In the House of the Moon: Reclaiming the Feminine Spirit Healing

by Jason Elias

Overview

A celebration of healing ways of women offers a philosophical and practical approach to wellness that integrates body, mind, and spirit and uses stories, myths, and parables to teach women to connect with the inherent strength and knowledge of their bodies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759523951
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	09/26/2009
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

Editorial Reviews

While practicing psychotherapy in New York City, Elias became interested in the effectiveness of the mind and the body working in tandem to heal. Having already studied Gestalt therapy at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, Calif., he took off on a tour of the world to study Eastern medical traditions. His practice as reconfigured by these experiences focuses on traditional Chinese medicine, and particularly on the ``Five Transforming Powers'' of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each is described at length, with associated physical and mental types and the problems attendant to an excess or deficiency of the various humors. Elias illustrates how acupuncture, herbs, diet and, importantly, understanding underlying emotional issues can correct imbalances, release vital energy and remedy problems with menopause, osteoporosis, and PMS. This is not really for a DIY-er unless you're comfortable with self-administered acupuncture. The aim is more inspirational. Annoyingly, though, inspirational zeal sometimes obscures fact, as when a story about the Sumerian goddess Inanna's trip to the netherworld aimed at ``reclaiming the feminine spirit of healing'' neatly sidesteps a crucial player-Inanna's older sister Ereshkigal, Destroyer of Life. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Philosophy and spirituality are here blended with alternative and New Age medicine. The mix is a bit confusing and not very well organized; nevertheless, this book is at times a stimulating survey of the mind in treating and avoiding women's illness. Elias is an acupuncturist and student of non-Western healing methods developed by practitioners ranging from Chinese herbalists to Native American medicine men. With the collaboration of Ketcham, "a female guide who could take me into the soul of the female experience," he not only reports on unconventional treatments but also recounts what he regards as beneficial myths, parables, and legends relating to illness. Informative data are provided on such matters as the different affinities of Chinese medicine, and there are sensible discussions of practical approaches to a number of common female problems, including fibroids. The appendix lists material on herbs, acupuncture, and available organizational resources. Recommended for large women's health collections.-Natalie Kupferberg, Ferris State Univ., Big Rapids, Mich.

Library Journal