I would give it more stars if I could!

This book is very inspiring, a must read for those trying to find themselves and are on a spiritual journey. This book will help you see yourself in all different aspects of your personality, and when you can identify your feelings, you know how to handle the stiuation. She gives meditation stategies for each archetype, which are very helpful. This is one of my best spiritual books that I own, and I own many. Once again, A MUST READ!

a good book for beginners

Having studied archetypes and chakras, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone in the *beginning* of their study of both archetypes and chakras. That said, there are several things I liked about the book: the clear, concise manner in which terms were defined; the manner in which positive and negative aspects of archetypes were defined and illustrated; and the case histories. There are several other things about this book that I question.

However, my main difference is with Ms. Wauters' somewhat glib characteristics of archetypes; first of Victim and Mother in the root chakra. As a childfree person (who also happens to be a teacher) I always knew I never wanted children, and to me, as an extremely independent, autonomous person, the traditional path of motherhood was a path of victimization, ie, putting everyone's needs before one's own, never taking time for oneself, sacrificing constantly, and never complaining. I understand that she means "nurturer" here. One must remember that not all mothers are nurturers (cf Susan Smith and Andrea Yates as extreme examples), and not all who nurture choose to mother (or to parent, to be more inclusive).

I question also that the Servant is a negative archetype; certainly it's not universally so, as Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi and Mother Teresa certainly knew: to serve others is to empower oneself and others. Certainly martyr service is negative, just as nasty, attitude-filled waitperson-from-hell service is negative. But as one who grew up female in the South and came out of it liberal, independent and feminist, at 35 I see that one may choose to serve, but service does not make one a servant. At least on a first reading of Ms. Wauters' book, I'm not sure this point is made clearly enough.

I also question Ms. Wauters' characterization of the Intellectual archetype as negative, and the Intuitive as positive. Personally as an intellectual, I'd characterize that as positive, and too much intuition without articulation as being negative. One does, of course, need to balance both to be healthy.

I also wonder if Ms. Wauters has read _Awakening the Heroes Within_ by Carolyn Pearson, who offers 12 archetypes, all of which are very fleshed out. (I would recommend the Pearson book for a more thorough study of archetypes.) I wonder, too, if she's done elemental reading in Jung. This book, while good, could have done with a bibliography as well. Overall it is a good beginning along the path of studying archetypes and/or chakras.

Wonderful introduction to the chakras!

This is a great book! Very easy to understand and easy flowing. One of the best introduction to the chakras I have read. The power this book has, you look inside your own soul and heart and have the power of control to change and unblock your energies. I enjoyed the meditation instructions and really feel at peace with my own being and those around me.