The Creation of Consciousness: Jung’s Myth for Modern Man
Edward Edinger is one of the most important and influential authors in our library. The Creation of Consciousness is a brief and insightful commentary by Edinger on Carl Jung’s work and ideas.
The Undiscovered Self
This is an important work, but also an easy and brief introduction to the master himself, Carl Jung.
Making the Gods Work for You
The author does a masterful job of explaining how the zodiac functions in the human psyche, much like dreams, art, myth, and other projections. She ties astrology beautifully and helpfully to the archetypes and explores the utility of astrology for psychology, just as Jung, Edinger, and others have done for mythology and then religion. It is easy to understand the draw “simple” daily astrology has on people when we understand how powerfully they can be expressed in the archetypes, and vice versa. It is a wonderful, fun, and enlightening read, and not at all too heavy on the parts of astrology that the more rational-minded wish to avoid.
The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche
Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette return with their triumphant series that chronicles the four primary archetypes of the male psyche in King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover, and then expands upon each one individually in their own titles. Start with KWML, then read each book individually as appropriate.
Myth & Meaning: Cracking the Code of Culture
Myth and Meaning by Levi-Strauss needs to be read only by the absolutely most advanced, or those truly grappling with the simplest meanings of mythology.
The Lover Within
Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette return in their triumphant series that chronicles the four primary archetypes of the male psyche in King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, and then expands upon each one individually with their own titles. Start with KWML, then read each book individually as appropriate.
The Meaning of Myth
Neel Burton is a psychiatrist who examines 12 Greek myths and their significance to the human psyche. At once erudite and accessible, it is an easy recommendation for novice students.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell is a very important work in our library. Campbell is the primary and best promulgator of the Hero’s Journey, and this is one of his seminal works.
Anatomy of the Psyche
Edinger is one of, if not the most important, thinkers to influence The Mythological Man curriculum and system, and few books are more important than Anatomy of the Psyche. This is deep work for students who have already completed other studies. Edinger masterfully weaves together psychology, mythology, alchemy, and more to create and explore the structures of the human mind.
Goddesses in Older Women
Goddesses in Older Women is the third and final installment of her excellent series, including Gods in Everyman and Goddesses in Everywoman. Bolen explores the archetypes of Greek goddesses as well as broader ones, such as the Crone, to understand women at an archetypal level. She likewise offers suggestions on how to identify and channel certain archetypes for success. As she writes, “When an active archetype rather than an external expectation is the basis for a role we take, there is depth to the choice.”
Kinds of Power
Kinds of Power by James Hillman is an excellent analysis of power from the perspective of its parts. The author and thinker - a giant in the field and extremely important within our own library - examines power in its components of ambition, leadership, charisma, and other components.
48 Laws of Power
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is an important book in the Mythological Man library. Greene surveys philosophies and people of power throughout history and offers the most significant synthesis of principles of power since The Prince.
Ego is the Enemy
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday is an excellent book on an incredibly important topic. Inflated egos have led to wars and other calamities of global as well as personal proportions. Learn what ego is, and how to keep it balanced.
Stillness is Key
Stillness is Key, by the Stoic writer Ryan Holiday, is an excellent book and an important part of our curriculum.
Discipline is Destiny
Discipline is Destiny, by the Stoic writer Ryan Holiday, is an excellent book and an important part of our curriculum.
The Obstacle is the Way
The Obstacle is the Way, by the Stoic writer Ryan Holiday, is an excellent book and an important part of our curriculum.
Goddesses in Every Woman: Powerful Archetypes in Women’s Lives
“Gods and goddesses represent different qualities in the human psyche,” writes the author. “The pantheon of Greek deities together, male and female, exist as archetypes in us all, although the gods are usually the strongest and most influential determinants of a man’s personality, as the goddesses are for women.”
Gods in Everyman: Archetypes that Shape Men’s Lives
“Gods and goddesses represent different qualities in the human psyche,” writes the author. “The pantheon of Greek deities together, male and female, exist as archetypes in us all, although the gods are usually the strongest and most influential determinants of a man’s personality, as the goddesses are for women.”
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover is an excellent entry point for learning and understanding archetypes, but is also very appropriate for more advanced students.
Ego and Archetype
Ego and Archetype by Edward Edinger is a primary and crucial text within the Mythological Man curriculum.