This unique book impressively illustrates how the mother complex functions both in the world
and in the human psyche. On the basis of classic fairy tales - Snow White Hansel and Gretel
Sleeping Beauty and others - the positive and negative aspects of the mother complex are
described and provided with context. This is the first publication in English of this material
in its original unabridged form. This book ... compares processes in the unconscious with
mythic images in fairy tales in order to bring clarity to what is obscure. It is the
distillation of many years of experience and concern with psychic issues and ... [offers] both
men and women an illuminating perspective on their personal problems ... For many it will serve
to bring light in to the dark area so full of vague promise and peril which confronts us again
and again from the 'realm of the mothers.' - From the Foreword by Marie-Louise von Franz
Sybille Birkhäuser-Oeri was a prominent Jungian analyst in Basel until her death in 1971. She
was the wife of painter-illustrator Peter Birkhäuser.
