Women and Dionysus: Appearances and Exile in History, Culture, and Myth - Hardcover

by Maggy Anthony (Author)

Women and Dionysus links repression of the Dionysian spirit in Western culture with the rise of the patriarchy over the course of two millennia. It effectively draws aconnection between Dionysus and women throughout history, with examples from cultures both past and present, and the author's own experiences.

Maggy Anthony explores Dionysus' role as god of the vine, creativity and passion, and his impact on art and literature. The book examines the Dionysian influence on creative older women, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Martha Graham and Marguerite Duras; examines Dionysus in mythology, history and religion; and considers connections to mysticism and the Renaissance. Anthony goes on to explore how women's expressions of creativity through healing, wine-drinking and dancing were condemned in history, and how modern African and Latin American rites contrast with Western traditions. Finally, the book looks at 'outbreaks' of modern Dionysian spirit - from Haight-Ashbury to the Burning Man festival - and speculates on its future.

This unique study will be essential reading for academics and scholars of Jungian and post-Jungian studies, and for analytical and depth psychologists, particularly those with an interest in female individuation, creativity, and spirituality.

Author Biography

Maggy Anthony studied at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, and the Zurich Clinic and Research Center for Jungian Psychology, and is a former family therapist at St. Mary's Medical Center/Maclean Center for Addictions and Behavioral Health in Nevada, USA. She is the author of several books, including Salome's Embrace: The Jungian Women (Routledge, 2018) and currently resides in Nevada.