The Way of Woman: Awakening the Perennial Feminine

By Helen M. Luke

Book Overview

Helen M. Luke speaks with the power of a true sage on the issues of community, relationships, the women's movement, marriage and divorce, and mothering. Profound, graceful, and transforming, The Way of Woman is a true celebration of feminine worth.

In this book, Helen Luke has rendered her lifetimes' worth of understandings about the unique nature of the feminine psyche. The spirit of the work is to be treasured especially because it is informed by her ninety years of inimitable life.
--Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run with the Wolves and The Gift of Story

For many years I've learned from the experiments and reflections of Helen Luke, one of the few authors inspired by Jung who leaves a strong individual contribution to a spiritually rich psychology. She was able to find a unique way through the polarities that get us all stuck: theory and personal insight, gender and a point beyond gender, psychology and spirituality, tradition and immediate perception, knowledge and wisdom. Better tos pend a day meditating on a single page of her writing than to read a stack of books for enlightenment.
--Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and Meditations

In the Book of Proverbs it is written: 'Say to wisdom, you are my sister, and call insight your intimate friend.' Helen M. Luke was such a sister and such a friend. In The Way of Woman one is honored to be in the presence of a true Wise Woman.
--Jonathan Cott, author of Isis and Osiris, The Search for Omm Sety, and Pipers at the Gates of Dawn

Helen Luke can strike one note with one finger with such sensitivity that is resonates forever in our soul... On behalf of countless women and men, I say, 'Thank you, Helen. Thank you for guiding me to the courage of my own feminine depths. Thank you for strengthening me in finding my feminine voice. Thank you for steadfastly living the feminine values in a society that, consciously and unconsciously, despises them. Thank you for encouraging me to go where I might never have dared go alone. And thank you for shining the light into corridors where I have yet to go.
--Marion Woodman, author of Leaving My Father's House, from her foreword

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385485743
• ISBN13: 9780385485746
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Prh Christian Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Helen M. Luke has a unique voice in psychology.

Helen M. Luke's clarity of mind permeates every word in this extraordinary book. Her insight into Jungian thought and her own interpretation of Jung's ideas give us a book which is one of a kind. The chapter on Orual especially interested me. The author explains our desire and need to be close to other women and how this can be a danger and a blessing. I have read some paragraphs over and over. This is the kind of book you keep and hopefully give copies to your friends.

A companion guide to individuation

If you find Jung's thoughts on individuation compelling, you will probably love this book. Having embraced the path of individuation for her own life, Helen certainly makes a substantial contribution to those who are on a similar path. It is a beautifully written book that is intelligent, thought-provoking and compassionate. It provides invaluable insights and I find myself returning to this book regularly to re-read parts of it. Helen gives her own unique perspective in applying Jung's ideas to the everyday struggles faced by us all, particularly the challenges faced by those who seek greater consciousness. After reading this book, I felt an overwhelming gratitude to Helen: her rich humanity penetrates her words and she provides an inspiring example of a person who embraced a full and courageous life.

Profound, thoughtful, and challenging.

For anyone who is interested in symbolism, cultural criticism, or personal growth, this book is a challenging must-read. So many new ideas come to me in each chapter, I often find myself re-reading the chapter I just finished before moving on the the next so that I may savor these thoughts and let give them ample opportunity to work their way into my conscious daily life. Luke discusses various topics such as the importance of suffering in our lives, the symbolism of the marriage vow, and the dangers faced in our culture due to the fact that we have subverted the symbolism of money as a means of exchange, and turned money itself into an end. A wonderful introduction to the writing and thought of the late Helen Luke