Alchemy of the Soul: The Eros and Psyche Myth As a Guide to Transformation

by Martin Lowenthal

Life without myth, the vital force of archetypal experiences, is life filled with maladies, neuroses, addictions, and disease. Alchemy of the Soul retells the myth of Eros and Psyche to help readers reconnect mind and relatedness to find wholeness and deep meaning. Author Martin Lowenthal describes how the story of Eros and Psyche illustrates the alchemical process of marrying soul and matter so that life can be lived with more joy, meaning, and a tangible sense of divine love. The book is divided into three * Part 1 is a beautiful retelling of the myth of Eros and Psyche. Lowenthal writes, "The story assails the defenses of our mind and our reactive habits and seeks to wrest a victory for life and growth from the inertia of daily habits and confusion. It initiates us into a world far more vibrant, rich, and nourishing than the one we knew in childhood and naively, yet regressively, settle for. In this sense, story reveals what happens as we attempt to spread our emotional wings in the developmentally confining domain of our childhood home and community and what it takes to make something significant of ourselves in ways that feed the future. As guests of the story, we discover the larger sacred garden in which we emerge as a unique and beautiful flower in a bed of exquisite blossoms, each one unique and essential." Alchemy of the Soul takes alchemy from the realm of the esoteric and places it in practical terms of story--terms that anyone can understand, value, and use as a guide to life.

182 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became interested in the Eros and Psyche myth when I came across the statue of Cupid and Psyche by Theodor Friedl (1881) at the Belvedere in Vienna. The surprising movement rendered in marble had me staring in awe, even as everyone else in the room was understandably looking at the large Klimt painting on the adjacent wall.

I stood entranced for a long time wishing I had an annual pass to the Belvedere because I couldn't possibly get everything there was to be had from observing this statue only once. I felt the wind whipping at me, and the shy eagerness and happiness on their faces told me I absolutely had to read about this myth.

I am very glad this lead me to Martin Lowenthal's book Alchemy of the Soul: The Eros & Psyche Myth as a Guide to Transformation.

The book gives a narrative retelling of the myth then goes on to explain the metaphors that map this myth onto spiritual alchemy as a method of personal transformation and initiation into the western mystery tradition.

The author has taught this myth for forty years and I appreciated his explanation of how to interpret it, since even people who read a lot may not have the literacy for getting the most out of mythology, as was my case.

Overall this was a fantastic book and one I intend to read multiple times and contemplate further. I highly recommended it.