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Meeting the Madwoman: Empowering the Feminine Spirit
The Madwoman is a powerful psychological and emotional energy that lives in us all—both men and women—and speaks to us all, inhabiting our dreams, our lives, our collective cultural memory. Ignored or suppressed, she becomes a force of self-destruction; acknowledged and understood, she becomes a source of creativity and power. In this remarkable and revolutionary book, Linda Schierse Leonard explores how we can overcome the inner turmoil of contemporary life—unexpressed rage, the buildup of guilt and anxiety—by harnessing this primal expression of our natural instincts.
From Medea to Ophelia to Thelma and Louise, the paradox and patterns of “madness” are as old as time. But the chain can be broken; the Madwoman within each of us can and must be freed, openly expressed, and transformed into a source of constructive, creative energy. Leonard draws upon an extraordinary range of sources—ancient myths and fairy tales, films and literature, contemporary and historical women’s lives—to design a model of empowerment for women today.
With its fresh perspectives and bold insights, Meeting the Madwoman is a provocative work of profound cultural significance, one whose ideas are sure to resonate for years to come.
Praise for Meeting the Madwoman
“A book loaded with practical insights that’s also fun to read . . . With refreshing originality, Leonard reverses some traditional perceptions.” — New Woman
“A vigorous exploration . . . Throughout, Leonard writes passionately, seeing the Madwoman as an empowering symbol and the discovery process as a spiritual exercise—a kind of purification and ultimate triumph of the feminine spirit.” — Kirkus Reviews
From Medea to Ophelia to Thelma and Louise, the paradox and patterns of “madness” are as old as time. But the chain can be broken; the Madwoman within each of us can and must be freed, openly expressed, and transformed into a source of constructive, creative energy. Leonard draws upon an extraordinary range of sources—ancient myths and fairy tales, films and literature, contemporary and historical women’s lives—to design a model of empowerment for women today.
With its fresh perspectives and bold insights, Meeting the Madwoman is a provocative work of profound cultural significance, one whose ideas are sure to resonate for years to come.
Praise for Meeting the Madwoman
“A book loaded with practical insights that’s also fun to read . . . With refreshing originality, Leonard reverses some traditional perceptions.” — New Woman
“A vigorous exploration . . . Throughout, Leonard writes passionately, seeing the Madwoman as an empowering symbol and the discovery process as a spiritual exercise—a kind of purification and ultimate triumph of the feminine spirit.” — Kirkus Reviews
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
36 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
Linda Schierse Leonard
23 books46 followersLinda Schierse Leonard, PhD, is a philosopher who trained as a Jungian analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich. She is the author of many bestselling books, which have been translated into 12 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2019
I liked this even better than Women Who Run With the Wolves. Both books cover the same subject: how to integrate the shadow aspect of the wild feminine spirit using Jung's archetype psychology as a primary source, but Leonard's book uses stories of contemporary and historical women as well as examples from literature and film. Estes, the author of WWRWTW, uses folk stories and the style of a cantadora. Where Estes is self-important, elaborate, and redundant, Leonard is clear, effective, and accessible. Leonard relates tales that are emotionally moving and very relatable in a style that is easy to read and enjoy. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is ready to meet their inner creative force or is doing work to re-parent their inner child.
June 28, 2008
Meeting The Madwoman scared me. For many years it sat on the shelf, taunting me to pick it up.... "I dare you," it seemed to tease.
That reluctance to read the book should have been my first and biggest clue that the book had substance to offer. It turned out that once I began reading, I could not put it down. This is a book I will never loan out, although I sincerely think EVERYONE should read it. I go back to it one occasion, and I still find a LOT to take in.
I recommend this bbok for any woman willing to let go of inner fears and habits, and to any woman brave enough to look inside herself. The growth potential is enormous.
That reluctance to read the book should have been my first and biggest clue that the book had substance to offer. It turned out that once I began reading, I could not put it down. This is a book I will never loan out, although I sincerely think EVERYONE should read it. I go back to it one occasion, and I still find a LOT to take in.
I recommend this bbok for any woman willing to let go of inner fears and habits, and to any woman brave enough to look inside herself. The growth potential is enormous.
July 25, 2013
Every woman needs to read this book. It will make you uncomfortable at times, but it will reveal things you've hid from yourself, and it will empower.
December 18, 2021
The Table of Contents alone is worth it as a personal survey inventory exploration tool. This is an examination of the darkest aspects of women's psyches with a slight nod to all gender identifications.
Table of Contents
1. Meeting the Madwoman
Modern Masks of the Madwoman
The Madwoman in Mythology
The Madwoman at the Movies, the Opera, and in Literature
The Madwoman and the Judge: The Bacchants
The Patriarchy ...The Madwoman .... and the Feminine Spirit
The Madwoman's Paradox: Creation or Destruction
Befriending the Inner Madwoman
2. Mad Mothers, Mad Daughters
The Saint (Or the Too-Nice Mother)
The Ice Queen
The Cold Chain of Injury: Autumn Sonata
Daughter of an Ice Queen: Victoria's Story
Healing the Ice Queen: A Fairy Tale
"The Snow Queen,": A Healing
The Dragon Lady
The Sick Mother
Understanding the Mad Mother
3. The Caged Bird
Cages
The Symbols of Bird
The Boredom of Mrs. Bridge
Descending into Madness: The Yellow Wallpaper
Breaking the Bars Through Writing:
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Freeing the Caged Bird: The Story of Constance
Opening the Cage
4. The Muse
The Inner Muse
The Misuse of the Muse
On the Pedestal: The Madwoman as Muse
The Golden Goddess: Alma Mahler
Dark Muses
The Tragic Muse: Camille Claudel
Actualizing the Inner Muse: Celeste's Story
Transforming the Muse
5. The Rejected Lover
Revenge of the She-Devils
Medea
The Tragedy of Maria Callas
From Victim to the Feminine Spirit: Barbara's Story
Transforming the Rejected Lover
6. The Bag Lady
Fears of the Bag Lady
The Bag Lady as Inner Figure
Facing the Fear: The Story of Diana
Crazy Wisdom: Trudy the Bag Lady
Walking Free: Peace Pilgrim
The External Dilemma
7. The Recluse
The Old Recluse: The Road to Mecca
Honoring Nature: Rachel Carson
Healing the Recluse
8. The Revolutionary
The Consciousness Revolutionary versus the Terrorist: Raising Feminist Consciousness
Learning to Fight for feminist Rights: Brenda's Story
Female Solidarity: Thelma and Louise
A Conscious Revolutionary: Rosa Luxemburg
Embodying Feminine Power
9. The Visionary
The Visionary's Conflict: Personal Desires versus Transpersonal Service
Honoring the Visionary
Raging at God: The Sibyl
Glenna's Story: Resolving the Conflict
Embodying the Visions
10. Through the Madness
Moira's Journey
Invite her to Lunch: The madwoman at Your Table
An utterly sublime and comprehensive work that had an extraordinary affirming and validating effect on me. I am certain it will leave an indelible effect on all readers.
Table of Contents
1. Meeting the Madwoman
Modern Masks of the Madwoman
The Madwoman in Mythology
The Madwoman at the Movies, the Opera, and in Literature
The Madwoman and the Judge: The Bacchants
The Patriarchy ...The Madwoman .... and the Feminine Spirit
The Madwoman's Paradox: Creation or Destruction
Befriending the Inner Madwoman
2. Mad Mothers, Mad Daughters
The Saint (Or the Too-Nice Mother)
The Ice Queen
The Cold Chain of Injury: Autumn Sonata
Daughter of an Ice Queen: Victoria's Story
Healing the Ice Queen: A Fairy Tale
"The Snow Queen,": A Healing
The Dragon Lady
The Sick Mother
Understanding the Mad Mother
3. The Caged Bird
Cages
The Symbols of Bird
The Boredom of Mrs. Bridge
Descending into Madness: The Yellow Wallpaper
Breaking the Bars Through Writing:
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Freeing the Caged Bird: The Story of Constance
Opening the Cage
4. The Muse
The Inner Muse
The Misuse of the Muse
On the Pedestal: The Madwoman as Muse
The Golden Goddess: Alma Mahler
Dark Muses
The Tragic Muse: Camille Claudel
Actualizing the Inner Muse: Celeste's Story
Transforming the Muse
5. The Rejected Lover
Revenge of the She-Devils
Medea
The Tragedy of Maria Callas
From Victim to the Feminine Spirit: Barbara's Story
Transforming the Rejected Lover
6. The Bag Lady
Fears of the Bag Lady
The Bag Lady as Inner Figure
Facing the Fear: The Story of Diana
Crazy Wisdom: Trudy the Bag Lady
Walking Free: Peace Pilgrim
The External Dilemma
7. The Recluse
The Old Recluse: The Road to Mecca
Honoring Nature: Rachel Carson
Healing the Recluse
8. The Revolutionary
The Consciousness Revolutionary versus the Terrorist: Raising Feminist Consciousness
Learning to Fight for feminist Rights: Brenda's Story
Female Solidarity: Thelma and Louise
A Conscious Revolutionary: Rosa Luxemburg
Embodying Feminine Power
9. The Visionary
The Visionary's Conflict: Personal Desires versus Transpersonal Service
Honoring the Visionary
Raging at God: The Sibyl
Glenna's Story: Resolving the Conflict
Embodying the Visions
10. Through the Madness
Moira's Journey
Invite her to Lunch: The madwoman at Your Table
An utterly sublime and comprehensive work that had an extraordinary affirming and validating effect on me. I am certain it will leave an indelible effect on all readers.
June 4, 2018
“Modes of expression and being that are uniquely feminine or simply unconventional and therefore potentially creative are often disparaged by patriarchal cultures, and when women try to live them, they are often labeled crazy or eccentric.” (p.xvi)
“Even if a woman fits a culturally desired feminine image and is happy with her life in a traditional role, parts of herself that she has denied eventually will cry out to be seen and heard, and she will feel the urge to change. Ignoring these vital parts of herself, her various desires or needs, can make a woman act and feel crazy.” (p.4)
“Essentially, the patriarchy, to me, embodies the Western principals of linear rational thought, with its emphasis on order, abstractions, and judgement from above.” (p.16)
“In the abyss, you either die, go mad, or discover the strength and power to survive and transform.” (p.59)
“…create instead of control.” (p.61)
“Body work, which tries to release trauma stored up in the body, can take us back to our very origins and is also helpful in finding and healing early wounds.” (p.69)
“Today, although women are beginning to speak assertively for their rights so they can live according to their natural rhythms, needs, desires, and abilities, the social structures in which we live still make it difficult to actualize the full range of our creative abilities.” (p.71)
“Women complain about men’s lack of feeling, yet they do not necessarily want men to give up status-conferring jobs and identities and the security that comes with these roles, and they often fear the expression of the freed personality of the man who breaks out.” (p.76)
“Although her depressions kept recurring, she no longer feared them, seeing that they did not destroy her, she accepted their cyclical nature, and she viewed herself as a survivor. She worked ‘to live as I wish my daughter –as I would wish all women to live” –with confidence, self-love, and self-esteem.” (p.87)
“the basic female impulse is to gather, to put together, to construct.” (p.89)
“Only if we admit to ourselves and each other that we are selfishly obsessed with security, material comfort, victory and control, to the exclusion of the rights of other living things and our own humanity, can we actively try to stop destroying the planet.” (p.103)
“Whether she is a golden goddess or the darker femme fetale, whether she is a cultural icon or an ordinary housewife, her life is created in another’s dreams, not her own. She belongs to the person or culture she has captivated and has put her on a pedestal.” (p.108)
“The more fame you have, the more responsibility is yours and the smaller and more defenseless you feel.” (P.150)
“We have to ask the Madwoman what she really wants from us, what we really want, and turn her energy into a creative process.” (p.162)
“The conflict between conforming to the role of the materially successful, dutiful daughter and exploring her own spiritual life kept her feeling inwardly chaotic and disconnected for several years.” (p.172)
“Because people do not want to struggle for enlightenment or bear the suffering of the mysteries that are too difficult to grasp with reason alone, they want a God who will protect them and make things easy. So the priests attempt to obliterate the divine paradoxes that permeate human purposes; they give definitions that deny that unfathomable holiness of Nature’s sacred flow.” (p.251)
“The Visionary is gifted with seeing what others cannot see ordinarily, and her task is to reveal these visions to her community. She must not only see but remember and record what she has seen.” (p.276)
“Grounding is essential for the Visionary. Visionaries often emphasize the importance of ritual work in grounding. Beating the drum, folding clothes in ritual preparation, caring for sacred objects and places, writing poetic verses, digging into the earth to plant seeds- all are ways of bringing the Visionary down to earth. Living the sacred in our ordinary lives is essential.” (p.277)
“The conscious journey to meet our interior Madwoman entails many challenges and can be facilitated by a skilled guide who gives us reassurance that there is value in our descent into chaos, that something creative can come out of darkness, that we need not end up in the locked ward of isolation.” (p.282)
“Even if a woman fits a culturally desired feminine image and is happy with her life in a traditional role, parts of herself that she has denied eventually will cry out to be seen and heard, and she will feel the urge to change. Ignoring these vital parts of herself, her various desires or needs, can make a woman act and feel crazy.” (p.4)
“Essentially, the patriarchy, to me, embodies the Western principals of linear rational thought, with its emphasis on order, abstractions, and judgement from above.” (p.16)
“In the abyss, you either die, go mad, or discover the strength and power to survive and transform.” (p.59)
“…create instead of control.” (p.61)
“Body work, which tries to release trauma stored up in the body, can take us back to our very origins and is also helpful in finding and healing early wounds.” (p.69)
“Today, although women are beginning to speak assertively for their rights so they can live according to their natural rhythms, needs, desires, and abilities, the social structures in which we live still make it difficult to actualize the full range of our creative abilities.” (p.71)
“Women complain about men’s lack of feeling, yet they do not necessarily want men to give up status-conferring jobs and identities and the security that comes with these roles, and they often fear the expression of the freed personality of the man who breaks out.” (p.76)
“Although her depressions kept recurring, she no longer feared them, seeing that they did not destroy her, she accepted their cyclical nature, and she viewed herself as a survivor. She worked ‘to live as I wish my daughter –as I would wish all women to live” –with confidence, self-love, and self-esteem.” (p.87)
“the basic female impulse is to gather, to put together, to construct.” (p.89)
“Only if we admit to ourselves and each other that we are selfishly obsessed with security, material comfort, victory and control, to the exclusion of the rights of other living things and our own humanity, can we actively try to stop destroying the planet.” (p.103)
“Whether she is a golden goddess or the darker femme fetale, whether she is a cultural icon or an ordinary housewife, her life is created in another’s dreams, not her own. She belongs to the person or culture she has captivated and has put her on a pedestal.” (p.108)
“The more fame you have, the more responsibility is yours and the smaller and more defenseless you feel.” (P.150)
“We have to ask the Madwoman what she really wants from us, what we really want, and turn her energy into a creative process.” (p.162)
“The conflict between conforming to the role of the materially successful, dutiful daughter and exploring her own spiritual life kept her feeling inwardly chaotic and disconnected for several years.” (p.172)
“Because people do not want to struggle for enlightenment or bear the suffering of the mysteries that are too difficult to grasp with reason alone, they want a God who will protect them and make things easy. So the priests attempt to obliterate the divine paradoxes that permeate human purposes; they give definitions that deny that unfathomable holiness of Nature’s sacred flow.” (p.251)
“The Visionary is gifted with seeing what others cannot see ordinarily, and her task is to reveal these visions to her community. She must not only see but remember and record what she has seen.” (p.276)
“Grounding is essential for the Visionary. Visionaries often emphasize the importance of ritual work in grounding. Beating the drum, folding clothes in ritual preparation, caring for sacred objects and places, writing poetic verses, digging into the earth to plant seeds- all are ways of bringing the Visionary down to earth. Living the sacred in our ordinary lives is essential.” (p.277)
“The conscious journey to meet our interior Madwoman entails many challenges and can be facilitated by a skilled guide who gives us reassurance that there is value in our descent into chaos, that something creative can come out of darkness, that we need not end up in the locked ward of isolation.” (p.282)
September 17, 2018
I adore this book. It's illuminating and fascinating. A fantastic Jungian exploration of who we are as women, and who the women are around us. I am reconciled and refreshed. This is beautiful, interesting, and above all empowering.
February 16, 2009
I am always coming back to this book...
December 19, 2018
Been reading this one, off and on, for several years. It is deep and thought-provoking. A MUST for anyone who is struggling to live in contemporary society.
February 21, 2021
This book has been so special that I’ve intentionally avoided finishing it, drawing out the second half to savour the reading experience. A book that helped me to ask myself questions, whilst also feeling very seen and heard as I am. One I will come back to again I’m certain, it’s loaded with treasure.
October 18, 2020
Hands down the best book I’ve ever read about the feminine principle... and I’ve read lots. Leonard writes beautifully and chooses fascinating women as examples for each of her portrayals of the Madwoman. I now intend to read everything this author has ever written.
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January 21, 2024I took many years to read this, and as I finish it now, I want to turn right around and start at the beginning again. I find it eternally rich with opportunity to grow and expand ourselves in relationship with others and all of life.
October 31, 2024
I absolutely loved this book so much!!! Helped me relate to my inner madwomen and understand the pychology of the made women and how this energy shows up in our relationships. Can't say enough good things about this book.
July 18, 2018
I like the idea. But I don't like or know about movies enough to keep up. One really needs to know there movies for this book. I did not finish reading it.
October 22, 2018
This book was really interesting but it did get a bit repetitive and put a lot of emphasis on dreams and I’m not too sure that that is fully valid to explain someone’s real life issues
September 16, 2020
The book seemed too much written in a 'pop' style that I really don't like. I didn't finish the book, but I'd read enough.
November 27, 2023
such a fascinating book discussing the mad woman and how she shows up in our lives - loved the real life + media examples that helped with the application of these archetypes
November 13, 2024
This book saved my life at 20, when I needed to desperately face myself, my demons, and the archetypes that hide in the shadows for every woman.
April 4, 2016
Leonard is a Jungian analyst who explores our collective inheritance of archetypes, the roles that get passed down, the madness within that is often tied to powerful creative potential. She teaches us to not run away from the martyr, the muse, the recluse, the bag lady and other roles that litter our consciousness, embodied by real women and also paramount in film and art. From the Russian poet silenced by Stalin, Anna Akhmatova, to the the American actress Frances Farmer, she provides many examples of women who neatly fit into the roles society prescribes for them, often to their own detriment. We must not work against these energies and roles, but embrace the seeming madness to unlock our greater artistic potential. The only flaw in her work is that her discussion of film and literature often provides a play by play of every detail (i.e. plot spoilers).
April 13, 2008
every woman should read this book! get ready to swallow a certain amount of fruity language but please don't let it stop you because it just might change your life! i found it by chance at the thrift store and i'm so glad. are you the ice queen? the dragon lady? the caged bird? the rejected lover? the visionary? the recluse? probably a little of each...which age old cultural construct is your power trapped in? how's your relationship with your mother? through myth, film, fiction and real people's stories leonard explores all this and more...
February 2, 2010
Really enjoyed this. Gave a basic overview of "types" of women (and men), such as the Ice Queen, the Dragon Lady, the Visionary, the Recluse, etc. and how women and men healed from to much or overwhelming versions of those archetypes, and came to terms with themselves.
Want to read
December 20, 2009Meeting the Madwoman: Empowering the Feminine Spirit by Linda Schierse Leonard (1994)
January 21, 2011
So informative about how to stand your ground!
February 8, 2015
Very interesting exploration of feminine archetypes and how the "madwoman" energy can be transformed to creative energy when it is recognized and engaged.
January 28, 2012
A must read!!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews