The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship

In this section, Ruiz continues to illustrate the human condition through a Toltec lens, which emphasizes self-mastery. He states societal norms, particularly those surrounding sex, often instill shame. By challenging internalized norms, individuals can return to a state of authenticity and harmony. The book continues to suggest love is an innate quality that can be obscured by fear-based programming. Thus, unlearning fear and embracing one’s true self are the path to true love. Like the “magical kitchen” metaphor in Chapter 6—which emphasizes the importance of perception—the Greek myth of Artemis and Hercules illustrates the danger of losing sight of oneself. Artemis’s shift from prey (living with nature) to predator (acting against nature) highlights the danger of only seeking love outside oneself. She projects desire onto another (Hercules), leading to dependency. In exhibiting self-awareness, she reclaims her title as the divine huntress and regains balance.

When Artemis realizes her fall from grace, she finally rebukes the need to possess others. This moment can be seen as a metaphor for self-awareness and acceptance: When individuals turn their hunt inward, they can restore harmony in their lives and relationships—aligning with the book’s broader message of personal growth. While the myth of Artemis and Hercules does not directly support social change, it implicitly supports transformation of self and relationships. Change in the external world begins with the internal—aligning with ideologies that frame enlightenment and emotional liberation as precursors to societal change. Overall, the allegorical use of the mythological Artemis and Hercules showcases storytelling as an accessible tool for explaining psychological and spiritual ideas. This allegorizing is a hallmark of many Indigenous cultures, including the Toltec. Storytelling is not merely a vehicle for entertainment, but teaching: It is a pedagogical tool that encapsulates collective wisdom, providing guidance for personal and communal living.

In the book, the myth of Artemis and Hercules serves three functions. Firstly, it provides a familiar framework through which readers can explore unfamiliar concepts. Mythological figures come with associations and attributes that can be reinterpreted to provide insights; for example, Artemis’s transformation from prey to predator encapsulates the conflicts that arise when one seeks to possess rather than love. Secondly, characters or mythological figures are meant to evoke emotions—unlike the straightforward nature of a textbook. By engaging with Artemis, readers may avoid her fall from grace. This engagement is a learning method in many Indigenous cultures, and Artemis’s relationship with the forest reflects the interconnectedness of all life—yet another lesson in many Indigenous cultures. When balance is disrupted by Artemis’s desire to dominate, the entire ecosystem suffers. This dynamic mirrors the Toltec belief that personal healing and societal harmony are inextricably linked. Thirdly, storytelling aligns with the oral traditions of many Indigenous cultures. Knowledge transmitted through stories and songs is dynamic, evolving with each telling to address contemporary issues. Storytelling not only preserves cultural knowledge but knowledge necessary for living a balanced life. By weaving myths into his work (including those in the Introduction and Chapter 3), Ruiz is following a long-standing tradition that recognizes stories as tools for teaching and preservation.