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Anti-Cancer
Lifestyle ...
"Moon
Days" book review
by
Christina Francine
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Moon Days : Creative
Writing About Menstruation
Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D.
Ash Tree Publishing 1999
retails for $13.95
Order at www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Some cultures regard woman's puberty as taboo and
something we should be ashamed of; not all. Steele
profiles various cultures' ways of viewing womanhood,
especially the Western one. Here, a woman is to look,
act, think, and dress like a man. How did this come
to be and who says so?
This book is about ending the silence and stigma that
occurs concerning menstruation. Many women today still
grow quiet when the subject comes up. Steele's book
brings voice, an openness on the topic.
The book moves through four phases, just as a woman
and their bodies do. The first phase is "Early
Moons"...those first periods. The second phase
is "Waxing Moons...Coming to Light." It
moves from adolescence to adulthood; of feelings,
dreams and consciousness. It also discusses the position
our culture places women in as daughters, wives, mothers,
sister, and patients dealing with sons, husbands,
fathers, brothers, and doctors. The third phase is
"Full Moon Celebrations." This section provides
the differences in how mainstream cultures differs
from "natural" or "normal." The
forth phase is "Re-entering the Dark: Poetry
and Prayer." Here, poetry emphasizes the power
of being female, suggests menstruation is more than
physical. The back of the book contains notes, a bibliography,
and a listing of contributors, including their picture
and Biography. There are 27 contributors in all.
As a woman reading Steele's book, I nodded often and
said, "Hmm-hmm, yes, that's true" often.
Steele removes the baggage and gets to the bare truth.
I liked her book so much I shared it with my daughters;
ages seventeen and twenty, as well as women friends
and relatives. I've always wanted my daughters to
be comfortable and proud of being female, to not view
themselves as weak or less than men. Women and men
are just different. One is not better than the other.
We discussed being women, shared our thoughts, concerns,
and dreams. Steele provided a springboard.
Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement,
and recalling their first period and everything
happening around it. Most will smile, some shed
tears, but all will feel a kinship with other women.
A book to be treasured and shared by females everywhere.
Like having a conversation with a wise, strong and
loving mother. Perfect for mothers and daughters,
or as a gift. Empowering and passionate. Highly
recommended.
To read more reviews by Christina Francine go to
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com
The
above story is an except from
Moon Days... http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.php?id=1000061&item=moon-days
Creative Writings About Menstration
edited by Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D
a great collection of women's writings on menstruation, edited by
Cassie Preemo Steele, twenty-six writers explore the "silent"
parts of women's lives; reawakening menstruation memories of embarrassment
and shame and transforming them to wonder, excitement, and laughter.
176 pages, illustrations. .
available through Ash
Tree Publishing http://www.wisewomanbookshop.com/
Price: $13.95
Order MOON DAYS in our Bookshop
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.php?id=1000061&item=moon-days
read some excerpts...
Amazons in Appalachia
http://www.susunweed.com/moonlodge.htm#moon6
The Woman's Dinner
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/december03/recipes.htm#moondays
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