Customer Reviews

Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women

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I love this book for a number of reasons. Firstly, a short biography preceeds each set of poems. This lends backround to the art and the effect of such is dramatic and important. Context is everything. Secondly, the selections are awesome and seem to translate well into English. Lastly, a portrait is painted of women *over time* experiencing the many different ways of relating to spirit, from longing to ecstacy to regret. This is one of my all-time favorite books. Even if you have no previous interest in poetry but do in women's spirituality, invest in this one. You won't be disappointed.

An amazing book, of value to poets, mystics, seekers, feminists... Not only is the poetry astounding and breathtaking, but the editor Hirshfield displays a profound understanding of the similarities and differences among the mystical traditions of different cultures and religions. Her introductory essays on the poets she anthologized are worth the price of the book all by themselves.

Highly recommended.

This is the first anthology I got years ago that made me say, Wow! Includes Sappho, Rabia, Yeshe Tsogyel, Hildegard of Bingen, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Hadewijch of Antwerp, Lal Ded, Mirabai, Bibi Hayati, Tsvetaeva. The best collection I've found of women's voices in sacred poetry.

This is a diverse book containing poetry and prayers from all eras and walks of life.
I find it very inspiring.

When I was doing research for my book, Infamous Eve, A History, I found the translation of The Hymn to Inanna done by Jane Hirshfield to be the best to be found. May Sinclair

This has dozons of great short bardics for arts compentions. It also gives a nice start on documentation for periodness.Highly recomended for any Medieval Lady for her bardic entry. It does go out of peroid on ether end, but still a great find.
Vittoria duSolie deLeoncouer, Caer Derwyth, (HMR)