Spider Woman's Web: Traditional Native American Tales About Women's Power

Storytelling is an ancient art, yet it is as poignant today as it was a millennium ago. North American native storytelling in particular offers numerous legends that echo contemporary feminine struggles and desires. This relationship was not lost on Susan Hazen-Hammond, who gathered this expertly retold collection of brief stories that include magical sages, feminine healers, murdering mothers, and reluctant women warriors.

At the end of each chapter, the author offers exercises and meditations that help women relate these mythical stories to everyday life. For example, following a selection of warrior stories, Hazen-Hammond encourages women to imagine themselves as warriors. She then examines how the warrior metaphors and archetypes lend themselves to the experiences of the modern workplace. In another section, "The Quilt of Men's Eyes" (named after a Seneca tale), Hazen-Hammond explores the age-old story of women stifling their creative longings to appease the men of the tribe or because of male fear of feminine power. A generous section in the back titled "For Further Reading" and a thorough index make this a useful reference book as well as an intriguing read. --Gail Hudson