• The Language of Archetypes

  • Discover the Forces that Shape Your Destiny
  • By: Caroline Myss
  • Narrated by: Caroline Myss
  • Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,211 ratings)

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The Language of Archetypes  By  cover art

The Language of Archetypes

By: Caroline Myss
Narrated by: Caroline Myss
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Publisher's summary

Have you ever felt that your life was guided by larger forces? Unseen but very real energies that influence every direction your life takes? In her renowned work as a medical intuitive, Caroline Myss examined the patterns of hundreds of archetypes that exist in human consciousness, and found that each of us has a "sacred support team" of 12 primary archetypes. Once identified, these archetypes allow you to discover your highest purpose, what she calls your "Sacred Contract". Now, in The Language of Archetypes, this three-time New York Times best-selling author brings to life a "gallery of archetypes": her first complete training course on how to identify and work with the nine major archetypal families.
Check out another title by Caroline Myss, Energy Anatomy.
©2006 Caroline Myss (P)2006 Sounds True. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about The Language of Archetypes

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A truely awesome value, you NEED this book.

Ok, it is an audio book in original form, I know.
There are not allot of people that come along and can point you in the right direction, or more importantly, give you the tools to choose the right direction. Caroline Myss is both, depending on what you are looking for. Either way, I think everyone from teen to into their 70's should listen to this book. She teaches you to know yourself first, and then you can, if you choose, identify other people's Archetypes. Listen very carefully to her, know where the line is and what you are crossing when you do this, it is easy to misuse what she teaches you. If you use your knowledge as a weapon, well, just don't do it. What you become is the shadow-side of your own archetype. You don't want that.
One last note, I cannot finish this review before commenting on some of the others, sorry, it's just in me. I think some misunderstand her, either by choice or not. Don't mistake her coarseness at times for raw feeling, or for heaven's sake, DON'T take it personal. LISTEN..., that is all I can say.

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75 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The Language of Archetypes

Caroline Myss is a genius in understanding and teaching of our purpose for being.Her explanation of God are so extraordinarily easy to understand and comprehend.This book I feel is a smooth transition to all of her previous work.She truly understands the energetics of humans.If you are on a path of self discovery and have asked yourself why you are here and for what purpose, this is a MUST read.

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44 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Finding Your Life Purpose

This is the most excellent book/lecture on finding your life purpose ever written. Purchasing it will change your life. If you are tired of stumbling through life not really knowing why you are here, or how to discover why things happen in your life, she will help you discover your life's true meaning.

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!!

I found these lectures very informative as well as meditative! Sometimes while I listened I took notes... other times I danced. I shared the author's ideas with friends and family. She definately had an effect on me! I was somewhat familiar with Carl Jung's archetypes before listening to these CDs, so this all wasn't completely new material... it's just that the way the author presents her ideas is so practical, it really helped me to understand myself and everyone around me with more compassion and awareness. I also laughed more than a few times. Ms. Myss has such a matter-of-fact way of stating things... I couldn't help but laugh at some of my own deep-set belief patterns.

Overall, I was very impressed.

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Too much opinion Not enough "fact"

I realize that this isn't exactly a topic that is generally accepted as documented "fact" to begin with, but I felt that this book was pitiful. I would say this book is 15% archetypes, and 85% the author ranting about her life and the fact that she is right and everyone else is wrong. I am generally able to listen to about anything. I listen to books on quantum physics for crying out loud. This was terrible. I listened for almost 3 hours before she started actually getting in to individual archetypes. When she finally did, she kept going into asides that completely took away from any learning process that was being started. Unless you love this author specifically, and are a huge fan of her personal agenda I would highly recommend finding another read. That is my personal opinion of course.

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Be Aware That This is a Live Speech...

If you like Myss' works, this will not disappoint as it contains great in-depth explorations of the relationship between various aspects of our personalities and the traditional Archetypes that she covers, but be aware this is a live speech rather than an actual reading of a book, which can be fun as there is some audience feedback and interaction, but can also be frustrating as there are times Myss starts to talk about a particular situation or Archetype, but then gets distracted and wanders off elsewhere. If you want a more structured discussion about archetypes, consider reading her "Sacred Contracts" book.

In terms of performance, I have to confess that the more Myss ages, the more unpleasant I find her voice and mannerisms. The early audios weren't bad, but listening to her here made me want to stab myself in the eye with a pencil. I just had to stop at one point and haven't listened any further. Make sure you listen to the sample first to see if you can handle her voice before you purchase.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating, thought-provoking

Caroline Myss is not as widely known as she should be. The study of archetypes in our lives is not a new idea; it dates back to ancient philosophers, and is well-known to modern psychology. However, it is not a common topic for the average person. I propose that it SHOULD be, and Ms. Myss has put it into a context that will appeal to the average reader. We all regularly use this "language" of archetypes when we point out the "bully" in the school yard or the "princess" at work. But rarely do we look carefully at the characterics that make these traits so easily and naturally identifiable to us all. When seen through fairy tales, movies, and common experiences, these traits suddenly come alive and you (the reader/listener) will discover a whole new view of the world and of yourself. You will soon find that you can see the REASON for another's behavior (and your own as well) in a way that will provoke thought, understanding, and compassion. I recommend THE LANGUAGE OF ARCHETYPES as the first step into this delightful, insightful and astonishing world. You will find you want to learn more.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivated from the first click

This book is a wonderful introduction to and expansion of the concepts of archetypes and how they apply to our everyday existence. I have been looking for a title that would help me gain a modern day view of Jungian psychology. Caroline Myss is interesting to listen to and very informative. She concretely explains the 'language' in such a way that the casual listener can understand while at the same time offering the budding expert enough to whet the palate. She is truly a master teacher!

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

listen to me

Just what the world needs, another person to stand up and say " I have the answers".
Perhaps there is great wisdom in what she offers , I dont know. After 2 hours I heard , " listen to me" , I turned it off.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Rambling and Egotistical

I've made it through about 4 hours and somehow I will try to soldier through the rest because there are nuggets of great material. However, the main thing is that you get a social commentary along with the book and some rambling, that I do not believe is actually *in* the book. She comes off as arrogant and bitchy sometimes. Read some of the most helpful critical reviews at Amazon.com and you'll get the drift...

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10 people found this helpful

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Soosi
  • 12-02-11

Not what I expected at all

From listening to the sample this title gripped my attention and I thought, "wow, this is going to answer a few questions". Either I missed something or the sample was the most interesting part of this. Couple this with the voice of the author having a song-like quality that distracted me throughout (you know when someone has a peculiarity in their diction and you stop listening to the words and focus on the peculiarity?) I don't wish to be mean, this is only my opinion, perhaps if I had bought the book and read it myself it would have been more enjoyable. I hope this helps others to decide on this title.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Abby Wynne
  • 08-02-14

Caroline Myss at her best

Highly recommended, as well as the theory behind each archetype, Caroline builds on what we already know with her point of view, client stories and her opinions. Yes she lectures us in this, she gets passionate and angry, and soft, but that's why we love her!!

Well worth a listen, in fact you might want to put it away after the first listen, and listen again a year later to pick up what you need to be reminded of!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • lisa
  • 04-07-13

Interesting but a lot to take in

As usual Myss is passionate about what she teaches, loads of info given but not always that indept with regards to individual archetypes, not sure it's been the best audio book I've heard by Caroline Myss in terms of helping self development. I would of liked to hear more about what to do if you are stuck with a certain archetype but I guess the volume of different ones meant there wasn't much room for more detailed advice. This is not to dismiss it, it's worth a listen if your into your archetypes.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 07-15-17

beyond-a workbook

down to earth Carolyn M. invites us reasers going past superficial and learning to discern deep soul patterns. she brings this very comprehensive matter in an authentic way with humoristic contrasting examples so recog isable in our dily lives. to listen to again and again to gain clarity.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • helen dickinson
  • 11-26-16

Amazing

An audio book to listen to over and again. Caroline is very easy to listen and puts the archetypes to us in an approachable way.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • m
  • 11-20-16

not sure I'm convinced

it was entertaining and humorous but not compelling or convincing. her other stuff is better

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Luke Wright
  • 07-23-18

Very intriguing perspective

The author categorizes human behaviour and motivation in terms of the personal tropes that make up an individual's 'cosmic contract'. It's an intriguing perspective. The existence of a concept of a soul, God and heaven are assumed, but it's agnostic of religion or the lack of, and the listener can interpret the ideas and recognize the meaning of archetypes in the context of their own beliefs.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Northness
  • 03-30-18

very informative

Lots of good information here. Clearly presented. Easy to listen to. If you like her it's worth a listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Michelle-Jayne
  • 03-14-18

understanding patterns and behaviours

so much depth love it . i will listen again to do some study work

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  • Lala B
  • 05-06-17

Superb

Superb, detailed, entertaining. Caroline myss at her finest detailing archetypes and how archetypes can be related. She applies these to everyday life so totally relatable to. As usual there is no hiding from yourself with her work!
Highly recommended

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 04-23-17

Soul Provoking

This is a book I will revisit again and again as I explore my own archetypal patterns now and as they evolve

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Kellie Davis
  • 07-02-18

arrogant

i wonder if Ms Myss knows she lives in the shadow of all her fancy archetypes
She comes off as Rude and elitist
that said, I learnt a lot

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  • Valeria Vincentini
  • 07-14-22

Loved it!

Very helpful to understand the language of archetypes to further understand your own soul and recognise the forces at play in the world in an archetypal or symbolic sense. I’ll listen to this audiobook more than once to allow more to sink in!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-24-22

Essential learning

I have listened to this series twice now and I know I will listen again in future. Dripping with richness and guidance to help me (any reader) connect my soul to a life of congruence. Highly recommended.

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  • M Rangi
  • 09-07-21

Great

however, you do need to listen multiple times. fill fill fill fill fill fill fill

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  • K. Pamphilon
  • 03-26-21

Helpful and insightful

I always find Caroline's work so incredibly helpful, poignant and her storytelling is both humorous and compelling. As a complementary practitioner and human (!) this helps me to understand myself and the world. Definitely recommend!

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  • Maira
  • 03-14-20

Fantastic read

Caroline Myss, inspiring, funny and profound as always, presents a valuable tool for our troubled times.

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  • Marita
  • 05-06-19

Always nourishing

Caroline Myss is amazing. I admit she can be a bit irritating but you can't argue with the message she delivers. Don't be put off by her pushy style. She's delivering a message that we all need to hear - she points to the divine world and that's where the real stuff happens.

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