Shakkai: Women of the Sacred Garden

by Lynn V. Andrews

The bestselling author of the Medicine Woman series taps into the mystical powers of Japan's sacred captured gardens and offers its secrets to all women who seek its magical wisdom and power.

Genres: Spirituality, Indigenous, Fiction, Womens, Native American

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Lynn Andrews is the author of the Medicine Woman Series, which chronicles her three decades of study and work with shaman healers on four continents.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn V. Andrews does her usual good job of mixing storytelling with spiritual lessons from the divine feminine point of view. Having read all of the other books, this one is different in that it takes her into the future to experience the creation of her sacred garden. It is written in vignettes, so stay in the moment as you read to gain the lesson of that particular chapter.

[loeilecoute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I believe this book is Ms Andrews most lyrical and best written book, I have given it four stars because I did not understand the ending where the protagonist is killed without reason. No exploration or reflection explains the tragedy, although I am sure that is a spiritual one. An understanding for the overall narrative of the story and its ending is missing, and I deeply regret that I cannot come to understand why it ended in the manner that it did: having her head cut off by her samurai lover with whom she was deeply in love. There was no battle, no known conflict--nothing that could explain this final event. Even in the last chapter, in the meeting of the Sisterhood of the Shields, where the story could have been explained, is left unexplored. I am bereft.

[Bobbi Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories were okay.. reminded me of the alchemist in the sense where there were mellow lessons but nothing extremely profound. I did however LOVE the cover and illustrations inside

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Words are a sacred tool and must be honored as such. When used carefully, words have magical healing properties. When used to judge, to hate, or to separate, words are deadly. The words you will be using in this workbook are your basic tools for healing on this journey. Treat them with respect. Honor your words." ~ Lynn V. Andrews

Books completed:

--- Medicine Woman, 1981
--- Jaguar Woman and the Wisdom of the Butterfly Tree, 1985
--- Star Woman, 1986
--- Crystal Woman, 1987
--- Windhorse Woman, 1989
--- The Woman of Wyrrd, 1990
--- Shakkai, 1992
--- Woman at the Edge of Two Worlds, 1993

Loved the books - every one of them. Treat them as mythology or as absolute truth. It makes no difference, the larger truth is as real to me as the Cosmic Christ. And to me, that is real! Beautifully written, loved her relationships with her spiritual teachers. For me, these books were real medicine, true spiritual healing.

[Tristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read Lynn V. Andrews' work in a long time and it's great to see that it still speaks to me. I love her writing style and how she mixes time periods together. I love how this book is written like an autobiography - quite a special, mystical journey.

[Lourdes Cambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WORLD HAS NOT MADE THE MOST OF ITS SACRED OR SECRET GARDEN YET. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE ALLIANCE WITH NATURAL HEALTH SCIENCES, SACRED ARTS AND INTUITIVE COUNSELING. THAT MIGHT EVEN RECEIVE ACCREDITATION, AND RESULT IN PRACTITIONER'S LICENSE AND MINISTRY. THIS WOULD BE A FANTASTIC SYNERGY FOR THE TIMES.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last of the series that I read. A Japanese setting. It's very interesting to explore different metaphysical traditions of the world in each of Andrews' books.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, moving beautiful!

[Awenydd Orchantra Faeryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this kind of book! I am going to get them for my daughter(s) if I have them! They're inspiring, with gems of wisdom and beautiful passages. It is like coming out of a dream, of teachings.