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 MarieLouise 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.