The Creative Fire

One of my go-to books when I feel blocked!

Clarissa makes it easier for me to understand where those blocks are coming from and how to break through them!

8 people found this helpful

Creative Fire

I really enjoy the freedom of listening to the book as opposed to reading. This format suits me in that I can work on my digital artwork and listen/explore my inner psyche - which is what art is about. Clarissa Pinkola Estes has been a favorite author of mine since reading "Women Who Run With The Wolves" years ago. That singular book shaped my ideas of my self and women's lives considerably. This book, "The Creative Fire," further serves to inform my deep longing to make friends with my shadow self, with stories and myth. I highly recommend this book to any type of artist who wants to remove creative blocks, and understand how they got there in the first place.

14 people found this helpful

I find myself at a Threshold

I always find myself drawn to Dr. Estes work when I enter a period of deep change or transition. She never disappoints me.

4 people found this helpful

Loved it!

I found this audible quite enjoyable. As an artist who experience frequent blocks, Dr. Estes explanations truly resonated with me and I plan to start exercising "active imagination". I recommend this book to every artists struggling to keep their creative fire burning.

4 people found this helpful

The creative cycle and creative block demystified!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Doc Estes educates in a manner that draws us in and we don't want to look away.
Estes tells us the story of Persephone (as only a Jungian analyst could):
Persephone, the joy of the creative drive, is gone. Hades has come and stolen her away. Demeter, Persephone's mother, the Creatrix herself, in her despair and desperation to find her daughter, Demeter has become infertile and barren. There is no "Spring" anymore and the people are starving.
Anyone who has ever experienced a creative block knows this story all too well yet sadly, we have no answer for how and why it happens.
Estes explains the mystery quite well AND her book is an absolute joy to read.
Doc Estes does not write your typical self-help books. Instead, she brings to the conversation a mirror. One that reveals to us our own journey while teaching us the value of dreams, introspection, poetry and art. She speaks of ancient myths, psychic predators, natural cycles and the value of laughter.
"Creative block" can be debilitating and, as Doc Estes points out "creativity" is shared by many fields. Everyone from artists and writers to cooks and scientists rely on creativity to move ahead in their work.
If you are a person who is (or has) suffered from creative block or if you are a person who is simply interested in the creative cycle and how the creative mind works, this book should head your list of "books to read."
Doc Estes reads the work herself and she's amazing! I love her voice, her enthusiasm and the joy she brings to the subject.
I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase. Thanks!

What did you like best about this story?

The way she used metaphor and ancient myth to make her point.

Which character – as performed by Clarissa Pinkola Estes – was your favorite?

I liked them all. There was no one character that I favored.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story of the "Corpse Bride." It was as poignant as it was instructive.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing read! I bought the book a few years ago and I've re-read it FIVE times! This is not your average "self-help" book at all. It's deep and profound and brings an understanding to the creative process that most books on the subject don't even touch on. Great read.

3 people found this helpful

Making the mystical feel accessible, real and safe

Love how this book was so deeply spiritual yet very grounded everyday/ness. The creative life is essential to spiritual growth and wholeness, this piece helping connect those dots and has me feeling inspired and reverent about the power of my creative life!

3 people found this helpful

Loved it! Great storyteller and creative spirit.

Her voice is soothing and reassuring. She's an amazing and beautiful soul with a lot to teach this world

1 person found this helpful

great listen

This book is for anyone interested in the creative process and understanding it in more depth. The author weaves myth and storytelling to create a magical and inspiring study of the life of creativity.

5 people found this helpful

Short but Amazing

I absolutely loved this. The narration in her own words was beautifully done. Very inspiring.

sage of mind and worlds

I listen to this repeatedly it always refreshes my view on the creative life and the power from within which must come out in art for. "and if you think it costs nothing all your hair will be burned off"