Peg Streep is the author of Altars Made Easy and many other books about practical spirituality. In this inspirational paperback, she discusses how women can use guardians to bring various emotions or qualities into their lives such as passion, serenity, vision, or compassion. She notes: "The guardians in this book are offered as a way of helping you get around the surmountable obstacles that sometimes block you from doing what you want and need. No matter what you call these obstacles — ambivalence or indecision; lack of focus, vision, or commitment; timidity, fear, or insecurity; or inertia — they can all have the same effect. Each can stop you in your tracks. The guardians can help, but there is one condition. The key to the process is your self-awareness and your willingness to work so that your guardians can guide you."
What kind of work helps this process? Streep suggests meditation, visualization, writing and journaling, storytelling, prayer, affirmations, and creating sacred space. The range of guardians is quite impressive — goddesses, animal spirits, and totems. These can all be called upon for wisdom and strength.
Some of our favorite chapters cover Green Tara and courage, Joan of Arc and leadership, the Butterfly and transformation, Ganesh and negotiation, the Tortoise and patience, Saint Therese of Lisieux and simplicity, and Mary Magdalene and spirituality (see the excerpt).
