In this episode of Story Medicine, we explore "Iron John" from the Grimm Brothers' collection - a tale about masculine rite of passage, initiation, service, and the integration of wildness with cultivation.

A boy frees a wild man from a cage, leaves home on the wild man's shoulders, and enters the world to learn what poverty means. Through stages of humble service, fierce battles, and finally recognition, he discovers that becoming whole requires both the capacity for wildness and the discipline of cultivation. The wild man turns out to be an enchanted king, waiting for someone pure of heart to free him.

This story speaks to anyone who has felt parts of themselves caged away, anyone learning through humble service while their gifts remain hidden, anyone discovering that true strength comes from integrating rather than choosing between fierce and gentle, wild and cultivated.

The episode includes the complete story told in full, depth psychology analysis revealing the archetypal patterns and symbolic meaning, and four practical integration exercises to help you embody the medicine.

Learn more about Joe's therapeutic work: www.joesummerfield.co.uk

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