An Encyclopedia of Archetypal Symbolism: The Body

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece In More Ways Than One!
Review: This is a beautiful book! Each aspect of the body, from the first chapter on the "Primordial Body," though the chapters on the bones, blood and systems of bodily functions, to the final chapter "Transformed Body," is covered in painstaking attention to detail. Each chapter is preceded by several lines of appropriate verse from a wide variety of authors and poets and includes many essay entries relating to the chapter's theme. For instance, the chapter on the eye begins with verse from Meister Eckhart and Ralph Waldo Emerson and includes the essays "The Eye of God," "The Eye of Horus," "A Cyclops," the "Conversion of St. Paul" [who was blinded by the light of Christ] and many other entries on the eye. The chapter on the skin begins with verse from Akiko Yosano and Peter Meinke and includes the essays "White Tara," the "Black Virgin of Einsiedeln," a "Tattooed Couple" and "Job Suffering from Boils," among other entries. Additionally, each of Dr. Elder's wonderfully articulate essays is accompanied by an appropriate, beautiful and interesting image. The image is first described in detail and then discussed in terms of cultural context, archetypal and psychological meaning. There is also a bibliography at the end of each entry. I would recommend this book for just about anyone! Whatever your profession or interests, this book is an endless source of information and fascination. The beauty of this book is its ability to garner acceptance for the body in its many shapes, sizes and colors, its peculiarities and quirks and even its defects! I guarantee, this book will not stay on your coffee table gathering dust.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece In More Ways Than One!
Review: This is a beautiful book! Each aspect of the body, from the first chapter on the "Primordial Body," though the chapters on the bones, blood and systems of bodily functions, to the final chapter "Transformed Body," is covered in painstaking attention to detail. Each chapter is preceded by several lines of appropriate verse from a wide variety of authors and poets and includes many essay entries relating to the chapter's theme. For instance, the chapter on the eye begins with verse from Meister Eckhart and Ralph Waldo Emerson and includes the essays "The Eye of God," "The Eye of Horus," "A Cyclops," the "Conversion of St. Paul" [who was blinded by the light of Christ] and many other entries on the eye. The chapter on the skin begins with verse from Akiko Yosano and Peter Meinke and includes the essays "White Tara," the "Black Virgin of Einsiedeln," a "Tattooed Couple" and "Job Suffering from Boils," among other entries. Additionally, each of Dr. Elder's wonderfully articulate essays is accompanied by an appropriate, beautiful and interesting image. The image is first described in detail and then discussed in terms of cultural context, archetypal and psychological meaning. There is also a bibliography at the end of each entry. I would recommend this book for just about anyone! Whatever your profession or interests, this book is an endless source of information and fascination. The beauty of this book is its ability to garner acceptance for the body in its many shapes, sizes and colors, its peculiarities and quirks and even its defects! I guarantee, this book will not stay on your coffee table gathering dust.