Ariadne's Thread

[disenchantedenchantress]

I have just finished reading this book. I must admit I did skim through bits of it, but although I found it interesting, I don't think it told me anything new. Perhaps though, that is not the books fault, since it has been out since 1991. (However, it still is quite a bit later than Starhawk's The Spiral Dance - 1979, and Z Budapest's The Feminist Book of Lights and Shadows - 1975.*)

I know people have said this is the book that got them onto their path, and that it is really meaningful to them. I will confess that I haven't had the same connection with it. I did enjoy it, but it didn't "sing" to me. However there will undoubtably be parts of it that I shall be investigating and using.

One of those is the Moon Calendar. Basically you following the moon cycle, and chart your period, moods, etc, etc. I have been marking my period cycle for a few years now, but have been doing it online, and only the date of when it starts. No moods or physical sensations. Well, other than posting I feel like pants on occasion! I am intended to be a bit more thorough and see what patterns come up. Some of it I may post and discuss here, not sure yet.

I have been noticing a post-period dip. Basically a feeling of meloncholy a day or so after my period finishes. I need to find out if there is a change in hormones that causes this. But I would be interested to know if other women experience anything like this. (This may be a time to exercise my google-fu.)


*Although this was republished as The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting and Other Womanly Arts (1989)

Comments

[disenchantedenchantress]

Apparently there is a dip is proestrogen that causes your period, and then another dip on about Day 3 of your period that lasts for about 3-4 days. And that's what causes the mood fluctuations. Don't ya love hormones!

[elle]

Yay hormones! I started doing Ariadne's Thread as a part of an online study group - hey, isn't that where we met? Maybe not. I made a few friends through that group, but the problem with books like these, people get really hip to start them but rarely finish them. I never completely read the book although I did find some bits and bobs in it interesting. Honestly would have loved a book like this when I was first starting out in Paganism, but now I'm too far gone to really care about going back to the beginning. In fact, I read very few books because of this. They're nearly all beginner books. Although there seems to be a movement now which calls for more advanced books for the experienced practitioner. Haven't read any because they're not easy to find. Ah well, when the book is right for me it will come. :P

[disenchantedenchantress]

I sometimes find it useful to re-read my beginners books from my older and more jaded perspective. :P Especially since I have some really rubbish books that I didn't know better about at the time! It can be quite useful as it can show you how far you have come and sometimes how crap those books were in the first place! However like you, I don't tend to buy any new ones anymore.

I am on the search for more advanced books too, although I find them to be more subject specific and often quite ceremonial.

[elle]

I think most of my beginner books I gave away. Most of what I have now is very Goddess oriented and goes more into history and mythology than anything. I'm down with the ceremonial stuff. Been thinking I need to build up my library in that respect.

[disenchantedenchantress]

LOL! I still have my embarrassing books! Even when I think they are rubbish, I can't bear to get rid of them! Add to that a husband who hoards and also loves books, we have masses of them!

Have you checked out these guys? http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/ ?

I know the owners/authors/publishers and they have some interesting topics, and seem to be quite respected in their field.

[elle]

Is that owned by Sorita and David? I am familiar with them and have several mutual friends with them but don't know them personally. Been wanting to read their book on the Morrigan. One day I will perhaps.

Yes, lots of interesting titles. Can't say I've read any of them. Thanks for the link!!

[disenchantedenchantress]

That's them. I know them quite well. We are "god"parents of the same children. And their little boy is about 3 days older than my daughter!

I haven't read many of their books, but I have heard good things about most of them.

[elle]

Cool. A friend of mine took a course with Sorita many years ago and they became friends. I'm pretty sure they're well acquainted with several mutual friends via the PF.

You're one up on me as I've never read any of their books! Although have read articles written by Sorita. She seems like a sweet lady.