fear of abandonment and the mother wound in fairy tales

In this episode, we dive into the lasting emotional impact of childhood abandonment and neglect, a wound that can leave us feeling unworthy and disconnected well into adulthood. Set to calming medieval soundscapes, we explore how myths, fairy tales, and timeless stories hold profound insights for healing these deeply rooted scars. From the iconic tales of Cinderella and Vasilisa the Beautiful to the transformative journeys of heroes and heroines, we’ll examine how fairy tales reveal paths to resilience and self-discovery, even in the face of great loss.

The episode also features an excerpt from a powerful book that reframed my own perspectives on resentment and the weight of emotional burdens I’ve carried since childhood. Through these stories, we uncover how feelings of abandonment are universal—and how tales of magical godmothers, brave girls with enchanted dolls, and creatures from nature offer guidance for embracing our inner strength. Together, we’ll unravel how the themes of missing mothers, unfulfilled bonds, and wicked stepmothers symbolize the complex realities of human relationships, teaching us to confront our fears and embrace the parts of ourselves we often neglect.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• How childhood abandonment impacts emotional well-being across a lifetime
• The symbolism of missing or absent mothers in folklore and fairy tales
• The mythological roots of resilience and how stories offer paths to self-worth
• An exploration of Carl Jung’s “shadow” concept and what fairy tale villains represent

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - 3:56: Intro

3:56 - 50:13: Fear of Abandonment - Mothers in Fairy Tales

50:18: Preview of this week’s Premium Submarine Episode, “SWSMH 18: smash the peace button”

RESOURCES:

· The Fear of Abandonment: Missing Mothers and Fairy Tales (article by Dale M. Kushner)

· The Interpretation of Fairy Tales (C.G. Jung Foundation Books) by Marie Louise Von Frantz

· The O Manuscript: The Seer, The Magdalene, The Grail by Lars Muhl

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