Sacred Cycles: The Spiral Of Women's Well Being [Paperback]

Sara Wickham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

Have you ever thought about how you would like to be born, wondered why tampon adverts always use blue liquid or dreamed of living in a society with Government-funded luxury hotels for women who needed space? Have you ever wondered why so many women living in the West still believe their bodies are inferior to men's and that others hold responsibility for their health and well being? By comparing the things we have been taught about our bodies, to real women's experiences, women-centred research and common sense wisdom, this book explores women's reproductive health and well being through the eyes of women themselves, examining myths and opinions and questioning whether the things we learn from the media and through education systems are serving us well. The author explores a wide variety of historical and cultural perspectives, and, drawing on the experiences of over 100 women, the major transitions of women's lives are explored. Does science have all the answers, or is there a space for other ways of knowing? Are medical recommendations more accurate than old wives' tales? How do women care for themselves during their menstrual cycles, or during menopause, and would it be better to turn our ideas of health and healing upside down? This book will enable women to realise that they are the experts in their own lives and health, and enable men to deepen their understanding of who we are.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sara Wickham is a midwife, teacher, researcher and workshop leader Her previous books include Anti-D in Midwifery: Panacea or Paradox?, Midwifery: Best Practice and What's Right For Me?

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Free Assn Books (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853437344
• ISBN-13: 978-1853437342
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,902,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro on Women's Lifecycle, November 18, 2004

By 

Elizabeth Davis "midwife, author" (Sebastopol, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Cycles: The Spiral Of Women's Well Being (Paperback)

Sacred Cycles takes us on a journey through a woman's life, with stops at first menstruation, monthly menses and the moon lodge, pregnancy and birth, mothering and breastfeeding, and menopause. Sara's intention is clear: she wants women to celebrate these physiologic events realize how they are interconnected. She wants us to appreciate the positive transformation inherent in each.

The book is comprised of essays, peppered with women's comments and suggestions. Sara's voice is comforting, reassuring and humorous. As a midwife and midwifery educator, she has much to share in favor of the physiologic and natural, and yet, in the spirit of informed choice, presents a spectrum of options for responding to difficulties we may encounter in our biological transitions. For example, she methodically details women's choices in childbirth, including perinatal tests and procedures, without being dry or tedious.

The chapter on breastfeeding is particularly passionate: "There is an acute need to address the lies, manipulations which we have been fed about breasts, breast milk and breastfeeding... Curiously, although elsewhere in these pages you'll find examples of other blood rites, the rites where blood comes from the vagina, I've never heard of anyone celebrating the blood rite of breastfeeding."

Advice on menopause and aging is well-reasoned and encouraging, and in conclusion, Sara pulls together a spiral view of our lifecycle. This book is a simple, accessible, and appropriate introduction for any woman seeking to embrace her body-based wisdom.

Elizabeth Davis, co-author,"The Circle of Life: Thirteen Archetypes for Every Woman."