Customer Reviews

The Dancing Animal Woman : A Celebration of Life

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Five years ago I picked up a book called The Dancing Animal Woman by Anne Hillman. I was alone in a small bookstore, relishing the time I had to slowly browse. At first I shied away from its title; it might be too "new agey" for me, but the free-spirited artwork on the cover drew me to it. I read a few lines that I liked, but bought it mostly because I was strangely compelled. I was living then with a newly born, but shaky resolve to trust my own song. Anne's story strengthened that resolve and carried me through those first baby steps towards living more truthfully.

I've read a lot of books in my life. There are a few, however, that arrive at exactly the right moment, delivering just the right message I need. Anne Hillman's book, The Dancing Animal Woman - A Celebration of Life, was one of those books. I had just left a ten-year marriage and was wobbling out into the world pushed by the tremendous force of this decision. I was searching for "passionate aliveness", as Anne calls it.  
Anne's book is personal, honest telling  of her own struggles and illuminations, inspiring and heartening for anyone on the brink of a big life change or in the middle of one.  

Ann O'Shaughnessy - editor of Heron Dance www.herondance.org

A magical book of creative non-fiction, concerning a woman's reflections on her relationship to the universe, herself, and Spirit. Wonderful reading!

I had no idea the journey that Anne Hillman would take me on through the pages of The Dancing Animal Woman. I was looking for a way to integrate all I have been learning about the Universe Story (Swimme, Berry and Conlon) and was drawn to this book. I finished the book changed deeply. I began the descent into my journey within myself and with the Universe.

After I read The Dancing Animal Woman, I bought 10 copies for my women's group. It is such a well-written experiential adventure through the layers of knowing.

Tobey Milne

I always hesitate to use terms like "Gaia," "Great Mother" or "Mother Earth," since they are so overused or used in a flowery sentimental way. But Dancing Animal Woman begs their use in a most positive way, so I will give it a try. This book does things few other books do; the author simultaneously helps us connect with our own animal essence while dancing with the spiritual essence of the...well...earth-universal-star-infinitude...basking in that higher spiritual realm...whatever the heck you want to call it. The book embraces, on a deep visceral level, what we can experience beyond our everyday chop-wood-carry-water consciousness when we're really paying attention...what it's like to love the pull of our muscles with each swing of the ax and brittle click of wood chips gathering at our feet and the harsh pressure of the pail's metal handle in the crook of our fingers and the slosh of the water spilling over the pant leg of our jeans. You get the idea. Books like this are wonderful reminders, like spirit guides lifting us out of the humdrum. I've had this book on my shelf for many years and its cover never gathers much dust because even if I only have time to read a paragraph or two it reminds me that what fills me with wonder is just a few words away.