Holly Bellebuono
Empowering Personal &
Professional Transformation
Once Upon A Place
Reviews
Susanne Even, PhD., Indiana University
Informed by a plethora of narratives from ancient mythology to modern film, from fairy tales to contemporary children’s books, from fantasy to coming-of-age stories, award-winning author, herbalist, and international speaker Holly Bellebuono identifies five specific locations pivotal to the hero’s or heroine’s quest and explores their symbolic meanings against the backdrop of World Journeys.
Once Upon A Place offers intriguing insights into the significance of the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest and the Labyrinth as symbolic spaces for personal challenge and transformation.
Eloquently written, this book is bound to appeal to a wide range of audiences and should be a must for any college library.
Ember Grant, author, Mythology for a Magical LIfe
Holly Bellebuono uses the concept of the World Journey to present classic themes and topics of self-discovery in a new light.
Through the timeless avenue of story, readers can explore the significance of location and the transformative power each setting holds. Whether revisiting familiar tales or discovering new ones, a hands-on discussion guide helps readers put into practice the wisdom learned along the way.
A truly transcendent experience!
Lata Chettri-Kennedy, Flower Power, East village
An elaborate and refreshing revisitation of ancient stories as well as modern ones. Holly draws from nearly every cultural myth and legend.
From Gilgamesh to Alice in wonderland, Baba Yaga, Star Wars, Harry Potter and many others. This study offers a categorical dissection and definition of the various symbols encountered in tales about journeying from Curiosity, facing Fear and that Experience leading to Learned Wisdom and Transcendence.
I truly enjoyed this read.
Carol Bedrosian,
Spirit of Change Magazine
Holly Bellebuono’s deep curiosity and passion for exploring the feminine herbalist healer throughout time and around the world has resulted in this mystical and marvelous collection of stories, myth and fairy tale insights that challenge us on the seeker’s journey.
Anne Newkirk Niven, SageWoman Magazine
Well-known herbalist, writer, teacher, coach, and wise woman Holly Bellebuono explores the magical imagery of folk story and myth in her new book Once Upon a Place. Two ideas featured at the heart of this book are at the core of all quest stories: the Abyss and the World Journey.
For women searching to gain knowledge and growth, this book explores these myths in a way that is personal, transformative, and genuine. Recommended.
Richard Paradise
Martha's Vineyard Film Festival
Once Upon a Place captures the magic elements shared in ancient myths and fairy tales as well as in modern stories told on “the big screen.” As an exhibitor of films, I seek to provide audiences with the context they need to view, appreciate, and enjoy films and to learn from them to enhance their human experience.
Bellebuono’s book provides this context with great insights into story-craft, symbolism and imagery, especially what she identifies as the five locations of the hero’s journey.
It’s a book for every aspiring writer and film enthusiast.