I finished reading "The Spirits of Nature" a mere 15 minutes ago and felt moved to write you immediately to express to you what your book has meant to me.
I work at Spiral Circle part time and saw your book when you first brought it in. I may have even seen you when you were speaking to Beverly about it. The most amazing things happen at Spiral Circle for me and many of my spiritual 'epiphanys' and lessons have been found within those hallowed walls. Most importantly, my connection to the Native American way of life has been nurtured there. I kept feeling drawn to your book and since it was about Native Americans, I decided to go ahead and purchase it to join the stack of many other books I've collected to read "one day".
Circumstance would have it that I just finished reading two of Mary Summer Rain's books, "Spirit Song" and "Phoenix Rising". After finishing those I wasn't quite ready to jump into something different and wondered what to read next. (I am an avid reader and must always be reading something.) As I perused my sagging bookshelf "The Spirits of Nature" caught my eye. I started it Thursday evening, and again Friday evening, just before I went to sleep; but was only able to read a few minutes before falling asleep after a long and stress-filled week at work. Saturday morning I awoke with no immediate commitments and decided to make the time to relax and read. That was around 8:30 this morning. I finished reading "The Spirits of Nature" at 3:15 this afternoon. I could not stop.
The characters were so alive for me that I just couldn't leave them. I wept when Sarah lost her child, when Running Wolf lost his father, when The Mourning Dove lost her first child, when Sarah and Robert were murdered, when Philip lost Rose and his unborn child, when he believed Molly to be dead and his child gone...well, I think you get the idea. I don't believe it is just Darcy Butler's mission to spread the beauty and balance of the Native American ways, but many of us are feeling the same urgency. Even those of us born this lifetime without Native American blood running through our veins are hearing the call.
I have been given a vision by Great Spirit to bring the magic of the Native American drum to people of my race so that we may learn healing through the heartbeat of the drum and it's connection to Mother Earth. After I attended my first Women's Crystal Medicine Wheel at Spiral Circle, I just knew, deep in my soul, that there was an undeniable connection to the Native American way and what my I have been searching for most of my life. This eventually led me to facilitate the "Healing Drum Circle" twice a month at Spiral Circle. We begin each circle with a smudging ceremony and then sing and drum to Native American and Earth-based songs and chants. We end the circle by sending our healing energy out to the planet to go to wherever it is needed most. I am not Native American and do not claim it to be a Native American drum circle. My only intent is to bring people together to creating healing energy for our planet through rhythm and harmony. I would be most honored if you were able to join us one evening. (The dates are always published on the Spiral Circle calendar, which you can see via their web site at www.SpiralCircle.com.)
Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful story with us. "The Spirits of Nature" has touched something deep inside and soothed my troubled soul. I believe Spirit led me to choose your book at a critical time when I was feeling despondent to remind me that I have a very real purpose, that I am walking the right path, and there is hope. "The Spirits of Nature" is so powerful, so alive, so wonderful and I sincerely look forward to your next novel. Please be sure to let me know when you have published it. Thank you for reading through my ramblings. I just felt so moved by your book that I felt the need to share with you.
I started reading The Spirits of Nature last Friday and read seventy pages before going to sleep because I got a late start and it was 1:00 am and I had to work in my practice the next day.
I almost stayed up and finished your book anyway.
On Saturday morning I got up at 7:30am and started reading and did not put it down until I finished it which was around 3:00pm.
I have read to many books to count in the last three or four years as I am very much into Health and Spiritual Growth and Development. However, I can not remember racing through any book in years.
I just could not put it down.
I don't normally read novels and have read few in the last three or four years.
Your book opened me up to the Indians in a way I had missed some how with the rest the world. Most Americans don't really know or understand the real truth about our important ancestors the first Americans! Who were very evolved and spiritually aware people.
And I know this now because of your great book!
Your story had it all and much more than I ever thought possible. There is wisdom, spirituality, love, romance, adventure and above all a truly great story that clears up many misconceptions I had programmed into me about North American Indians.
The North American Indians were truly like lambs on the inside and were only like the Lion on the outside when they truly had to be.
It made me realize more than ever that You are I and I am You and that we are all truly one! And that unconditional love is what we all should be putting out and receiving and the rest is not important.
Your book is truly a great book that made me cry when I needed to cry and truly opened and touched my heart!
I would recommend this book to anyone as a must read if you truly want to open up to a deeper spiritual connection through your heart.
After reading your book I now feel have a strong intuitive need to learn more about the Crow Indians.
Please do not hesitate to let me know when the sequel is available.
My reviews just don't come in words. You picked me up and set me right in the middle of numerous lives. Throughout my many years of extensive reading of both American and world literature, there have been only a few authors who have been able to make me visualize the story in which I was reading. Now when an Author can make me feel like I am actually watching it happen or living the story as it progresses, well that just hasn't happened too many times.
Michelle, I just wanted to tell you how much Gary and I enjoyed your book! I buy Gary practically any book regarding Native American history/fiction, etc. He seldom has encouraged me to read any of these books the past few years. I just finished your book today. I loved it! We are looking forward to the next. We think the story would make a great movie!
Vicky and Gary Holland
Pray, Montana
February 7, 2010text.
LETTERS TO THE AUTHOR
ClicChristmas 2007 I was able to donate ten books to our service people in Iraq. Following is a letter from Commander Steven Frost
You have exposed and acted as a modern advocate and crusader, single handedly in brining dignity and respect to the Crow Indian Nation. Your benevolence in raising the awareness of this tribe through fostering higher education for the youth of the tribe through Little Big Horn Community College attests to your strong passion of this particular tribe and all Indian Nation tribes, by donating half of the proceeds to help uplift this nation. I was moved by your ambitious undertaking when you sent some novels to Iraq for our troops; and the thoughtful response that the commanding General sent to you in his appreciation letter. As I was reading our prologue, I couldn’t help but immediately admire your descriptive style of writing and allowing the reader to go back and see this beautiful country before it was encroached upon by these late European settlers. Thank you for shedding light on the indigenous, early Native Americans, Crow Indian People. Hope to get a self autographed book soon when I am in town. Best wishes are going out to you and your continued endeavors in shedding light on the great majestic Indian population(s) of this country. Anonymous
