Dear Fellow traveler,

Welcome to our Women Who Run With the Wolves book club—a TEMENOS where we will embark on a transformative journey into the heart of the wild woman archetype, guided by the profound wisdom of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Together, we will explore the stories and lessons that awaken our lost instincts, nurture our deep feminine essence, and reclaim our natural wildness—the part of us that is untamed, intuitive, and rooted in the ancient wisdom of our souls.

Here are some themes that we will explore throughout our reading and gathering journey:

The Call to the Inner Wild

This journey is about coming home to ourselves—to the wild woman within, who has been silenced, neglected, or forgotten in the noise of modern life. In this book club, we will dive into the mythic tales that speak to the deepest parts of our psyche. These stories are not just about others—they are about us. They are keys that open the door to our primal instincts, our creativity, and our untamable spirit. As we read each chapter, we will peel away the layers of domestication and conditioning that have disconnected us from our wild essence.

Recovering Our Lost Instincts

As women, we are born with instincts that guide us, protect us, and help us thrive. Yet, over time, these instincts often become buried under societal expectations, wounds, and the pressures of everyday life. Our time together will be dedicated to recovering those lost instincts—our inner knowing, our gut feelings, and the natural wisdom that flows through our bodies and minds. Through the stories of La Loba, Bluebeard, the Skeleton Woman, and others, we will awaken these long-dormant abilities, learning to trust ourselves once more.

Growing a New Inner Mother

In the process of reclaiming our wild nature, we will also embark on the tender and powerful work of growing a new inner mother—the internal voice of nurturance, protection, and compassion. Many of us have experienced wounding in our relationship with the mother archetype, whether through absent or misaligned mothering, self-neglect, or a disconnection from our nurturing selves. Through this journey, we will consciously cultivate a new, loving inner mother who holds us in her embrace and encourages us to honor our wildness, creativity, and emotional truth.

Boundaries and the Protective Mother Archetype

As we reclaim the wild woman within, we’ll learn the importance of setting healthy boundaries to protect her. We’ll explore how to cultivate the protective mother archetype within ourselves, nurturing and defending our inner wildness.

Wild Creativity and the Creative Life

Reclaiming creativity: Creativity is a vital part of the wild woman. This book journey will encourage you to reconnect with your creative forces, whether through art, writing, music, or simply by living creatively. How can we cultivate more creativity in our lives? We will explore ways in which cultural norms, personal fears, or past experiences might block our creative expression. How can we dismantle these blocks and let our creative energy flow more freely?

Sovereignty and Self-Ownership

Our journey will also focus on reclaiming sovereignty—taking full ownership of our bodies, minds, and spirits. We’ll discuss how to cultivate self-sovereignty and embrace radical self-acceptance, learning to live authentically and unapologetically.

The Path Ahead

This book club will be more than just a reading group; it will be a journey of self-discovery and sisterhood. As we come together to discuss the stories and themes, we will share our insights, our struggles, and our triumphs. Together, we will learn to trust the rhythms of our wild hearts and rediscover the freedom that comes from embracing our true nature.

We are here to run with the wolves—to reconnect with the wild feminine archetype that knows no boundaries, that loves deeply, that creates fearlessly, and that stands tall in her own power.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with us. We look forward to running by your side as we recover the wild woman within.

With wild love and fierce grace,

Lyna