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Reviews of Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones

*From:* BoS-Pagan@yahoogroups.com

*On Behalf Of *Michael Gleason

Hidden Passages - Tales to Honor the Crones by Vila SpiderHawk © 2007

Vanilla Heart Publishing ISBN 978-0-97965445-6-5 262 pages $15.99 (U.S.)

The subtitle of this book, "Tales to Honor the Crones", gave me a false impression. A collection of stories about crones should be about the end of life, but these stories are full of life. They are vivid, arresting, and entertaining.

Oh, there is death and loss, but there are also children scrambling up trees. There is somber reflection but there is also joyful discovery and anticipation. There is the certainty of lives running their allotted course as well as the wonder of new life burgeoning forth.

Like life itself, you never know what to expect. Vila SpiderHawk is much more than an entertaining author. In her stories there are lessons to be learned (gently) and things to contemplate. There are moments to laugh, and times to wonder.

The only problem I had with this book was that it was too easy to read. I had promised myself that I would relax and enjoy this book over a week's time. That didn't happen. I started reading and found that I couldn't put it down. I finished it off in a mere two days, and found myself wanting more.

Pick this book up, and you may find yourself wishing for more as I did. Somehow, I suspect that we have not heard the last from Ms. SpiderHawk - in fact, I know we haven't as I have her next book sitting at my bedside as I write this. I sincerely hope that she has more to offer us. Her books are educational on several levels, and entertaining on at least as many levels.

— by Michael Gleason can be found online at alt.religion.wicca.moderated and at alt.pagan.magick

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How appropriate that this book came to me at this time of the year – the time of the Crone (and Sage), the ending of the year. Moreover, this is a wonderful book written in the spirit (and pattern) of folktales while retaining its relevance to modern life. Author Vila SpiderHawk's writing is clear and lucid without losing a rich sense of passion.

Much like Pinkolas’ Women Who Run with the Wolves, Hidden Passages uses storytelling to explore deeper patterns, honoring women of all ages. These are not tales of drifting away from life, as anyone who knows a crone will recognize, but juicy stories of transformation, of loss and of life, of somber reflection and joyful discovery. Lessons are provided for those who look a little deeper, but these are not morality plays, bluntly shoving the point into the readers’ face.

Eight short stories tell the tales of eight wonderfully ordinary women. Full of beauty, and strength, the women take us with them on part of their journey through life. I found the tales to be incredibly evocative, at times coming eerily close to personal experiences (not literally, but in resonance, certainly – and isn’t that a mark of good fiction?).

Entertaining, well-written, and just plain good, Hidden Passages is a wonderful book for women of all ages. Highly recommended! (Note: excerpts from Hidden Passages are available at Ms. SpiderHawk’s website, link below.)

— review by Lisa Mc Sherry As seen on http://facingnorth.net

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Posted September 16th, 2008 by Anonymous

Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones

ISBN-10: 0979654564

Book Review by Dawn “Belladonna” Thomas

I received this book in the mail and I was so excited when I opened the cover. The picture on the cover leads the reader to believe a magical journey is about to happen. That is exactly what happened to me. On the first page I was hooked. The story of Mima Po reminded me of the place I lived as a small child. The words were so vivid I could imagine being in the story too.

The stories of the Maiden, Mother and Crone were so beautifully written. Changing the point of direction from the maiden to the mother to the grandmother was very intelligent thing to do. How many times do we wonder how others see the same story? In these stories the author makes it possible. In Nanu’s Story, I imagined the changes in the landscape and weather as Tichu travelled alone. I could feel the warmth she provided to others. The story of Gita’s Journey is a difficult road to travel for any parent. The author shows how a mother finds the strength she needs to live. It is a very moving and emotional story.

In the story of Lavinia I felt for Veronica as she travels unseen by others. But Helen is there and gives her the guidance to see where she needs to be. The book title refers to Crones but I believe that women of all ages would learn the lessons held within this book. I enjoy the easy way that the stories flow. I have a better appreciation on other views of each story. I am looking forward to reading Ms. VilaHawk’s next book.

As seen in Oracle ezine, issue for Autumn Equinox 2008

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