Susun Weed's Wise Woman Forum

by **lori** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:30 pm

dear Wise Women,
Have any suggestions for good books, informational texts, and inspirational writings? Share what makes you happy, helps you with living the best life you can, and/or is just a "good read".
Recently, I went to an autumnal celebration for the equinox and was led in a meditation that brought back to my memory a book that I really love..."The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You" by Dorothy Bryant , 1971
Moving into fall makes me think of the culture in this book and fire being a portal to new life.
To find out more about her and her books visit http://www.magicalrealism.com
blessings to all of you dear ones,
lori [:)]

by **Justine** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:15 pm

Thanks for creating this thread for us to share our favorite books...currently I am reading--and am loving--"In Tune with the Infinite" by Ralph Waldo Trine. This small but potent book was written in 1897!!!

I will share one paragraph from the Introduction, which will give a pretty good feeling for this great little book:

 "What Trine [the author] understood is that only One Life exists and this Life underlies, supports and informs all reality. Trine called this Infinite Spirit, Infinite Mind, Infinitude, or God. By whatever name you prefer, the defining characteristics of Infinite Spirit in a natural state are love and intelligence. Yet for each of us, Infinitude takes on whatever characteristics we consciously or subconsciuosly assume are 'out there'. If we assume a vengful, wrathful God, for example, a life full of vengance and wrath will be ours. On the other hand, if we follow the admonition of Jesus of Nazareth to 'love your neighbor' and think of Hod as a loving Father who forgives, cherishes us, and welcomes into the kingdom of heaven, then in the aggregate this will be our life experience...

...We need to recognize the existance of the Infinite Mind and our relationship to it. The we can come into harmony and allow the Infinite Mind to work through us. In doing so, we open ourselves to overwhelming joy, abundance, and fulfillment" 

Sounds pretty good to me!! Actually the book is quite amazing and I have just barely begun to understand a fraction of what he must have known implicitly...

Any one else read "In Tune with the Infinite"? I can hardly believe its taken me so long to find it..especially since its been a best seller for 100 years now : )) LOL....

by **lululu** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:16 pm

fifth life of the catwoman. i am sorry to say i cannot recall the author....aha! kathleen dexter. just a good book about a woman on her 5th life who can speak to cats and lives on a mirage. found it at the library when i was on my way out. my cat had just fallen five flights from our ledge....she's doing well now[8D]

love
lucretia

ps i should add, this is not an instructional or philosophical book...you mentioned magical realism and i suppose this would be in that vein.

by **Julianne** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 8:24 pm

Books books! I love them!
I am reading THE MALLEUS MALEFICARUM of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, better known as The Witches Hammer. It makes me sick to my stomach to read, knowing that I am reading the words that caused the millions of woman/witches, children and men to be executed, and to see the birth of the ignorant mind set that I am striving to understand in this day in age. I would consider it required reading for any witch... With knowledge may it never happen again.

For those who are not familiar....
The Malleus Maleficarum (The Witch Hammer), first published in 1486, is arguably one of the most infamous books ever written, due primarily to its position and regard during the Middle Ages. It served as a guidebook for Inquisitors during the Inquisition, and was designed to aid them in the identification, prosecution, and dispatching of Witches. It set forth, as well, many of the modern misconceptions and fears concerning witches and the influence of witchcraft. The questions, definitions, and accusations it set forth in regard to witches, which were reinforced by its use during the Inquisition, came to be widely regarded as irrefutable truth. Those beliefs are held even today by a majority of Christians in regard to practitioners of the modern ìrevivedî religion of Witchcraft, or Wicca. And while the Malleus itself is largely unknown in modern times, its effects have proved long lasting

Blessings~

by **Persephone** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:38 pm

I'm reading the Wheel of Time books right now!! For the second time. book 10 comes out in paperback in Nov, so I'm rereading to catch up. I'm making SO many new connections this time. I'm reading The Nursing Mother's Companion and Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth for my childbirth educator's certification, and "The Dance of Connection" for life in general... not sure if it's really all that helpful though. That's about all right now...

by **Ayla** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 11:19 pm

Well, here are my immediate book loves.. nothing too serious.. just pleasant and comfort books:

"Romancing The Ordinary" By Sarah Ban Brethnach
Absolutely wonderful!!! Split up by month and just gives a fresh outlook on living day to day life in a more Sensual appreciative way.

Harry Potter series
I was upset when I finished this last one so fast because it meant I would have to wait a long time for the next one to come out. I find these books so fun and creative to read. I think the characters are developed fabulously. And the idea is brilliant.

"If It Hurts It Isn't Love" By Chuck Spezzano
Inspiration for people with lovers and how to view each other with a fuller heart. The topics are numbered to 365. Chuck says in the beginning to just randomly pick a page and you will likely select the inspiration you were looking for. I have faith in this and it has worked every time.

"Clan of the Cave Bear" By Jean Auel
A little embarrassed to put this one on the list, but it is what inspired me to search for a forum like this one.. and I'm soooo glad I did. The book is fabulous and was researched quite well.. a lot of references to herbal medicine and how it was used.

"Burning Times" By ?
I'll mention this one since I saw the movie version was on Susan's list. I love books about witches and so I loved this one. It was a little predictable, but I like the ideas that are relayed in the book.

"The Witching Hour" By Anne Rice
Drama. Drama. Drama.

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle By ?
Pre-teen childrens book. Still love her and am inspired by her uniqueness. She comes up with these off the wall remedies to solve the local parents problems. I think the heart of her remedies are a strange idea and they make you laugh. I want to live in an upside down house, TOO!

That's all for now. I'm sure I will have others I think of since I read books like other people watch TV! Does anyone have any witch book recommendations?

by **Julianne** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:36 am

Hey Ayla...well it depends what you mean by witch! [:)]
For Native American path I would DEFINATLY recommend
Buffalo Woman Cones Singing by Brooke Medicine Eagle- Explores fascinating uses of traditions like the Medicine Wheel:healing through ritual action:dreamtime; and the moonlodge, the womans place of retreat and visioning. 

For exploring and introduction the Womans Shaman Path, I love
In the Shadow of the Shaman-by Amber Wolfe
is about the importance of connection to the deepest power of nature. It tells you how to use natural objects from the Shamanic worlds-Plant, Mineral, Animal and Human-to help make thispersonal connection with the energies. In doing this, you are able to reconnect with the center of your own power.

And for Dianic Witchcraft (Feminist witchcraft) I would recommend Zsuzsanna Budapest's books ( All are wonderful!)
The Holy Book of Womans Mysteries-Feminist witchcraft, Goddess rituals, Spellcasting and other womanly arts.
Womans rites and rites combine in a celebration of the Goddess: divination, spells, rituals, herstory and feminist survival guide. Here you will find the essentials of women's worship and traditions that have survived centuries of persecution.

I could go on....[:D] but I won't!!! I hope this was helpful! I was trying to think of what I read in all your posts, and what books came to mind from them!
Blessings!!

by **Anonymous** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 12:33 pm

My favorite work of fiction is "Door Into Ocean" By Joan Sloncewzski (I think that's the right spelling). The author is a Quaker as well as a biologist. The book is biological sci-fi, as well as being spiritual and political. I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone who has an interest in ecology, Goddess spirituality, and non-violent resistence. It is about a population of people who live on an ocean-covered moon called Shora. They are all women and they call themselves Sharers. They have come into conflict with the earthlike planet of Valedon, because the Valens want to control Shora. This is a beautiful, thought-provoking book.

Robin

by **Spiritsoar** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 10:53 pm

My current reading is Jean Houston's "A Passion for the Possible," and just finished Patricia Telesco's "An Enchanted Life" as well as Amarananda Bhairavan's "Kali's Odiyya." Marvelous! My all time favorite mystery tradition teacher and writer of fiction and fact is Dion Fortune. I particularly enjoyed her Sea Priestess and Moon Magic. One of the classic studies in the realm of spirituality is her "Psychic Self-Defense." Powerful magic there. The Society of Inner Light, in London, is the "inheritor" of her teachings and release works as they see fit. They just released her one channeled work called the "Cosmic Doctrine" great stuff. They also offer courses for those in England, Scotland, and Wales.

by **Lady Belladonna** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 1:57 am

Hi everyone, here's chiming in with my two cent's worth - for an informational book, I still refer constantly to my first "witch book" which is Scott Cunningham's "Incense, Oils and Brews". This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in making their own potions, and is a treasure trove of info on herbal substitutions,especially helpful for anyone who doesn't have easy access to a herb shop or pagan supply shop.

For pure pleasure fiction reading, I highly recommend the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. The story begins when Claire, a doctor in 1950's England, steps into an ancient stone circle and is transported back to 17th century Scotland. Chock full of herbal healing references, humour, historical references and an extremely appealing love story.

For absolute escapism, my #1 pick is Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. You will not want to leave the world of that book - when I was getting to the end of it, I "rationed" myself to one chapter per night so I wouldn't finish it too soon!

Thanks for starting this thread, I love hearing what others are reading and adding my own finds too.
Lady Belladonna

by **willo** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:56 pm

For years I have been reading Self help books, and books on Spirituality of all religions, trying to find answers. I just finished Empowering Your Life through Wicca, by Sirona Knight. I think I have finally found something that makes sense to me.

by **MysticalMaiden** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:23 pm

I just finished Inga Muscio's book "CUNT". I have to say that if I were in charge of the world I would make it mandatory for every woman to read this book at age of 12 and then a minimum of every 5 years after that. What an amazing book, what an amazing woman, what an amazing empowering experience! Check her out at the following site http://www.ingalagringa.com/

by **Ezevia** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 9:25 pm

Wow this is GREAT
I love reading and can never get enough time for all the books on my shelves and my 'want to' list
Currently I finished "Song of the Soul" and excellent encounter with ArchAngels and saving our race.for as she puts in "We are all one in being".. very good, quick read and leaves a taste for more.
Also reading the pre-teen series "Unfortunate Series of Events" 10 currently in the series... by Lemony Snicket very good and highly recommended for children 8-13 depending on their reading level. My mom and I have had a great time reading these books.(i'm 50 she's 72)
Also by Ricci, "Circle of Five" has anyone read that?
Good book about a circle of women (witches) in a small massachusetts cape cod community that help to catch a seriel killer. Just bought her second Circle book today! Can't wait to read it...
Blessings to all the readers...
Share [;)]Share [;)]Share[;)]
I can't wait to buy my next book [8)]
And i am dying to read The Clan of the Cave Bear books, I wanted one in the bookstore today but couldn't remember the name, so thanks for the title!

Read on......

by **cory su** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:56 pm

Here are some that I especially like:

A solitaire mystery by Joostein Gaarder
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Cosmic Trigger by Robert Anton Wilson
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The thinking woman's guide to a better birth by Henci Goer
The Encyclopedia for aromatherapy by Chrisie Wildwood
Herbal Emissaries bringing Chinese herbs to the west by Ssteven Foster and Yue ChongXi (about cultivating of Chinese herbs in N.America)
The Dune series by Frank Herbert
The Vapire Chronicles by Ann Rice
Nourishing Destiny by Lonny Jarrett

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