The Myth of La Loba and the Archetype of Kali: Navigating Psychological Renewal Through the Birth-Death-Birth Cycle

Across cultures and generations, La Loba and Kali stand as fierce protectors, embodying ancient symbols of destruction and rebirth. La Loba, the Bone Woman who gathers the fragments of life and sings vitality back into them, meets Kali, the Hindu goddess of creation and destruction, to form a powerful narrative. Rooted in the wisdom of scholars like Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Joseph Campbell, and Judith Herman, these archetypes guide us through the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth, especially for survivors of complex trauma and those navigating the depths of their psyche.

The Keeper of Bones and the Goddess of Destruction

La Loba:
In Women Who Run With the Wolves, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés introduces La Loba as a desert-dwelling collector of bones. She seeks out scattered remains, reassembles them with reverence, and sings over them until they spring back to life. Her transformative song draws the wolf skeleton together, enveloping it in flesh and fur until it transforms into a liberated, wild spirit.

Kali:
In Hindu mythology, Kali is the fierce goddess of death, time, and change. With a necklace of skulls and a skirt of arms, she slays demons and clears the way for rebirth and renewal.

Both La Loba and Kali embody the birth-death-birth cycle, representing different stages of this transformative journey. They invite us to dance between destruction and creation, shedding old selves and reclaiming vitality.

Understanding the Birth-Death-Birth Cycle in Depth Psychology

To understand the significance of La Loba and Kali, let’s explore the psychological birth-death-birth cycle through the work of Judith Herman, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and Joseph Campbell:

• Descent and Death: The Dissolution of the Old Self
  Trauma often leaves survivors feeling disconnected and fragmented. Judith Herman’s work in Trauma and Recovery identifies this stage as the “disconnection” phase, where survivors struggle with a shattered sense of safety and identity. Kali’s destruction aligns with this phase, symbolizing the dismantling of illusions, while La Loba’s collection of bones mirrors the descent into the underworld.

• Gestation and Gathering: The Deep Work of Reassembling
  In Women Who Run With the Wolves, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés likens the gathering of bones to reclaiming lost aspects of our psyche. This involves creating space for grief, anger and lost dreams while nurturing a new story. Judith Herman emphasizes the need for remembrance and mourning in recovery, a process both La Loba and Kali embody.

• Rebirth and Renewal: The Power of La Loba’s Song and Kali’s Dance
  Once the bones are reassembled, La Loba sings over them, breathing new vitality into the reconstructed self. Kali’s wild dance of destruction gives way to creation. Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey culminates in a return with the elixir, signifying a rebirth following the trials of descent. La Loba and Kali invite survivors to reconnect with creativity, intuition, and instinct.

The Role of Myth in Psychological Renewal

Joseph Campbell noted that myths are not mere stories but guides for navigating psychological landscapes. La Loba and Kali’s stories resonate deeply with trauma survivors because they speak directly to the human experience of devastation, resilience, and transformation.

Applying the Myth: Practical Steps for Psychological Renewal

• Descent into the Psyche

• Honor your emotional landscape: Journal, meditate, or sit with your feelings without judgment.

• Practice compassionate mindfulness: Accept your emotions as they are.

• Allow grief: Make space for mourning what has been lost.

• Gathering the Bones

• Identify disowned aspects of yourself: What creative passions have you buried?

• Seek therapeutic support: A therapist specializing in depth psychology can guide you.

• Practice detachment and acceptance: Observe your thoughts without being defined by them.

• Singing Life into the New Self

• Reconnect with creativity: Paint, write, or dance.

• Embody the archetype: Channel La Loba’s patience and Kali’s fierce energy.

• Create a new story: Imagine a future where your wounds transform into strength.

A Call to Self-Reflection with Compassionate Mindfulness

La Loba and Kali’s stories urge us to recognize the cycles within our lives. Reflect on the following questions with compassion and acceptance:

• What aspects of myself have I buried or forgotten?

• How can I begin to reassemble the bones of my psyche?

• What song will I sing or dance will I perform to breathe life into my new self?

May the myths of La Loba and Kali inspire you to embrace the birth-death-birth cycle as a path to psychological renewal. Allow yourself to gather the bones and dance with Kali’s fierce grace.