Celebrating the Good and the Bad – My Book Review

From the author of the award-winning book A Delightful Little Book on Aging comes a new self-help memoir Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women. In her new book, Stephanie Raffelock liberates mold-defying midlife women, tired of the oft-inaccurate characterization of the “old crone,” to amplify the resounding strength within.

Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.

None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.

In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.

“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.” -Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul

“Practice setting boundaries for yourself as an act of self-love. Know that confidence, believing in yourself, and strength are the result of practice.”

Time is interwoven in so many ways. The fates or the universe always seem to find a way of sending you what you need at a moment in time. Creatrix Rising is just what I needed. This book helped me understand that by me recently saying no is not the end of the world. Yet, her book is so much more.

At the beginning of this book Stephanie Raffelock brings up “What is Past is Prologue.” I fondly recall that quote beaming from the side of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. When I saw it, I knew it was important and took a photograph of it. After reading Creatrix Rising I realize that that statement I took notice of a few years ago is basically the underlying theme for her book.

Women should be evolving to become better than we were in our 30s and 40s. Technically becoming better should be every woman’s goal.  How Stephanie evolved over the years she shares with readers in baring truths that most women would avoid uttering out loud except to their closest friends. That’s the beauty of this book – it shows women that accepting your past, talking about it, and evolving to become better is what is supposed to happen.

A friend and I were discussing religion and the Bible just recently. The fates stepped in again and I laughed out loud while reading a chapter in this book.  It is great knowing that my friend, Ginny is not the only person who believes that the Bible stories are just morality guidelines.

After each chapter Stephanie provides a follow-up area for readers to delve into personal practice on reflecting, activities, and journaling you can do at your own pace.

The word “Creatrix” means a woman who makes things. Celebrating the stories, both good and bad, that shaped us as women is the core of this book.

This timely book helped me understand that putting up boundaries is okay. That both my good and bad stories have shaped my thoughts, my personality, and my resilience. None of us understand anything really when we are younger. Creatrix Rising is the perfect book for women ages 30 – 80 to help you become and create the woman you want to be.

A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.

A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story. Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.

A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.

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