Book Jewel of the Month: The Rose and the Sword (Bach & Hucknell)

 


What is a book jewel? A sometimes-overlooked book with remarkable insight and potential significance. Each month, we share near-daily, or as often as possible, reviews of the monthly book jewel - short, succinct reviews that can be read in 1-2 minutes with links to the reviewer by reviewers whose words are worthy of being heard and whose opinions are worthy of being considered. Sometimes a couple of minutes contains more impressive thought than ten times that many. We will let you decide that.

This month's book jewel is The Rose and the Sword by Dr. Judith Bach and Nanette Hucknall.

Description

A unique combination of fiction and self-development, this book invites the reader to enter a realm of modern and fantasy tales that stimulate both mind and feelings. Each tale addresses different aspects of the feminine and masculine energies that exist beyond gender and sexual identity in each one of us. At the end of each story is a psychological commentary that provides a deeper understanding of the chapter's subject and an exercise to begin the process of integrating the energies highlighted in the chapter.

Keywords: masculine and feminine energies, balancing masculine and feminine energy, beyond gender identity, inner energy integration, archetypal psychology, yin and yang balance, fiction and self-development, personal growth through stories, psychological fiction, transformational storytelling, fictional self-help, mindful reading


Recommended by US Review of Books - Review by Barbara Bamberger Scott

"The underlying message of this book is that the integration of the positive masculine and feminine must begin first in each of us as individuals and then spread outward into our relationships and social structures."

The Rose and the Sword takes the unique approach of using fantasy tales as parables in the production of a self-help guide. Bach and Hucknall present four archetypal characters: Sophia and William (positive feminine and masculine energies) and Lillith and Ruel (their opposites), placing them in a series of stories designed to emphasize how our dual natures can be used to our benefit, or detriment. Lillith and Ruel are insensitive, urging others to avoid pain and seek pleasure, while William and Sophia embody calm wisdom and the ability to defer gratification in favor of peace-making and rational choices. The stories become more complicated and didactic as the book progresses. Combining psychoanalytic techniques with mythic figures and symbolic storytelling, the duo present scenarios designed to demonstrate to the reader/seeker/patient that gaining awareness of and control over our psychological energies—attaining balance between our masculine and feminine selves—can lead to more harmonious relationships and satisfying life choices.

Psychotherapist, artist and writer Judith Bach joins forces with Nanette Hucknall, fellow psychotherapist and cofounder and president of The Center for Peace through Culture to promote, in an organized text, an essential therapeutic message: better understanding of how our energies operate and intermingle can change negative behaviors, resulting in fewer conflicts of motive and intent. A commentary section is included at the end of each parable, for context and elucidation. The authors allow the reader to gauge their own perceptions and reactions to the stories provided, by providing exercises appearing at the end of each chapter.

The Rose and the Sword provides a window to a better understanding of our nature and ourselves. It could be useful in group settings among those interested in psychology linked to archetypes, myth and symbolism.



For more posts about Judith and Nanette and their book, including excerpts, click HERE.

For more information about the book, click HERE.




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