The Vital Spark

‘The Vital Spark,’ Lisa Marchiano’s latest book, offers an open invitation and broad-based resources that provide a rich possibility for creating more reflective and positive life experiences and relationships. With the agility of a skilled weaver, Marchiano brings together disparate examples and stories from her personal life and that of her patients, as well as myths and symbols across varying cultures and times. The result provides a fascinating grist for one’s soul that allows a clearer vision of what it means to be human and ways to shape one’s personal life and situation better. While geared primarily to a female audience, as a man, I readily accept the book’s orientation as a necessary counter-balance to our lop-sided patriarchal world. But I would still highly recommend this book no matter what gender identity or background . . . the humanity of the truths within far outweighs any particular standpoint in its presentation. The keys Marchiano so skillfully provides can help individuals and give insights to understand better those we love and care about. I found the book very readable, personally relevant, and valuable. It is an easy recommendation for anyone psychologically interested, especially in applying ancient mythology and current-day application to one’s awareness and life.

Highlightable! (My copy is mostly neon now haha). Insightful! (My journal is full of revelations that I wouldn’t have had otherwise!) This is a book with plenty to savor, yet I tore through it hungrily. Thank goodness for the journal prompts, because that slowed me down enough to digest the immense portion of spiritual nutrition I was being provided. A book I’d recommend to any woman, any person who was socialized into a feminine role, and any person who wishes to unlock their hidden potentials. (I feel hesitant to recommend this to trans male readers, because of the very woman-centric language. But considering when they transitioned, I believe trans men would have so much to gain from this too! I just wish there was a note or forward that explicitly made the book a safe space for the trans community, too, especially those who transitioned to men but are still feeling the effects of being socialized as children to be kind, sweet, empathetic girls).

Lisa Marchiano is a person I highly respect and am always eager to hear more from! I first heard of her work as a Jungian Analyst through the podcast This Jungian Life. Then, I read (and am still reading) her debut, Motherhood. She is well-versed in psychoanalysis, dream interpretation, and all sorts of archetypal imagery that often appears in fairy tales. In this book, she uses the symbolism from fairy tales and dreams as well as true accounts from her psychoanalytic practice to further investiaate traits women often reach adulthood ashamed of (shrewdness, aggression, desire, etc). She provides gentle guidance on how we can reclaim these traits in a healthy, balanced way. Her goal is to help us discover an inner wholeness! It is a beautiful mission, and everyone who reads this will find something to set them on fire (in a good way, I promise! Haha).

This was a well-organized and thought provoking read. I loved reading all of the myths and folktales woven in to support the author’s thoughts!

Thank you Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this. It was easy to read, and I agree with many points made by the author. The myths that were added in were a bonus!