Posted by Dionysus on July 25, 1998 at 23:57:53:
Okay, I don't know if many of you all out there know this, but there are 2 totally awesome books on the psychology of mythology and the titles are my subject line. I found "Gods" first and *LOVED* it! It's by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., a psychiatrist who incoroporates the myths into human psychology. Anyway, if you're interested, you can find out what gods and goddesses live in you.
The gods discussed are Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus, and Dionysus. It turns out Dionysus is the most active god in me, which isn't surprising since he's one of my favorites!
In "Goddesses" the archetypes of Artemis, Athena, Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Persephone, and Aphrodite are doted upon. I have a little of Artemis and Aphrodite in me as well (it's common to have a little of the opposite in you, says the author). But Dionysus is who I'm most like, and I think that's cool.
Each deity has their own chapter, where the author introduces them and gives (in generous detail) some of their myths, then explains that god or goddesse's archetype (personality traits), and goes into typical explanations of the childhoods, parents, adolescence, middle years, and later years of men/women who personify this deity, and then she presents some psychological difficulties ociated with them and ways to grow.
I'm tellin' you all, if you like mythology (who here doesn't?) you'll like these books, and if you are at all interested in psychology you will LOVE them!! And the best part is, they're fun to read! It is *so* not like school!
Here's hopin' you can find/order them, and happy readin' . . .
Dionysus
P.S. By the way, this is my first time to this board. I can't believe they have one for us! Greek myths will always live . . .