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

Being a woman whose 50^th birthday is well back in the rearview mirror, this book struck a chord with me.  The fact that the author is also an Austin transplant helped add it to my to-be-read pile.  While physically it is a slim volume, it is filled and overflowing with the content.

As I started to read, I felt as if the book was a memoir. But then I realized that there were so many aspects that related directly to my life.  I have created and re-created my life, and now I am thinking about this next step.  I have always celebrated the next adventure but frankly, to quote Nora Ephron’s book title (that the author also mentions) I Feel Bad About My Neck – as well as other less than youthful parts.

I was hoping that this book would give me all the answers.  It did not – because it could not.  What it did do, however is open up a path for me.  Through life stories and gentle guiding (ok sometimes I need a sledgehammer!), as well as chapter ending action items, the author showed me the way to make this next adventure a positive experience.

I highly suggest that this is a book to buy in paper form and (hey all you other librarians may want to skip the rest of this sentence) write in as you go.  You will want to refer back and re-read to reinforce ideas and your own path.

One of the last chapters, 16, ends with this quote that will be printed and placed on my desk:

“Do your soul work. Embrace the beauty and grace of age and its gifts of wisdom. Make life on your own terms. You are never too old to dream, to participate, to engage.”

Friends and future friends who are reading this – join me – continue to create and be a powerful presence in our world.  I’ll be the one dancing – join me!

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.

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn