The Pregnant Virgin: A Process of Psychological Transformation

Using the concept of the process of psychological pregnancy (the virgin forever a virgin, forever pregnant, forever open to possibilities), Woodman examines ways of restoring the unity of body and soul, suggesting that immortality is a reality contained within mortality. Drawing on her Jungian analytic practice with its analysis of hundreds of dreams, she explores the search for personal identity and relationships, including celebration of the feminine both in women and men. She begins with the symbolism of the chrysalis, then discusses abandonment in the creative woman, psyche-soma awareness, the ritual journey, further thoughts on addiction, and yin, yang, and Jung. She concludes with a section on modern initiation.