Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs - Delightful series about a young British woman who sets herself up as a private investigator during the 1930s and 40s in London. She has been trained in a most unusual way and there is much wisdom in these books. Also interesting historically especially about the war, the trauma of the returning soldiers and medical personnel, and about forensics.

Conversations with the Goddess by Dorothy Atalla

"Never having heard of Petra, in Jordan, Dorothy (Chickee to her friends) went there on a whim.  While exploring Petra with her family in the 1970s, Chickee found herself profoundly affected by the ruins of the ancient city. She became fascinated with Petra’s ancient people. She wondered what their arts for living were like, as well as their traditions for death. At the time of her visit in Jordan her goals were modest.  One goal was to encourage her sons to perceive themselves as global citizens by way of their father’s Middle Eastern heritage. She also had always hoped to provide her sons with a well-rounded cultural and academic education. Seven years after her trip Chickee had her first encounter with a feminine Presence." 
You'll not be sorry if you read this book! Brings clarity and understanding to many long-held misunderstandings and misperceptions.

The Making of a Teacher: Conversations with Eknath Easwaran

This is a beautiful book! It tells many stories about Eknath Easwaren's childhood in Kerala, his relationship with his grandmother and his journey to the states, teaching meditation at Berkeley and then founding the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation & Nilgiri Press. Kerala is one of the few places where a matrilineal social structure still exists and women have a very strong and central position. I highly recommend reading this exquisite and moving story.

With Roots in Heaven by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone

"At age seventeen, Tirzah Firestone left the oppressive home of her Orthodox Jewish parents and set off on a spiritual odyssey. With Roots in Heaven is the story of that journey, a fascinating and moving account of her evolution from rebellious young seeker to renegade rabbi. This is an inspiring, true account of a courageous woman with strong convictions and a passion to know and feel God. It is also a book that goes beyond one person's story of wandering and redemption to explore the dangers of modern religion and the joys and conflicts of intermarriage and raising interfaith children. An unforgettable story of love, sacrifice, and transformation--of grace sought and found--With Roots in Heaven offers hope, wisdom, and encouragement to anyone seeking deeper spiritual meaning in today's world."

I enjoyed this book immensely, in fact I couldn't put it down. The lessons she learns from the school of hard knocks about spiritual paths, teachings, and her own innate wisdom and feminine knowing would be helpful to women from many diverse backgrounds. Her wisdom and experiences are particularly timely as women and the qualities of the feminine come forward in the world in new and much needed ways.

The Receiving: Reclaiming Jewish Women's Wisdom by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone

"Receiving" is the literal translation of the word Kabbalah, the body of Jewish mysticism that has been passed down from men to men for centuries. Ironically, the art of receiving, that is, opening to the divine spirit as it manifests in the here and now, is one of the undocumented mysteries of women's spirituality. Now, respected rabbi and Jungian therapist Tirzah Firestone sets out to correct the enormous error of history that has omitted the contribution of Jewish women mystics, sages, and holy women from the Jewish annals. In what might be called an act of spiritual archaeology, Firestone searches for the traces of the divine feminine in the Jewish tradition in order to answer the question, "What is a woman's way to God?" Drawing on the remarkable stories of seven historical holy women--who, despite tremendous obstacles, found ways to embrace the sacred feminine in their lives--Firestone teaches us the mysteries of Jewish Kabbalah from a woman's vantage point."

This book is very helpful in understanding some of what predicated such deep schism between spirit and matter in the Western world and what is needed from the feminine to heal this deep divide.

Vision from the Life of Hildegard von Bingen

Was very disappointed in this film. All the rich and unusual knowledge that Hildegard von Bingen received was virtually ignored in this film. They chose instead to focus only on drama and the lower nature of the various people involved. The whole film is about her one-upmanship of the abbot, her attachment to a younger nun and in earlier scenes some very graphic and gory scenes of flagellation, which she did not believe in. That's it! What a waste of an amazing caste, locations, costumes and mostly of Hildegard's legacy of knowledge about theology, medicine, and music to name only a few.

"In Vision, New German Cinema auteur Margarethe von Trotta (Marianne and Juliane, Rosa Luxemburg, Rosenstrasse) reunites with recurrent star Barbara Sukowa (Zentropa, Berlin Alexanderplatz) to bring the story of this extraordinary woman to life. In a staggering performance, Sukowa portrays von Bingen’s fierce determination to expand the responsibilities of women within the order, even as she fends off outrage from some in the Church over the visions she claims to receive from God. Lushly shot in the original medieval cloisters of the fairytale-like German countryside, Vision is a profoundly inspirational portrait of a woman who has emerged from the shadows of history as a forward-thinking and iconoclastic pioneer of faith, change and enlightenment."

The Cult of Divine Birth by Marguerite Rigoglioso

"Greek religion is filled with strange sexual artifacts –– stories of mortal women's couplings with gods; rituals like the basilinna's "marriage" to Dionysus; beliefs in the impregnating power of snakes and deities; the unusual birth stories of Pythagoras, Plato, and Alexander; and more. In this provocative study, Marguerite Rigoglioso suggests such details are remnants of an early Greek cult of divine birth, not unlike that of Egypt. Scouring myth, legend, and history from a female-oriented perspective, she argues that many in the highest echelons of Greek civilization believed non-ordinary conception was the only means possible of bringing forth individuals who could serve as true leaders, and that special cadres of virgin priestesses were dedicated to this practice. Her book adds a unique perspective to our understanding of antiquity, and has significant implications for the study of Christianity and other religions in which divine birth claims are central. The book's stunning insights provide fascinating reading for those interested in female-inclusive approaches to ancient religion."

Women Transforming the World

WorldPulse: Global Issues Through the Eyes of Women - really fabulous online and print magazine. Dedicated to listening to and broadcasting the unheard voices and innovative solutions of women worldwide.

Women's Earth Alliance: Uniting Women for a Thriving Planet: Women’s Earth Alliance unites women on the front lines of environmental causes by coordinating resources, training and networks to support thriving women, communities and earth.

PeaceXPeace: Peace X Peace is a rapidly growing international organization that connects women across cultures for friendship, support, and action for peace. Our global community of women is building a more balanced, peaceful world where our lives, stories, and voices are valued and honored.

Women Make Movies: films by and about women. For example, The Sari Soldiers. Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary story of six women’s courageous efforts to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents, and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties.

Leaving Mother Lake: A Girlhood at the Edge of the World, by Yang Erche Namu, Christine Mathieu

This is the fascinating true story of a still-intact matriarchal society in Southern China in which the women enjoy true sexual and economic freedom. The story is told through the eyes of Yang Erche Namu who was born into this society and felt driven to leave and experience the outside world through using her considerable singing talents. There is a very interesting afterword by the anthropologist Christine Mathieu. Excerpts can be read at the link above.