The Pregnant Virgin: A Process of Psychological Transformation (Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts) Paperback – 1 Oct. 1985

Marion Woodman's book has led me through an incomparable journey into myself, at a moment in my life when I needed guidance most. This experience has been a synchronicity to me—my inner events and my outer reading in complete harmony with one another. Woodman writes with an intellectual acuity and a tender depth that I have met nowhere else in such sensuous, loving form. Do order this book and dive into it; if the moment is right, and if your soul requires guidance, you will receive it.

Other reviewers have made the point about the book not being up-to-the-minute, and I would concur with that. However, it doesn't take much to transpose the very relevant background of theory to today's women. If you are looking for a typical self-help how-to type of book, this isn't it. There are plenty of hints and helpful suggestions of how one might put the theories into practice, but it's doesn't dumb down or give easy lists of things to do.I found this an extremely engaging and helpful book and will be looking for more books by the author. .

great book & quick delivery.

The basic premise behind this book is that a deadly combination of a patriarchal society and misguided parenting does a pretty thorough job of crippling the person we might have been. The search to find those missing or stillborn parts of ourselves can be started at any time but typically begins at a time of crisis, often in mid-life. This book is about that search and how reconnecting with our personal identity can be a lonely and isolating journey fraught with difficulty but one that, with luck, leads to renewal and freedom.It is specifically written from a feminine perspective, since it mirrors the author's own journey and although men will find much of interest here, they may struggle to grasp aspects that specifically relate to the inner reality of being a woman. There is much talk in the book of the Great(Earth)Mother and getting in touch with the Goddess within but it isn't some New Age feel good stuff she speaks of but a much darker frightening aspect of femininity. In fact, the stifled parts of the feminine which don't want to be defined by pandering to daddys, boyfriends and bosses ideas of how women should be.If it sounds like a feminist rant against men, well it isn't and she points out that men are equally victims of damaging notions of masculinity and a failure to connect with their own feminine side. However it is a very partisan book, Marion Woodman makes little attempt to take a detached academic stance over the matters she writes about and this is a passionate wake up call to women. Sadly, her call will not be heard by most of them. Since she wrote this in 1985 we've entered an era when too many women's concerns revolve around their bust size and those who would benefit most in freeing themselves from introjected ideas of femininity will never read this book in a million years.My only reservation about the book is that it's good at identifying the problem but vague at offering solutions. It couldn't be otherwise because everyone's journey is unique and what is right for one won't be for another. However, many people will read it and say 'Yep, that's me but what do I do next?'I've written this review because it's a superb book and there are no UK reviews but I'm a bloke. Come on ladies, you're the ones who can really say if this book hits the spot.

I did gain some insight from this book but found it really hard to read, often I found I had read a page or 2 without knowing what it said and so had to start again. I found I could only read a few pages at a time and often I hoped there was some kind of osmosis going on and that perhaps I was absorbing more than I was cognitively processing.

Just mind blowing. Must read.

This book jumped off the table at me while I attended my first Jungian conference. Something forced me to buy it. I was new to Jungian thought, and searching -- from my place of deep woundedness -- for a path to wholeness.On first read, my brain understood nothing the book contained. But my heart and soul were leaping for joy. Marion Woodman was talking directly to me and about me! I had to understand this with my mind!I meditated on this book for three years as I studied Jungian Psychology, and hung on for dear life as my unconscious (dreams) and Marion Woodman lead me through a harrowing journey of pain, rage and wonder toward the wholeness I sought throughout my life.This is not a dry, analytical read. It is vibrant with intuition, imagination, and emotion, and dense with ideas and deep understanding of the psyche and the unconscious.It is informed not only by Woodman's knowledge as a Jungian Analyst, but by her love for and understanding of the poetry she taught for years.This is the most precious book I own, and Marion Woodman is my greatest hero.

I was so happy to get this book which I thought was out of print. It was brand new. Thanks.

I've read this book several times over the years and taken a lot of notes in the margins. It is very deep into Jungian psychology, which can be new/different for people, but I think can still be helpful and interesting for those that don't know a lot about it. It is not a traditional self-help book, for sure. But it has many ideas that can be helpful for those working with healing past wounds and wanting to grow. She uses the metaphor of the caterpillar to butterfly early in the book, and notes that this is a difficult time of growth and transition for the caterpillar. I think for many of us growing into what we want or need to be is difficult and this book can be helpful in asking us to look deep and explore some of the things going on below the surface. I have given it as a gift to several women in my life and think that they found it helpful. It is also a book that does not necessarily need to be read front to back. I go back to certain parts of it and find just working with those sections to be helpful. Overall I think good for those interested in healing and also for therapists, even if you are not Jungian.

This is one of my all time favourite and most treasured books. MUST READ!