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Circle of Stones: Woman's Journey to Herself
Long ago before the patriarchal period, in many places on Earth, the Goddess was worshipped. Circle of Stones draws us into a meditative experience of the lost Feminine and creates a space for us to consider our present lives from the eyes of women's ancient culture and ritual. Incorporating the most ancient symbol of spirituality-the circle of stones-Duerk weaves stories, dreams, and visions of women to lead each reader into a personal yet archetypal journey, posing the reflective question, "How might your life have been different if . . ."
Complete with reading group guide.
Complete with reading group guide.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
80 people are currently reading
1399 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 25, 2020
Unexpected depth and meaning for such a small, simple book. I didn't expect much of it, and I was a little surprised I didn't cry at the poignant parts (I may be too exhausted/dried up), but it still touched me and left me actually wanting to create "A Place of Women" like a temple, with rites and roles that would nurture and support us. A place to go regularly and be with each other... though I could see men benefiting from our temple, too. If only we could share our mysteries with each other, and find where the other genders fit, too, so we could have true community.
Anyway, in my own trauma descent I've been marveling at "just being" and how strange it is that several things can be true at once, and matter while not mattering, and require no talking nor dissecting... even demand silence. My silence has been boggling, for someone who used to have so much to say, who wanted to parse and compile everything. I'm glad I trusted my process, but how much would it have helped to have a witness and companion to keep vigil with me...? To have the wisdom from those who went before? To not think I was the first and only person going through this strange inner event?
Anyway, in my own trauma descent I've been marveling at "just being" and how strange it is that several things can be true at once, and matter while not mattering, and require no talking nor dissecting... even demand silence. My silence has been boggling, for someone who used to have so much to say, who wanted to parse and compile everything. I'm glad I trusted my process, but how much would it have helped to have a witness and companion to keep vigil with me...? To have the wisdom from those who went before? To not think I was the first and only person going through this strange inner event?
March 15, 2012
Essential reading for every woman and adolescent girl. What if we created circles for all females to honor the sacred feminine? What if?
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November 10, 2008A reminder of the gifts of darkness and melancholy. Walking through a dark night of the soul is easier when a woman who has gone before you can shine a flashlight for your direction. You are not alone.
March 21, 2021
Most of this is just silly nonsense and if it helps someone or makes her feel good, that's fine. Some of it borders on harmful I believe, however. The book suggests that depression is a normal part of being a woman and should be embraced as part of the path to one's true self. There is also an implication that serious diseases such as cancer can be the body's way of demanding you make a lifestyle change. I don't know if this is as harmful as the last two examples, but I was irritated throughout the book by how short the distance is between the ideas in the book and a complementarian philosophy, what with the repeated mentions of feminine energy needing support from masculine energy.
February 5, 2008
This book is a classic work. It guides the reader into thought patterns that support the ancient archetypal feminine. With chapters beginning with "How would your life have been if...?" the author illustrates how there is a hole in our present society missing the women's rites of passage. Though slim this book packs a powerful punch and each chapter resonates with you long after you put the book down.
September 12, 2008
Every woman should read this, especially mothers. It's a nice light read, poetic, and very inspiring. Check this out along with her sequel, I Sit Listening to the Wind...though this one was better in my opinion.
June 26, 2008
This is one of those books I periodically reread when I need strength and empowerment.
October 10, 2009
A powerful emotional book that should be read by all women...
August 6, 2010
One of the best books i have ever read
February 2, 2011
Highly recommend for women who need reassurance of their own wisdom in the Dark!
September 28, 2015
beautiful, visionary
November 18, 2017
actual rating 2.5
May 7, 2023
I picked this book up used because books about women’s issues and spirituality tend to interest me. After I started looking through it, I found that it was part poetry, part meditation, and part workbook. At only 123 pages- and some of the pages are blank or have few words on them- I thought it might be a rip-off. I was wrong; some parts are surprisingly deep for how slight they are.
Even though it says nothing about it on the cover, a surprising amount of writing is devoted to dealing with depression. She looks at depression almost as a normal state- a gift, even, that causes us to look within. Having dealt with depression my entire life, I hate the idea that depression is a normal state. I agree with her that having a circle of women, ones who surround us all our lives, would make it easier to deal with depression, or any mental state, for that matter. (it also bothers me that we are ignoring men with depression)
I do feel it would be good to have these circles of women, good to know we were not alone walking through life. It would be good to have guidance, and to know someone had our backs. Some people are not lucky enough to have that. It’s not an ingrained piece of our society.
Every chapter ends with a line about “How would your life have been if…” you had a circle of women surrounding and backing out. I did appreciate those; I may take the time to at least think about those and maybe even write it down. They are good meditations even if I don’t have a drum circle. This would be a good workbook for a women’s group. And, perhaps most important, I feel these ideas would be equally good for all sexes and genders. We all need someone to have our back. We all need people to explain how life works, and what is happening to us as we grow up, and as we age.
Even though it says nothing about it on the cover, a surprising amount of writing is devoted to dealing with depression. She looks at depression almost as a normal state- a gift, even, that causes us to look within. Having dealt with depression my entire life, I hate the idea that depression is a normal state. I agree with her that having a circle of women, ones who surround us all our lives, would make it easier to deal with depression, or any mental state, for that matter. (it also bothers me that we are ignoring men with depression)
I do feel it would be good to have these circles of women, good to know we were not alone walking through life. It would be good to have guidance, and to know someone had our backs. Some people are not lucky enough to have that. It’s not an ingrained piece of our society.
Every chapter ends with a line about “How would your life have been if…” you had a circle of women surrounding and backing out. I did appreciate those; I may take the time to at least think about those and maybe even write it down. They are good meditations even if I don’t have a drum circle. This would be a good workbook for a women’s group. And, perhaps most important, I feel these ideas would be equally good for all sexes and genders. We all need someone to have our back. We all need people to explain how life works, and what is happening to us as we grow up, and as we age.
May 1, 2012
Somewhat hard to follow, but certain passages resonate so clearly that I am inspired and encouraged. As a single mom of a young daughter, I am encouraged that my daughter and I have had the opportunities to open up to one another and I hope that we're building a good foundation for her development.
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December 11, 2008"How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you, a place of women?" Wonderful wise musings on the connections between women, the strength we draw from them.
Cathy G
Cathy G
October 17, 2009
Beautiful, powerful and emotional.
August 5, 2010
Duerk provides wonderful writing prompts that encourage a link to the feminine whole that is lacking (for me).
January 15, 2011
Lent to me by Virginia Lee - wonderful view of women, femininity and wishing for a different way of mentoring and being mentored. Will share some things from this with my women's group.
September 19, 2011
Interesting. One weird part on ancient practices, but other than that it had thought provoking questions and interesting concepts. Definitely a book to talk about with friends.
May 24, 2013
I loved the poetry and depth of feeling in this book. It's one that I would keep in my collection to return to whenever I need to be reminded of the sacredness and power of women's mysteries.
February 2, 2024
I know I will return to this book many times in my life. Easily digestible with profound thoughts and questions in regard to existing as a woman in a time when it can be difficult to be our fullest selves. Duerk does such a beautiful job of embodying the divine energy of womanhood and reminding us of how to live and expand in that energy.
“Ah, young woman, hold on to your voice, your subjective stance, the voice of your individual life. Do not let it be taken from you. It is the very soul of humanity and needs to be cherished and heard. As you claim your place in the world, your authority, perhaps even a position of political power, stay true to your grounding in the ancient feminine. Do not rise above your own creatures needs, but make the quiet nurturing of them the center of your life.” pg109
“Ah, young woman, hold on to your voice, your subjective stance, the voice of your individual life. Do not let it be taken from you. It is the very soul of humanity and needs to be cherished and heard. As you claim your place in the world, your authority, perhaps even a position of political power, stay true to your grounding in the ancient feminine. Do not rise above your own creatures needs, but make the quiet nurturing of them the center of your life.” pg109
February 5, 2023
This book was published in 1989 so it’s probably among the earliest of its kind. Its kind being the ‘imagine how your life would be different if the feminine were respected and revered’ and then some poetic descriptions of possibilities.
I’ve read so many books of this ilk now that it’s hard to feel hugely inspired by them anymore. Nevertheless, I have access to the second book in this series and am reading it now, so obviously this one was good enough to keep on going.
I’ve read so many books of this ilk now that it’s hard to feel hugely inspired by them anymore. Nevertheless, I have access to the second book in this series and am reading it now, so obviously this one was good enough to keep on going.
October 24, 2019
Revelatory. Life changing.
August 5, 2022
A gentle, rhythmical, enchanting call to be more deeply feminine, more truly ourselves, and to support other women in the process of conceiving, growing, birthing, and raising our own Self.
August 16, 2024
This short book would be amazing to read with a group of women and discussed!
December 21, 2019
A wonderful book to ground down after chaotic days.
November 1, 2025
Someone recommended this book to me years ago. Reading it now, it saddened me when the different chapters presented an imagined circle of women surrounding me, to help me through each new stage of my life. (Growing up within a fundamentalist household, I didn’t have this). What if? My life might have turned out very different. Maybe someday, we will finally break free from patriarchal hold. Until then, (and always), love the women in your life unconditionally. We need each other. We won’t make it if we are not holding each other in love.
September 16, 2014
I attempted reading this book years ago and didn't get very far. I think it was because I had not begun to consciously experience my own truth or Eternal Feminine at that time. My wonderful husband's interest and support has always made the time possible for me to slow down, find MY truth and be as I mixed the traditional and sometimes the unorthodox of what being a woman means to me. This reading flew by and so much resonated. Nearly gone are the days of the moon lodge, mentoring by older women and often even the time to think. Maybe we need to re examine that.
May 17, 2010
this book was recommended to me by a woman I admire greatly. At first glance I thought it might be a little too kumbaya for me, and in fact, in some places it is. Overall, the thoughts it started in my head are fabulous about women and how we learn from each other and the importance of learning from each other's wisdom. Great book, just a little too much at some points.
February 22, 2016
This is a beautifully written account of the feminine sacred and women's realationships to each other. Each chapter ends with a thought-provoking question - How might your life have been different if...? It would be an excellent companion to a reading group's study of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent or a personal soul-searching journey of exploration through journaling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews