Five Spiritual Books I Am Loving
Five Things Part 2
Happy Monday!
In case you missed it, I am running a 10-day journaling challenge over on IG. It stems from the full moon that is coming up, but also, I have begun reading again! I have Yellowface to thank for getting me out of my reading slump. Lordy, that book is a trip and a half, and the way I had to speed my way through the last 40% of the book because they main character is so psychotic, so typically White. It’s such a good book. Please read it!
At any rate, I have begun reading again, and I am loving it. I have missed reading. This 3.5 month dry spell was way too long.
This is my second read through of this book. I honestly don’t remember the first read all that well as I read it on my Kindle, and I wasn’t focusing on the journaling prompts. My Inner Child Challenge is happening in conjunction with me reading this book again and doing the journaling prompts.
If you are new to ancestral work like I am, but you keep getting the call over and over to do something with it, I would highly recommend this book. It has everything laid out in easy, common language. There are good concrete examples. I think it also does a great job of addressing the issue that I have always had: How do I venerate my ancestors as a White person without participating in spiritual bypassing?
I am turning this book into a devotional, like how people do with The Bible. I am using it as practice for when I get my physical copies of Walking With Persephone and Awakening Artemis. The Bible is not for me, but I have always been fascinated by the devotional practice of Bible Journaling. I have decided to try it using this book, and honestly? I don’t hate it so far.
Goddesses In Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD
I have talked about this book a number of times, and I’ll be honest, I still haven’t finished it, but I love it. It pulls on two of my passions: goddess work and human psychology. It is such a well written book. It can get repetitive, but I feel like that really helps cement the information. This is the next book I am going to work on turning into a devotional, especially as I see aspects of each goddess in me and my life. This book is how Hestia came into my line of sight, for which I am very grateful. Hestia has been an amazing help when I need to do big projects and chores around the house.
Awakening Artemis is one of my favorite spiritual books of all time. It has such a beautiful tone to it, and it is the only book that I have found about Artemis that reads in this narrative style. I love it. Every time I read a passage, I am inspired. I have done another post on this book, but it has been a while, and it is still one that I absolutely love and adore. I can’t recommend it enough.
I can’t wait to get the physical copy of it. I just feel like turning it into a devotional will be so magical and deeply intuitive and connecting. I have realized, especially while doing this inner child challenge, that Artemis has been with me for a very long time. I am excited to do something so special for her.
I started Walking With Persephone a year ago, and I still have not finished it, not because it isn’t good, but because it is one of those books that I intuitively pick up and read when the moment strikes. Every time I have tried to read it outside of that inspired moment, it doesn’t hit quite the same, which is unfortunate because this book is amazing. It is another one of those spiritual memoirs, and I just love this genre.
This book is a devotional to Persephone already, but I know the parts that speak deeply to me. I love this book because whenever I pick it up, I am reminded of why I go outside for my connection to the divine. I have been really, really awful at going outside lately. My need to be indoors has been winning out, but I miss the connection to the land, to the birds, to the critters. This book inspires the need to be outside and connected, rather than inside at my home altars.
If you want a beautifully written and relatable memoir that also has some beautiful poetry, I would recommend this one for sure. I will definitely be picking up this book for the Persephone Challenge that I am putting together for October.
and I are putting together a super cool collab, and I can’t wait to share about it soon!
As I make my way though Honoring Your Ancestors, I am feeling called once again to this book. Now that I have the privilege of not having a 9-5, I am able to devote a lot more time to my spiritual practice and journey and actually digest some of these books. I often start this time of year wanting to work with the energies and rituals within this book, but this time of year is also the beginning of the school year, IEP central, and everything else. It always feels so topsy turvy that I can never devote the time or energy to this.
As I was reading this September chapter (aptly titled Creative Fire), I was astounded by all of the synchronicities between it and my life right now. I pulled this book, Honoring Your Ancestors, and Goddesses in Everywoman off my bookshelf last Tuesday, and by Wednesday The Morrigan was confirming all these books are necessary right now. I am enjoying getting back into reading and teaching myself that marking up my books isn’t a cardinal sin but instead an act of devotion.
What have you been reading lately? It doesn’t have to be spiritual. I love book recs so if you have any, drop them below! If you know someone who is looking for book recs for spirituality, consider sharing this love letter with them!
Wishing you well this week! May your life offer what you need in this moment.
With love,
Aventurine ✨
So many books to check out! I read the ancestors one a while ago and really liked it. I haven't read many spiritual books lately, I've been reading books that relate to my work which is good but I also want to nurture my other interests. Thanks for the recommendations!