Dancing Up the Moon: A Woman's Guide to Creating Traditions That Bring Sacredness to Daily Life. - book reviews

Whole Earth Review, Spring, 1995 by Janet Petri-Haines

Dancing Up the Moon (A Woman's Guide to Creating That Bring Sacredness to Daily Life) Robin Heerens Lysne. 1995; 220 pp. ISBN 0-943233-85-2 $12.95 ($16.20 postpaid) from Conari Press, 1144 65th Street, Suite B, Emeryville, CA 94608; 800/685-9595

Poet and therapist Robin Heerens Lysne's book is a stunning depiction of the power of rituals and the subsequent changes in those performing them. Rituals for marriage, birthdays, rites of passage, death, divorce, miscarriage, abortion and rope are dramatized through vignettes.

Buddhist and Native American traditions influence this luminous work. Rituals can be extremely simple, Since rituals are personal, they may also include stories, performance art, poetry and songs the participant has written.

* Divorce: I tied one end of the rope to a heavy chair and held the other end in my left hand. With my right hand I picked up the ax and declared, "Jason, I hereby sever my connections with you once and for all. I release any remaining anger, sadness or feelings of resentment. I forgive you and I bless you and let you go on your journey, may you find peace." At that, I let fall the ax and severed the rope. Then I said, "Great Spirit, I forgive myself. I pray to find the mate who will support me as I support him, who accepts me for who I am and whom I can accept, someone I can grow with instead of against -- all in the right timing. I light this candle as a symbol of my faith."

* Overwork: The four of us sat in silence for a moment. It had worked. I felt the shift inside my body. I could feel the dream-madereal settle into my cells. A slight breeze kicked up and tiny red squares of cloth lifted off Lisa and blew the tray near the candles. She removed the mask from her head and the ritual was over. I knew I would not throw myself out of balance to the point of exhaustion again. I felt this promise to myself become an unwavering part of my consciousness. The silent support from my friends surrounded me like the cool night air.