Walk in Spirit: Prayers for the Seasons of Life

For shaman and popular author Andrews (Medicine Woman), the act of prayer is a way of opening the center of one's being to the unity of the universe. Prayer thus fosters an attitude of awareness and receptivity, which enables the human soul to interact with the Great Spirit of nature. In order to guide and encourage individuals, Andrews gathers prayers from the world's native religious traditions and fashions them into a prayer book arranged according to the seasons of nature. Using the natural seasons to symbolize the seasons of human life, the author collects prayers in each section that address the rhythms of humankind's activity in the world. For example, the section on Spring, or ""Planting Seeds,"" contains prayers for the birth of children while the section on Winter, or ""Taking Stock,"" offers prayers for times of sadness and prayers for times of death. Andrews's rich tapestry illuminates the value of prayer in coping with the stress and anxieties of everyday life. (Aug.)