This book was recommended to me by an extraordinary woman, my mother. I feel lead to admit that the subtitle caused me to shelf the book for a few months before cracking the cover. I had never read a feminist book before and in my ignorance only images of lesbian women burning their bras came to mind. But as I matured, the idea of a Sacred Feminine intrigued me. The author Sue Monk Kidd, has quickly become one of my favorite fiction writers, she also authored "The Secrete Life of Bees". Her imagery and use of quotes and myths help to make her experiences come alive. I joined the author on her journey of demystifying the feminine experience and understanding why our culture has chosen to rob us of the feminine divine. She illustrates beautifully the ancient myths and biblical characters that equalized the godly contributions women have made throughout history. Kidd so eloquently displays the disservice we have brought to humanity by cloaking the sacred feminine and holding so tightly to patriarchal traditions.
She listed numerous examples in her roles as daughter, sister, mother, wife and parishioner; where she chose to accept second class citizenship rather than expose her personal truths. Personally, I had never really given much thought to the many subtle ways women have allowed themselves to be discounted and removed from society and history.
There are many quotes and stories in this book that resonate with me, but one I will carry with me always. "Re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, and dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem, and have the richest fluency, not only in words, but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes, and in every motion and joint of your body." Walt Whitman
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