From one of the leading spiritual practitioners writing and working today, a landmark book that celebrates a new mythic model for the middle years of a woman's life -- the Queen!

Millions of women are now entering or in the midst of midlife. With unprecedented freedom, education, longevity, and wealth, they hold positions of unheard of responsibility and stature. No longer Maidens, nor Mothers, and not yet old Crones, the question arises: Where do these dynamic, accomplished middle-aged women fit into the traditional description of the three stages of womanhood?

In The Queen of My Self, Donna Henes proposes a completely original paradigm — that of the midlife Queen, a woman in her prime who has achieved wisdom, mastery, and self-esteem — that reflects more accurately the realities and needs of women today. Henes draws on history, mythology, and literature, her own life experience, as well as stories from women in many different societies, situations and stations to provide upbeat, practical, and ceremonial inspiration for all women who want to enjoy the fruits of an influential, passionate, and powerful maturity.

"Finally, an archetype of midlife power and maturity that I can relate to — The Queen. Thank you Donna for providing this much-needed missing piece of women's wisdom."
—Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

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"The Moon: as goddess, as science, as inspiration for poetry — almost everything you could want to know about the moon in a beautifully crafted book. Donna Henes' lovely work will have an honored place near the altar and near the telescope."
—Margot Adler, author
Drawing Down the Moon

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"This delightful compilation . . . provides a lively narrative combining folklore, customs and poetry (which) covers many different cultures in this well written, readable book."
—Library Journal

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In 1980, Urban Shaman Donna Henes conducted a three-week ritual healing residency with the patients and staff at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center at the invitation of the medical director. Her diary documents the process of this extraordinary project. Her notes and musings explore the realms of sanity, insanity, creativity, and spirituality as they are perceived and handled in many cultures.

"It was not until I came across Dressing Our Wounds in Warm Clothes, which captures the texture of the poem-houses of my dreams, that I met another journal-keeper who built houses from visions of minuscule, ordinary beauty. My houses are poems and journal entries for me now, and I thank Donna Henes for that."
—Ntozake Shange
The N.Y. Times Book Review

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