The Book of SHE: Your Heroine's Journey into the Heart of Feminine Power

by Sara Avant Stover

The Book of SHE celebrates all that it means to be a woman, from mythological underpinnings to the cycles of our day-to-day lives. Drawing on archetypes including Mary Magdalene, the Dark Goddess, and Green Tara, Stover will guide you on a journey home to psychological wholeness, personal empowerment, and, ultimately, full feminine spiritual Awakening.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Womens, Self Help, Spirituality, Psychology, Goddess

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

Reviews

[Mamfale · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Loved it more than her first book, though they seem to compliment each other nicely and perhaps should be read simultaneously
- Definitely changed my view of my feminine self, as well as my inner family, PMS and menstruation, and the recurring idea of seasons and cycles
- Stover’s dive into the depths of our complex, female personality is a hauntingly beautiful journey
- Definitely wanna give my Heroine Journey a go!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a mashup of Buddhism, divine feminine studies, and Marion Woodman + Joseph Campbell, stirred together with some personal stories and experiences. I got this book because I was thinking of using it for a study group. There is a lot of good content as a whole, but it draws too heavily on a Jungian type of masculine/feminine duality/binary for my own personal taste. I focus my own work on wholeness as a whole, no need to split off my own drive/ambition into some notion of my “masculine” as dissociated from my “feminine”—it is just who I am and I honor that wholeness of who I am, vs. feeling inspired to dialogue with all of the archetypes within. I’ve just not connected with that style/theory since I was in my late teens and working on my psychology degree. (I’m now 42...still find there are ways of understanding myself that I consider to be more holistic/encompassing and psychologically healthy.)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

{This review + a giveaway were originally published at http://www.sheofthewild.com/blog/2016...}

When I was offered the opportunity to read + review The Book of SHE, I jumped at the chance. Not only was it already on my divine/empowered feminine to-read list, but I thought it particularly jived with what we do here at She of the Wild. I'm always looking for more delicious reads on this not-very-well represented subject matter, and Sara's book seemed perfect for my tastes.

Each chapter of The Book of SHE includes:

the main text, on topics such as "Becoming a Whole and Holy Heroine" and "Ending the War Within"
exercises to help you practice and incorporate Sara's teachings into your real-world life
journaling prompts to bring you deeper into your heroine's journey
access to supplemental materials on Sara's website, such as audio recordings of the meditations included in the book, which I LOVED -- I always get frustrated when authors include meditations in their books, but don't include an audio version
Sara also describes some of her personal experiences from her own heroine's journey. I always enjoy reading such anecdotal stories, but find that many books swing heavily either toward or away this material. The Book of SHE offers a great balance between the author's life experiences and the inspirational instruction.

I particularly enjoyed how Sara shared some of the feminine archetypes that have showed up in her life -- including Emily Dickinson. Yes, the poet. You know that I swooned over Emily being treated as a divine feminine archetype!

The Book of SHE is easy to read -- but does lead you into some complicated terrain, such as journeying to our personal underworlds and healing our mother wounds (yikes). This is necessary for those women who are seeking to live more awake and more empowered, but it can be very uncomfortable. Thankfully, Sara offers a lot support as you traverse this tricksy terrain.

I felt extremely challenged by much of The Book of SHE -- but in ways that felt healthy and necessary. And I also felt incredibly inspired by Sara's words and excited to see what embracing some of her practices might do for me.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"We are at the point where, as grown women, we recognize the need to stop pushing ourselves forward from a hidden agenda to be loved" (p. 35).

"Our bodies aren't indentured servants here to labor for us until we take our dying breath. They are sacred chalices . . . . Our bodies always tell the truth and hold the information we need to thrive" (p. 43).

". . . every moment of the day can be SHE space, if we allow it to be. When we're nursing the baby, driving on the freeway, and chopping onions, we can be at home in our bodies and alive in our senses. Rather than getting lost in thoughts, we can fully inhabit our lives" (p. 81).

"We need to see the darkness as part of our nature. It's half of the miracle of life -- a safe and holy place -- imbued, like dark chocolate, with bittersweet beauty. We need to remember that all true creativity springs from the darkness. We need to learn to hold sleep, surrender, and uncertainty as profound spiritual practices" (p. 102).

[Tristy at New World Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsements:
“Women’s bodies and minds are different from men’s, and the best way toward a healthy, satisfying life is to embrace that difference. Provocative and thorough, The Book of SHE explores the mystery and alchemy of what it means to be a woman. Sara Avant Stover will guide you toward reclaiming the power and beauty of your own amazing body in this groundbreaking book.”
— Sara Gottfried, MD, author of The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep, Sex Drive and Vitality Naturally with the Gottfried Protocol

“What a truthful, beautifully written guide for women seeking a feminine path to wholeness. Sara Avant Stover offers herself in these pages, and I devoured them!”
— Jennifer Louden, author of The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year

“Sara Avant Stover has created the ultimate emotional journey road map for a woman to reclaim what is sacred about her. This book weaves together stories from our feminine spiritual heritage with practical strategies to facilitate healing your feminine spirit. It’s an inner journey that ultimately allows you to live a soul-centered and passionate life!”
— Alisa Vitti, author of WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source and founder of www.FLOliving.com

“Sara Avant Stover knows that to give form to your dreams, you must recover your feminine field. Instead of tracking linear pathways for success, The Book of SHE calls for embodying your sacredness. Stover has created a priceless map for how to live from the beauty you contain.”
— Tami Lynn Kent, author of Wild Feminine: Finding Power, Spirit, & Joy in the Root of the Female Body, Wild Creative: Return to Your Natural Creative Flow in Home, Work, and Life and Mothering From Your Center: Tapping Your Body's Natural Energy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

[Cassi]

This book has taken me over a year to read, because, I, like the book directs, took a long journal through my inner world and came out the other side a more complete, aware, empowered woman. Avant Stover's writing is a nice balance of personally illustrative and guiding. Like she predicted I scoffed at parts, and then a few months later found my self devouring them. This is one that will become a reference book whenever I find myself coming apart. I really appreciate her understanding of the issues women face and her approachable way to help us help ourselves. I really think this book is good for any woman, no matter how "together" or how "damaged." It would also be good for men who want to understand the impacts of the world on women.

[ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book over a few months, dipping in and out of it. There are plenty of takeaways, particularly about menstruation and embracing femininity in a world that does not necessarily encourage or support these qualities. I found the last third of the book quite a difficult read, but perhaps I wasn't in the right headspace. I also couldn't ignore the privilege required to go on this journey, and by the end, I was over Stover's constant references to countless retreats she has attended. I can't help but feel that this book, on the whole, is written for a very tiny slice of the population (which is not a criticism, just an observation).

[Cristine Mermaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shows that it took me months to read this book but it's not because it was hard to read or was boring. This book is a journey and involves and a lot of writing, meditations, and activities/rituals. It follows the story of Persephone and her descent/ascent into the underworld and makes it personal and real. It is life changing and even if you aren't into goddess worship, it will give you a lot of insight into yourself.

[Jaime Fleres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful and important book for all women on the path. I have been fortunate to work directly with the author in a 9-month course based on this book and it completely changed my life. I would recommend this book to any of my friends.

[Aggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little out there for me at some points, but also gave me a lot to think about and lots of ideas for growth in my daily life! Also noted the privilege that much of the practices in the book necessitate - many do not have access to so many therapists, life coaches, retreats, etc.

[Madelyne! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts very good; others plodding. I found it rather a "heavy" book to read

[Gerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. She seems very young to be the authority on the archetypal journey of womanhood. Not for me.

[Amanda]

Re-read of this book as part of a book club with the author.

[Deanna Beaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not for everyone. A little eccentric in some spots for my taste, but I still took a lot away from this book/journey.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 5 out of 5]

***This book was reviewed for the San Francisco Book Review***

Stover’s Book of SHE was an amazing journey of self-discovery. I had not intended to get as drawn into it as I did. I felt compelled to stop and carry out the appropriate tasks, which slowed my reading.

Stover details an alchemic working focusing on the heroine's journey, which is rather different than the hero’s journey made popular by Joseph Campbell. The heroine's journey is just as prevalent in myth, legend, and modern culture, though it oft tends to be overlooked. It is a subtle journey spiraling within. Stover pays homage to both Campbell, and his hero’s journey, as well as Maureen Murdock's heroine's journey, as laid out in The Heroine's Journey: Woman's Quest for Wholeness. Oh, and let’s not forget Carl Jung and archetypes, which play such a vital role in either journey.

This book will teach you to embrace your divine female energies, which men and women both have, and to learn acceptance for the cyclical things in your life. These lessons were especially important to me. My natural feminine cycles and I do *not* get along. I am working on correcting that now, and already I can sense greater creativity in my life. I found the meditations useful, though mine went in quite unexpected directions.

Other tasks prompt you to work with inner archetypes, such as the Inner Critic, Wounded Child, Patriarch, and others. All are Shadow reflections that hold valuable lessons. They developed as they did as a protection. It is your job to meet them, thank them, and work together to find better life strategies from there on out. It is long work that requires dedication, but the payoff at the end is wonderful. My own archetype work, within the context of the exercises in this book, manifested in wildly different ways than I expected.

The Book of SHE is a must read for any, be they female or male, to get in touch with the anima and feminine energies that we all hold within. If you follow the exercises and tasks laid out in the book, you will find yourself growing and blossoming in unexpected ways, as you release and waken energies long dormant.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

When you read between the lines, the author comes across as so self-centered it's amazing that the book was not called "The Book of Me." The author mentions a large team of therapists, most of whom adore her (of course). Here are three major concerns about this book.

1. The book is primarily written for women who are still menstruating. Even if you fall into this category, you may find much of the advice to be over-the-top, such as taking a day off from work each month when you get your period, telling everyone in advance when you'll be getting your period so they can mark it on their calendars and treat you accordingly, etc.

2. If you've hit menopause, you're supposed to carry on with the "program" by following the moon cycles. However, since this is not the plan for the primary audience, the details on how to do this are few and far between. (Do you take a day off from work on that day of the moon cycle, too?)

3. At one point the author actually goes to a strip club with her fiance (check the index for "stripper"), and she assures readers that she and the (paid) lap dancer made a genuine connection. If a man wrote that ("I went to a strip club and the lap dancer thought I was really hot!"), he would be laughed off the planet. Yet here it is, in print, receiving five-star Amazon reviews. The author notes that she only takes her "advanced" students with her on return journeys to the strip club, which seems to imply that if you aren't open enough to believe that the strippers are eager participants, you just aren't far enough advanced in your personal growth.

If none of these issues concern you, this book may in fact be your cup of tea. If not, save yourself some serious eye rolling and move on.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, soul-igniting book and such a needed spirit guide for women. In the realm of emotions and spirituality, I have largely felt neglected--like no path was tailored to my needs. This book addressed so many of my deep-seated wounds and gave me the guidance and space to work with and not against the most hidden parts of me.

I love the sections that work with the Dark Goddess and the Inner Vulnerable Child. I have learned so many important, healing, grounding rituals from this book that help me relate to myself in a whole new way. I can literally pin my newfound calmness and abundant happiness on the work that came out of my yoga and reading this book.

Such a wonderful journey in book form. I've already read this book twice all the way through in the space of four months, and expect to return to it again and again whenever I come up against challenges and need a prompt for a healthy way through it.

I want to buy this book for every woman in my life, and a handful of men too! So far, I've recommended it to family, friends, blog readers, yoga students and teachers of all genders.

[Madelyn Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that almost felt like the PERFECT BOOK? One that covered every arena you wish a book would cover but nobody can seem to do? That was this one for me.

I'm very into the conversation around the Feminine and the Masculine, so I already have a huge interest around this topic, but the way Sara Avant Stover delivers this sensitive and sometimes hard-to-translate topic is nothing less than incredible.

If you're remotely interested in learning about your Feminine Essence or what real Masculine Power looks like I HIGHLYYYY recommend you get your hands on this. Amazing. Book.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!!!!!!!

[Lisa Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read especially for young women and seniors alike. Very grounding. One of the better books out there on the Divine Female

[Jasmine Holloman]

I wanted to love this book so much, but I just couldn't get into it. There were some quotes I took away and are adding to my journal, but for the most part I wasn't a fan of this book. I may try again in the future.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

some good points, definitely need to reread and attempt to integrate some of the main concepts in my life