Contents
Acknowledgments
X
Foreword
xi
Introduction
1
Part I
SETTLING DOWN
11
1.
The Loss of Magic
The Elves and the Shoemaker
13
2.
Youthful Ideals at Midlife
The Magic Purse
21
3.
Hoarding the Magic
The Fisherman and the Mermaid
27
Part II
REVERSALS
37
4.
Rôle Reversais
Stubborn Husband, Stubborn Wife
39
5.
Women’s Emancipation at Midlife The Wife Who Became King
54
6.
Crossing Faths The Lute Player
74
Part III COMMON CRISES
87
Death at Midlife
The Mortal Kmg
Death and the Inner Journey
The Man Who Did Not Wish to Die
Fortune and Midlife 108
Destiny
Wisdom and Luck 118
The King Who Would Be Stronger Than Pate
Part IV RECONCILIATION AND RENEWAL 131
Practical Wisdom 133
Clever Answers
The Challenge of Evil ^2
Solomons Advice
154
Insight and Humor
The Tell Taie
Suffering and Healing The Stoning
176
Renewal and the Underworld
The Bonesetter
The Fountain of Life 187
The Golden Tree
Epilogue: The Middle Passage 206
Notes 214
References 220
Index 229