Published in 2019 (first published 1991)
192 pages
Cherry Gilchrist is a lover of all things ancient and mysterious. Field research for her books has taken her into Russian forests, Silk Road Yurts and to meet stone heads on Easter Island. She has written books on alchemy, mythology, family history and personal relationships. Her book, The Circle of Nine relates nine feminine archetypes to everyday lives of women. Cherry has also run a vintage clothes shop, a Russian crafts gallery, taught creative writing and performed as an early music singer. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, and holds a post-graduate diploma from the University of Bath Spa. As a lecturer, she has given many talks at venues ranging from the Temenos Academy to the British Council, the Royal Academy, and the Queen Elizabeth II cruise liner. At present she lives in an estuary town in Devon, with her husband, artist Robert Lee-Wade and two black cats for luck. She has two grown-up children and two granddaughters.
What is this book about?
As women seek to cultivate an understanding of their lives, a mythological model can provide a tool for self-discovery and realizing individual potential. The Circle of Nine presents nine archetypes that represent different, but equally important aspects of the feminine psyche. They portray both the life of the individual and the story of woman as a whole—a circle of ever-changing patterns that is a source of wisdom and inspiration.
Three Mothers, three Queens, and three Ladies form the circle. The Great Mother nurtures her children with a love that embraces the cycle of life; the Queen of the Night transforms the raw energy of instinct into skill and vision, and the Lady of the Hearth brings warmth and creativity into the home. By recognizing these and the other six archetypes of the circle, women can hold up a mirror to their souls to gain new perspectives and to unlock their potential.
Drawing from history, her work with women’s groups, and contemporary observations, Cherry Gilchrist presents a mythology that explores the psychology of the modern woman. Her analysis, interpretations, and practical advice help to unravel the mystery of the divine feminine and provide a useful guide for daily life.
