The Queen of My Self: Stepping Into Sovereignty in Midlife [Paperback]

Donna Henes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

From one of the leading spiritual practitioners writing and working today, a landmark book that celebrates a new mythic model for the middle years of a woman's life - —the Queen!

Millions of women are now entering or in the midst of midlife. With unprecedented freedom, education, longevity, and wealth, they hold positions of unheard of responsibility and stature. No longer Maidens, nor Mothers, and not yet old Crones, the question arises: Where do these dynamic, accomplished middle-aged women fit into the traditional description of the three stages of womanhood? In The Queen of My Self, Donna Henes proposes a completely original paradigm that of the midlife Queen, a woman in her prime who has achieved wisdom, mastery, and self-esteem - that reflects more accurately the realities and needs of women today. Henes draws on history, mythology, and literature, her own life experience, as well as stories from women in many different societies, situations and stations to provide upbeat, practical, and ceremonial inspiration for all women who want to enjoy the fruits of an influential, passionate, and powerful maturity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finally, an archetype of midlife power and maturity that I can relate to - the Queen!" -- Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

"For those intrepid ones among us who intend to take ownership of our lives, this book is our revolutionary manifesto." -- Vicki Noble, co-creator of Motherpeace Tarot and author of Shakti Woman and The Double Goddess

"Insightful, funny, a treasure, from one of the best 'goddess gals' around." --Olympia Dukakis

About the Author

Donna Henes is an internationally recognized urban shaman, writer and artist whose joyful celebrations of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than one hundred cities for thirty years. She is also the author of The Moon Watcher's Companion, Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles, and Celebrations, and Dressing Our Wounds In Warm Clothes, as well as the CD, Reverence To Her: Mythology, the Matriarchy, & Me. In addition to teaching and lecturing worldwide, Mama Donna, as she is affectionately called, publishes an acclaimed quarterly journal, Always In Season: Living in Sync with the Cycles, and maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop, ritual practice and consultancy where she works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every imaginable occasion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Monarch Press; 1st edition (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975890603
• ISBN-13: 978-0975890608
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #518,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Goddesses

More About the Author

'Unofficial Commissioner of Public Spirit of NYC.' The New Yorker
'Part performance artist, part witch, part social director for planet earth.' The Village Voice
'Globally significant theater-in-the-round.' Brooklyn Bridge Magazine
'The woman is balanced.' Paper Magazine
'Solstice Sister.' TimeOut New York
'The Original crystal-packing mama.' NY Press
'Frankly, I do not doubt her.' Dan Rather
'Insightful, funny, a treasure. One of the best 'goddess gals' around.' Olympia Dukakis

Donna Henes is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher, popular speaker, and award-winning writer specializing in multi-cultural ritual celebrations of the cycles of the seasons and the seasons of our lives. Her joyful celebrations of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than one hundred cities for thirty-three years.

She the author of four books, The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife, The Moon Watcher's Companion, Celestially Auspicious Occasions': Seasons, Cycles, and Celebrations, and Dressing Our Wounds In Warm Clothes, as well as the CD, Reverence To Her: Mythology, the Matriarchy, & Me and an acclaimed quarterly journal, Always in Season: Living in Sync with the Cycles. She writes a weekly column for UPI Religion and Spirituality Forum. In addition to teaching and lecturing worldwide, Mama Donna, as she is affectionately called, maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop, ritual practice and consultancy where she works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every imaginable occasion.

Henes is a founding member and on the Board of Directors of the International Center for Celebration, and she served as a children's book award judge for the United Nations Jane Addams Peace Association from 1980-1988. In 1982, she composed the first satellite peace message in space: 'chants for peace * chance for peace.'

She has been a recipient of four fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as numerous project grants from municipalities, corporations, and foundations. Her listings include: Who's Who in America; Who's Who in American Art; Who's Who in Entertainment; Who's Who in American Writers, Editors, and Poets; and The World's Who's Who of Women.

For further information about Donna Henes' work or to request a calendar of upcoming events, a list of publications and services, and a complimentary copy of Always in Season, contact Mama Donna at:
www.DonnaHenes.net
www.TheQueenOfMySelf.com
To purchase multicultural ceremonial tools and supplies go to:
www.MamaDonnasSpiritShop.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Urge to purge, April 14, 2005

By 

Deni DeYonker (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen of My Self: Stepping Into Sovereignty in Midlife (Paperback)

Are you around 50 or so and feeling the urge to purge? Do you have a burning desire to make changes in your life--becoming more creative while you focus on yourself for a change? Donna Henes's book "The Queen of Myself" blows the triple goddess out of the water and creates a new paradigm of selfhood. Like the four seasons and the four phases of the moon, Donna introduces the four stages of womanhood--Maiden, Mother, Queen and Crone. "The Queen of Myself" incorporates the personal with the mythological to create a new concept for women and aid women in midlife. Pick up the book and explore what it means to be "Queen".

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the crown - you deserve it!, August 6, 2005

By 

Joni Golden "I embrace, support and nurture p... (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen of My Self: Stepping Into Sovereignty in Midlife (Paperback)

Maiden. Mother. Crone.

For centuries, women fell into three, well-defined categories, following the hormonal curve from first menses through menopause and straight on 'til death.

Times have changed, and our need to redefine womanhood seems to be following. No longer do post-menopausal women instantly enter 'cronehood' with its stooped and wizened imagery.

In fact, enlightened and powerful women in mid-years often begin new lives with a sense of freedom, following changes in family and lifestyle.

They become, author Donna Henes says, The Queen of My Self.

Subtitled Stepping into Sovereignty of Midlife, this 2005 release begins by delicately weaving a convincing fabric of wisdom and logic, describing the ancient archetypes and why they no longer apply. Everything here we already know to be true, whether we are Queens or members of her court.

A noted urban shaman and ceremonialist, Henes presents evidence showing the sacred nature of the number four, and how it relates to aspects of Queen: Consolation - caring for yourself, Contemplation - noting the process, Seclusion - being alone with your feelings and Creation - harnessing the power inside.

Embedded in the advice about each stage is the central message of Henes' work: That women must honor this sacred time of our lives in a way women before us could not.

The Queen of My Self is an entertaining and inspirational read, thanks to Henes' engaging voice and soft humor. And most women approaching their mid-life years should find themselves in its pages.

You may already be implementing Henes' suggestions and ideas, without having a hook to hang them on. You may be unaware, locked into traditional archetypes and afraid of what you imagine your future will be.

The Queen of My Self will touch you, either way.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-read Guide to Midlife, March 17, 2005

By 

Renee G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen of My Self: Stepping Into Sovereignty in Midlife (Paperback)

This book made me excited about turning 50! Great inspirational advice, interesting historical perspective, and a lot of practical suggestions for stepping into your full power in the prime of your life. Henes writes in a down-to-earth voice, with a sense of humor. Nothing stuffy or "head in the clouds" about this book. If you take it to heart, and do some of the activities on the "Queen Pages", you will feel like you are well on your way to becoming your best self!