. He leaves her to return to his family.
Hidalgo is perhaps the archetype of the man who is never able to leave his mother/ family and transfer his loyalties to his female lover and their family.

Guidebook p55 'Woman who run with wolves' page 345 - 355
The little match girl
This unsupervised child is endeavouring to make her way in the world.
As a result the child in the fairy tale dies, freezing to death after the last flickering light of her matches fades away.
(also see Vasalisa p54 and Hidalgo p54 about parents/ adult who have no attention for the needs of children, while this should be our first responsibility)

Guidebook p55
Zeus
Here this Olympian is shown as ‘the bad guy’ how casts out his own son, because the boy stuck up for his mother, how is Zeus opponent in this argument.

Guidebook p55
Hephaestus
In an argument between his father and his mother het takes sides for his mother the goddess Hera. Therefor he is reminded that he is weaker and less powerful than his father. He is thrown out of the Olympus and granted his own realm below, where his great smiting skills will prosper and despite his ugliness wins fame an respect. (and marries the beautiful goddess Aphrodite, alto she is not very faithful to him)

Guidebook p56
Hera
In an argument with Zeus her sun agrees with her and is banished from the Olympus.

Guidebook p56
Pollutant
This is something with a poisoning effect rather than being truly nourishing or healthy.

Guidebook p57
Traps
These are talked about in the chapter on self-preservation. In this context they are intentionally used with an analogy or metaphor comparing them to traps set for animals.

Guidebook p57
The Devil
Famous for being Gods adversary and former right hand man.
In his confrontation with god he meets a similar fate to the one Zeus meted out for his son Hephaestus: Down and out he goes to get his very own realm within which to exercise the power that truly is his own.

Objects and places:

Guidebook p59
The caves
The cave is a natural strong shelter in the wild. Powerful natural strong shelter in the wild. Powerful natural magic takes place. It contains the power of the woman inside.

Guidebook p59 'Woman who run with wolves' Chapter 2 page 38
Blue Beard
It is the remains of a powerful man who is of exceptional danger to woman.
It is only to the violence other men that the man with the blue beard is defeated.
There is no explanation as to why his blue beard is kept by nuns, who live together in seclusion, mainly for reasons of mutual aid and protection.
Also see Chapter 1 page 8 ‘Bluebeard’

Woman who run with wolves: Myths And Stories Of The Wild Woman Archetype by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

This book contains "ancient" wisdom delivered in story form, so it winds up being what you need to hear at the time. It also makes a great gift for graduates and those who are coming out of a job loss or divorce, or other dark times. I enjoyed reading it in my thirties, so many women go through a tough time in their early thirties and have no where to turn except their friends who are going through the same thing. It is like having a wise old female neighbor on your bookshelf that you can go to to find your own answers. Well worth the investment.

Been wanting to read this for 25 years. Whoa this is now my "bible". I've now found the answers to myself. In fact, if my daughter and her father would like to know me better (to get me) this is the book for them to read. The most indescribable insightful writing about the beauty, depth, and complexity of women forever thru ancient tales and the esteemed author's intelligent interpretation from her life amazing experiences. Amazing riveting read, this had me at the first paragraph.

While the book itself is excellent. The audiobook is not even close to the full book I am very disappointed. It's only 2 hours long and contains only brief points through out the book. The book is over 500 pages long. This audiobook does an injustice to what a fabulous book this is.

An awesome book! I purchased my original copy over a decade ago but gave it to my daughter-in-law a couple of years ago. I saw a headline on Dr. Pinkola Estes recently and decided to look for the book used on the store. The book is in near perfect condition. I am so happy to have it back in my library. An excellent read and re-read anytime for all women.

Oooo, this is absolutely wonderful. My expectations were high, and I was overwhelmed with the book contents and the delivery. Dr. Pinkola Estes voice adds another dimension to the depth of information contained in Women Who Run with the Wolves. Wild woman is validation for the me that I haven't been in touch with for decades. Thank you and keep up the great work.

Some pages, some chapters did not connect with me at all - other chapters, I found myself dog-earing page after page and then I bought 2 more copies to give to friends. That is a good recommendation I think. Loved it and it is a book that can be read in any order - once read, it is possible to pick up and put down and always find something thought provoking.

I am reading this book already three years or maybe more, with long pauses.. But every single time I open it in the perfect time in my life, when I need it most. Helped me A LOT in discovering myself, my true nature, in realizing what is happening or happened in my life. I am extremely grateful to the author for such a wonderful book! Love it!

Not really a 'book to review' in the traditional sense - but a wonderfully complex analysis of familiar fairytales through the eyes of a thoughtful, knowledgeable story-teller/Jungian psychiatrist. Lots to ponder here!!!

Probably my favorite book.... ever! Very high praise as I love many, many, many books. I use this in my clinical practice whenever possible and am embarrassed as to how many copies I have acquired through the years. I always have copies in my office to pass on to clients and it has proven to be a valuable asset in the journey to self discovery. Dr. Estes is brilliant and I have come to admire and respect her wisdom and ability to manifest deep insight through the art of story. It is not a book one can breeze through as it is meant to be pondered, considered, and digested piece by piece so don't get in a rush. So many nuances and messages to be learned and no matter how many times I revisit this beloved text I find there is always something new to be discovered. Probably not the book for everyone, but in a world that is rapidly losing its story tellers it is a true treasure!

You need to think like a Depth Psychologist or want to understand at a deeper level of the "feminine" soul. I come from a digital electronics and applied mathematics background and I recommend this book for guy's to understand feminine mythology.

Book: Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
Author: Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

This is another Our Shared Shelf read. I would have never picked this one up had it not been for Emma Waston. This is one of the most detailed books that the group has read so far. While I did enjoy it, it was still only a three star for me.

This is one of those books that cannot be read quickly. It is one that you really have to sit down and read carefully in order to take it all in. The stories are a fairly easy read, but the way Clarissa breaks them down and makes them reverent to feminism takes a little bit to take in. It is written in a manner to appeal to all women, but to me, it's not written in a manner that makes it easy for all women of all social classes to understand. I really don't think all women are going to be familiar with Jungian psychoanalytic theory. So to say that this was written for all women is a big no, no.

I did like all the stories and how Clarissa made them fit her needs. I would have never thought of some of the stories in this way without her. I loved the detail and how it all connected to each other. What I didn't like was it just seemed to be a way for Clarissa to make herself feel important. Meaning...I'm not sure if it was completely written for women. It seemed to be all about Clarissa-okay, was all the stuff about her own life necessary and it seemed to be placed wherever she felt like it.

While I do like the idea of comparing women to an animal, I still don't think it was done the best. If she were to go back through history, she would see just how many women were treated like animals and it was not a good thing. Maybe had our history been a bit different, it would have worked better.

Again, this is a middle ground book for me. I don't regret reading it and will probably reread bits of it, but it's still not my favourite book. I can't wait to see what our next book is going to be though.

Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a wonderful storyteller and knows her audience. Dr. Estes reads for this audio version of her book and it feels completely spontaneous. Her voice is authentic, filled with compassion and authority. She speaks directly to those of us who have felt bottled or penned and gives strong encouragement to move into our own authentic selves. It is inspiring!

What can I say? This book is incredible and inspiring. Clarissa understands the yearnings of every woman and puts them into words and brings clarity with stories and metaphor, she is brilliant. Be prepared when you read this..there are some wake up calls that will make you question your role, your place, what you're doing with your life.