Untie the Strong Woman

Blessed Mother's Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul

By: Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Narrated by: Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

"There is a promise Holy Mother makes to us," explains Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, "that any soul needing comfort, vision, guidance or strength, can cry out to her, flee to her protection, and Blessed Mother will immediately arrive with veils flying. She will place us under her mantle for refuge, and give us the warmth of her most compassionate touch, and strong guidance about how to go by the soul's lights." Untie the Strong Woman is Dr. Estes' invitation to come together under the shelter of The Mother - whether she appears to us as the Madonna, Our Lady of Guadalupe, or any one of her countless guises.

©2011 Clarissa Pinkola Estes (P)2011 Sounds True

Powerfully Moving

First, let me say that I truly cannot imagine hearing this book read in any other voice than the soothing, almost ethereal, yet giving of life, sound of Clarissa Pinkola Estes'.

I listened to it with my three children, a teen son, and daughters of 10 and 7 years. Each child was moved in unique ways, but my daughters continue to carry the Strong Woman within their hearts, and minds, months later, composing songs of her many names and faces, dances of fully realized movements, and the light of her divinity shining through it all.

I wept, more than once, and for the first time in 23 years brought her image back into my home, freed my tiny book of psalms covered in Ivory, and an imprinted gold image of Our Lady, for my babies to see.
This book awoke something within me, something ancient, something of home.

Unlike most I skipped over Women Who Run With the Wolves to begin with this instead. One chapter in, and I used all of my stored credits to buy her other books, and relocated my hard copy of Wolves.

Radiant. Vibrant. Healing. Moving. Educating.
I wish only that it may have gone on forever, while still I can hardly wait to begin her next book. She is a profoundly relevant, and deeply gifted writer, and storyteller.

Gorgeous recording by a gifted storyteller.

Would you consider the audio edition of Untie the Strong Woman to be better than the print version?

Yes. This is the kind of book that audio books were created for. The author seems to be speaking to me rather than reading her book. I could read it but I don't know if I would have imagined some of her emphasis. And she has a masterful 'pause' that couldn't possibly come out in a book.

What other book might you compare Untie the Strong Woman to and why?

Her previous book, Women Who Run With Wolves. I haven't been downloading audiobooks long enough to have a huge history with how other authors have read their books.

What about Clarissa Pinkola Estes’s performance did you like?

Her voice is hypnotic. The words are evocative. I thought I could listen to this book and work at the same time. I actually just sat back and drank my tea - and listened.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Awaken the Holy Mother.

Any additional comments?

This is a truly unique audiobook experience. I highly recommend it.

CPE Reads, and will swaddle you in love

Would you listen to Untie the Strong Woman again? Why?

I've listened several times already. There's so much more being said in this book than the words would lead us to believe. Each time I listen, I am allowed to drop into a deeper layer of understanding.

What does Clarissa Pinkola Estes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice. CPE's voice, her slight accent, the way we are allowed to hear words form in her mouth, the way she laughs, and lets you feel as though you *could* be listening to your grandmother telling her own stories - this reading of Untie the Strong Woman is a Soul-balm, soothing, comforting and captivating.

Any additional comments?

I only gave 4 stars for the reading because it is a bit soft - which may be an enhancement, lending to the atmosphere if you can listen in an quiet environment. For me, in my car, or at the computer in the office, it's a bit tricky to get the volume balanced.

Wept at the way she conveys devotion

Poetic devotional in remembering the power of The Mother that is everywhere. Her ancestral roots of connection and detailed story telling really helped me encompass and comprehend the deep layers and fierce context of the mothers love.

Yes, Untie the Strong Woman

Re-opened my heart to some of my richest spiritual moments. With deep appreciation and gratitude.

The Mothers Warm Embrace

I love Dr Estes soothing voice and lilt. She inspires veneration for the Sacred Mother. I was raised catholic but have long estranged myself from the patriarchal and highly judgemental dogma of religion in general. I found no solace in that space, but only an insidious breeding of contempt for women, and those deemed Other.
Dr Estes brought me to a place where I can conceivably see myself within the belief system of the Sacred Mother. The one who heals. The one who will be there in your darkest moments, and also your in your times celebration. The Black Madonna. The Creatress. She is always there whether you remember her or not. And in this time of tumult, and the world feels on the brink of great darkness, a great transition to greatness or decent into an authoritarian nightmare it seems we need to feel her presence now more than ever.
So many people are suffering, but Dr Estes brought me to a place of comfort and possibility. I have been moved to build a shrine in my heart to the Sacred Mother. Offer up a piece of my flesh to find mercy for the People who suffer.
I will be taking a very deep dive into the rest of Dr Estes offerings here on Audible. Before this November’s election, I am going to focus my energy on her healing words as a prayer for humanity. I have been inspired to love to a more creative place where possibilities are ours to create, and beauty and equality and compassion reign supreme.
Thank you Dr Estes. You have lit up my world with your light and love, and now I want to help spread that light and love in all the dark and hidden places. Where the pregnant Madonna and her Child of Love have been locked away, we will find them and set them free.

Life Changing

I was a little sad when it ended. I just kept wanting to listen to more stories of the Holy Mother. This book has been an incredible help to me as I have tumbled and tossed my way toward the Great Mother. Thank you Clarissa Pinkola Estés for more life changing stories.

I fell in love❤️🌺

Her story telling, her words, her voice. Her ways of presenting was a breath of fresh air. She can make you laugh In one sentence and cry in the next. Beautiful. Bravo. God bless.

voice of a Soothsayer to the Divine Mother

my heart soars with every chapter Dr. Estes utters. thank you Dr. Estes for all your hard work and drive to share it with others.

Highly Recommend

I love Dr. Pinkola Estés' natural narration style! The story gets a little repetitive at times, almost as if it were written for a podcast or radio series, but overall is still vital, especially for the current social climate.