The authors of The King Within present the psychological dynamics of the Magician "program"--which enables men to move from boyhood to manhood in a positive, self-affirmative way, then enables them to help others--and illustrate its universal presence in virtually all human societies. Readers are invited to use their capacities for thoughtful self-reflection to access the Trickster for fuller, more generative lives. Photographs.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Drawing on Jungian psychology, theology and folklore, Moore, who teaches at the Chicago Theological Seminary, and pastoral counselor Gillette, coauthors of The King Within and The Warrior Within , advise men on how to nurture the powerful, generative and healing aspect of their natures called the Magician. Along the way men will meet the Trickster, whose manipulative, detached and destructive capacities represent the Magician in his "shadow" or negative form. Through meditation and self-reflection, men can transform the Trickster's negative energy into life-affirming, shamanistic power, according to the authors. Of the book's four parts, the first three examine the archetypes and shadow forms of the male psyche, while the fourth provides a blueprint for individuals hoping to explore the Magician and Trickster figures in their inner lives. This otherwise thoughtful self-help book is marred by psychological jargon and a reliance on spiritualism and rituals as techniques. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Like the two previous volumes from these collaborators (The King Within and The Warrior Within, both 1992), this one urges men to take control of their lives and to enjoy the knowledge within, in this case by emphasizing mastery of the culture's power, imagination, and technology--a stimulating prospect undermined by graceless writing. Following an explanatory tour of the masculine soul, gender identity, and the male psyche (familiar from earlier works), Moore and Gillette consider traditional images of masculine magicians and the elements most common to their stories--mysterious origins, imperiled infancies, distant wanderings, etc. It's an informed set of observations, and, in tracking the shaman idea through myth and history, the authors support their argument with diverting examples and a well-honed point of view (for example, preferring the terms ``ordinary'' and ``extraordinary'' to the classic ``profane'' and ``sacred''). The role of elders, the importance of ritual, and the significance of initiations are also examined, as are the behaviors of men who fail to measure up--those innocent of the pain they cause, or those detached from their best impulses. By contrast, those who harness the magician's energy--who have access to inner truths and can affirm others' efforts to do the same--are able to ``face the cosmos,'' to live ``as mature men, consciously and intentionally, and with deep self-reflection.'' Would that the authors' presentation were as strong as their conviction. Like its predecessors, the book is full of cumbersome schemata (seven states of initiation, five stages to accessing the magician) and difficult definitions (the difference between ``liminal'' and ``liminoid'') that clog the prose and obscure the message about men's potential--a vital message that needs a simpler idiom to reach its audience. (Fifty b&w photos--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical,
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This review is from: The Magician Within: Accessing the Shaman in the Male Psyche (Paperback)
Robert Moore and Doug Gillette published a number of books on their theory of 4 male archetypes. The first is an overview entitled: "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover." They followed up this fine introductory work with a book on each of the 4 archetypes. This one is, of course, on the Magician Archetype. Each of the 4 books has a completely redundant section (worth reading once, anyway), but also has much material on the particular, titled, archetype. The names of the archetypes are defined a bit differently than society might define them (e.g. the magician differs considerably from the prestidigitator)--moving the descriptions into the worlds of psychology and mythology in which the two authors are well-versed. If you read one, it's best to read them all. Otherwise, you get a skewed view of the archetypes, the authors' works, and the theory they propose. I like this book very much. It provides not only description of the archetype but some ramifications and ideas as to how to implement or invoke it. They also point out that the present situation of mens' psychologal development (somewhat lacking) is due to the loss of ancient men's initiation rights and methods. Thus, they insert some sociological/anthropological considerations into the fray. I found this book uplifting and see the glass as half full. The authors provided the rationale and some means of implementation of the Mens' Movement. Not only are these books valuable to men, but they are, perhaps, even more valuable to women who wish to interact and support men. They are a wonderful addition to the literature and to humans understanding themselves and each other. By the way, Dr. Moore is associated with the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago and many of his audio tapes are available for purchase (or rental to members). They're great! He is a fine speaker--I heard him in person when he came to Maryland some years back.
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