Marion Woodman
Marion Woodman: A Pioneer in Depth Psychology and Feminine Empowerment
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Marion Woodman was a Canadian-born psychologist, author, and speaker who is widely known for her work on depth psychology, feminine empowerment, and personal growth.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on September 6, 1939, Marion Woodman passed away on July 7, 2018, leaving behind a legacy of inspiring countless individuals with her groundbreaking ideas and tireless efforts to promote feminine consciousness.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Marion Woodman was a Canadian psychologist, author, and speaker. Her work spanned multiple fields, including psychology, spirituality, and feminist theory.
Early Life and Background
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Born in Amber Valley, Ontario, Canada, Marion Woodman grew up in a family that valued education and self-improvement. Her early life experiences would later influence her professional pursuits, particularly her interest in the human psyche and its complexities. Woodman's academic journey began at the University of Toronto, where she studied English Literature.
However, it was during her time at Toronto's Yorkville Clinic that Marion Woodman discovered her true calling – working with individuals to explore the depths of their own psyches. Her experience as a clinical psychologist laid the foundation for her later work in depth psychology and feminist theory.
Major Accomplishments
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Marion Woodman's extensive career was marked by numerous accomplishments, including:
Developing the concept of "soul sickness," which refers to the disconnection between an individual's inner life and their outer reality.
Co-founding the Marion Woodman Centre in Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting feminine consciousness and personal growth.
Collaborating with James Hillman on various projects, including the creation of the "Archetypal Psychology" program.Notable Works or Actions
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Woodman's influential works include:
*Addiction vs. Disease: The Bias of the Medical Model in Treating Addiction (1986)
*The Owl Was a Baker's Daughter: Obesity, Gender and Culture (1989) - This book explores the complexities surrounding obesity and its relationship to societal expectations.
**Bone: Dying into Life (2000) - A poignant exploration of death, dying, and the human experience.
Impact and Legacy
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Marion Woodman's impact on psychology, feminist theory, and personal growth cannot be overstated. Her work has inspired a new generation of thinkers, writers, and speakers who are committed to promoting feminine consciousness and challenging societal norms.
Woodman's emphasis on the importance of integrating the psyche – uniting an individual's inner life with their outer reality – has resonated with countless individuals worldwide. Her legacy serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to personal growth, self-awareness, and empowerment.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Marion Woodman is widely quoted and remembered for her groundbreaking work in depth psychology and feminist theory. Her insights into the complexities of the human psyche, particularly with regards to feminine consciousness, have revolutionized our understanding of personal growth and development.
Woodman's courage in challenging societal norms and expectations has made a lasting impact on individuals worldwide. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, writers, and speakers who are committed to promoting self-awareness, personal growth, and empowerment.
By sharing Marion Woodman's remarkable story with others, we honor her dedication to creating a more compassionate and inclusive world – one where individuals can thrive in harmony with their inner selves.
Quotes by Marion Woodman
Can I really believe I am worth an hour a day? Am I, who have given my life to others, selfish enough to take one hour a day to find myself?
You think of yourself – light, fast, free – free of earth, free of bondage to your body. In your ‘perfect’ body, you are in control, addicted to the light that keeps you out of body. You’re a swan maiden, addicted to wings, addicted to spirit. You refused to eat in order to fly.
Kundalini power, the symbol of raising the energy coiled at the base of the spine upward through the chakras, is called by Sri Chinmoy, ‘the power of the Supreme Goddess.’ Repressed or coiled in a circle, she can be poisonous both to the body and the psyche, but once risen and standing upright, she is beneficent. The power of the serpent, rightly understood, is one of the ways the Goddess overcomes duality.
Old Mother God, Old Father God – they keep us trapped. And we do give up. We pull the covers over our head, and go back to sleep. Only to dream of old dragons, old alligators, old crocodiles drinking our blood. To dream of cold-eyed lawmakers saying, This is the way it’s always been done. It works. It will stay this way. And you will obey.
In the absence of role models for the new feminine in our culture, the Goddess speaks through dreams and creative imagination, giving guidance to those who chose to listen.
Since she has not been present in the culture, she has not been readily accessible to the conscious awareness of modern women. Without her, even the dynamic symbols of Virgin and Mother are distorted. The Crone is a woman is that part of her psyche that is not identified with any relationship nor confined by any bond. She infuses an intrinsic sense of self-worth, of autonomy, into the role of virgin and mother, and gives the woman strength to stand to her own creative experience.
Only by discovering and loving the goddess lost within our rejected body can we hear our own authentic voice.
To me, real love, the move from power to love, involves immense suffering. Any creative work comes from that level, where we share our sufferings, just the sheer suffering of being human. And that’s where the real love is.
Recognizing the difference between power and love is difficult if we were raised in a home where power was disguised as love.
