Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

All human beings are born with a spirit of wildness in their soul

Women Who Run With The Wolves is written by Clarissa Pinkola Estes PhD who is an award winning poet, Jungian Psychoanalyst and Cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition).

This is a beautiful and life-changing book that illustrates how all human beings are born gifted with a spirit of wildness in their soul. In a beautiful flow of stories, poems and translations from her original literary works, Clarissa weaves the 'soulful and psychic essence of our integral instinctual nature' into the continuum of our lifetime journey through the natural world. This work of art came into being over a long period of time. The book has 500 pages (one in five parts), all of which took 21 years to write. You can feel the richness of the knowledge, the depth of meaning, the breadth of experience, and the power of intuitive skills that orchestrate a flow of wisdom that you just want to sink in and become absorbed. On the first reading, I didn't stop to think, I just let the words flow as each story, each part of the life journey, touched me and stirred memories and experiences deep within my soul. Women Who Run With The Wolves is a contemplative work of individuation which is 'a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious are brought into consciousness to be assimilated into the whole personality. ' This invites the reader to weigh their personal life against what is proposed within these pages, as a contribution to what is known and what is needed in a true psychology of a woman. Set out in 16 stand alone sections with 19 beautiful stories tracing the journey of the soul at different stages of awakening, this is not a quick fix but a lifetime companion to be absorbed carefully and slowly with the same intent as it was written; to be studied, thought about, processed and reconciled with one's own understanding. The wisdom of lifetimes contained in this book can be returned to time and time again depending on where you are on your own journey (or to understand where someone else might be on theirs). This leads to greater enlightenment and the empowerment and confidence that comes from a sense of deeper knowing. In conclusion, Clarissa states that 'one must have psychological and spiritual strength in order to go forward, and that this is true for women and men alike.' The practice of strengthening ourselves is essential to enable us to strive to be our true selves at every stage of our life journey. Focusing our attention and devotion to the true nature of 'soul' and using questioning insight to gain a clearer understanding of ourselves, is a gift we all possess which this book can help us to discover and enrich for ourselves. And so, in the first chapter we learn that 'Singing over bones' is to say on the breath the truth of one's power and one's need. This is to breathe the soul over the things that are ailing us or in need of revival. This exquisitely powerful book achieves this in so many ways and it is no wonder it began a revolution and continues to transform the lives of millions of people around the world.

Sue Cartwright AInstAM

Community Assembly of the British Isles

Editor

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I highly recommend this book for its deep knowledge and powerful stories that take you through the journey of life as it relates to mind, body, spirit and soul. There is something here for everyone and it's perfect for dipping into or becoming fully absorbed in a celebration of wise and ancient stories grounded in truth.

Here are just a few of the wise and wonderful insights you will find throughout which are relevant to all souls striving to realise and evolve their gifts of wildness, intuition and creativity.

Shine a light

One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. Reach out locally

Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Embrace the world with love

To take the world into one's arms and act towards it in a soul-filled and soul-strengthening manner is a powerful act of wildish spirit. Stand up for what is right

Wolves and women are relational by nature, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their mate and their pack. They are experienced in adapting to constantly changing circumstances. They are fiercely stalwart and brave. Understand the predator

All creatures must learn that there exist predators. Without this knowing, a woman will be unable to negotiate safely within her own forest without being devoured. To understand the predator is to become a mature animal who is not vulnerable out of naivete, inexperience and foolishness. Listen to your intuition

Practice listening to your intuition, your inner voice; ask questions; be curious; see what you see; hear what you hear; and then act upon what you know to be true. These intuitive powers were given to your soul at birth. Be creative

The most important thing is to hold on, hold out, for your creative life, for your solitude, for your time to be and do, for your very life. Let things go that serve no purpose

Wild women know instinctively when things must die and when things must live; they know how to walk away, they know how to stay. Be your own true self

To be ourselves causes us to be exiled by many others, and yet to comply with what others want causes us to be exiled from ourselves. Go with the flow

The only trust required is to know that when there is one ending there will be a beginning. Be thankful for all things good

Nothing makes the light, the wonder, the treasure stand out so well as darkness.