Rooted in Spirit is an anthology of short essays. Some 25 women responded to the invitation to write on women’s spirituality. Each has written from the heart, sharing her own experience and questions and, in the process, creating a book that includes the concerns of women of varied ages, occupations, family circumstances and geographical locations.

“As with many other aspects of understanding life, the masculine model of spirituality was long considered the norm for women as well as men. The spiritual journey was presumed to be a solitary search for another world, typically toward the end of life and isolated from a supportive environment. Such a formulation does not depict the experience of most women, whose spiritual sojourns come into focus in the context of relationships in everyday family and community relationships.” AB Skinner

It is written from a perspective that views the spiritual element as the very core of being as espoused by the mystic and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg. The diversity of women and their stories means there is something for everyone. Some chapters did little for me, but one had tears running down my cheeks as a sister described coming home and sharing the anguish with her family of burying her brother in law. Another tore at my heart strings as a mother struggled through the pain of coming to terms with her homosexual daughter.

I was given hope for young girls as I read of a mother and daughter group that gently allows the aspects of feminine wisdom – purity of body, mind and spirit – to pass to the next generation. Believing true spirituality is a gift from God, one author studied three women of the Bible to learn how we can receive and use our own gift. I came to see a real vision for the role of women in the community and the planet. I know I have an important part to play.

The symbolism of a tree seemed apt. It was found to be “the feminine principle, the nourishing, sheltering, protecting, supporting aspect of the Great Mother, the matrix and the power of the inexhaustible and fertilizing waters she controls”. JC Cooper.

Spirituality is part of the divine pattern for humanity, the essence of our being, yet it must be discovered and chosen by each person for him or herself. I found this book examined ideas that will help me to recognise and cultivate my individual spiritual self. I was given hope for the future of the planet through the power of the nurturing spirit of our feminine aspect.

Rooted in Spirit – A Harvest of Women’s Wisdom, edited by Alice B Skinner.

Rooted in Spirit is available from the Swedenborg Centre at a cost of $20

3/1 Avon Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone: 02 9888 1066