Customer Reviews

The Circle Of Life: The Heart's Journey Through The Seasons

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In their introduction, these two creative, artistic, imaginative writers link the four seasons to our inner world, which, "also has a yin-yang journey." The journey of the self, they explain, is always in a seasonal place: the greening spring, the flaming autumn, the dark winter, or the bright summer. For each season, they present poems; personal memories; antiphons and gospel prayers; guided meditations; and celebrations, rituals and prayer services. Their tribute to nature and the human spirit is heightened by the full-color page decorations and artwork of Mary Southard, a nationally known visual artist, educator, and "student of the Earth."

The Circle of Life: The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons is a deeply spiritual work of reverence and worship that draws upon the cycle of Earth's four seasons as a means of connecting with its sacred center. Poems, brief song verses, color illustrations, meditations, thoughts for rekindling one's faith, questions for individual reflection and more compose this guide for finding the divine all around, and offering its profound message of love, respect, wonder, and praise for life to readers of all faiths. "Teardrops of Growth": April is soaking the world / with her spring tears. / They patter softly on the roof, / clinging to silent windows. / Gently they fall into soil / diligently turned / and ready for watering...

If you are looking for a stern, in-your-face, pre-Vatican ll book on religion, this is not it! What you will find is a beautiful spiritual companian written by two wise and sensitive nuns and gorgeously illustrated by another talented sister. This is a healing book for many, especially those who feel their Catholic faith has let them down at some point in their life. I think this would also be great for anyone who embraces Waldorf- style education or parenting. I absolutely loved it!!!!!!

This is truly an awesome book. It is truly spiritual and thought-provoking. The language is poetic and draws you into deep meditation. The art work is wonderful and adds to the text immensely. A gem of a book!

I like the concept of viewing life and prayer through the four seasons. I like how the prayers can be used as an individual prays or for group prayer. The words speak to the heart when one does not have the words within. It encourages one to be aware of the presence of God in the day to day ordinary. Simple and direct yet challenging one to move from the head to the heart and be conscious of the movement of prayer. Helps to open our eyes and see life differently. A great addition and help especially when planning for prayer for groups.

This book is so very special. It is definitely a wonderful companion prayer book for those who want to be in harmony with all of the elements of creation.

I purchased this book because of previously reading Joyce Rupp's books for Bible study at my United Methodist church. Some of the references to nature surprised me (perhaps ancient Celtic overtones?) but I believe the authors want us to see God (yes, the female side too, since women are created in God's image as well) in all aspects of our surroundings.I treasure this book and read it every year in every season. Each year I glean something different and gain new insight into my soul. More protestants should read works by these wonderful nuns!

I was pretty disappointed with this book. I guess I went in with high expectations. In the beginning of the book, I thought it might be worthwhile, but as I read on.......the repetitive nature of the book got old very fast. The book could have gotten its message across with a lot less pages. I found the ceremonies that they had in there useless....I hope they don't recommend this book for someone that is lonely. I think the authors idea for the book was a good one, but the execution of their idea didn't deliver in print.

If you remain at all confused as to the nature of this book, simply try google-ing the names of the authors. We find here a trend in the Wiccan religious tradition being written by purportedly Catholic nuns. Here is a quote by Wiederkehr in one of her other books, "God is Someone who has taken the time to sit on a quilt with me waiting for beauty. She is a Mother of Presence." -- Yes, you heard right, God is a woman; does that make Jesus a woman too? It's all so confusing. Buyer beware! This isn't the placid book it claims to be about happy, let's-hold-hands-in-the-sunshine banal spirituality, it is a quiet indoctrination into Wicca.