About the author
Stephen Larsen was a psychotherapist and writer known for connecting shamanic traditions with psychology and mythology. His book The Shaman's Doorway: Opening Imagination to Power and Myth (Inner Traditions, 1998) draws on his clinical experience and his study of shamanic traditions to argue for their relevance to modern life, treating shamanism as a doorway into imagination and psychic power. The Mythic Imagination: The Quest for Meaning Through Personal Mythology, also from Inner Traditions, extends this approach to mythology more broadly, presenting it as a tool for self-discovery and a route into the psyche's archetypal patterns. Both books work at the intersection of depth psychology and comparative mythology, aimed at readers interested in myth, dream, and archetype as frameworks for personal meaning rather than at specialists in any single cultural tradition.
📖 Where to start with Stephen Larsen
💬 What our editors say about Stephen Larsen's books
“Larsen effectively synthesizes clinical insight with esoteric practice, creating a compelling narrative for those weary of purely rational approaches to healing. The book succeeds in making ancient shamanic concepts accessible to…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Shaman's Doorway: Opening Imagination to Power and Myth
“Larsen delivers a compelling invitation to view life as a mythic quest, offering valuable tools for identifying archetypal patterns in daily choices. The connection between personal narrative and universal myth is articulated…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Mythic Imagination: The Quest for Meaning Through Personal Mythology (Original)
“This definitive account provides rare access to Campbell’s archives, offering scholars and enthusiasts a candid look at his life. However, it may not suit readers seeking dry, purely academic historiography devoid of narrative…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind: The Authorized Biography
📋 Editions by Stephen Larsen in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Shaman's Doorway: Opening Imagination to Power and Myth | 1998 | Inner Traditions Internati | 272 | 9780892816729 |
| The Mythic Imagination: The Quest for Meaning Through Personal M | — | Inner Traditions Internati | 432 | 9780892815746 |
| Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind: The Authorized Biography | 2002 | Inner Traditions Internati | 688 | 9780892818730 |
| The Transformational Power of Dreaming: Discovering the Wishes o | 2017 | Inner Traditions Internati | 360 | 9781620555149 |
| Zulu Shaman: Dreams, Prophecies, and Mysteries (Revised, New of | 2003 | Destiny Books | 224 | 9780892811298 |
