Hola gorgeous Goddesses!
I heart me some books that are gorgeous stories AND spiritual teachers all at once. Here are my double kisses like ze French do recommendos…
1. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
When me and Mr Soul Hunk went to the CalmBirth workshop, our teacher was sharing about how women need a dark, safe, sacred space to give birth in.
Chris said: You mean like a red tent right? Women need the red tent to give birth!
(The Red Tent is an ancient tradition of women who have their menstrual moontime staying in a red tent – a place of women’s wisdom.)
And our teacher gaped at him.
“You’ve read The Red Tent?” she asked.
Usually this book is considered a woman’s read.
“Oh yes! It’s probably the best book I’ve ever read!” he replied.
So yus. This book really is that good.
When I finished reading it, I put my head on the table and cried for a long, long time. This book utterly opens you up to the depth, width, fullness, extremity of life. Full full full.
2. The Mists of Avalon – Marion Zimmer Bradley
If you’re wanting to delve more into Avalon or the Goddess tradition, this is the book to do it with.
It’s kinda historical, kinda mythical {depending on what you believe in}.
But once you’ve met Morgaine? Your life is changed.
3. Shirley Maclaine – The Camino
I didn’t realise Shirley Maclaine – that gorgeous flame-haired actress – was intensely spiritual. Then I read this scrumptious book and realised just what a gorgeous, intuitive soul she is.
This is her diary of walking the Camino trail in Europe, and the spiritual awakenings she has while doing it.
Miraculous.
4. Kate Forsyth – The Witches of Eileanan series
Can I just warn you up front that this is not rated for delicate petals? If you are super sensitive like me, think about whether you want to read this fantasy series or not. I decided it would be worth it, and skimmed over the parts that were too intense for me.
Now that warning is out of the way – these books really are beautifully written, and evoke memories of what it would be like to be a woman of the ancient, herbal, healing ways again.
5. Mutant Message down Under – Marlo Morgan
This is the story of an American woman who goes walkabout with an Australian Aboriginal tribe through the Outback, and witnesses their healing and intuitive gifts. There is debate about whether this story happened or not. I do believe in the miracles that happen in this book… it really is a beautiful story about the wisdom of the Australian Aboriginal people.
6. Way of the Peaceful Warrior – Dan Millman
I remember reading this book for the first time. There is a particular moment in there that stands out as being kind of an awakening about death for me – about how we really are all going to be okay.
But anyways. I digress. I think this novel is really wonderful – and is especially good for menfolk. My Dad-in-law loves it!
7. The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield
And I’m finishing with the book that started it all for me. When I was 17, my dorm headmistress at boarding school gave me this book. Funnily enough – I saw her again just a couple of weeks ago after ten years apart. She is still luminous. We still love to talk about spirit. And synchronicity abounds – she was re-reading this book when we talked.
This book was the first spiritual book I read, and it opened a world for me.
Yup… That’s seven books. I want to make the remaining three based off your recommendations!
What are your top spiritual novels? Let me know in ze comments, dearheart!
Want more?
You might like to check out:
I heart you with birds and birdsong and the wind too,
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My top 3 are by Abraham-Hicks (and they are not novels, but my top spiritual books). I can’t choose between them. I love all 3. But the first one listed is the one that started me on my journey, that introduced me to my Spirit:
Ask and It Is Given
A New Beginning I
A New Beginning II
The following are more story-form with information mixed in, and in no particular order. I love them all, too. They all changed me in some way.
Ramtha (The White Book)
Diary of a Psychic by Sonia Choquette
The Lightworker’s Way by Doreen Virtue
Opening to Channel by Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer
The Reconnection by Eric Pearl
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
Of the ones that you listed, Leonie, I also enjoyed very much The Camino and The Celestine Prophecy.
I look forward to reading The Mists of Avalon and possibly braving the Witches series, too! Thanks for the recommendations.
I absolutely love this thread! Just wanted to add my vote for The Fifth Sacred Thing. It’s simply a must-read in my opinion, (which is how i feel about Mists of Avalon and The Red Tent, too!) can’t wait to add some of these wonderful suggestions to my list
Blessings~
Wow, thank you so much for this list! So much inspiration!
I am about to read the Red Tent and have already ordered the MIsts (read it for the first time many years ago)
I am only starting on spiritual novels, so I do not have recommendations to share ….
Love,
Martina
A delicious mix of novels and non-fiction here that I’m adding to my book list. I would add the wonderful books (fiction or non-fiction? You decide) by Lynn Andrews, starting with Medicine Woman, through The Woman of Wyrrd. I really loved Jaguar Woman especially, about the sacredness of relationships and honoring the feminine and masculine energies. The series is about a white woman’s initiation into the world of Native American shamanism when she meets a medicine woman named Agnes Whistling Elk and eventually becomes part of a powerful circle of women shamans from around the world. Her encounters with her nemesis, the sorcerer Red Dog, are riveting. Reading her first book coincided with my immersion into Native American shamanic work. I need to reread them! Thanks for all the great suggestions.
Haven’t added my 2 cents in a while
I read sooooo much, but here are my faves:
1. Loving What Is – Byron Katie. I’ve read ALL of her books, and this is the first of them. The other of hers that I strongly suggest is “I Need Your Love – Is it True?” – brilliant stuff, all of it.
2. The Four Agreements, which has been mentioned.
3. Ishmael, also mentioned already.
4. Pronoia – Rob Brezsny – so fabulous.
5. Ask and it is Given – mentioned already, but still worth mentioning.
6. The Anastasia/Ringing Cedars Series – Vladimir Megre – if you ladies don’t know these books, LOOK THEM UP NOW! They are SCREAMING for you to read them – they’re perfect for all of you. There are 9 of them.
7. I am an Emotional Creature – Eve Ensler – this is centered on young women, but I don’t think it matters how old you are – it will speak to you. This was my absolute favourite book of last year. All of Ensler’s books are fabulous, but this one, and Insecure at Last, were my faves. The Vagina Monologues were good, but these ones were better. The Good Body is a gem as well.
8. Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of Horses – wonderful books. I couldn’t get through the third, it was like soft porn.
9. Dangerous Angels – Francesca Lia Block – this is a YA novel collection, but worth every second. I just reread it – I’m 33, and it still sung to me. Magical.
10. The Invitation – Oriah – or any of her books. Beautiful stuff!
11. The Monstrous Regiment – Storm Constantine (I love all her books but this is very female-empowered) – there is also a sequel called Aleph.
12. Spilling Open – Sabrina Ward Harrison. Beloved book, this one. All of her books are beautiful and thrilling.
13. The Wanderground – Sally Miller Gearheart
14. The Fifth Sacred Thing – Starhawk – already mentioned, but very good.
15. Seventeen Ways to Eat a Mango – Joshua Kadison
16. Da Energi – Paul Williams
I dunno if all of these count as spiritual, but most do. If you get any of them, I’d suggest the Byron Katie ones and Anastasia.
Also should mention Courage by Osho – really good.
My absolute favorite spiritual novels are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. The Alchemist was given to me by a friend and it is one of the most inspirational novels I’ve ever read, besides The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. The Alchemist is written in a poetic, fairy-tale like style, but packed full of day-to-day wisdom and optimism. LOVE it.
Hello lovelies,
* well, OF COURSE, Joshua Kadison, 17 Ways To Eat A Mango ;o))
* books by Joseph Marshall III, a Lakota Native, on the traditions & values of the Lakota; great book on Crazy Horse and the lessons we can learn from him
* Byron Katie, Loving What Is (…she simply rocks! The basics of her Work can also be found for free on her website & blog
* William Paul Young, The Shack (… deep)
* Neil Donald Walsch, Conversations With God (just recently read for the first time, and will re-read again, still so much to take in, … deep, deep, deep … great!)
* Paulo Coelho, Brida
Novels:
* Cecelia Ahern, … any of her books … true enough, they are quite romantic and an easy read but most of all, they all have a magical, spiritual twist to their stories. It is this magic, I totally love about her books. She’s the only author I know of so far, who weaves a magical, mystical element into an ordinary, everyday life … in fact, she intertwines them in such a charming way, that I usually read her novels in 1 go, ok, sometimes 2 goes… so delicious and surprising elements, only, then I’m sorry the book is over so fast ;o( * teehee*
Let me be honest: these novels are soul food to me ;o))
With Magically Sparkling Rainbow Blessings to all,
Nicky
There are so many great suggestions here! I just wanted to add one that’s also a great movie: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It’s about a teenage girl in the Southern USA, set during the civil rights movement, who runs away from home and lives with a group of black women. There she learns about beekeeping, her dead mother, and the feminine divine. It’s very beautiful.
I highly recommend Expecting Adam by Martha Beck, one of the most miraculous stories I have ever read and at the top of my own personal list.
my first life changing book was Anna and Mr God by Finn where the spiritual truth comes from the conversations of a little girl with a father figure, really moving.
I HIGHLY recommed (as someone who would also recommend the Celestine Prophesy and Mutant Message) a series of books (9 total) called the Ringing Cedars. AMAZING!!!! LIFE CHANGING!!!
one book that is most definately worth reading is The Alchemist by Paulo
Coelho! Once read it changes your perspectives in the right direction. An actual storey with a meaning not the forever cliche’ “all you have to do is believe”Give it a try you won’t be disappointed!!!
my favorite spiritual books are:
- Green Angel, Alice Hoffman
Peace!
- The doveskeeper, Alice Hoffman
- The silent stones, Diana Cooper
- Into the wild, Krakauer
- most of Paulo Coelho books
- Osho books
- Sacred Woman by Queen Afua
- Sergio Bambaren books
I would also add Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel (the inner and outer journey that Aisha takes is incredible and she makes a strong heroine) and The Fifth Sacred Thing too, and also believe The Fifth Sacred Thing is essential reading – I am very interested to see how the movie turns out (Starhawk has been in the process of seeking funding for it from fans and its being made RIGHT NOW! check it our on FB).
I would also definitely add Secrets of the Jin Shei Sisterhood by Alma Alexander. My sister gave it to me in a pile of books. I started reading it with no expectations and WOW! It totally blew me away. Its about the bonds of sisterhood amongst women in a mythical chinese kingdom, their individual strengths and weaknesses and each of their unsaid roles that help and support each other. My copy is still doing the rounds out there somewhere as every woman I know who it has passed to has had the same reaction as I!
I’ve just found and read this book and I’m amazed by it. One of the best, most beautiful spiritual novels I’ve ever read…
The Path to Aaran, by Ana Claudia Domene.
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