Fatima the Spinner and the Tent
A young woman named Fatima experiences a life beset by one disaster after another—shipwreck, slavery, and repeated loss of everything she has built. Each catastrophe forces her to learn new skills and begin again in unfamiliar circumstances. Finally, she realizes that what seemed to be disasters were really essential steps toward her eventual fulfillment, as […]
In the Beginning
In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World, compiled by Virginia Hamilton with illustrations by Barry Moser, is a thought-provoking collection of twenty-five stories reflecting the wonder and glory of the origins of the world and humankind. With commentary by the author, this acclaimed anthology gathers creation narratives from cultures across the globe, presenting […]
White Buffalo Calf Woman
Kevin Locke tells the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman (Lakȟótiyapi: Ptesáŋwiŋ), a sacred woman of supernatural origin who is central to the Lakota religion as the primary cultural prophet. Oral traditions relate that she brought the Seven Sacred Rites to the Lakota people, providing the ceremonial foundations that continue to guide Lakota spiritual life. […]
StoryCommons
StoryCommons is a digital commons where people tell and share all forms of personal stories—from short pieces of lived experience to full-length memoirs, life stories, and autobiographies. The platform offers a complete set of resources, guidelines, and prompts for telling the most important stories of our lives, utilizing a timeless and universal structure that reaches […]
The Story of Jumping Mouse
A mouse lives in a burrow with his family, but is not satisfied with his life. He yearns to know the meaning of life beyond his burrow, and so embarks on a journey to the far-off Sacred Mountains, where he believes he will find his answer. On his journey, Jumping Mouse encounters animals who offer […]
Yemaya
The story of Yemaya begins with the supreme creator, Olodumare, who tasked her with creating the world’s oceans. Yemaya poured her essence and energy into the waters, giving birth to countless sea creatures and shaping the shores. As the goddess of the ocean, Yemaya has many facets to her personality. She can be nurturing and […]
Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women
Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women by Sylvia Brinton Perera is a highly original and provocative exploration of women’s freedom and the need for an inner, female authority in a masculine-oriented society. Combining ancient texts and modern dreams, Perera—a practicing therapist—presents a way of feminine initiation through the Sumerian myth of […]