I recently wrote a piece about the Predator in the psyche, using the myth of Bluebeard as a model. The question arose, what about the Predator in the female psyche? The part of us that colludes with patriarchy and attacks our sisters and friends? This piece is an exploration of that force, as I currently understand it. Mapping the Predator in the psyche of women is just as important as recognizing it in the behavior patterns of men. As I wrote in the Bluebeard essay, we have

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Jungian analyst and brilliant folklorist, writes about the myth of Bluebeard in her seminal work, Women Who Run with the Wolves. The story of Bluebeard, also told as the story of Mr. Fox in the English folklore tradition, is a core myth revealing the workings of the Western mind. In the tale, a young woman is captivated by the charming mysterious powerful bachelor. Never mind that he has a string of failed marriages behind him. Nevermind that he is

Last night I dreamed of two juvenile whales emerging from the sea, while two playful black dogs swam around them. The whales approached and nuzzled gently. In the dream, I vividly saw my own hand tenderly caressing the faces of these playful giants, and I felt such a deep stirring of love and connection. The night before I dreamed of a pure white stag, with deep black eyes. He presented his forehead to touch mine, and I saw my hand, close up, gently stroking his antlers. Last