47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Spiritual and Creative Awakening, November 26, 2002
This review is from: Soul Sisters: The Five Sacred Qualities of a Woman's Soul (Paperback)
In August, I found myself creatively blocked. At the time, I was unable to move forward on four projects due in November. One day, my frustration level hit the roof. I could not see past the list of things to do and the shrinking timeline. I questioned whether I had the courage and faith to serve as a vessel for each project's creative expression. I left my day job in a daze. As I walked up Massachusetts Avenue, Spirit guided me to Kramer's Books on Dupont Circle. I wasn't sure what I would find, but my soul knew there was something wonderful waiting for me on Kramer's bookshelf. Within twenty minutes of perusing the women's book section, my eyes fell upon Pythia's book. I opened it and read the introduction. One passage captured my attention: "Indeed, the gift of the women's liberation movement has been to show that the talents of women do not just shine in marriage and in child-raising, but in all spheres of life, from politics and sports to art, science, religion, journalism, medicine, and business. Thus, in the last decades of the twentieth century, women's wide ranging creativity has flourished as never before. This historic watershed has opened up endless vistas of possibility for women, allowing them an unprecedented opportunity to experience precious freedoms so long enjoyed by men." Pythia's words described the essence of who I was as a child born in the sixties ... a beneficiary of the women's liberation movement. She reminded me that my creative projects were a blessing despite the temporary appearance of any blocks.
Unable to put the book down, I continued reading the introduction, savoring each word ... each insight ... each revelation that Pythia shared from her own experience. Her reflections on "growing up in the Catholic Church and as a student in a spiritual organization headed by a man" resonated within my soul. Like her, I grew up Catholic and always felt that the religion diminished my ability to serve as an altar girl and worship fully as a whole spirit. Her comments on the power of the goddess movement affirmed my unique spiritual path and creative expression. She helped me see that they were "a beautiful quilt made from discarded fabrics." By the time I finished the introduction, a light had reappeared in my spirit and a bond between a reader and an author was solidified. So I did what any smart person would do ... I purchased the book.
In the weeks following my purchase, the book became the magical elixir I was seeking to awaken my spirit and unblock my creativity. The first chapter on courage introduced me to Judith Jordan's concept of "supporting courage in others." It reminded me of how my mother has been a never-ending source of support. As I have matured, I have been able to return the gift. Together, we share a "courage connection." This insight guided me in completing my short story about a mother-daughter relationship. I greatly appreciate Pythia's selection of stories that illustrated the "courage connection." My favorite is the story of Jane Holmes Dixon and Diane Rehms. It confirmed what I always knew ... that next to Creator, women friends are one of the greatest sources of listening ears, compassion, prayers, and affirmation. Pythia's section on Warrior Queens from History featuring Sojourner Truth made me smile because she is a personal ancestor that I call upon regularly for strength. It also helped me embrace my own personal motto. After reading the story of Isak Dinesen's motto, "Pourquoi Pas? (Why not?), I declared it to be mine. The written exercise on writing the epic of my bravest deeds was cathartic. Making the list took some time. At first, I judged what were my bravest deeds. In the middle of the process, I threw caution to the wind and allowed my pen to dance across several journal pages that I can now use when I get frustrated or feel like I want to quit. The exercise itself was a demonstration of courage. The list of epic deeds paints a picture of a heroine that I can call my own ... me. The exercise on invoking an invisible companion reconnected me to the power of one of my personal goddesses, Sekhmet, a Kemetian/Egyptian goddess who represents courage.
Often times, I move through life so fast that I forget to acknowledge the importance of women friends serving as "faith-holders" in my life. Pythia's second chapter on faith refreshed my memory when she shared her friend Susan's explanation: "women act as faith-holders for one another. What she means by this is that a true soul sister can help her friend stay focused on her quest to live her best life and fulfill a cherished ideal. By doing this, a woman helps keep faith in her friend's unlived potential, even when the rest of the world is doubting or rejecting her goals as impossible dreams." This passage was eye opening because I have not always made the wisest decisions in who I have selected to be my friends. It has become my measure of friendship.
Pythia taught me that selecting "faith-holders" is as important as maintaining an arsenal of inspirational faith walkers. I have added Jane Holmes Dixon to my personal arsenal. Her faith walk journey led to her participation at the Democratic Convention as a panel moderator despite peer discouragement. Completing the exercise on creating a testament of faith gave me a blueprint of beliefs and convictions that would ground and guide me as I pursued my creative projects.
The chapters on courage and faith were the most instrumental in my spirit's awakening and creative breakthrough because they helped me surrender and trust the divine process. I learned how to be a holy vessel ... a soul sister manifesting courage, faith, beauty, love and magic.
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
intriguing journey into my own soul, July 3, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Soul Sisters: The Five Sacred Qualities of a Woman's Soul (Paperback)
As a born-again Christian, I wasn't sure I would enjoy the variety of feminist, mystical, Sufi, Buddhist, etc. experiences this book explores, but I found it fascinating and enriching. Peay is incredibly well-informed, serious, caring, and thoughtful.
I have purchased this book as a gift for many friends of different religious backgrounds, and all have treasured it.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soul Sisters - Pythia Peay, November 25, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Soul Sisters: The Five Sacred Qualities of a Woman's Soul (Paperback)
This amazing book is so beautifully written and deeply researched that one will come back to it over and over again. It is full of inspirational stories of women past and present, renowned and ordinary, as well as the authors personal stories. I have given copies to friends who all feel the urge to share it with others.
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