Divine Books

I have always shared a close bond with this book, due to the fact that we were formed by the same person. I admit to being further biased because I learned the alphabet while usurping the typewriter during its writing to peck out lines of nonsense, and because its heroine shared the same name as my first best friend, Ruthie. Until recently, however, our relationship didn't get much farther than my poring with admiring friends over its much-beloved photographs of St. Denis, ethereally beautiful in her fantastic costumes. I'm glad I waited to appreciate the writing, and I'm glad I didn't wait any longer.

Ruth's story as a pioneer of American dance is mesmerizing, from how the St. came to be in her name to her travels across the U.S. and the globe, her feminism and her frailty. Ruth was convinced she danced to express the divine, and performances usually portrayed her as a goddess - Eastern, Western, even a sea spirit - with her handsome husband Ted Shawn, 12 years her junior, enacting the role of mortal acolyte. One of my favorite photographs even shows Ruth on a pedestal, all in white down to her prematurely gray hair, looking deceptively like a statue as Ted leans unconcernedly against her. Offstage, however, their partnership was less divine...

The history in this book, including Martha Graham's early days as a student at the Denishawn school, would delight anyone interested in modern dance. What I enjoyed the most in reading it, though, was discovering Ruthie's human side, her plucky character. A small-town girl with an eccentric family (including a brother named "Brother"!), from sharing a bill with freak shows she rose to become an internationally celebrated dancer, yet kept her head and her sense of humor.

Her humor continued unabated to the end of her career: to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary, Ruth and her husband performed a duet, titled "Siddhas of the Upper Air", a slow dance which involved the two walking up a ramp together while he held her about the waist, arms reaching upwards. Ted lyrically described their dance (p. 252), "The two of us were going up and up and up, remembering all the love of the earth but still lovers in infinite distance and infinite space, but still always up, going up." Ruth's remembrance, however, was more candidly down-to-earth: "Ted was scared to death. I wasn't, because I didn't think about it, but neither of us could see without our glasses"!

In art and life, St Denis' quest for the divine continued until her dancing feet's final curtain. Before her earthly light was extinguished, however, it might be said of the `divine dancer' that she had achieved, however fleetingly, that aspiration which Goddard once attributed to Cleopatra, "...to rise into that region where art is lifted into life and life into art, the goal, alike, of art and life." Like a star whose light is visible beyond its time, her soul shines, dancing on.

This book is filled with Grace from beginning to end. The author, Ellen MacFarland, focuses on the gifts of healing symbols in nature
and helps the reader to go beyond trauma toward a new and sacred pathway of life. The Grace in the author's writing reveals her own healing and gives much hope to the reader of reaching "The Sacred Path Beyond Trauma."

This is an excellent book for those who wish to explore the realms of dreams. Scott writes with his usual ease and is easy to understand. This book is unlike the countless dream dictionaries which demand you follow their interpretation. It also gives you insight into the history of dreaming and its uses in history. I especially enjoyed the roles of dream interpreters in history and the ideas of the divine transmitting messages through our dreams. It can help you to better understand the very personal meanings behind your dreams. This book has also been recently republished under the title " Dreaming the Divine: Techniques for Sacred Sleep ". Then again, if you are a fan of Scott Cunningham, its worth having the originals in your collection.

What a wonderful calendar! The production and quality of the art is top-notch and spectacular to behold. Every month has a different goddess with their own special blessing. Each painting is beautiful and anyone would be proud to have this calendar grace their wall for a year. You may even want to cut out the paintings by your favorite artist at the end of the year to hang up around your house (my favorite is Lisa Hunt).
Anyone with an interest in fine art and the many aspects of the goddess should get one of these, it is a purchase you won't regret. If you like last year's, you'll LOVE this year's version even more.

I found this book easy to understand and apply kabballah concepts in your daily life. The author was able to explain a lot of things in such way that people, like me, with a little religious background could grasp them easily. I would recommend this spiritually uplifting book to anyone.

to your daily life.

I couldn't put the book down. I bought it for my girlfriend and eneded up keeping it for myself. I did buy her another copy. I have never read anything so provocative and educational at the same time. Each piece reads like a short story that I think every one can relate to. The book is very tastefully done...in an erotic and provactive type of way. Even my male friends found themselves caught up in reading it. This is a woman who not only writes about what women want and feel but she also writes about men. I am very impressed and I think every man and woman married, single whatever should have a copy of this book. I am looking forward to her next book.

The autobiographical account presented here was found among her papers after her death. During her eight years in the United States and Canada, Mother established with intense energy and effort, eighteen St. Joseph Homes for the children of the poor and for the elderly in need. -from book's flyleaf.

This Book of Christian Prayer (abbreviated) fits into your pocket and can be taken anywhere. For Catholics and Christians who want to lead an everyday prayerful life. It includes,Morning, and Evening Prayer. Night prayers and Office of the Dead. Join the millions who pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day.

Simon Said...(Too) gave me the answers to so many questions. I have found a sense of peace within myself that I did not know could exist. When I feel stressed, I turn to this book to calm me and give me hope of brighter days. I can not express my thanks to the author enough.

Just as the title implies. The tricks of the trade in this book are worth the price,let alone the recipes. A must have if you entertain!!!!