Thresholds of Initiation

By Joseph L. Henderson

Book Overview

Basing his study on Jung's archetypal theory-especially that of initiation-Thresholds of Initiation represents thirty years of testing the theory in analytical practice. Joseph Henderson considers archetypes to be predictable patterns of inner conditioning that lead to certain essential changes and shows the parallels between individual psychological self-development and the rites that marked initiation in the past.

Dr. Henderson's topics include the uninitiated; return of the mother; remaking a man; trial by strength; the rite of vision; thresholds of initiation; initiation and the principle of ego-development in adolescence; and initiation in the process of individuation.

This is essential reading for an understanding of the universal nature of initiation, especially as it relates traditional initiatory practices to Jung's theory of archetypes.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888602325
• ISBN13: 9781888602326
• Release Date: November 2013
• Publisher: Chiron Publications
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Thresholds of Initiation

I was happy to find this book by psychiatrist and Jungian analyst Joseph Henderson. Though published in 1967, it's still useful, particularly on dream images of death and re-birth (chapter VII and following.) He discusses levels of initiation. I'd known that the bear was a symbol of the feminine/Great Mother, but glad to learn more about it in the appendix, where he links bears and young girls' rites of passage to Athenia as well as Artemis. If you or your friends have dreamed of dancing bears, you might find it interesting.