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The format is simple, which is always nice. For each of several categories (gemstones, rocks, metals, flowers, trees, land animals, birds, and fish, in that order) there are lists that include the name of the flower/animal/etc, its symbolic meaning, and its energetic influence. For example, an alligator symbolizes "spiritual aspects that are self-serving," and its influencing energy "helps to identify false logic of one's thinking." These lists are then followed by a question and answer section regarding the category, consisting of excerpts from readers' correspondence and Ms. Summer Rain's answers or comments. The last section of the book is about "Intuition, Wisdom, and Dream Symbology," and is constructed solely as a Q&A. Examples of questions include "I dreamed that my favorite charm was corroded. Can you help me interpret this?" and "Generally, in life, what wisdom can horseflies possibly teach us?"
Now before you start laughing (oh, alright, I did too), let me point out that the last question is actually a great starting point for thoughts about nature's wisdom. Really, did you ever think of horseflies as part of the Goddess? I swat those things on sight! But they are part of Her, just like us, and Mary Summer Rain reminds us (with that question and others) that everything in nature has something to teach, including ourselves. That's the best part of her book - that and the helpful lists, which, though I don't take them as the last word on anything, are very good for enhancing your everyday awareness of the natural world and its various layers of meaning.
So what isn't so great? Basically, the whole thing is a little disjointed. While there is certainly a connecting theme, it gets overstated instead of supported, so much so that it sometimes sounds as if Ms. Summer Rain is preaching, something we Pagans tend to take offense at. In addition, the writing itself can be choppy; occasionally the sentences are literally fragments, lacking the essential subject/verb structure. And to cap it off, now and then while reading I would get that "New-Agey" feel from the text, even though Ms. Summer Rain herself discredits or corrects many "New Age" concepts.
What all this adds up to is that I'm not going to read another of Mary Summer Rain's books unless someone gives me one - largely because of the writing style. By the same token, I feel sure I'll be referring to this one again and again for the lists. Whether you're planting a garden, healing with stones, or taking a hike, the correspondences listed here (in a single concise volume!) are invaluable for reference. The Singing Web is a celebration of the interconnectedness of life... but don't expect a whole lot of structured philosophical thought or even a free-flowing narrative. This celebration is in encyclopedia format.
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Sandra I. Smith Reviewer
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The Wise Old One, Granny, age 94, and the Child, Little Self, a precocious six-year-old, meet at twilight. Although the clock shows the passage of time during their lengthy conversation, the twilight lingers until it's time for them to part.
The two talk about a huge variety of subjects. Little Self is full of questions which Granny answers as best she can, imparting wisdom and patience as she does. They also spend time doing things together, like making orange pomanders, as well as simply sitting in companionable silence.
Whether, talking, working, or sitting, love permeates every moment of their visit.
In Trined in Twilight, Summer Rain, an internationally renowned visionary author, provides "a spell-binding conversation between [the three] aspects of the feminine consciousness that explores issues directly affecting the spiritual lives of all women and the potential of human consciousness." Readers will find it compelling and enlightening.
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I'm glad I got this book used because I never would want to pay full price for this (if I had, I might have been less willing to give three stars). The emotion behind it is very warm and light hearted, although the author's writing style kept me from full enjoyment. The prose is amateurish and naive to the point of distraction. It reminded me of early Nancy Drew, of all things. (Seriously. Try to read those again as an adult.) The story was very slow to get going, one of the plot points is abandoned towards the end, and I had to force myself to get to the finish. I was constantly reminded about why you should stick to writing what you know. For example, if you're going to make a character an anthropoligist, been sure you know a good deal about anthropology. Or if you set the story on a college campus, know something about what life there's like. And really know that a professor is not allowed to date one of his students, flaunt it all over campus, including in front of his boss, and have everyone accept it. The story is best when it sticks to the one thing the author seems to know, which is Native American culture and ceremonies. Nevertheless, the intent behind the book seems so well meaning, I just couldn't hate it. And I do think in the right hands it could even make a good tv movie.