The Heroine's Journey Workbook

by Maureen Murdock

The Heroine's Journey is a woman's mythic quest to heal the deep wounding of her feminine nature on a personal, cultural, and spiritual level. She undertakes this spiritual and psychological journey to become whole, integrating all parts of her nature. Sometimes the journey is conscious, but in many cases it is not. This workbook is designed to guide the reader consciously through the different stages of the Heroine's Journey. Based on workshops conducted by the author with women of all ages, it can be used individually or in a group. The reader will explore each stage of the journey and look at the myths and fairy tales that shed light on these archetypal experiences: Separation from the Feminine, in which a woman searches for an identity in a masculine-defined culture. The Road of Trials, in which she challenges the myths of female inferiority, dependency, and romantic love. Spiritual Aridity, a feeling of having lost herself in her struggle for achievement. Initiation and Descent, a period of drawing inward and looking for the lost pieces of herself. Urgent yearning to reconnect with the Feminine and heal the Mother-Daughter Split. Integrating and healing the wounded parts of her inner Masculine. The Sacred Marriage, which occurs as she learns to integrate and balance all aspects of herself. The chapters include questions for reflection as well as exercises in guided imagery, writing, art, and dreamwork to bring clarity and understanding to the quest. Finally, the skills learned on this archetypal journey prepare a woman to work toward the larger quest of bringing consciousness to others and preserving the balance of life on earth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Feminism, Womens

158 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1998

About the author

Maureen Murdock is an author, educator, Jungian-oriented psychotherapist and photographer. Maureen teaches memoir writing, which she loves, through the Memoir Certificate at Pacifica Graduate Institute, for IWWG (International Women's Writing Guild) and in workshops throughout the US. She was Chair and Core faculty of the MA Counseling Psychology Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara and adjunct faculty in the Depth Psychology Department at Sonoma State University. Murdock blogs about mental illness, addiction and incarceration on her website and participates in Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) as a volunteer at Lompoc Federal Prison.

Reviews

[Fatemeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

به اندازه‌ی کتاب اصلی گیرایی نداشت و ارتباط گرفتن با قسمت تمرین های آیینی هم برام سخت و عجیب بود.

[Rachael Maier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the book “The Heroine’s Journey” so much, when I discovered this companion workbook months later, I had to devour it too.

I was a bit disappointed mainly because it felt like a watered down compilation of other books I love, particularly “The Pregnant Virgin” and “Women Who Run with the Wolves.” She even quotes several-page excerpts from the latter and summarizes concepts from Marion Woodman throughout.

I enjoyed “The Artist’s Way,” but never got a ton from the exercises. The exercises in this book feel similarly structured, but thinner. She mentions that many are are from weekend workshops she’s held, and I can see them working much better in that kind of setting. Translated to the page, they fall a little flat.

Overall, it was an interesting read because I can’t get enough of the concept she’s exploring, but I’d recommend sticking to the book and picking up a copy of “The Artist’s Way” if you’re looking for homework assignments.

[Paula]

I've only gotten as far as the Introduction, but I feel the need to highly recommend this book, especially for women.

[FereshteSanei · Rating 4 out of 5]

با خوندن اين كتاب از اينكه يك زن هستم و وسيستم بدنم داراي سيكلهاي خواصي است و هم چنين افتخار مادر شدن رو تجربه كردم به خودم ميبالم

[Dounia Rezki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not quite expecting this kind of book I thought it was a kind of female version of the famous "the hero with thousand faces" from Campbell which would compensate the lack of female representation and a path of journey of initiation in various myths I was excited to discover these hidden figures with pertinent psychologic and cultural interpretarions, some critics in the various cultures. But, this is not this kind of book. There are some examples brief and a bit biaised sometimes of some tales and myths (not always the best I think) that can be interesting, but the vast majority of the book consist of some self psychology exercises and down to earth motivational advices which I must admit is not my cup of tea. Some exercises are for me far too "cringe" and "infantilizing" (for example creating a rag doll) but I know it is my opinion and my preferences, and I am not undermining the various and different experiences of other people. Also, not quite a fan of the essentialism with all the so- called feminine qualities that are at times a bit too much caricatural.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a positive impact on my life when I was going through my divorce. There's meditations, dreamwork and other cool exercises to do. I like that it is an interactive book, you just don't read it passively...you read and do the exercises, thus you work on yourself at the same time.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like its companion book, this work is a bit dated but still helpful. Most effective when completed with a compassionate, nonjudgmental group.