RCG-I Book Reviews
This page is offered by members of RCG-I.
The opinions
herein are the responsibility of the authors.
| Harvest
for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating |
by Sue Sefscik |
06/04/06 |
| The Sacred
Isle: Belief and Religion in Pre-Christian Ireland |
by Briana Henderson |
03/03/06 |
| The Death of Feminism |
by Briana Henderson |
03/03/06 |
| Ayahuasca The Visionary and Healing Powers of the Vine of the Soul |
by Tina Miller |
02/02/06 |
| Not In
Kansas Anymore A Curious Tale of How Magic Is Transforming America |
by Tina Miller |
01/17/06 |
| This Garden Grows a Goddess |
by Tina Miller |
01/17/06 |
| Evolutionary Witchcraft |
by Briana |
12/20/05 |
| The Magical Crone: Celebrating the Wisdom of Later Life |
by Sue Sefscik |
08/30/05 |
| Gypsy Magic |
by Briana Henderson |
04/09/05 |
| Wild Earth: wild ideas for a world out of balance |
by Briana Henderson |
02/22/05 |
| The Earth Path |
by Briana Henderson |
01/25/05 |
| The Fifth Sacred Thing |
by Briana Henderson |
01/18/05 |
| The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan |
by Briana Henderson |
12/14/04 |
| Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply |
by JaniceFairy |
12/04/04 |
| The
Quiet Therapies: Japanese Pathways to Personal Growth The Four-Footed Therapist Witchdoctors and Psychiatrists: The Common Roots of Psycotherapy and Its Future |
by Deb by Zygielbaum |
12/01/04 |
| Goddess Signs: Which One are You? |
by Bellezza Squillace |
11/29/04 |
| Drawing Down the Moon |
by Deb Zygielbaum |
10/30/04 |
| Do It Anyway |
by JaniceFairy |
10/25/04 |
| Goddesses of the North |
by Briana |
8/31/04 |
| A Little Book of the Human Shadow |
by JaniceFairy |
7/07/04 |
| Wild Mother (fiction) |
by Briana |
7/02/04 |
| Awakening (music) |
by JaniceFairy |
7/01/04 |
| Small Wonder |
by Briana |
6/23/04 |
| Sacred Pleasure: Sex, Myth, and the Politics of the Body -- New Paths to Power and Love |
by Briana |
6/14/04 |
| When, Why . . . If |
by JaniceFairy |
6/03/04 |
| The Wisdom of Listening |
by JaniceFairy |
5/08/04 |
| Healing Conversations: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say |
by JaniceFairy |
7/20/03 |
| Water
Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit |
by JaniceFairy |
12/28/02 |
| If Women
Counted: A New Feminist Economics |
by JaniceFairy |
12/06/02 |
| Constantine's
Sword: The Church and The Jews: A History |
by JaniceFairy |
12/12/02 |
Harvest for Hope:
A Guide to Mindful Eating
by Jane Goodall with Gary McAvoy and Gail Hudson
Warner Books, 2005, 296 pages
$24.95 US $33.95 Canada
Jane Goodall: More than Chimpanzees
Having spent years of her adult life studying chimpanzees in Gombe National Forest, Tanzania, Africa, Ms. Jane Goodall is now traveling the world at least 300 days a year. After learning of the environmental destruction in which wild animals live and the eating of bush meat, Jane knew she had the energy and fortitude to educate those of us who must be made aware of such practices.
Turning to farming, Ms. Goodall discusses the factory farms, now too common in the Western world. she explains how chemicals are harmful to Earth, polluting and destroying the land for future generations. She compares the previous abundant use of DDT's to the current popularization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). If a reader has any doubts about whether GMOs are harmful, Jane cites the example of corporate giant Monsanto vs. Canada small farmer, Percy Schmeiser. He was horrified to discover that their GM canola had tainted his heirloom seeds. Monsanto’s GM canola had blown onto his fields and ruined his entire organically grown crop. Instead of submitting to Monsanto’s ridiculous claim, Schmeiser fought back. The Canadian courts found him not guilty. Many organic crops are being contaminated by GMOs.
She addresses the future of children. They may be eating, but they are eating the wrong foods. They digest too much fat, white flour and sugar. A proponent of the Slow Food Movement, Jane stresses that we all need to slow down and smell the vegetables.
Ever the optimist, Ms. Goodall outlines how to stop these negative practices. Consumers need to purchase produce from farmers, who organically grow vegetables and fruit. We all need to stop consuming meat. She asks that humans pay attention to which fish they consume and supervise how children are fed. We need to take back our power as consumers and regulators of fair trade. She stresses supporting local farmers. It may appear that locally grown food costs more. However, after figuring in transportation costs and all similar expenses most consumers don’t consider, locally grown is cheaper.
This review brought to you by: Sue M. Sefscik
The Sacred Isle:
Belief and Religion in Pre-Christian Ireland
by Daithi O HOgain
Boydell Press
This is an excellent scholarly text on Irish religion and tradition
before Christianity.
For folks that are interested in Celtic Spirituality this is a must
read. The language is dry,
and one does well to keep in mind that it is written by a professor,
but it is full on information
that is clearly and accurately presented. Both Gods and Goddesses are
discussed in detail, an often
accompanied with information about their sacred sites, and their
earliest legends. O HOgain begins the
discussion by considering the Pre-Celtic religion of Ireland, and then
continues on through the history
of the Emerald Isle, right up until the advent of the Church. Get
ready to take notes!
This review brought to you by: Briana Henderson
send comments to: medea13@earthlink.net
The Death of Feminism
By Phyllis Chessler
OK, the first thing to know about the Death of Feminism is that
Chessler is a conservative feminist and she has been in conflict with
many mainstream feminist groups for
while. With that said, I think that this is an excellent book by a
woman who does, I believe, genuinely care about women's rights.
Chessler is in dissent with the feminist majority because she believes
that the principles of her hey-day during second wave feminism have
been largely lost, avoided, or sold-out. She makes her point by asking
again and again why feminist leaders in the US are not doing more to
address the systemic abuse and neglect that many middle eastern woman
suffer, and why this abuse and neglect has been considered a cultural
"given." It was refreshing to read a feminist who is in dissent
with
the current views coming out of the feminist majority with regard to
the war, middle eastern culture and middle eastern women. If you
disagree vehemently with her stance you will also appreciate the book,
because it will help solidify your own opinions and beliefs. If you
would like to hear a opinion from a conservative yet still feminist
thinker, you can find that. Although I did not agree with everything
that Chessler was saying, I appreciated the real life cases of
horrendous abuse and terror that many women have gone through, many of
these cases I had never heard about and I needed the eye-opener. The
other aspect of the book that I liked was Chessler's emphasis on
dialogue. She asks time and again what is happening in all political
groups and movements so that dissenting with the group's voice becomes
such a problem. It was a lot to think about.
This book may anger
many
women, it may sadden some, and it may confuse even more. It's certainly
not what I would call a comfortable book, but it is a book that I find
vitally important for feminists to read.
This review brought to you by: Briana Henderson
send comments to: medea13@earthlink.net
Ayahuasca: The
Visionary and Healing Powers of the Vine of the Soul
by Joan Parisi Wilcox
© 2003 Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont
Ayahuasca is a Peruvian plant medicine that induces journeys, visions, and
healing from within. Joan leads her readers through her own personal
journeys, both within the U.S. and in the Peruvian jungle,
while studying and using this vine. This is truly an amazing story, an
autobiography of a woman who finds new connections to Spirituality while being
led by this incredible vine. The descriptions of her visions bring you
right to the edge of where she was emotionally, specifically when she is on her
jungle retreat. Ayahuasca is both a taboo, in that it's preparation is
illegal in most of the world, and a
growing "underground" spiritual drug. Excellent book about other
ways of finding yourself within.
This review brought to you by: Tina Miller
Not In Kansas
Anymore: A Curious Tale of How Magic Is Transforming America
by Christine Wicker
2005 HarperCollins books, New York, New York
I have to start by stating that Not in Kansas Anymore is not a book I
would normally buy ... it was a birthday gift from a Christian friend who saw
that the title alone contained two things close to me: Kansas and Magic.
That said, it was a surprising read. The author is a woman who lives in
Brookfield, Wisconsin, and used to be a religion reporter for the Dallas Morning
News. I thought, at first, oh, what trouble this will be. But,
although a slower book for me to read, it was a fairly well written book about a
woman's personal experiences in searching out magic in America. She seeks
out encounters with Vampires, Voodoo priestesses, Witches, and manages to tell
the resulting story without the stereotypical finger-pointing you would expect
from a reporter. This book was fairly engaging, and most of the time,
amusing. I did enjoy reading it, and would likely recommend it to someone
who wants light reading.
This review brought to you by: Tina Miller
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This
Garden Grows A Goddess
by Joan Riise
2005 Ice Cube Press, North Liberty, Iowa
This Garden Grows A Goddess is a beautiful collection of journal
entries, photos, poetry, and helpful tips all related to the growing of
gourds. In the telling of her experiences, Joan Riise conveys a
sense
of connection between Goddess and self, through the handling of the seeds,
pollenating of the flowers, and then creating pieces of spiritual art with
the dried gourds. She tells her story, and the story of the gourds,
in a way that only a mother can ... with deep love and joy. There
are also practical aspects to this book for those who are interested in
the best ways to help nurture their own gourd plants from seeds. The
journal entries included in here are from a group of women that Joan and
Lenny the Gourd Guy helped guide through their first foray into creating
their own womb-gourds from seed. This book's
poetry is colorful, vivid, and deeply touching. All in all, a
beautiful book, a book to inspire anyone to go out and grow.
This review brought to you by:
Tina Miller
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Evolutionary Witchcraft
Tarcher Penguin
Evolutionary Witchcraft is a book I highly recommend, especially to those womyn interested in the Anderson Feri tradition or in Faerie traditions. Thorn is a dynamic teacher and she has dedicated the
better part of her life to deepening her relationship to the Craft.
Her emphasis in placed on practice so expect a lot of exercises that involve physical motion as a catalyst for spiritual change. Also, expect more detailed information about the elusive Feri tradition than has been made available before. Even if you are not interested in Feri or the specific teachings therein, you will find some powerful exercises in Thorn's book because her system of magic addresses areas of life that we all find difficult and challenging.
Be aware that Feri tradition invokes the presence of Gods and well as Goddesses and furthermore, that it sees gender and sexuality as dynamic forces in a constant state of flux. Exercises include the working through of the Iron and Pearl Pentacles which are very powerful and transformative techniques.
If you are ready to be inspired to practice your craft and to connect with
the most vital parts of yourself, then check out Evolutionary Witchcraft.
hecatensantafe@yahoo.com
top
The Magical Crone: Celebrating the
Wisdom of Later Life
by
Jennifer Reif and Marline Haleff
Citadel
Press, New York, New York
First
Printing: September 2003
ISBN
0-8065-2501-0
As I approach Cronedom, I must admit that I found the book to be a much-too-brief overview of what exactly the Crone phase may be. Many years ago, I read “The Crone” by Barbara Walker and found that book to be superior in its covering of the history of Cronedom. I would highly recommend Ms. Walker’s book for its history aspects specifically.
In my opinion, “The Magical Crone” tries to cover too much information in a small paperback handbook of approximately only 200 pages. If a woman has been practicing Goddess rituals through her Maiden and Mother phases, I feel the MAGICAL Crone should have covered the mysteries and rituals one can develop specifically during the Crone years. The rituals should have been discussed both on a beginner level, for Crones only achieving self-actualization, as well as on an advanced level for those continuing from Motherdom.
The authors admit that this book was developed out of a class which they taught entitled “The Crone Zone.” I suspect this is why the various chapters do not flow into each other. For example, in Chapter 3, the various Goddesses are broken down into “triple Goddesses,” with their names being mentioned. In Chapter 4, however, the Crone connections to the dark Goddesses are discussed, but are not broken down, named and personalized. It appears rather obvious that the chapters were written at different times and perhaps by each author individually. Cohesion is lacking.
Personally, I’ve felt that the study of Goddess (i.e., Maiden, Mother, Crone) is tied to feminism. An attack on abortion rights is thus an attack on Goddess and all women. Goddess is within all women. Individuals need to “go within” to find their inner greater power.
The book continues with a very brief examination of the symbols of the Crone. These could have been discussed in much greater detail, with an emphasis on using those same symbols in the spells and ritual chapter. If the authors wished this to be a handbook to be used in self-examination, then those chapters should have been expanded. Also, I’d like to see more on the Crone crafts and how to build an altar.
My
altar hasn’t been altered (!) since I created it in my “mother” phase
(although I’m not a mother of human children). It has had objects added
and a few taken off, but I would have liked more input on what other objects
would be fitting for a crone and why those objects are specific to Cronedom.
The authors suggest keeping a journal. Frankly, I hope many women are already keeping a journal. It would then follow logically that, as one approaches Cronedom, one would write about those experiences. A free flowing continuation of Life, as it were.
Then follows a chapter on Crone spells and meditations. I found this part very useful even though I am a solitary and have never joined others in women song. I would also have liked more detail regarding Crone relationship with sabbats and those numerous rituals, perhaps depending upon which part of the U.S. these are offered.
The final chapter, Crone in modern culture, is simply a couple of paragraphs about various women as they experienced Cronedom. Some of the biographies were auto-biographical, written by those respective Crones. Raven Ganesha offered a few suggestions I found extremely helpful such as learning to relax and getting in touch with your Inner Self. She suggested reinventing yourself (which I am attempting to do and have been for a few years now) and to search for ways to be in deeper relationship with the Earth. As a Taurus, I have been grounded and cry for Mother, especially knowing what the current U.S. government is doing to her!
The Epilogue should be read first. Instead of attempting to summarize what has been covered, it could have served as a wonderful introduction of what would be discussed. Thus, the objective of the book would be much clearer as one begins to read it.
In conclusion, I need to think more about Gloria Steinem and Jane Goodall, two women well into their Crone years. In our society, age isn’t honored. Age instead is looked upon negatively, as if anyone over 50 (Crone time) is only trying to avoid death. We all need reminding that the Crone years can be productive and exciting.
This review offered by: Sue Sefscik,
Ormond Beach, Florida
SSefscik@aol.com
Gypsy
Magic
by Patrinella Cooper
Published by Weiser
Gypsy Magic sounds like the kind of title I am usually wary of, and the
flashy cover doesn't help. I bought the book because part of my WTI
work is reconnecting with my romany/black dutch heritage and as part of
that effort I wanted to understand more on the Romany perspective of
magic. Let me say upfront that Cooper does not spend 70 pages on
speculating where the Romany people come from, she very briefly lays out a
few of the more authoritative theories and then gets right into what makes
Gypsy magic different from other systems, what makes it effective, and
what magic as a concept means in this tradition. I was really surprised by
the information she provided from her first hand experience (she was born
into a Romany caravan) and how in depth it was. Cooper focuses
primarily on divination magic as well as beginning to get into a practice
of observing the natural world, through which you may eventually arrive at
a deeper understanding of what magic is and what its place in your life
is. Gypsy Magic is a short read, full of info, and actually quite
well-written. For womyn who are working on their Romany heritage,
want to learn more about the culture, or are interested in Indian magic
practices (there is a strong link between some Indian religious philosophy
and Romany philosophy) I encourage you to pick up a copy and settle
down with a cup of tea and paper for note taking!
This review offered by: Briana Henderson
medea13@earthlink.net
Wild Earth: wild ideas for a world out of balance
Editor: Tom Butler
Publisher: Milkweed Editions
Wild Earth is a collection of non-fictional essays and articles that appeared
in the magazine by the same name throughout the late nineties and early
2000-02. The book is medium sized and each article is a complete thought
unto itself, although sometimes that articles are arranged so that they
dialogue with each other--you have a "back to the pleistocene"
article, followed by one negating that idea for instance. For WTI women
this book is essential reading, it will count towards understanding your role
and place in your environment and will help you overall educate yourself about
the natural world, the policies that can help and harm it, and the issues that
environmentalists are debating right now across the U.S. Wild Earth is
approaching many of these issues from the point of view that one of the most
crucial things the environmental movement needs to work on is creating more
designated wilderness areas, re-evaluating the criterion we use to judge
whether an area should be a wilderness area or not (focusing on the ecological
and not tourist value), and also protecting the wilderness areas that have
already been designated. Why should you read this book right now?
If you are concerned about the Bush administrations desire to open up the
Arctic National refuge, Otero Mesa and Valle Vidal in New Mexico to oil and
gas exploration and excavation, this book will be a great place to get some
fundamental information because all of the areas I just mentioned are
designated wilderness areas. Philosophically this book makes us ask
ourselves what is really wild, what is the human relationship to the wild, to
nature. Sensitive issues like over-population are discussed in a
truthful, well-informed, and kind hearted manner. This reader is
especially ideal for womyn who have busy lives and not enough time to go
through reams of information on environmental questions, answers, and possible
solutions.
This review offered by: Briana Henderson Another very good read from Starhawk, the Earth
Path is primarily concerned with what it really means to walk as a Witch,
Pagan, and Eco-Feminist. Starhawk points out fairly obvious
inconsistencies between promise and practice such as claiming to venerate
nature and then not ever trying to support sustainable and organic growing
techniques. Starhawk does a very good job of blending her chosen brews
of politics and magic and many of the rituals in the Earth Path will be of
great use to WTI sisters because they will help you connect with your
environment in profound and meaningful ways. The core of the book are
the five chapters on each of the elements plus Spirit. I was very
impressed with Starhawk's personal knowledge of the land that she inhabits,
the really great gardening tips that she provides and the inspiration that
comes through on every page to go outside and get to know your land.
There are also a lot of meditation techniques that involve a more active form
of observation which may be really helpful to WTI womyn that are having a hard
time with traditional Eastern meditation styles. The Earth Path's most
important contribution is that it may really make you stop and think about
what it means to be a witch, pagan, or eco-feminist. Starhawk does on
paper what many of us try to do through ritual and meditation which is make
abstract principles that abound in the Craft just like everywhere else more
manifest, more embodied, and more relevant to our day in and day out lifestyles.
This review offered by: Briana Henderson
The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan
medea13@earthlink.net
by Starhawk
Harper-Collins
medea13@earthlink.net
Citadel Press
When my womyn's circle asked for a list of suggested reading, I began to put one together and was startled to realize what a dearth there is when it comes to books addressing the unique concerns and growing pains that advancing pagans will experience. I knew many occult texts that are good for advancing pagans to read, and I know of many non-pagan texts that I have come to rely on more and more during my own practice, but what I was looking for was a guide book, something that would address the challenges and joys of the advancing pagan's path. Venecia Rauls must have heard this cry, for she has provided a wealth of information in this slim volume. It should be understood that Rauls does not pretend that this book will answer all questions--actually she would be most delighted I think, if after reading her book you had even more questions. What the book does do so well, is help point the advancing pagan in a direction that is helpful when it comes to searching for information. She also has detailed chapters on understanding myth and deity as well as how to read the more difficult books that are encountered sooner or later by the advancing pagan, as well as chapters on what to expect psychologically, emotionally, and magically from your work as it advances. If you are feeling stuck between "beginner" books and the next step, I highly recommend this book as a good guide to get you started on the next leg of your journey.
This review offered by Briana Henderson
medea13@earthlink.net
Stolen
Harvest: The Hijacking of
the Global Food Supply
By Vandana Shiva
South End Press, 2000, 146 pages, $14.00
Stolen
Harvest is an absolute must read.
Continuing
along the same lines as Water Wars,
Stolen Harvest has the potential
to cause a paradigm shift about how you view food and the corporate
policies that bring the food to you. The book is not an easy read – it
is a MUST read.
Set
in Shiva’s native
Terminator
seeds are seeds that are biogenetically engineered to grow only once. This
negates the age old practice of seed sharing. And thanks to the Free Trade
Agreement, people are actually prosecuted for saving and sharing seed.
“Pea pods, tomatoes, peppers, heads of wheat, and ears of corn will
essentially become seed morgues. Thus the system will force farmers to buy
new seeds from seed companies every year” (page 82).Terminator seeds, in
my opinion, are a crime against humanity.
Mad
Cow Disease is being spread throughout the world by a corporate policy
which processes the carcasses of infected animals into feed (page 64). To
maximize profits, multinational corporations feed cows plastic to act as
roughage. With this process, the animals do not have to be continually
supplied with fresh, healthy roughage. This in my mind is a crime against
humanity.
Ever
wonder where your shrimp comes from? Some of it is scraped from the bottom
of the sea with machines – thus destroying everything that lives there.
“What
man does to the web of life, he does to himself.” (page 74)
The
last chapter Reclaiming Food
Democracy reminds us to demand reform by forming alliances not only at
the grassroots level, but also with growers and
consumers the world over.
Get this book and read it.
This review offered by JaniceFairy.
The
Quiet Therapies: Japanese Pathways to Personal Growth
by David K. Reynolds, University Press of
The
Four-Footed Therapist
by Dr. Jane Ruckert, Ten Speed Press, 1987
Witchdoctors
and Psychiatrists: The Common Roots of Psycotherapy and Its Future
by E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., Jason Aronson, Inc., 1986
According to E. Fuller Torrey in his book Witchdoctors and Psychiatrists: The Common Roots of Psychotherapy and Its Future, all psychotherapy must have four common characteristics in order to be effective: shared worldviews between therapist and client; personal qualities of genuineness, empathy and warmth in the therapist; high client expectations; and an eventual feeling of learning and mastery on the part of the client. Neither Dr. Jane Ruckert in her book, The Four-Footed Therapist nor David K. Reynolds in The Quiet Therapies: Japanese Pathways to Personal Growth dispute this claim. In fact, they obliquely support it by demonstrating a practice of psychotherapy, as Ruckert does, or by wondering at the efficacy of applying trans-cultural therapies, as in the case of Reynolds.
As I understand it, traditional psychotherapy treats the “problems of living”: angst and unhappiness in an otherwise healthy mind. If the mind is morphologically or chemically damaged, drugs or surgical intervention are required – thus taking the treatment outside the realm of psychotherapy. But what is defined as a “problem of living” is determined by the dominant ideology of each culture. In Reynolds’ very well-written book it is apparent that Japanese therapy is designed to integrate a non-conforming individual back into a very conforming society. One form of therapy directs a patient to meditate on all the past wrongs he or she has inflicted (constantly encouraged by the therapist to make sure they find something) on those around them until they come to a place of overwhelming guilt and gratitude, often crying and begging forgiveness. One therapy I found interesting involved accepting symptoms rather than “curing” them. The idea, as I understand it, is that one will be unhappy regardless and it would be better to find happiness in being productive to society. It seems that one needs to learn to accept ones symptoms since it is unlikely that the cause will be removed (i.e. not accepting life as it truly is causes our unhappiness – a bit of Zen thrown in I think.) Reynolds offers as contrast our own society that seems to obsessed with finding a cure for the symptoms without really finding the cause. He also points out that our society is as obsessed with individualism as Japanese society seems obsessed with uniformity. As a result, Reynolds questions whether or not Japanese therapies would be effective for American clients.
E. Fuller Torrey, on the other hand, is more concerned with convincing Western readers that witchdoctors – traditional healers from indigenous cultures around the world – employ similar methods to what our psychotherapists use, regardless of the trappings, and it is simply racist to call them primitive. He is much less concerned with cultural difference or how therapies are specifically adapted to cultural difference. He definitely makes his point, but falls short on “thinking outside the box.”
And while we’re on boxed-in thinking: Dr. Ruckert’s book of four-footed friends is anecdotal, sloppily written, and cliché at best. However, it is a good example of therapy steeped in cultural ideology. Definite gender roles are reinforced as she works with her clients – especially in her work with couples. Women just seem to need to talk more than men and they have a lot of accepting to do, etc.
What these books make apparent is that nothing roots out ideology better than what is considered to cause an illness, especially a mental one, what characterizes that illness and what constitutes the cure. Mental health is truly relative.
This review is offered by Debby Zygielbaum
Goddess
Signs: Which One Are You?
by Angelica Danton, Llewellyn Publications, Inc.,
2004
Danton's book is both entertaining and informative for wimmin looking for a better handle on feminist astrology. If you are a beginning astrologer, Goddess Signs is actually worth owning providing a good reference book that compares eastern and western astrology. The very best part of Danton's book is a chart she created listing aspects next to both astro systems and Goddess archetypes.
For instance, she combines the female Warrior, Aries and Horse. The Queen is Leo and Dragon. And the Huntress is Scorpio and Tiger. The placements are excellent and her text is clearly written. Although not a new concept, Danton gives readers a list of well-known 20th century females in the arts, theater, politics and religion under each sun and moon sign for an instant recognition for that particular zodiac energy.
You will find "recipes" included are suggestions for colors, flowers, stones and any other ritual accoutrement the beginner might desire to create her personal rituals. She provides the standard "fix-me-up-with-that-sign" compatibility advice.
Goddess Signs provides a small step in the field of Feminist Astrology. It is still almost impossible to discover something, anything in a bookstore that is headed in the right direction for the reclamation of the divine feminine.
This review is offered by Bellezza Squillace . (See her website for more comprehensive information about Feminist Astrology: http://www.the12thhouse.com)
Drawing
Down the Moon
by Margot Adler
Drawing
Down the Moon by Margot Adler is a must-read for any person
considering her/himself a pagan or a part of the Neo-pagan movement.
Although originally published in 1979, then revised and expanded in
1986, the book still remains fairly up-to-date and contains a wealth of
historical information. Adler
begins with a section entitled “Background,” complete with a chapter
meant to dispel any lingering stereotypes or assumptions about pagans the
reader might have and a chapter detailing the pagan world view.
Next, she traces the beginnings of the Wiccan movement in the
section called “Witches.” This
section is also has a chapter to dispel myths and give a history of the
words and concepts of “witch” and “wicca.”
I found this section particularly interesting, especially the
chapter on feminist witches. I
often had the sensation that I was a living part of the history she was
describing. I also gained good
background information on where modern Wicca came from and how it has
developed. For example, I had
not realized that the term “Dianic” came from Margaret Murray’s
work. Adler’s third section
is called “Other Neo-Pagans.” Included
are the
Although
the book is well researched, it suffers from some bad editing.
For example, the type changes between what was the original text
and Adler’s updates. While
she mentions that she kept the original wording and simply added a few
revisions, she does not explain the type change – at least not anywhere
that I could find; I eventually just figured it out.
There are also numerous type-o’s and the occasional asterisk with
no footnote (a pet peeve). Regardless
of these minor inconsistencies, Drawing Down the Moon remains a
definitive historical text of the modern Neo-pagan movement.
This review is offered by Deb Zygielbaum
Do It Anyway
by Kent M. Keith
Inner Ocean Publishing (www.innerocean.com)
2003, 198 pages, $15.00
Do It Anyway is a testimonial to how "ordinary" people use the Paradoxical Commandments. I, myself had never heard of the Paradoxical Commandments before I picked up this book. So right off the bat, I felt lost.
A paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. The author, Kent M. Keith, tells us that even though our world can be quite uninviting we could choose to Do It Anyway. Consider that the third Paradoxical Commandments says: If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. . .
If we follow our own heart's desire we can change the world.
The strength of this book lies in the questions at the end of each section. An example: at the end of the No Excuses is this gem, "What are my excuses for not finding personal meaning?" Indeed. . . have you ever really thought about it? The silly excuses we use to limit ourselves? Personal transformation is hard work; it is best done without blinders. When you say to yourself "jeepers, I can't do that. . . " the Paradoxical Commandments seems to ask you to shrug your shoulders and Do It Anyway!
This book is easy to read. It asks you to move beyond the ideals of the Paradoxical Commandments and manifest them in your own life. I don't usually like "testimonial" type books but the Paradoxical Commandments are inspiring and worth further investigation. However, if you haven't already done so, I suggest you read the book Anyway first.
This review is offered by JaniceFairy
Goddesses of the North
by Lynda C. Welch
Published by: Weiser, 2001
Goddesses of the North is an excellent resource for womyn who are studying or working with Nordic Goddesses. The Asatru tradition of heathenism-paganism as a descriptor is not used because it is not Germanic in origin but Latin has picked up a bad reputation in the womyns' spiritual community due to its tendency to idealize the masculine and downplay if not degrade completely the feminine. Ms. Welch has practiced in the Asatru tradition for many years and felt the pull of the Goddesses within this tradition strongly enough that she decided to write a book on them. While many of her arguments for the history of the Nordic folk do not seem that well researched or validated she does provided interesting information about the Goddesses most of which comes from original text sources. Ultimately I am not convinced by this book that the Asatru or Nordic heathen traditions are not fundamentally misogynysitc as they are widely practiced today, however I also appreciate, due to this book,
the remnants of an older Goddess-centered thealogy that was overcome by the dominator models in the North as in most other places as well. Goddesses such as Freya, Frigg and Fulla are treated in this text, as are the Valkyries and the Swan Maidens. Giantesses turned Goddesses such as Hel and Gerd are also described in detail and there are a few charts that create amalgamations between the various goddesses that are very handy indeed.This review brought to
you by:
Briana Henderson
Medea13@earthlink.net
A
Little Book on the Human Shadow
By Robert Bly
HarperCollins Publishers, 1988, 81 pages
$11.00
Robert
Bly is considered an “authority” in the controversial field of the
human shadow.
Bly
describes the human shadow as the “long bag we drag behind us.” The
human shadow crosses all cultural lines and begins, as most things do, in
our formative years when we stuff our own desires and natural tendencies
into the “bag we drag behind us” to please our parents or any other
significant person in our life. We stuff our spontaneity, impulsiveness,
anger, and often, our unbridled creativity in order to fit into a society
that often desires all members be the same.
Bly
tells us that everything has two (or, IMHO, more) sides: front and back,
light and shadow, here and there, etc. It is often suggested that the
human shadow is always negative. This is simply not true. The human shadow
is anything about ourselves that we fear, be it failure or
success.
Bly
does an adequate job of, not only explaining the human shadow, but also
demonstrating how to transform it.
This
is an excellent book for those who are just beginning the study of the
human shadow.
Book: Wild
Mother (fiction)
Author: Elizabeth Cunningham
Published by: Station Hill Literary Editions, 1993
The fact that this book
is a work of fiction should not deter womyn from reading it. After
all, we need good fiction, great new myths to share among ourselves, and
most importantly more female voices merging their art and Goddess worship!
Wild Mother was given to me by an older witch that I am close to.
The book sat on my shelf for months because I have such a long reading
list, but the other night I picked it up - maybe under the influence of
the Scorpio moon? and I started peeling through it. Plotted in
the style of Marion Zimmer Bradley, Wild Mother is actually a very
well-written fictional account of a mortal man's confrontation with the
Goddess Lilith. I really appreciated the manner in which the
Goddesses are depicted in this story, Cunningham does a great job of
sorting the fluffy-bunny stuff from the real deal. For women in WTI
that are following the Warrior path, this book is a must! Actually,
any woman who is feeling the need to encounter a depiction of Goddess that
is not dichotomized into dark/light but that focuses on the primitive
aspect, the way in which Goddess in a force of nature would really enjoy
this story. Furthermore, not only is the Goddess depicted in a
sincerely original way, but the day in and day out inner-conflicts of
womyns' lives and the tensions between women and men are depicted quite
beautifully. If you need a break from reality and haven't
encountered any good womyn's fiction go online and order up Wild Mother -
as the title implies, you won't be disappointed.
This review brought to
you by:
Briana Henderson
Medea13@earthlink.net
Awakening
Robert Gass & On Wings of Song
Spring Hill Music (CD)
Robert Gass and On Wings on Song are one of the premier music/chant-makers for today's spiritual womon.
The slow tolling of bells signal the beginning of a soul stirring Latin chant (Cuncti Simus) devoted to the Christian Virgin Mary. This beautiful chant sets the tone for this spectacular CD of spiritual music. Remembrance is the Sufi chant of The 99 Names of God. A sweet melody in Hebrew is part of a traditional Jewish Sabbath service (Shalom Rav). A compilation of Tibetan Buddhist chants translates in part: "Gone. Gone. Gone beyond. Gone beyond the beyond. Hail to the one who awakens." A Prayer of Jesus in Aramaic, Santa Maria, the calming and unforgettable chant Alleluia to the Canon in D, and Jai Ma round out this wonderful piece of music by the brilliant Robert Gass and On Wings of Song.
This is one of the best pieces music I've experienced in a long time -- an absolute must have!!
Title: Small Wonder
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Publisher: Harper San Francisco
This is Kingsolver's second book of essays and it far surpasses High Tide in Tuscon, her first. Kingsolver is a political activist, biologist, mother, wife, and avid gardener and she draws from all of these experiences in Small Wonder. The book was written as a response to the events that occurred on 9/11 and it is wonderful because it addresses the tragedy of what happened here in America without shying away from our own accountability or the fact that over thirty thousand children died worldwide on that day from hunger. Kingsolver's ability to give a breadth and scope to nature and the natural world is breathtaking, she truly does see religion in a seed. From the opening (true) account of an infant boy in Iraq who was lost and rescued by a mother bear to her well-informed and fact based tirade against genetic engineering Kingsolver manages to touch both the heart and mind with a single pen stroke. I laughed out loud and cried while reading Small Wonder, and most importantly spent a long time reflecting on what it really means in this day and age to be a witch and a sister of Goddess. The depictions of Nature are beautiful and the political commentary is heartbreaking without being hopeless. Small Wonder is the perfect book to get your summer reading kickstarted and it will give you food for thought (literally) to last through this verdant season.
This review is brought to you by:
Briana Henderson
Medea13@earthlink.net
Title: Sacred
Pleassure
Author: Rianne Eisler
Publisher: Harper San Francisco
Best known for her previous book The Chalice and the Blade, Rianne Eisler has given us wonderful new ideas to think on in Sacred Pleasure - a book that has actually been on the market since the late nineties but which has been noticed very little. While the book is fairly long it is well-worth the time and not a slow read by any means! Eisler continues to work from her theory about partnership as opposed to dominator cultures and focuses specifically on the roles that sex, violence, gender discrimination, biology, politics, education, and economy have to play in the perpetuation of dominator culture. Eisler also continues themes hinted at in C&B including sex as a sacred act, goddess worship as a catalyst for partnership based living modalities, the vital necessity for women to reclaim their rites and rituals and the importance of various forms of art to culture. Eisler is a meticulous researcher and she provides extensive notes and bibliographies for each chapter which can be very helpful. Sacred Pleasures is wonderful because it approaches important questions from so many different angles so that almost anyone will walk away with something serious to think about.
This
review is brought to you by:
Briana Henderson
Medea13@earthlink.net
When,
Why . . . If
An Ethics Workbook
by Robin Wood
Published by A Livingtree Book in 1996, 175 pages
The chapters cover honesty (“with yourself, you must be completely, objectively, and perfectly honest”), self (“knee jerk reactions favoring either yourself or others must be avoided”), love (when someone tells me they love me, I think they mean. . .), help (don’t make choices and decisions for others), harm (“be a creator, not a destroyer”), sex (be responsible, be honest, be loving, be careful), will (“what is the difference between wanting something and willing something?”), and ethics (know your ethics!).
The author recommends reading the entire book before doing the exercises. And, for sure, the strength of this book lies in the exercises. Of course you could just read and not do, but that would be like trying to make stew without turning on the stove.
The author uses humor a great deal and as a person who tends to walk more on the serious side, this was somewhat annoying at times. In fact, if the author referred to me one more time as “Dear Friend” …..
Among other things, the chapter on Self says: You must learn to love yourself. You must learn to love everyone else. Good solid advice for our community work.
The chapter on Love asks us to “only give what you can honestly give.” Robin Wood defines love as “the desire to see people reach their full potential.” Isn’t that what we, as priestesses, want for those we encounter in our Goddess work?
I found the chapter on Help very interesting because the author teaches us to only offer the help we can afford to give and then to follow through -- with no more and no less.
This book was incredibly hard on the eyes. I couldn’t read more than a few pages before my eyes would start to burn and tear.
To really harvest the wisdom of these pages, you will need to read them more than twice. Browse through the book while waiting for the computer to boot up or web pages to load because, often, a nugget of wisdom will appear “out of nowhere.”
There is much to be gained from this book and I recommend it for all persons interested in walking an ethical path.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. June 3, 2004
The Wisdom
of Listening
Edited by Mark Brady
Published by Wisdom Publications in 2003, paperback, 302pages
I don't like anthology books so I was "put-off" right away about The Wisdom of Listening. However, once I understood that these stories would help me open my ears and heart to those around me the book became easier to read.
Worth the read: The Gift of Attention (Kathleen Dowling Singh), The Listening Mind (Ram Dass and Paul Gorman), Liberating Ourselves Through Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg), Feeding One Another (Anne and Charles Simpkinson), Listen From the Heart (Rodney Smith), The Rules of the Listening Game (Michael P. Nichols).
As priestesses it is very important that we learn to listen not only with our ears but with our heart. We must convey to the entire congregation that we will listen to them when they are in need. Rodney Smith in Listen From the Heart tells us: "It is very difficult to listen because we keep getting in the way of what we hear." We cannot focus on ourselves and listen with an open heart at the same time. To listen with wisdom, it is necessary to step out of our own *stuff* and move into compassion and empathy. But "fishing for understanding at the wrong time is like trying to catch a trout in the noonday sun" (The Rules of the Listening Game, Michael P. Nichols). To listen with wisdom is to be aware of our own inscape and if we are tired, hungry, stressed, etc., we must excuse ourselves and refer the congregant to another priestess. We must also understand that listening with wisdom is sometimes accomplished with no words being spoken. Our challenge is to distinguish the fine line between listening with wisdom and listening with ego.
Each of us can improve our listening skills. This book has much to offer but it is not the *be all and end all* on the transformative subject of listening. Get it from the library -- I don't recommend buying it.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. May 8, 2004
Healing
Conversations:
What to Say When You Don't Know What to
Say
Nance Guilmartin
Published by
Jossey-Bass in 2002. pp 325
This book is not for the professional counselor but is instead geared towards those of us who in our work as priestesses are called upon to lend an empathic ear and/or shoulder.
The author's main point is: How do we have a healing conversation of the heart, not just the head? (page xix) She offers ten guidelines:
Listen - everything begins with our ability to listen/focus.
Pause - we give the other person time to think/feel. We ask ourselves "What am I missing here?"
Be a friend, not a hero - we let the person feel their pain without rushing/fixing it.
Offer comfort - we understand that the person has a right to feel the way they do and we don't tell them how they should or should not feel. We do not judge the choices they have made.
Be in touch with your own feelings - people pick up on our vibrations. We strive to keep our emotions in check as we concentrate on helping.
Be there over the long haul - it is possible that the person will need to tell us the same thing over and over again. Each time we listen and offer support without judgment.
Show up even when it's awkward - it's OK to let the person know we are uncomfortable with feeling awkward. We simply say "Truly, I don't know how you feel or what to say, and I do care about you." (page xxiii)
Be a helpful resource - consider developing a list of pagan friendly referrals. We ourselves will not have all the tools for all persons.
Take the initiative - sometimes we ask people how they are and if we can help.
Be compassionate - we can't really know how another person feels. We listen to the persons story before we ask about offering our own stories/experience. Remember, what comforts us may not comfort others.
The author takes us through many personal situations that can and do happen in everyday life and offers healing responses to situations at work, with friends, family, and life's transitions.
This book is an easy read and you will refer to it often. The stories are short and the advice is solid. It will be a fine addition to any library.
I highly recommend this book.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. July 20, 2003
If Women Counted: A New Feminist
Economics
by Marilyn Waring with introduction by Gloria
Steinem
Harper & Row, 1988, 386 pages
This book details how women’s work is unvalued and invisible to the world’s economists.
Using a system called the United Nations System of National Accounts (UNSNA), a value is placed on the world’s labor/work. The UNSNA is used by governments and lending institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to determine public policy. The labor of men is seen as productive, visible and valuable. The labor of women is seen as nonproductive, invisible and has no measurable value.
Water traveling through a pipe has value, but when a women travels three miles to carry water to her family, she is seen as unproductive and inactive.
Marilyn Waring was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1975 to 1984. Waring understood the need for safe and nurturing child care but according to UNSNA housewives and mothers are "inactive" and "unoccupied" so it was impossible to produce figures to justify a change in public policy.
Parts of this book are dry and sometimes the statistics get a little mind-boggling. Parts of this book will have you scratching your head in disbelief. Consider that women have for eons provided food for the family with subsistence farming. Then the economists come into the area and convince men that it is better to plant a cash crop such as eucalyptus trees. The eucalyptus require vast amounts of water but provide no food, fodder or fuel. The men now have money but no food. When women were farming people had food but no money.
Written almost a decade and a half ago, Waring documents case after case of woman’s productivity and her invisibility. After fourteen years, the statistics have no doubt changed, but the philosophy that sees woman as non-productive probably hasn’t.
At the end of the book Waring does leave us hopeful. Women now number in the billions and each of us can change the world.
Skim over the technical stuff and you will discover another cord connecting women the world over. Remember, we don’t "count" in the USA either.
I highly recommend this book.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. December 6, 2002
Constantine's Sword: The Church
and The Jews: A History
by James Carroll
Houghton Mifflin Company,
2001, 756 pages
Think you know the history of Christians and Jews? You'll be surprised. As a former catholic priest, Carroll offers us a view of these two religions that will knock your socks off.
The book opens with The Cross at Auschwitz. Edith Stein, the Carmelite nun known as Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was arrested as a Jew and sent to Auschwitz where she was murdered. Pope John Paul II declared Edith Stein (aka Sister Teresa Benedicta) a saint in 1998. True to Christian history, the Pope makes the assumption that the death camps were about Christian persecution and erects an enormous cross overlooking the camp. The Jews, of course, object to this and a battle ensues. The whole situation becomes very ugly.
Long before Christians began making the "sign of the cross", the Jews made the sign of the first Hebrew letter of the Torah on themselves. When Christians began making the "sign of the cross", the Jews dropped their practice.
It was Constantine more than any other person who spread Christianity throughout the world using the edge of the sword. Look at the cross, turn the symbol sideways and what do you see?
What's the difference between the Crusades and the Inquisition? What is the meaning of blood libel? Why were books burned? What is the difference between the word Holocaust and Shoah? It's all in the book.
Think for a moment about the conflict in the Middle East today, think there is more to it than what we have been told? Consider that many times throughout history the Jews were forced into ghettos. Sometimes these ghettos were actually surrounded by a fence and overhead, at each entrance, would be a verse from the Christian holy book. Imagine, if you will, going into the ghetto, a place of over-crowding and extreme poverty, and having to look at that "greeting."
It is my opinion that most Christians do not know their own history. Did you know that the supposed shirt of Jesus (called the Seamless Robe) was brought to Trier in Germany by Constantine's mother Helena? It remains there still, being brought out only on special occasions. One of these rare occasions was to honor Adolf Hitler.
Saint Helena is also credited with bringing to Trier the three nails of the "true cross". One of these nails was promptly melted down and used in Constantine's battle helmet.
Do yourself a favor, read this book. It will completely change your world view. Remember, if it can happen to the Jews, it can happen to us.
The cross still stands at Auschwitz.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. December 12, 2002
Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution,
and Profit
Vandana Shiva, South End Press, 2002, 156 pages
It never ceases to amaze me how some cultures believe the world’s natural resources belong to them — to them alone.
This book, set mostly in India, explains how the powers-that-be are destroying the world’s water supply for profit. They come into an area and dam up or suck off the area’s water. This is done sometimes by growing the water sucking eucalyptus or destroying Mangroves which keep the salt water from the fresh, to grow shrimp. Not only do they suck off the surface water from rivers and streams but also from the aquifers. Right down to the water stored underground. When the water is gone, thirst remains. The author suggests that this is the root of terrorism: greed and appropriation of other people’s share of the planet’s precious resources; the non-sustainable consumption of the world’s resources, including water. Polluting wells and rivers is terrorism.
Water is so scarce in the maquiladoras in Mexico (read corporate America) that mothers are forced to give their babies Coke and Pepsi. Here is what Coke had to say ("Small is Sustainable," International Society for Ecology and Culture, 2000, p1):
| All of us in the Coca-Cola family wake up each morning knowing that every single one of the world’s 5.6 billion people will get thirsty that day. If we make it impossible for these 5.6 billion people to escape Coca-Cola, then we assure our future success for many years to come. Doing anything else is not an option. (page 99) |
Vandana Shiva is a renowned environmental activist from India. She has been awarded the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize (the Right Livelihood Award) in 1993. She has seen her native India, a country which offered in most every settlement a place where persons could come for a quenching drink of water for free, to a country virtually sucked dry by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc. Now water comes in a bottle and costs more than most people can afford. The manufacture of the bottle itself consumes huge amounts of water and when the bottle is empty it is discarded — to who knows where.
Water is a gift Mother Natures gives to all Her children. Water is not a commodity to be bought and sold by Corporations whose primary goal is profit. It is the actions of these same corporations that lead to scarcity.
This book should be on the suggested reading list.
An aside: See U.S.News and World Report, 8/12/02, The Future of Water: Costly, Dirty, Scarce, page 22.
This article reiterates what Vandana Shiva reports in Water Wars. The article, in my opinion, is preparing Americans for the coming privatization of our water supply.
The study of Goddess’ gift of water has been an eye-opening experience.
This review offered by JaniceFairy. December 28, 2002
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