Dreams of Isis: A Woman's Spiritual Sojourn [Paperback]

Normandi Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Drawing on her travels in modern-day Egypt and her lifelong study of Egyptian mythology and art, Normandi Ellis takes us on a moving autobiographical journey through the sacred sites and rituals of Egypt's past, revealing their restorative and transformative power for contemporary women like herself. Ellis's spell-binding prose weaves a tapestry of the personal past and the spiritual eternal in this exploration of the secret wisdom of ancient Egypt.

Editorial Reviews

Review

So often, another's spiritual journey is just that- another's. Not so with this one so beautifully written by Normandi Ellis. Although her odyssey took her into the ancient and alluring mysteries of Egypt, she gives us words for the archetype of sojourn. Her writing is so strong it pierces through the paper and lands squarely on the truths we've faced, or know we must.- Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run with the Wolves -- Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run with the Wolves

Product Details

• Paperback: 417 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835607127
• ISBN-13: 978-0835607124
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars autobiographical book, May 4, 2000

By 

Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreams of Isis: A Woman's Spiritual Sojourn (Paperback)

This delightfully named book is an autobiography of the writer's journey through the Ancient Egyptian myths and symbols. In essence it is a spiritual voyage of discovery which entwines in it discussions of scholarly texts. The end result of the author's experiences is a collection of insights into the human experience and psyche. The book is divided into three parts (The light of heaven; The bodies of light; The light within), has no illustrations, and offers a good 13-page bibliography and excellent footnotes. She discusses the Pyramid Text of Unas, the Legend of Ra and Sekhmet, the opposition of Osiris and Seth, and the Myth of Isis and Orisis, as well as the Ka, Ba and Akh of the Ancient Egyptian, among several subjects. It is recommended for the spiritually open-minded.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very soul-full book..., December 20, 2000

By 

"vayla-nightshade" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams of Isis: A Woman's Spiritual Sojourn (Paperback)

I love this book,but than again I love all the author's books.I didn't know what to expect from this book though.Since it was a journal type of book,I thought I might not like it.I was wrong...I LOVE IT! She is a very Soul-Full person (Iknow that's not how it's spelled,but the author is a very spiritual person and that shines through in this book) I had to re-read chapter 9 ,Ab: the intelligence of the heart,this chapter really made me think,it's so full of wonderful insights.Ex:"...Desire is life manifestly unfolding.If we fail to acknowledge our deep desires,we remain empty inside and vulnerable to the manipulations of those who would seduce us and feed upon our desire nature.We buy goods we don't need,thinking things will supply what we lack in the world.We wind up having affairs thinking that will satisfy our love nature.We rush blindly from this business deal to that,thinking that money and prestige will give us back the power we know we lack.All our addictions-eating disorders,alcoholism,smoking,overt sexuality,violence- are evidence of the desire nature out of control because the heart has tried to tell us what it wants,and we have not paid attention." Further in the chapter it says..."Simplicity of the heart keeps our aims and purpose in life clear.What matters is what is at hand at the moment...In hotep(peace) we contemplate our lives and concentrate our energies on the true desires of the heart aligned with God,rather than chasing after this or that fleeting thought..." The author also says the hieroglyph for peace(hotep) is a loaf of bread,implying nuturing, simplicity,contentment and rest...The ancient egyptians were very wise indeed,they knew how to live life to the fullest and Normandi Ellis conveys this over & over in this book.I got some deep insights into the egyptian myths (which can be confusing) but she explains their meaning very simply and you have an "Aha" moment and know what they meant by that myth. I highly recommend this book,if you are a deep thinker like Ellis.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written by a Woman, But I Like it Too!, June 22, 2000

By 

Steve Olshewsky - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams of Isis: A Woman's Spiritual Sojourn (Paperback)

I can only add to the previous review by saying that I am not a woman, yet I shared the great joy of reading it in my own way. I am not sure what the standards of the reviewer are, but I think she is mistaken in her stinginess if only 4 stars where her comments seem so glowing. I agree with the glowing and would suggest top rating of this excellent work of art!