The Circle of Life: The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons

by Joyce Rupp, Macrina Wiederkehr

We long for connections in the midst of disconnected lives--connections to ourselves, to others, to the world we live in. Most of all we yearn to connect with the sacred. In The Circle of Life Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr invite us to listen carefully and closely to the wisdom of each season. Using reflections, poems, prayers, and meditations, they explore the relationship between the seasons of the earth and the seasons of our lives. The Circle of Life encourages readers to connect their experience of the unfolding seasons with inner spiritual growth and movement, and to know that the presence of God is within and around us all.

Genres: Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer

283 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.

Reviews

[Matthew Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful as both a worship resource, and a personal devotional.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of guided meditations, fun rituals, and lovely words to celebrate the seasons.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, with lovely prose, poetry and illustrations. Makes a wonderful gift!

[Kathy Wingard · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/5/2022 Reading is not complete, but putting it aside for now. Will use as resource later

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful seasonal writings connecting nature and God. Also, some liturgies.

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the paschal mystery and our own need to die to ourselves to rise to a new level with Christ! I love the writing style of both of these authors. There are many jewels that can be incorporated to prayer services or retreat presentations or just to help a reader pray in relation to self-emptying.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good spiritual guide to the season with poetry, litanies, prayer exercises and short readings. A friend and I used it as a basis for four seasonal retreats we gave this year. The illustrations are lovely.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent comparison of life to the seasons. Good reflective material

[Hnuen · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it inspirational at the start of each season. A book to turn to year after year