The Language of Archetypes

by Caroline Myss

Have you ever felt that your life was guided by larger forces? Unseen but very real energies that influence every direction your life takes? In her renowned work as a medical intuitive, Caroline Myss examined the patterns of hundreds of archetypes that exist in human consciousness, and uncovered an "alchemy of spirituality" we all can use for self-understanding, healing, and divine connection. On The Language of Archetypes, this three-time New York Times bestselling author brings to life a "gallery of archetypes" in a 10-CD audio curriculum over a decade in the making. Her first complete training course on how to identify and work with the eight major archetypal families, this landmark program brings listeners face-to-face with: • The Four Survival Archetypes everyone is born with: child, prostitute, victim, and saboteur • The Royal Family: queen, king, damsel, knight, and others • The Shadow Family: thief, trickster, addict, and others "When you learn to speak in archetypes," teaches Caroline Myss, "you start to see the world and everything in it in an altogether different way." Delivered with masterful storytelling, The Language of Archetypes gives listeners a personal introduction to the many dynamic yet often hidden characters that profoundly impact health, relationships, career—every facet of our sacred destiny.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Self Help, Audiobook, Philosophy, New Age

Unknown Binding

First published January 26, 2006

About the author

Caroline Myss was born on December 2, 1952 in Chicago, and grew up with her parents, and two brothers, one elder and one younger, in the Melrose Park, Illinois neighbourhood near Chicago. Caroline was raised a Catholic, and attended the Mother Guerin High School, River Grove, Illinois, run by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1974, and started her career in journalism in Chicago.

In the course of her career, she interviewed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., the author of the famous book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, Chicago, which she completed in 1979. She also claims to hold a Ph.D in "intuition and energy medicine", but the degree was granted by Greenwich University, a now-defunct correspondence school that was never accredited to deliver higher education awards by any recognized government accreditation authority.

She started giving medical intuitive readings in 1982 and co-founded a small New Age publishing company, Stillpoint Publishing in Walpole, New Hampshire, where she also worked as an editor in 1983, next she began consulting with holistic doctors, which in 1984, led to her extensive collaboration with Dr. Norman Shealy, an M.D. schooled at Harvard, and the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, with whom she later co-authored, "Aids: Passageway to Transformation," in 1987, followed by "The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses that Promote Health and Healing," in 1988. Deriving from her practice as a medical intuitive, she started writing books, in the field of energy medicine, and healing, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers.[18] Starting with Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (1996), which overlapped seven Christian sacraments with seven Hindu chakras and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life to create a map of the human "energy anatomy"; this was followed by Why People Don't Heal and How They Can (1998), which explored the reasons people do not heal through her concept of "woundology." Her next book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (2002) dealt with the issue of finding "Life Purpose," while describing Sacred Contracts as "a set of assignments that our soul had formed around before incarnation". She has since appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times.

By 2000, she discontinued doing private medical intuitive readings, and instead started teaching it, through her workshops, seminars, radio shows and guided tours. She tours internationally as a speaker on spirituality and mysticism, and lives in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. In 2003, she started the Caroline Myss Educational Institute, with Wisdom University in San Francisco.

Her 2007 book, "Entering the Castle" draws upon the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a 16th century Carmelite nun, who wrote her most important work, The Interior Castle, towards the end of her life.

Reviews

[Annica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone told me I must have a strong soul contract with my son and I was intrigued, not really understanding what that meant. Some time later I came across an author on a different subject and Caroline Myss was one of the people recommending his work. I was again intrigued by the titles of her books, many to do with soul contracts and I understood from the blurb that this was her most comprehensive work. Admittedly, I'm a newbie to Caroline and this whole business and it is as such that I give this one star. To the uninitiated it's random waffling without structure and I cannot make sense of it. It seems that everything is a flavour of an archetype and how on earth that knowledge is going to be helpful to me in anyway is a mystery. So far, only brief mentions of soul contracts in the same waffling manner - I'm on the third session and I give up.
PS. This is not a book as such but a recording of 'sessions' with Caroline and a small group.

[DiDi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling--and amazing. Can't wait to listen to it again--in depth and with focus. It's very short and to the point--for the most part. I've read or listened to other Myss archetype works, and I know from experience whenever you hear what applies to you in chakra work, you most certainly KNOW it. For anyone interested in self-evolution, I highly recommend you take Carolyn Myss along for the journey. My only less-than-favorable comment is that while Myss has the words--she doesn't have the voice for reading, which can be distracting. She also has a tendency to be harsh in delivery, which can be off-putting if you're thin-skinned. Remembering that she's not trying to be your best friend, she's trying to help you resolve issues--some that may have held you captive for decades--helps.

[Lanegyro Audra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting topic.It would be a great book, if not the constant drilling to believe that what is being said is the absolute truth. No facts or proofs supporting the statements are given by the author, just opinions and deductions I think derived mostly from exploring Jung's theory of archetypes and various religions. But she constantly repeats the phrases "and that is that", "and that is the truth", "amazing", "incredible" etc., no "maybe" or "supposedly" about her statements.

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mmmmm not for me. It's kind of weird and preachy and rambling without a lot of support for the statements being made. I should have read the description before getting this one. It wasn't quite what I thought it would be 😂 Also this isn't a book - she's just talking in a group/seminar type setting.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried so hard to get into this book. Some chapters made so much sense... other were really lost in over verbalizing this theory or concept. It would be so much better if it were greatly simplified and I don't mean that it's hard to understand, I mean that I believe the author over complicated the book.

[Paulen Swope · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jury is still out on this one. I'm listening to the audio version once again. Without a doubt, I agree with how archetypes are born while others die out. Sometimes I find Myss judgmental and irritating. Other times, I find what she says is quite beneficial to me. With that in mind, I'm listening to this once again.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to learn even more about ones self. Very very interesting.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst the subject of archetypes is endlessly fascinating and a worthwhile method to know ourselves and others I feel the same as another reviewer here, over complicated and exaggerated. While I was listening I often wondered what the average Jo Blo’s archetype was. Not the shaman, the mystic or magician. I was disappointed that this wasn’t more down to earth and of more practical help. There is a great deal to learn about each archetype before we decide which ones we have. I don’t feel equipped to decide on mine and I was hoping this book would reveal more in-depth realistic information. I adore this topic so will keep searching, maybe I’m a Seeker 😀

[Stargazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this material had been written in the form of a book rather than listening to what sounds like a weekend workshop.(I used to love her medical intuitive books years ago) I listen to audible in bed so it was really disturbing when she raised her voice and ranted like Joan Rivers, very jarring and offputting lying in the dark. There was some good info i'd like to read (quietly) though.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of her work has been interesting and helpful but some of it has not. Since I'm studying mythology right now, I thought this might be useful information and it was given in vintage Myss style.

[Nicolette Tura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful insight into the human soul.

[Heather Strom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great subject and necessary information but the author just seamed angry and that interfered with the message for me.

[Bunnie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

[Barbara]

I was lucky enough to get the entire 11-CD set at a library booksale for $5. I've just finished the first CD, and I'm completely hooked. The entire set is an estimated 12+ hours worth of material, and if I could, I'd listen in one sitting, then go back and listen again.

This is not really an audio book. It is the complete curriculum, recorded live as Caroline Myss presented her workshop and class to a small group of students. It is invaluable to anyone interested in a more serious study of the archetypes, and while it might serve as an introduction for those who are not yet familiar with Jungian psychology and the concept of the archetype, conceptually, it goes far beyond introductory material, and practically, it teaches a method for understanding, thinking and acting within the symbolic language of archetypes. I'm captivated!

[James Johnson]

I often read books by authors with whom I don't agree and I did attempt that with this book. But I really couldn't take any more of the author's outlandish fairy tales. Despite being college educated (or perhaps because of it), she propagated some incredibly stupid ideas. The further I read, the worse my head ached so, I had to abandon my efforts.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Moly! After reading this book a couple of years ago I have noticed how people use archetypal images ALL THE TIME. Every day I hear several, and this book does a good job of explaining how the words that people use represent how they see the world, and it helps to respond appropriately.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel as if I wish the whole world could listen to it. Myss' thoughts on Jungian archetypes deserve serious consideration.

[Lori Pulichino · Rating 1 out of 5]

She contradicts her later books in this one... Way too much focus on labels

[Fusun Dulger charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book of Ms. Myss for self search and self knowledge.
As they say "If you want to know God you need first to know yourself."
That is what she does and does so well.

[Julie Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and kinda like a spiritual personality test! Always a good read. She is tough and to the point. Does let you hide behind any rocks!!

[Launchingstars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Fascinating

[Cryptic Patterns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great perspective of the human psyche's many dimensions and the dualities that exist within each.
Fully enjoyed and recommend.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed.

[Elena Astilleros]

Archetypes are a fun way to categorize people, simplifies some behaviors - for instance you have knights and warriors, each will behave differently when faced with a challenge, and when I’ve used that thinking, I’ve resolved conflict much better in my life.