Her Blood Is Gold: Celebrating the Power of Menstruation (Paperback)

by Lara Owen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Honoring Menstruation is a graceful and empowering book on menstruation, filled with insights..." -- Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom"

"In this wonderful book, she shows how the 'curse', when ritually respected and restored to its ancient position, becomes every woman's crock of gold." -- Chris Knight, PhD, author of "Blood Relations: Menstruation and the Origins of Culture"

"Owen's presentation is so lucid and convincing that one wonders how one could ever have considered menstruation as a problem." -- Steven Bratman, MD, author of The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Every time a woman menstruates she has the opportunity to develop greater self-knowledge and spiritual awareness. Drawing on information from several cultural traditions as well as from her own experiences and those of other women, Lara Owen shows how your period can become a time of emotional deepening and physical renewal during which you can tap into inner wisdom.

"Honoring Menstruation" is an updated, revised and expanded version of Owen's first book, "Her Blood Is Gold" and includes a new section on natural healing methods for menstrual symptoms, as well as a detailed description of the spiritual and emotional phases that occur within the menstrual cycle. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 187 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062506412
• ISBN-13: 978-0062506412
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #497,089 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book you will ever read on menstruation!, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Honoring Menstruation: A Time of Self-Renewal (Paperback)

Lara's Owen's book, "Honoring Menstruation" is a revised, updated and expanded edition of her brilliant and masterful earlier book, "Her Blood is Gold." "Honoring Menstruation" offers the reader a profound perspective on the role of menstruation in the life of women and society. It is a well-researched, beautifully crafted and elegant book. It explores the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical dimensions of menstruation and provides a new and powerful view on this still taboo topic. Owen's book is a classic and a must read for every woman and every man who wishes to understand this powerful part of feminine life. Her book changes lives. You will never look at menstruation in the same way again. Owen's book shows women how to use their menstrual cycle to nourish, restore and balance themselves physically and spiritually by embracing the three phases of menstruation: releasing, emptying, and wisdom. She explores the role of PMS and menstrual cramps and offers new meanings and solutions to these experiences. Everyone should read this innovative, thoughtful and powerful book. A major contribution.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every woman should read it!, December 10, 2000

By	"lynww" (London, Uk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Honoring Menstruation: A Time of Self-Renewal (Paperback)

A nightmare experience at the hands of a brutal doctor who was giving her an internal exam sent Lara Owen off on this fascinating exploration into the rich underworld of the female body. It's a well-written, passionate and thoughtful plea for a return to body-consciousness and acceptance of what it is to be female. The case studies are inspiring, the ideas for self-healing and developing the creativity inherent at this time of the month very intriguing. There is no strident hectoring - Lara Owen writes from the heart - or should I say the womb - and has made a pioneering track for all women, whether interested in enjoying rather than enduring their periods, or the hidden depths of the female psyche. Men who want to understand women should read it too! If you read one book this year, let it be this one!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting take on a cultural taboo..., March 27, 2004

By	Kate (Australia) - See all my reviews

'Her blood is Gold' is a wonderful take on a subject of which, I, like most women, have given little thought to, except for the occasional dispair.

An extremely fast and uncomplicated read, it is essentially an exploration of various misognist treatments of women and their monthly 'curse', and how we as women can come to accept and love with periods, rather than just live with them.

The crux of the work is the idea that women are in the prime of their creativity during menstruation, and thus should take time off to explore this blessing. It also offers helpful monthly rituals and a divinely liberating ode to bellies. Additionally, there is a brief history of menstruation and its link to the goddess.

I was throughly absorbed in this work, however I have a minor issue with the piece. I found it almost a case of reverse sexism, and wondered to myself, when do men get their time off?

Additionally, I felt it played into the hands of prehistorical greek notions of women as 'fevered' and liable to insane outbursts of emotion.

Perhaps I found that where it did not exist, but regardless, I thoughly enjoyed this informative feminist work.