Book Review: The Way of The Wild Soul Woman 

Title: The Way of The Wild Soul Woman: 5 Earth Archetypes to Unleash Your Full Feminine Power
Author: Mary Reynolds Thompson
Publisher: Findhorn Press
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Pages: 352

With Mother Earth archetypes, personal stories, introspective journal prompts, explorative exercises, accounts of trail blazers, and rituals, Mary Reynolds Thompson takes women on a journey to connect to the wild, powerful forces of nature.

I found myself nodding, underlining, and rereading passages as her words spoke about the landscapes and cycles I have encountered in this lifetime. Much of the book resonated with me, sweeping way lingering doubts about my feminine power and shedding light on ways to heal unresolved issues.

Thompson begins by defining Desert Woman in depth, drawing parallels to the barrenness of that landscape and the growth that comes with learning you are enough, developing radical honesty, and releasing the old. From this intense, silent space, readers are moved to the lush forest where dreams are nourished and possibilities incubated. Residing in the in-between, Forest Woman tunes into her body and follows her inner knowing, finding new ways of being. The third stage is Ocean and River Woman, guided to love herself, ride the flow, and live from the depths of her heart. The fourth phase of the journey gives rise to Mountain Woman, who emerges as an authentic unstoppable force, embarking on a great adventure, and taking her place in the world. Lastly, Thompson introduces Grassland Woman, who comes home to herself, thrives, and blooms.

Each chapter is broken into five sections: the initiation, the challenge, the shift, the way, and the emergence. Within each of these are a number of exercises to explore, transform, and practice the information presented. That makes this book a guide to connecting to the energies of the earth through the ways women are reflected in the landscapes and vice versa. Its stories and practices illustrate the many aspects of each archetype.

I found it freeing and empowering to my wild soul. I recommend it to women of all ages. Even without completing every exercise, the book’s wisdom and insights will inspire souls to howl.

 

About the Author:
Mary Reynolds Thompson is the founder of Live Your Wild Soul Story and an internationally recognized speaker, and facilitator of journal and poetry therapy. Her first book, “Reclaiming the Wild Soul: How Earth’s Landscapes Restore Us to Wholeness,” was a 2015 Nautilus Award-winner. A pioneer in the spiritual ecology movement, Mary’s own wild soul was awakened as a child, riding a pig named Ramona in Southern Italy. Now she lives in Marin County, California.

 

About the Reviewer:
All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years, I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, crystals, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. It was like coming home to myself. I have been in multiple covens, some virtual. As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.