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Goddesses in Older Women: Archetypes in Women Over Fifty

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Feeling a little under the weather as you arrive at that 50th or 60th milestone? Read Jean Bolen's GODDESSES IN OLDER WOMEN to give yourself a lift. Older women can "get a life" if they only pause to reflect on the inner self. Some think of aspects of the female self as archetypes or personality quirks, Bolen says they are "Goddesses within." Although we may fail to listen, and thus not hear them, inner voices occur throughout life. Different needs as well as life-long experience evokes different voices in the older woman. Her name may be wisdom, although she is more than wisdom, she is healing, compassion, and/or mirth. You may notice her voice which called to you when you were younger now has a new tone. We worship her, whether or not we think of her as a Goddess. She has been with you since girlhood as Mary or Kuan Yin or the Shekinah. First appearing as a maiden, then when we became mothers appearing as a mother. Now, she comes to us as a crone, the third phase of the moon-waxing-or the last aspect of the triple goddess. Known since ancient times, although appropriated by patriarchal faiths, still known if you listen to the small still voice in your heart.

As a 70s and 80s self-help junkie more disillusioned than ever by the US role in world events, I picked up this book-published in 2001-thinking, "Why am I doing this?" and "Been there, done that" "How could this apply to me" only to be pleasantly surprised by the delightful and helpful contents. After all these years, Jean Shinoda Bolen still has much to share. I am recommending this book to my daughter who is aged 43. There is more to life as an older woman than face lifts and sagging breasts.

First let me note that I am non religious, and only read books like this because they are fun to read. I do NOT subscribe to what they say.

Goddess In Older Women reminds me a great deal of Women Who Run With The Wolves which my sister gave me a dozen years ago. Jean Shinoda Bolen MS notes in the beginning that "At some point after fifty, every woman crosses a threshold into the third phase of her life. As she enters this uncharted territory--one that is generally uncelebrated in popular culture--she can choose to mourn what has gone before, or she can embrace the juicy crone years."

The book is split into 4 parts. 1 is Her name Is Wisdom which covers the Goddess of pratical and intellectual wisdom; mystical and spiritual wisdom;Intuitive and psychic wisdom; meditative wisdom.

2 She Is More...Than Wisdom which deals with the Goddess of Transformative Wrath-Her name is Outrage; Healing Laughter Her Name is Mirth; Compassion Her Name is Kindness

3 She Is A Goddess Growing Older Goddesses in Everywoman Revisted Artemis Goddess of Hunt and Moon; Athena Goddess of Wisdom and Crafts; Hestia Goddess of Hearth and Temple; Hera Goddess of Marriage; Demeter Goddess of Grain; Peresephone the Maiden and Queen; Aphrodite Goddess of Love and Beauty

Part 5 She Is a Circle. Circles of Wisewomen clan mothers Grandmother circles and Crone circles.

Fact is European women seem to appreciate and honour the crone more than we do here in the states. Crone sadly is a misunderstood word. It simply means an older women who is wise and wonderful. It isn't anything dark or spooky.

I read Goddesses in Everywoman years ago during a year long stay in Greece and can say now that I didn't "get it" really. I am now mentoring a young woman and decided to reread the book to see if I should use it with her. I loved it and decided to read Goddesses in Older Women for myself as I near 50. I am struggling with many issues; Mom with Alzheimer's, death of a child 5 years ago, insomnia and physical hormonal changes...and I immediately liked her conceptualization of menopausal symptoms like insomnia, hot flashes, etc. She allowed me to see my alone hours in the middle of the night as something to use for my own creativity and private time. I kept reading and I find the use of archetypal images of the Goddesses invaluable. It is well explained and even women who've never heard of Jung can "get" this book and I think every woman turning 50 would learn something of how to make the most of the transition from the second phase of life into a colorful, loving, wisewoman crone.

In a culture that worships youthful beauty, this book reminds us all that our esoteric standards are stifled, immature and limited. The wonderful Bolen leads women (and real men) on a revealing and empowering exploration of the many rich, strong, wise, diverse and beautiful identities that both shape and define the gifts of "older" women.

I have shared this book with my daughters, my friends and as a springboard to discussion in nursing homes with goddesses over 90 years rich.

There are truths here that we must affirm (as they affirm us!) in order to claim our true places in this world!

As a now "older woman", I surely appreciate this book. I found it inspiring, enlightening and empowering! I am so encouraged that I plan to invite some others to form a wise woman circle in order to celebrate our collective wisdom and share our varied and courageous stories. I am thankful for this book highly recommend it to you!

thoughtful and provoking -- an academic description that gets a little detailed for the casual reader. Still, highly recommend to those who are studying Dr. Bolen's messages re. spiritual quests and journeys.

I read Goddesses in Everywoman years ago during a year long stay in Greece and can say now that I didn't "get it" really. I am now mentoring a young woman and decided to reread the book to see if I should use it with her. I loved it and decided to read Goddesses in Older Women for myself as I near 50. I am struggling with many issues; Mom with Alzheimer's, death of a child 5 years ago, insomnia and physical hormonal changes...and I immediately liked her conceptualization of menopausal symptoms like insomnia, hot flashes, etc. She allowed me to see my alone hours in the middle of the night as something to use for my own creativity and private time. I kept reading and I find the use of archetypal images of the Goddesses invaluable. It is well explained and even women who've never heard of Jung can "get" this book and I think every woman turning 50 would learn something of how to make the most of the transition from the second phase of life into a colorful, loving, wisewoman crone.

I have read earlier works by Shinoda Bolen and found them both informative and easy to absorb. This book is the same, expanding on her earlier work (Goddesses in Everywoman). I recommend this to anyone interested in Goddess work, Jungian archetypes, history / mythology, basic psychology or anyone just looking for an interesting and new-ish approach to women.

Sometimes we carry the burden of getting older as a curse. This book will help women over 50 rediscover the greatness within.

This is a good read for ageing women in our youth oriented society. Whether you "believe" in the idea of Goddess archetypes or not. The author dicusses various aspects which come into stronger focus as we age, and encourages women to be aware of them. The idea is to foster strengthening those aspects which are helpful, and to be aware of any negative attributes of an archetype, in order to overcome them. I found this book to be very nurturing, for its fresh perspective on the great things about ageing. Kate Boswell MFT