Analyzing the ways in which the Grimm brothers' tales provide real, vital insights into how to live more happily, understand the need for personal and psychological growth, and find that significant other, this innovative study revives the true healing nature of these beloved tales. Combining enjoyment of these tales with insightful research, this exploration uses actual case histories to show how the odd and bizarre episodes in fairy tales are actually astounding renditions of human behaviors that occur during times of crisis. It also shows how the six archetypal stages of psychological development are present both in these tales and in everyday life. Contrary to common, contemporary fairy tale recreations, this study discusses how the Grimm brothers' stories deal with topics such as dysfunctional family dynamics, sexual jealousy, narcissism, incest, rape, and personal growth from trauma to wellness noting that Cinderella didn't have a fairy godmother and frogs were never kissed.

First published in 1930, Swallows and Amazons secured Arthur Ransome’s reputation as one of the most influential children’s authors of all time, yet prior to writing fiction he had had a turbulent career as a journalist and war correspondent in revolutionary Russia. In this refreshing account of Ransome’s work, Alan Kennedy sets out to explain his enduring appeal, combining literary criticism with psychological expertise. Not only did Ransome apply a careful narrative theory to his works, his use of symbolism aligning them more with the modernist tradition than with the event-driven children’s literature of contemporaries such as Richmal Crompton and Enid Blyton, but his novels are also more than usually autobiographical. This Kennedy ably demonstrates with reference to three particular challenges Ransome faced in a seriously conflicted life: his father’s untimely death, his abandonment of his infant daughter in order to escape his catastrophic first marriage, and the innumerable compromises that kept him alive during his Russian exile. A Thoroughly Mischievous Person is the first study to tackle this matter systematically, giving casual and scholarly readers alike new insights into the ‘other’ Arthur Ransome.

After reluctantly kissing a frog, an awkward, fourteen-year-old princess suddenly finds herself a frog, too, and sets off with the prince to seek the means--and the self-confidence--to become human again.

From daily activities such as work and eating to milestones such as graduation and marriage, this discussion debates the myths that guide lifestyles and questions why they exist in the first place. Each belief is broken down and examined in terms of how it works, exposing its true nature so that its value and necessity in culture as well as the way it operates can be determined. This unique self-help guide demonstrates how to reinvent old, outdated rituals; get rid of those rites that are entirely ineffective; and create new habits that provide a deeper meaning to everyday life. A gateway to finding a better understanding of what contributes to healthier relationships, this guide to rituals paves the way to sustaining a fulfilling and happy life.

Using near-death experiences as a springboard into an in-depth discussion of five key areas of awareness, this guide explains how to recognize and demystify these seemingly inexplicable events. Readers are shown how to properly extract the lessons of a near-death experience through reflection and cultivate five key concepts: gratitude, humility, beauty, innocence, and a sense of place in the world. By visually connecting each of these ideas together in the shape of a five-point star, the author demonstrates how these key insights are interlinked, each supporting and adding value to the others, with the open area inside representing love. Brief but eloquent, it addresses a popular and important topic without overly-sentimental or religious overtones.

A combination of Jungian study, literary analysis, and therapy, this guide offers a powerful vision for capitalizing on synchronicity to instill peace in the self and the world. Synchronous moments are more than pure chance, coincidence, and dumb luck; this book shows that by recognizing them as a connection to a much larger, older pattern, readers can use the myths of culture and 1,000-year-old civilizations to guide themselves out of suffering and into tranquility. Starting with a new explanation of synchronicity and then offering practical instructions and exercises to tap into this collective wisdom, the book helps readers identify the mythic patterns that guide humanity, allowing them to face inner monsters without fear, convert them into love and compassion, and relax as part of a universal harmony.

Drawing from more than 25 years of literary know-how and modeled after a 15-week college course, this manual provides guidance for seekers wishing to delve further into self-exploration through writing. Extending beyond the idea that memoir writing intends to put past events into a more understandable current perspective, the guide maintains that keeping a document of one’s life is actually the basis of a psychic process called “soul work,” which manifests as a desire to experience the state of being alive to the fullest. This unusual approach to memoir writing aims to generate more honest and genuine results that come from inner needs rather than outer expectations. Intended to clarify a writer’s developmental path, this resource emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the need for dealing with difficult material that actually alters the writer in the process, resulting in significant growth of the soul.