The Five Archetypes - by Carey Davidson (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Five Forces (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) are derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy of how nature grows and evolves. It applies to the seasons, to farming, to human development, illness and healing, relationships, and serves as the seat of most of Chinese Medicine practice today. This simplified and practical guidebook uses these core forces as a basis for helping people navigate the tides of life-whether at your workplace, at home with your children, or with your significant other-with ease"--

Book Synopsis

Discover the personality archetypes within you and improve your life and relationships with a new self-guided system of personal transformation.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy, the elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are the foundation of how nature grows and evolves. They are believed to help us understand everything from illness and healing to the fundamental processes of child development--and they continue to inform Chinese medicine practice today. But as Ayurvedic nutritionist, reiki master, and Tournesol founder Carey Davidson demonstrates in this book, each of the five elements can also be seen as a personality archetype--and inside all of us is a unique blend of these archetypes that serves as a window into living a more fulfilling life on every level.

In The Five Archetypes, Davidson explains that by knowing the personality traits associated with each type and using what she calls the Five Archetypes method, you can actually start to predict your behavioral patterns--not only with yourself but also with your friends, your romantic partner, your children, and even your colleagues. By practicing this method, you will also:

-Learn how to exercise more control over behaviors that thwart your potential
-Hone your self-awareness and self-regulation skills in the face of day-to-day stress
-And understand what really makes people tick, so that you spend less time in stagnant relationships and more time in gratifying ones

Through her study of the elements and the observations she's made in her work with individuals, couples, companies, parents, kids, and educators, Davidson has created a simplified and practical guide to harnessing the strengths of our five archetypes. Complete with an assessment designed to help you discover your primary, secondary, and lowest types, The Five Archetypes will not only teach you more about yourself and others but also transform your relationships and set you on the path to personal and interpersonal harmony.

Review Quotes

"The Five Archetypes gives us a peek into the rich, variegated territory of who we are. Understanding our nature reveals strengths and weaknesses--what we're good at and what we need to learn. Mastering how to live with ourselves and harness our power is our life's work, isn't it?"
--Harriet Beinfield, LAc, coauthor of Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine

"The Five Archetypes is an insightful life strategy for succeeding in self-awareness, self-care, and harmony. By understanding these universal patterns, we become empowered to build resilience and take control of our well-being."
--Sarah Mulukutla, MD-MPH, neurologist and founder of Mindful Neurology

"A must-read for anyone who wants to deepen their self-awareness and cultivate strong, meaningful relationships. Carey Davidson provides valuable insight through a compassionate, loving lens and teaches us how to live an empowered life by fostering our unique strengths and attending to our needs."
--Bojana Jankovic Weatherly, MD MSc

"Completely [changed] the way I consider people who stress me out or rub me the wrong way or just see the world differently than I do.... [The Five Archetypes] is fascinating--and Davidson is brilliant.... Read the book, mull it over, and prepare to have your mind blown."
--Megan O'Neill, Goop

"Davidson provides a framework for living a more mindful and fulfilling life in this comprehensive analysis of five archetypes of behavior.... Readers well-versed in mindfulness exercises and Chinese medicine will be most interested in these pragmatic exercises for making lasting life improvements."
--Publishers Weekly

"If you knew there were specific ways that are most effective for you to destress or to negotiate with a colleague, would you want to know them? Most of us would jump at the chance and then want to learn the same for our partners, colleagues, and children.... Carey Davidson...has made these exact insights accessible by translating ancient wisdom into modern insights in her book, The Five Archetypes."
--Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes

"In this warm and accessible book, Carey Davidson demystifies the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help you identify your primary archetype and its strengths and stressors. Armed with this knowledge, you will have control over your reactions and understand how to shake off discomfort and return to a sense of ease and peace."
--Jill Blakeway, DACM, LAc, bestselling author of Energy Medicine, Sex Again, and Making Babies