Campano Edizioni
ISBN 978-8-86528-632-6
Reviewed by Ian Mowll
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This book is written by Swedish storyteller Stina Gray and is about storytelling, her personal journey and our connection with the Earth. What I like about the book is the way that storytelling is shown to be an important and deep part of our journey through life.
For me, the book came most alive with the stories and their meaning. Rather like the book Women Who Run with the Wolves stories are narrated and, where appropriate, their meanings unpacked. I sometimes shiver with delight when I read such stories and then I have a deep emotional gasp when I come across some new insight as to their meaning. On page 9 she says: “Stories do that – they reach deep, deep down into your depths and bring old, wild and forgotten things up to the surface. They move us with a love and intelligence that knows what we are ready to face”. This is so much needed in our spiritually deadened society which has made such a god of science and technology.
A pivotal story in the book is a Swedish story Princess Tuvstarr and the Forest Tarn where she weaves together the story with her own personal journey of healing and transformation. The two other stories that made quite an impact on me were When Children Had Wings and her own rendition of St George and the Dragon. And I am comforted that I am in good company with my love of story when she quotes C.S. Lewis who wrote to his goddaughter saying “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again”.
As mentioned, the author’s personal healing journey is included which makes the book all the more compelling. Alongside the help she received from family, friends and healers she talks about story and myth as a medicine for the soul – something that rings true for me. Along with this, she offers a feminist perspective which includes values such as community, creativity and meaning. To emphasise this she mentions the wonderful book If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie.
This book is both metaphorically and physically grounded with its emphasis on connection with the Earth and Nature. Many examples are given of people living an alternative lifestyle and living close to Nature. In fact, reading this book, I start to think that these people are living a ‘normal’ lifestyle as they all experience the healing power of Nature which our ancestors experienced over millennia.
For me, this book is an important reminder that there needs to be a spiritual awakening full of myth, magic and inspiration, to meet the many global challenges we face today, both social and environmental. It has also given me a much needed boost for my own passion for storytelling and its importance for the Earth and all living beings. Thank you Stina Gray.
At the time of writing, information on how to buy the book is here: