In this impressive collection of essays by 40 of the world's leading thinkers, a quotation by Native American writer Jamie Sams best conveys the thrust of the book: "How we see ourselves and our effectiveness in the world is totally dependent upon our abilities of imagination and determination. . . . We are asked to see the metaphor for the changes occurring in the natural world as simple reflections of the empowered feminine aspect within humankind. We are collectively giving birth to the intuitive, receptive, transformative, and enduring nature of our human potential."
Editor M. J. Ryan has done a fine job orchestrating the large chorus of women's spirituality with voices from Judaic, Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Native American, Wiccan, African, Asian, Hispanic, and Western traditions. Among the contributors are Jean Houston, Joan Borysenko, Carol Flinders, China Galland, Sylvia Boorstein, Marianne Williamson, Nancy Mairs, and many others. Three authors talk about the importance of women forming and sustaining spiritually centered circles: Jean Shinoda Bolen, Brooke Medicine Eagle, and Glennifer Gillespie. In small groups, women can weave the fabric of the universe as they share values and visions, practice rituals, give wings to their ideals, and serve the world with compassion.