Stephanie Rose Bird

As a long-time fan of Stephanie Rose Bird, I could not wait to read her new book, Earth Mama’s Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss. Weight loss does not feature among my goals, but I am a firm believer that a sound mind begets a sound body, and although I don’t have any pounds to lose, I am always looking for ways to improve my overall health and wellness. Armed with excitement and eager to discover new tricks to take care of my body and mind, I happily delved into the preface of the book. It show more didn’t take but a couple of pages for me to realize that this book is not only for women who aim to lose weight, but for all of us who strive toward wholeness.
It was fascinating to read of Bird’s travels to Australia, and her openness to expose herself to cultures that might hold secrets we too often dismiss as primitive. Her adventure reminded me of Carlos Castaneda’s perception when he first met Don Juan: As a young, well-educated anthropologist, Castaneda was quick to assume that a bushman was no match to a scientist; thankfully for him, Castaneda soon realized that Don Juan knew a lot more than Carlos gave him credit for, and he eventually agreed to become Don Juan’s student. Stephanie Rose Bird did not make such an initial mistake. She moved herself and her family to Australia after feeling pulled by Aborigines’ works of art, and she spent a year learning about their culture and healing techniques. Her observations led her to understand that many other cultures view food as a necessary intake to stay alive, but unlike us, they don’t live to eat. Rather, the relationship they have with food is a holistic one, focused on the connection we have with everything around us.
Her reflections in this book branch out to embrace other cultures as well, from European systems of belief to African-derived religions that made their way to America and blended with Catholicism to create Santeria and a handful of other similar traditions that are still honored and served today.
But, aside from the great intellectual references, what intrigued me about this book most is its practical approach to creating a whole person through bits of wisdom gathered in multiple places. The book is rich with “recipes” and simple rituals that can easily empower its readers and give them new resolve to “keep on the path.”
Earth Mama’s Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss is a book for anyone who wishes to delve deeper and become healthier, by embracing a new sense of awareness that will accompany them the rest of their lives. show less

I was working on a novel in which the characters used Hoodoo to banish a ghost. Ms. Bird's book was accessible, informative, and fascinating. The book has an excellent balance of academia (Hoodoo and magick background/history) and practicality (how to try it yourself, the philosophical underpinnings of Hoodoo, etc.). I recommend this book for anyone interested in working with natural conjuring or with an interest in the history of African-based healing traditions in the "new world."

Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones is an excellent door into the art of conjuring the world you want to build,into the reality of your life ,through the natural gifts ,of this world and through your own natural senses. Stephanie Rose Bird has meticulously researched her material to produce an excellent balance and harmony of the "magick" that herbs and sticks and stones and roots and bones bring into our lives. Stephanie connects us to the world around us and helps us to understand that show more everything we see and touch and connect to are gifts that this world brings us to have a successful and happy life's journey. Stephanie teaches us how to re-establish our primal roots and connect us to the natural world and bring all the planes of existence into our consciousness so we can use our own senses and trust our instincts to simply reach out and create our own reality! My life is in a better place because of the wisdom she has shared.Her countenance and purity shine through the beauty of her writing! My world is Blessed because she shared her truth and I am forever grateful. show less

Herbalist and writer, Stephanie Bird Rose uses the big book of SOUL to educate and enlighten the reader of ancient African traditions and explain how they contribute to current African American culture, spirituality and religion. Rose doesn't leave anything to the imagination in writing this book. She shares herbal remedies, recipes and explores the power of prayer.

This is my first time really reading a body of this kind and I must say I'm quite pleased. I love the way Rose started with the show more journey of our African ancestors in route to the Americas and explained the various religions. It really makes you think about the various religions we practice today that are filled with various rituals that our ancestors brought over with them. I also loved the way that she covered the numerous herbs and explained their purpose. I'm currently in the process of going natural. For me that includes my hair which is now chemical free, eating healthy foods and more fresh foods and recycling. This isn't an easy path and IS NOT for the faint at heart but it's worth it. I feel like the big book of SOUL is a road map of sorts as I embark on this journey.

My favorite chapter in this book is Chapter 8, A Fresh Start: Holistic Detox. This chapter covers the process of detox and the reason why it's necessary for everyone. She also references various natural ingredients that you can use to detox your body. I try to detox once a month and I have a brand that I use that contains many of the ingredients that she talks about in her book. I guess that means I'm on the right track :) show less