Women Who Run with the Wolves (2009) Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD
A quick read, Dr. Pinkola Estés combines myth and folktales with discussion, research, and theory to promote the reader’s re-connection with the archetype of the wild female spirit/soul. Social and cultural “civilized” systems (think patriarchy) have oppressed, domesticated, tamed, quieted, vilified, (insert relatable adjective here) the wild nature of the feminine spirit. Through this storytelling format, readers are able to resonate with the concept and validate their internal experiences and instinctual nature to promote the healing process; a process that supports the shift from surviving the social and cultural limits and expectations; to thriving as a free, living, growing, passionate, creative, and intuitive creature (or “criatura”).
How was this book recommended to me? My therapist recommended it to me
Would I recommend this to my colleagues? Yes
Would I recommend this to my clients? Yes
How do I apply this content to my work: Given my specialties of trauma and addiction, many of my clients experience a form of disconnection, often from both Self and others. And through the healing process, I use different techniques to help heal the wounds and the negative core beliefs that often reinforce a lot of the disconnection, and work to cultivate, identify, uncover, and/or integrate with a core sense of Self. More specifically, my training as a dance/movement therapist can help my clients re-connect with this primitive experience on a more embodied level, tapping into the rhythms of connection, free flow of life force energies, opening and flourishing, sensuality, and transitioning from dependence/conformity to the external to trusting the gut/intuition. Who is the person that we are supposed to be, or even allowed to be, when we feel safe (versus living in a state of protection and survival)...? This book and its messaging can help to reignite the fire of the feminine spirit that we’ve either been hiding from the world and/or that has been controlled by the social/cultural systems that have raised us. And since we all have both feminine and masculine parts, this process can be applicable to all my clients, not just my female-identifying clients; we all have an opportunity to reclaim the feminine aspects of ourself.
If you live in WA state and feel like you are feeling disconnected from your core sense of self and looking to feel more wild and free, contact me. Let’s schedule a free 15-minute consultation and see if we might be a good fit to work together.
