5 reasons to read Women Who Run With the Wolves

Finding the right moment

About two months ago I began to read an incredible book entitled Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It was gathering dust on my book shelf for about a year! It was a beautiful moment though when I felt the urge to embrace it. Like the saying goes “the teacher appears when the student is ready to learn.” I guess I felt ready. I curled into a tight ball, shoved myself into the nook of my arm chair and began my journey.

This book took me some time to read. I needed to savor the words of wisdom but also to let them carve out meaning for me at a personal level.

“Women Who Run With the Wolves” is a book that truly resonated with me. I felt the ancestral wisdom float off the pages and in to the wild of the dark and shadowed parts of my mind. My inner knowing.

. This book is so much more than a book, it’s a journey—a journey that beckons the wild woman in each of us to come forth. Through a collection of myths, stories, and folklore, Estés explores the instinctual nature of women, a treasure that modern society often urges to be tamed.

Moreover, the book’s strength lies in its kind mothering tone, guiding readers through the dark woods of fear and insecurity and into the light of understanding, self-acceptance and self love.

I wrote in a previous blog post about the importance of being alone and how it allows for my creative process to flow with authenticity. I find a lot of inspiration in being present within my own solitude. It is a place that is sacred to me. It’s not always easy going inwards but it helps us to move forwards. Which is why I love this book.

Women who run with the Wolves is an absolute must read if you need gentle guidance in freeing your own inner wild. Estés acts not only as a storyteller but as a compassionate teacher, whose insights help to heal and inspire.

The stories she shares are more than just tales; they are mirrors reflecting the many aspects of the feminine psyche, encouraging women to explore, understand, and love the complexity and beauty of their own unique souls.

In a world that often values conformity over individuality, “Women Who Run With the Wolves” stands out as a testament to the power of embracing one’s true nature, making it an endlessly enriching and transformative read. When reading this book, I would often pause, go inwards and use the words I just read to help guide me to that inner sacred place. Solitude is an essential tool to get to know ones true self and it is reflected beautifully in this book.

What makes this book truly remarkable is its ability to resonate deeply with readers, irrespective of their background or life experiences. Estés, with her compassionate and wise narrative, invites women to reclaim their power, their wildness, and their innate connection with nature and the feminine soul.

I have been really focused on connecting with nature in my art practice over the past few years. While I have always had a strong bond with it, now I listen to it more attentively. It is a portal to my inner wild.

This book will encourage you too to find your own inner wild. To break free from the cages of expectation and to dance with the wolves of freedom and instinct. To really connect with your authentic self. This message of empowerment and self-discovery is why “Women Who Run With the Wolves” has become a beacon for women seeking to unearth and embrace their themselves.

1. As I mentioned above, Women Who Run With the Wolves offers a treasure trove of storytelling magic. Estés, a gifted storyteller, weaves myths, folk tales, and stories from diverse cultures to illustrate the innate power and intuition that resides within every woman. These stories serve as mirrors, reflecting back to us the many ways in which we can reclaim parts of ourselves that may have been lost, forgotten, or suppressed.

2. This book is a beacon of empowerment and healing. Many readers have found solace and strength in its pages, as it provides the tools and insights needed to navigate the challenges of life while staying true to oneself. It encourages self-discovery, resilience, and the courage to stand in one’s power, qualities that are essential for personal growth and fulfillment.

3. It fosters a deep sense of community and connection. “Women Who Run with the Wolves” has sparked discussions, book clubs, and gatherings around the world, bringing women together in a shared journey of exploration and empowerment. This sense of solidarity and support is invaluable, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and triumphs.

As I read each page it felt as though there was a strong universal connection between myself and the women in these stories. That gave me the courage to really get in touch with the unfamiliar familiar. A bit like lifting a rock from a familiar place that had been lying there for too long and examining what had been buried underneath.

4. Reading this book is an act of self-care and spiritual nourishment. It invites you to slow down, reflect, and engage with your inner life in meaningful ways. In our fast-paced, often disconnected world, making time for such introspection is in my view absolutely essential.

5.If you are seeking a guide, a companion that will travel with you always and a source of inspiration that speaks to the soul then this book is for you. Whether you’re seeking personal transformation, a deeper connection with your inner self, or simply a powerful read, this book promises a journey that is both enriching and enlightening.

I will leave you with this beautiful quote from the book and I hope it inspires in you a sense of remembering, wander, curiosity and a deep knowing of an inner wisdom and strength. I know it did just that for me.

Until next time folks,

Be wild. Be free.

Dee Ci