Goddesses In Everywoman

More about the book

This classic work of female psychology introduces seven archetypal goddesses to describe behavior patterns and personality traits, now presented to a new generation with an updated introduction by the author. Psychoanalyst Jean Bolen gained prominence in the early 1980s with her groundbreaking publication, captivating thousands of women who sought to identify their inner goddesses. Bolen's innovative premise suggests that women, previously unaware of the impact of cultural stereotypes, also overlook powerful archetypal forces within themselves that shape their actions and emotions, contributing to significant differences among them. She argues that understanding these inner patterns and their interconnections offers empowering alternatives that transcend traditional dichotomies such as masculine/feminine or careerist/housewife. Through the lens of seven archetypal goddesses—like the independent Artemis, the wise Athena, the nurturing Demeter, and the creative Aphrodite—Bolen illustrates how women can identify which traits to cultivate or overcome. She emphasizes that tapping into these enduring archetypes can lead to greater self-knowledge and wholeness, enabling women to become the heroines of their own life stories.