#spirit feminist bookclub

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Announcement no.1

Hello loves, this book club will be up and running soon! I'm formatting a timeline/calendar for the first book which will be The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries by Zsuzsanna Budapest. If you have a copy or can find one by April 1st, that's fantastic! Otherwise, I'm currently looking through a PDF version I found and making sure it lines up with my physical copy for you all to use who don't want or have the time to get a physical copy.

[pyrobassist]

my thoughts on tarot I think the tarot system at its core use operates with archetypical narratives, the main and well-known images from our perception of our own life. This makes it a psychological stimulation focused on the connection with one’s subconsciousness through intuition and associations. It’s worth noting that the more a person distances from the existing descriptions and meanings, the more personal and deep the process becomes for her, “magical” in some way. Tarot images are like language, by which a person is able to speak with her inner self and, by responding to the received sights, to explore it deeper. The magic of tarot is the art of authenticity- if by looking for an answer we receive it from ourselves then in the foretelling of the future it is the way for us to remain true to our moral compasses.

[lindsay-buckinghem]

Two Dianic Affirmations from The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries (reading for @spirit-feminist-bookclub and you can too!) that I want to share:

When cooking:

It is not just dinner that I cook but I cook the universal cauldron of change.  I am part of all women who do this every day and I cook my own nurturance.  I am nourished by my creations.  I am Goddess of the cauldron.  And I cook Health.

When visiting friends:

May friends and foes be gentle with my love.

[distributhor-of-happiness]

Aujourd’hui, je vous parle d’une book box anglaise qui m’a tapé dans l’oeil : BOOKS THAT MATTER. Pour la petite histoire, j’ai reçu un petit budget comme cadeau de Noël de mon papa pour acheter une box livresque. Pour être sûre que ça me plaise, il m’a laissé passer commande moi-même. Janvier étant sold-out assez rapidement sur le site de booksthatmatter, j’ai donc du attendre le mois de février. Bonne nouvelle, ma box est arrivée cette semaine et j’ai pris grand plaisir à la déballer. 

Si vous ne connaissez pas cette entreprise (UK = anglophone), voici quelques infos que j’ai pioché sur leur site :

Books That Matter is a brand putting women’s writing in the spotlight through unique reading experiences. Our bestselling book subscription boxes are the main vehicle for our message, each capturing an important theme specifically to enlighten, educate and empower, all in a way that feels like a gift every single month. For just £16 a month, each box contains a book by female authorship, and at least 3 themed gifts by independent female creatives. Our brand also encompasses events with high profile authors, two podcasts, an online members bookclub, and merchandise too.

Ce mois-ci, le thème porte sur les BANNED BOOKS (livres bannis, prohibés).

As feminist book lovers there is nothing quite so disturbing as the thought of precious works being censored, banned or even burnt. Yet, while we clutch our precious hardbacks in horror, we must recognise that so many of our much-loved classics have had to stubbornly overcome struggles in order to win the fight for freedom of speech.

Vu le prix (1 mois = 17£), la boite est évidement moins conséquente qu’une box owlcrate par exemple. Toutefois, la portée de la boite (féminisme, sujets importants..) est bien plus grande et porte plus à la réflexion. C’est d’ailleurs pour cela que je me suis dirigée vers ce choix-là lorsqu’il a fallu que je choisisse parmi les dizaines de box existantes.

Voici maintenant quelques photos du contenu de la boite (que vous attendez tous avec impatience j’imagine!) :

Le livre : THE COLOR PURPLE de Alice Walker est un roman épistolaire paru en 1982 qui a d’ailleurs été adapté au cinéma par Spielberg en 1985 (va falloir que je cherche dans les archives du cinéma pour le regarder après ma lecture). Il a gagné le Pulitzer de la fiction et National Book Award.

The Color Purple is a classic. With over a million copies sold in the UK alone, it is hailed as one of the all-time ‘greats’ of literature, inspiring generations of readers.

Set in the deep American South between the wars, The Color Purple is the tale of Celie, a young black girl born into poverty and segregation. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls ‘father’, she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery – and magic-maker – a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually, Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves.

La bonne nouvelle, c’est qu’il existe en français pour ceux qui seraient intéressés de le découvrir. Voici le résumé traduit:

“Toute ma vie je m’ai moquée de ce que les gens pensaient de moi. Mais dans mon coeur, c’était important Dieu qu’est-ce qu’il pensait. Et voilà maintenant que j’ai compris, il pense pas, il se prélasse là-haut, assis sur son trône à faire la sourde oreille.”

Célie est née sous de tristes auspices. Hier régulièrement violée par son père et aujourd’hui négligée par son mari, elle ne connaît des hommes que leurs pires travers. L’amour, pour elle, c’est d’abord Shug, une merveilleuse chanteuse de blues qui saura l’extraire de sa pauvre vie. C’est aussi Nettie, sa soeur, missionnaire en Afrique, avec laquelle elle correspond sans relâche. L’amour, c’est encore le bon Dieu, à qui elle s’adresse parfois, même si elle a l’impression qu’il la laisse un peu tomber.

Alors ? Qu’en pensez-vous de cette book box ? J’avais tellement hâte de plonger dans cette histoire que j’ai commencé le livre aussitôt reçu. Il ne sera même pas passé par la case “PAL”. J’aime beaucoup l’idée de découvrir des auteurs et des romans que je n’aurais jamais acheté moi-même dans un autre contexte. Je vous donnerai mon avis sur le livre d’ici quelques jours 🙂

Quant aux goodies, ils sont certes moins “flamboyants” que ceux livrés dans les Owlcrate mais ils ont leur petit cachet et on voit aussi que chaque item est minutieusement choisi pour être en thème avec le livre du mois. La boite contient ce mois-ci : un marque page, des cartes inspirantes à mettre au mur, un tote-bag, du thé, un kit de broderie trop mignon et le livre d’Alice Walker.

Je suis donc ravie d’avoir pris un abonnement de trois mois qui me permettra de renouveler l’expérience dès le mois prochain ❤

Unboxing #1 – Books that matter Aujourd'hui, je vous parle d'une book box anglaise qui m'a tapé dans l'oeil : BOOKS THAT MATTER.

[noellegraycreative]

DECEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH: We're Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True by Gabrielle Union Especially excited to dive into December’s book in the coming days so go ahead and start making your purchases. This will be the last memoir that we read for a while as I put together the 2018 list of reads for us. Description: In the spirit of Amy Poehler’s Yes Please, Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl, and Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist, a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman. 📸: @prettypageturner #bookclub #bookofthemonth

[jessicakehoe]

Black Lives Matter: 57 Racism Awareness Books, Movies, Resources and More

The past week has been a heavy one. The reality of anti-Black racism in the US, Canada and around the world is no secret. But over the last several days, the outrage over repeated and systemic violence against Black people reached a boiling point, fuelled by a recent spate of police brutality. In response, white people and other non-Black folk around the world are taking it upon themselves—finally—to educate themselves to be better allies, to unlearn generations of internalized racism, and to attempt to become the anti-racist citizens the world needs in order to have a chance at lasting change.

The past week may have been a wake-up call for some but the truth is, nothing about this is new. This is what Black communities have been living with for centuries. As Roxane Gay writes in a recent op-ed for the New York Times, about the post-pandemic status quo people are hoping to return to: “The rest of the world yearns to get back to normal. For Black people, normal is the very thing from which we yearn to be free.”

If you’re a non-Black person who has never fully engaged with the reality of systemic racism due to your own privilege, it’s on you to educate yourself. Read on for a list of films, television shows, books, social media accounts and other resources to turn to in the coming weeks, months and years to understand better the history of anti-Black racism.

FILMS & TV SHOWS 13th, Ava DuVernay (Netflix) Fruitvale Station, Ryan Coogler (on demand) The Hate U Give, George Tillman Jr. (Crave) Ninth Floor, Mina Shum (National Film Board of Canada) Selma, Ava DuVernay (on demand) I Am Not Your Negro, Raoul Peck (Amazon Prime Video) If Beale Street Could Talk, Barry Jenkins (Amazon Prime Video) Do The Right Thing, Spike Lee (on demand) Just Mercy, Destin Daniel Cretton (on demand) Clemency, Chinonye Chukwu (on demand) Watchmen, Damon Lindelof (Crave) Journey to Justice, Roger McTair (National Film Board of Canada) Les Misérables, Ladj Ly (on demand) When They See Us, Ava DuVernay (Netflix) BlackKklansmen, Spike Lee (Crave) The Good Fight, Robert King, Michelle King and Phil Alden Robinson (on demand) Beyond Moving, Vikram Dasgupta (Hot Docs Canada) The Colour of Beauty, Elizabeth St. Philip (National Film Board of Canada)

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I got to spend time with my WHEN THEY SEE US family yesterday and every minute was a joy. Netflix screened our film and we had a beautiful talk afterward moderated by my dear friend JJ. Then, our brilliant composer Kris played his piano live with images from the film projected above him. Magnificent. And my stellar teammates from @arraynow were in the house for it all – which made it even better. Earlier in the day, we were honored with four awards by @aafca. It was one of those days that at the end of it, you just smile, basking in the light of friends and loved ones. Hugs to all. xo Styling: @jasonbolden @starburleigh Makeup: @adamburrell Hair: @ladysoulfly

A post shared by Ava DuVernay (@ava) on Aug 12, 2019 at 7:55am PDT

BOOKS White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates Me and White Supremacy, Layla F Saad Born a Crime, Trevor Noah Becoming, Michelle Obama The Color Purple, Alice Walker I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou Girl, Woman, Other, Bernardine Evaristo Dreams From My Father, Barack Obama Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi Sulwe, Lupita Nyong’o Beloved, Toni Morrison

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Sneak preview of the paperback cover of #girlwomanother! Published 5 March 2020. In case you're wondering, the hardback cover design was too subtle to stand out in the smaller pbk size. I was staggered to discover this week that the novel was the 12th bestseller for hardback fiction in the UK for 2019, and only one of two books on the list that are not 'mass market big-hitters' (Lee Child, John Grisham, Sophie Kinsella, Stephen King, JoJo Moyes, Le Carre, etc) – although all bestsellers become just that. So – the surreality of Being Bookered (and Baracked) continues. My work is reaching readers who wouldn't normally encounter it or want to read it. Barriers are coming down and my 12 womxn are flying off into a life of their own. #ase #grateful #bookstagram #books #penguinbooks #bookclubofinstagram #booklover #bernardineevaristo

A post shared by Bernardine Evaristo (@bernardineevaristowriter) on Jan 10, 2020 at 2:19am PST

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS Rachel Elizabeth Cargle, writer and activist (Instagram) Deray Mckesson, activist (Twitter) Brittany Packnett, activist (Twitter) Tyrone Rex Edwards, reporter (Instagram) Tracy Peart, makeup artist (Instagram) Nikki Ogunnaike, Deputy Fashion Director, GQ (Instagram) Nikole Hannah Jones, journalist (Twitter) Donte Colley, influencer (Instagram) Mustafa the Poet, poet and songwriter (Instagram) Danielle Prescod, Style Director, BET (Instagram) Kathleen Newman-Bremang, writer (Twitter) Roxane Gay, writer (Twitter) Shannae Ingleton Smith, entrepreneur (Instagram) Sasha Exeter, influencer (Instagram)

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Swipe for resources. • Racial justice is a feminist issue and the deep disparity in how white women showed up for “all women” at the women’s march but haven’t showed up in the millions for the current uprising speaks to the @harpersbazaarus article I wrote back in 2018 titled “When Feminism Is White Supremacy In Heels” • My work has always been done through the intersected lens of race and womanhood. You can find more resources from me on this topic in my bio including the link to my article and the link to my recorded lecture Unpacking White Feminism. • White women I am demanding you tap into the radical empathy I mentioned in my public address yesterday. Move past “I’m so sorry this is happening to you” and ask yourself “how do I play into the pain the black community is doing and how do I hold myself and my community accountable for enacting justice?” Ask yourself what moved you to show up on the streets in 2017 but isn’t lighting a fire in you in this very moment. • Do you hear me? Drop a comment/emoji and tag who needs to hear this • #revolutionnow #manifest #racism #blm #soul #spirit #yoga #crystals #essentialoils #goodvibes #goddess #yoga #retreat #yogaretreat #seattle #nyc #la #marieforleo #gabriellebernstein #spiritual #success #lifecoach #bookclub #nyc #lululemon #doterra #wanderlust #teachersofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram

A post shared by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle (@rachel.cargle) on May 31, 2020 at 3:10am PDT

PODCASTS Still Processing, hosted by Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris (The New York Times) Pod Save the People, hosted by Deray Mckesson (Crooked Media) 1619, hosted by Nikole Hannah Jones (The New York Times) Code Switch, hosted by Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby (NPR) Code Black, co-founded by Renee Duncan, Bunmi Adeoye and Maxine McDonald (Code Black Communicator Network)

TODAY: @PodSaveThePpl's @deray & @ClintSmithIII are going live to discuss art and activism. 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT on Crooked's Instagram. https://t.co/2XfIGABtN2 pic.twitter.com/udABQrbPoA

— Crooked Media (@crookedmedia) June 1, 2020

RESOURCES By Blacks (Instagram) Black Art 365 (Instagram) The Conscious Kid (Instagram) Black Artist Space (Instagram) Black Lives Matter (Instagram) Black Lives Matter Toronto (Twitter) Gal-Dem Zine (Instagram)

https://ift.tt/2ZZMWBo

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[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

hi loves, a reminder that the official reading schedule starts on Monday, April 3rd! i hope everyone has a physical copy of The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries or plans to use the PDF linked in the pinned post and is excited to dig into this book together!

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

I'm still catching up and excited to engage with your amazing discussion questions, but thought I would throw another one out there, even for women who aren't reading the book. Chapter 1 focuses a lot on rites and rituals and "how to cast a circle" and that sort of stuff. I have no experience doing magic with other people, other than getting guidance at a store. For those of you who have done magic with a group: what was your experience like?

yeah I would love to know more people's experiences with group/coven style witchcraft since it's not at all what i practice or do, but it seemed to be possibly more popular back when Z was writing. there's definitely a generational difference in how we're practicing and that comes with its own pros and cons. like i'm sure practicing by yourself gives you a lot of free reign with your practice, but there's definitely elements of how we as a society especially women are so...lonely nowadays? and while spirituality can be very fulfilling, there are definitely times where i would love to participate in group rituals with others and feel that collective energy and what it brings to the table.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

April 10th—2nd Week

Hi everyone, it's Gabby again! Here to remind yall we're on our 2nd week of reading according to the reading calendar and i hope everyone is enjoying the book, learning something new, and keeping track of anything they want to comment on for next week (our first discussion/free commentary week). Again if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Our second week of reading from the calendar in my pinned post:

For book readers, read Ch. 3 "Celebrating the Holy Days of the Earth" pg. 113- 137 and Ch. 4 "Women's Holidays in the Dianic Tradition" pg. 140-153

For PDF readers, read Ch. 2 "Celebrating the Holy days of the Earth" pg. 71-96 and Ch. 3 "Dianic Tradition" pg. 97-112

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

April 17th— Discussion Week!

Hello loves! It's gabby again to share some general discussion prompts about the last four chapters. Feel free to share anything in the comments to this post, in the ask box, or on your own blog with the tag #spiritfeministbookclub which i'll go through during the week and reblog reactions to the book here. Again, if you're not caught up, please still feel free to comment on the book even if you've only read the first chapter! All voices make for a fun discussion no matter what

Discussion prompts:

Was there anything that stood out to you in how Z talks about feminine and masculine principles of the universe or in magic?

Do you agree with her interpretation of how paganism turned into a patriarchal religion?

Are there any specific "tools of the craft" that spoke to you the most? Do you utilize any of these in your own practice? Would you like to?

Are there any introductory spells, rites, or festivals that you felt drawn to? What interested you about them from both a general or feminist perspective? Did any surprise you?

Do you believe women's rites and rituals are important to preserve? What are some challenges to preserving women's rites in the modern day?

On page 114, Z says "Love is the food of the spirit". Do you agree with this?

Are there any holy days of the Earth (sabbats) that you personally celebrate and observe? If not, which would you want to? Which of the holy days did you find most interesting?

Many of the rituals, festivals, and spells Z describes often involve group ceremony/group work. Did this put you off to any of the spiritual work if you yourself have a more eclectic or solo practice?

What are your current feelings and thoughts about the book so far? Do you have anything you wish to share?

Our third week of reading below!

For book readers, continue reading Ch. 5 "The Goddess and the God" pg. 156-179 and Ch. 8 "Witches, Covens, and Shamans, Magic, and Ritual" pg. 212-235

For PDF readers, read "Organization" pg. 113-118 and Ch. 5 "The Goddess and the God" pg. 136-144

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

I think I will create a discord for discussions/for this book club since I think some of yall who might be following along or want to share opinions are shy or it's odd to engage w discussions on tumblr with people amongst anon. If you're interested in that shift (this blog will stay up for updates/announcements that will also be shared in the discord) please lmk

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Announcement no. 4

hi everyone! hope you're well and been enjoying the book! a gentle reminder we have our discussion week starting tomorrow so please feel free to share your thoughts with the tag #spiritfeministbookclub or send asks with your thoughts/questions/comments for others to read and respond to :)

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

April 24th/25th (sorry for late posting!)—Final reading week!

Hi friends, sorry for the late post I was in classes all day and forgot to post the reminder on Monday, but yes this is the final week of reading and then next week is the final chance to post or share your thoughts about the book!

Reading from the calender below!

For book readers, read Ch. 6 "Prophecy: Tarot, Runes, Astrology, Dreams, Reincarnation, Automatic Writing, Fortune Telling" pg. 182-200. OPTIONAL: If your copy includes "The Politics of Food", "Shamanism Throughout Herstory", "Masika's book of Life" or "The Goddess of the Ten Thousand Names" you are welcome to read whichever interests you and come to share and discuss anything you've read.

For PDF readers, read Ch. 4 "The Skills of Prophecy" pg. 120-133

[lindsay-buckinghem]

@spirit-feminist-bookclub - reading The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries by Z Budapest

I just finished chapter one and it was very interesting!  I did not feel connected to the group aspect of the instructions, because I’ve never practiced in a group.  It’s always on my list of things to do but finding in-person community with like-minded women is hard enough; finding in-person like-spiritual-minded women feels impossible.  The spells themselves were an interesting mix; several I’m already familiar with (like court case or money drawing) but particularly the ones with a feminist bent - like a ritual to help a woman heal after an assault - definitely spoke to me. 

I think the first thing I will try from this chapter is the marigold bath water - “Mix equal parts of marigold, calamus, hops, lemon verbena, and mace.  Soak them in a dark place for nine days in a gallon of water.  Use a cupful for your daily bath.  This wins the admiration and respect of others.”

Is anyone else planning on trying a spell from this chapter any time soon?

[lindsay-buckinghem]

not me reading about the dianic great rite for @spirit-feminist-bookclub when Shania Twain shouts from my phone “let’s go girls!”

[lindsay-buckinghem]

First thoughts on The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries for @spirit-feminist-bookclub (join us!!)

I’ve only read the introductions so far.  I have the 20th anniversary edition so I’m not sure what’s new and what’s not (they aren’t dated).

Firstly I was struck by Z’s accounting of the women who helped create this book.  Radical feminism was so different then - women renaming themselves (Lhyv Oakwomon, Helen Beardwoman) - women focusing on lifting each other up - women united in the basic principles of feminism and united on how to start to change the world.  I wish I were alive for that.  I need to find community like that now.

Secondly I was struck by her explanation of what her view of witchcraft is.  I don’t jive with modern ‘tiktok’ feminism - I agree that this is not a ‘curious pastime’, it’s not ‘a highly ceremonious pageantry’ with tools and rules.  It’s not about ‘degrees’.  I was introduced to witchcraft - and truthfully I don’t use that word, although maybe with Z’s urging I will - by going to a spiritualist store in a town I was living in in the Midwest.  An old white man read my cards and set some candles for me and made me a mojo bag and gave me a reiki blessing and I slept soundly for the first time in months.  I’ve come to learn that much of what he was doing was based in African-American Hoodoo, and I’ve also learned about the tenuousness of white people claiming that tradition (which is something for a whole different post), but that’s where my spirituality began.  I’ve made sugar jars that attracted lovers.  I light candles and put out bowls of water with flowers floating in them.  I’ve made break-up jars.  I show my vulva to the Moon.  I’ve hot-footed a coworker.  These aren’t things most people understand.  And they’re not things that I have a written spell book for - of course I had to learn these practices from somewhere, but it’s been an eclectic gathering.  Emoji spells, written spell-poems, athanes - they just aren’t me.

Thirdly is a little more political so I am going to put it in a separate post.

I’m hoping that this book is more on the eclectic side (and it seems like it will be!) and even if not, I’m looking forward to reading this with all of you!  I’ll probably end up copy-pasting chunks of these posts into the big discussion posts, but I want to type as I go and I welcome any sort of direct discussion as well!