Moon Days : Creative Writing About
Menstruation
Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D.
Ash Tree Publishing 1999
retails for $13.95
Order MOON DAYS in our Bookshop
Some cultures regard woman's puberty as taboo
and something we should be ashamed of; not all. Steele profiles
various cultures' ways of viewing womanhood, especially the
Western one. Here, a woman is to look, act, think, and dress
like a man. How did this come to be and who says so?
This book is about ending the silence and stigma
that occurs concerning menstruation. Many women today still
grow quiet when the subject comes up. Steele's book brings
voice, an openness on the topic.
The book moves through four phases, just as
a woman and their bodies do. The first phase is "Early
Moons"...those first periods. The second phase is "Waxing
Moons...Coming to Light." It moves from adolescence to
adulthood; of feelings, dreams and consciousness. It also
discusses the position our culture places women in as daughters,
wives, mothers, sister, and patients dealing with sons, husbands,
fathers, brothers, and doctors.
The third phase is "Full Moon Celebrations."
This section provides the differences in how mainstream cultures
differs from "natural" or "normal." The
forth phase is "Re-entering the Dark: Poetry and Prayer."
Here, poetry emphasizes the power of being female, suggests
menstruation is more than physical. The back of the book contains
notes, a bibliography, and a listing of contributors, including
their picture and Biography. There are 27 contributors in
all.
As a woman reading Steele's book Moon
Days, I nodded often and said, "Hmm-hmm,
yes, that's true" often. Steele removes the baggage and
gets to the bare truth. I liked her book so much I shared
it with my daughters; ages seventeen and twenty, as well as
women friends and relatives.
I've always wanted my daughters to be comfortable
and proud of being female, to not view themselves as weak
or less than men. Women and men are just different. One is
not better than the other. We discussed being women, shared
our thoughts, concerns, and dreams. Steele provided a springboard.
Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement,
and recalling their first period and everything happening
around it. Most will smile, some shed tears, but all will
feel a kinship with other women. A book to be treasured and
shared by females everywhere. Like having a conversation with
a wise, strong and loving mother. Perfect for mothers and
daughters, or as a gift. Empowering and passionate. Highly
recommended.
To read more reviews by Christina Francine go
to http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com
The
above story is an except from
Moon Days...
Creative Writings About Menstration
edited by Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D
a great collection of women's writings on menstruation, edited by
Cassie Preemo Steele, twenty-six writers explore the "silent"
parts of women's lives; reawakening menstruation memories of embarrassment
and shame and transforming them to wonder, excitement, and laughter.
176 pages, illustrations. .
available through Ash
Tree Publishing
Price: $13.95
Order MOON DAYS in our Bookshop
Click
here to learn more about Moon Days
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