The Alchemical Woman: A Handbook for Everyday Soulwork

Catherine W. Davidson, PhD & Ramona P. Rubio, PhD
Cultural Tapestries (2007)
ISBN 9780980212808
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (6/08)


“The Alchemical Woman” is a handbook that teaches women how to adapt ancient alchemical processes into a tool for self-discovery.  There are five stages to these processes.  This guide carefully takes you through each step.  Every section on each stage offers mythic stories, poetry, reflections, keystones, and journaling space to record your insights and personal discoveries.  The keystones in each stage offer a variety of suggestions of actions that one can take to help them explore the particular stage that they are in.  What I like about the keystones is that they suggest a wide variety of activities that will appeal to everyone.  Some suggestions involve doing something that takes you within yourself; others suggest activities that involve connecting with others.  The fact that there is a variety offered will allow people to do what they feel they need to do that will be best for themselves.

Each stage offers you a different aspect of yourself to work on.  The first stage is Nigredo.  The processing in this stage reminds me of going through the dark night of the soul.  It takes you within yourself to confront the darkness.  It teaches you to overcome it and to turn obstacles into stepping stones.  Clearing up issues from your past and reconnecting with aspects of yourself that you have been separated from, provides you with a tremendous opportunity for healing.  The other stages that follow are:  Lapis, Albedo, Citrinitas, and Rebedo.  All of these stages in the alchemical process promote trusting in yourself and empowerment.  This is an incredible book.

“The Alchemical Woman” is colorfully illustrated.  In addition to the illustrations, the poetry and personal journaling space will make it a book that is definitely a keeper.  I highly recommend giving it as a gift to other women.  What greater gift can you give someone than a tool to take them on a soul journey of self-discovery?

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