
audiobook
by Sanger Brown
A physician‑anthropologist delves into the ancient rites of societies once labeled “primitive,” tracing how reverence for the procreative force shaped their myths, art, and communal ceremonies. Drawing on a wide range of early ethnographic reports and classic works such as Frazer’s Golden Bough, he reconstructs the symbolic language of sex worship and highlights its role in the broader evolution of human culture. The narrative weaves together historical anecdotes and scholarly commentary, offering a clear picture of how these age‑old motives have persisted across time.
The author then turns to modern psychiatry, proposing that the unconscious echoes of these primal symbols can surface in certain mental disorders. By comparing contemporary symptoms with the rituals and beliefs of early peoples, he suggests a fresh lens for clinicians and curious readers alike. The result is an engaging exploration that links ancient religious practice to present‑day understandings of the human mind.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (133K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Bryan Ness, Stephanie Eason, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2009-12-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1884–1968
Best known for writing about the psychology and symbolism of religion and sexuality, this early-20th-century psychiatrist brought clinical curiosity to subjects many readers still find provocative today.
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