THE ETERNAL FEMININE

For both men and women, this dialogue offers tremendous insights into who we are and what we need. In fairy tales, Woodman explains, the hero needs a container in which to bring the hard-won treasure home--or else it may be lost or stolen. She tells us that container is the "eternal feminine" quality of being receptive instead of fearing and trying to control. To be mature and able to love we must feel cherished instead of judged--by our own selves if not originally by our parents. This creates the safe container which allows us to receive the riches of life. "To dare to put out your own pain, your own honest anger, whatever the emotion is," Woodman says, "releases you into a new maturity, and everyone around you who is strong enough to take it is released into a new maturity." She discusses addiction, the divine child, the Black Madonna, the crone and more.