Creatrix Rising Audiobook

Creatrix Rising is not only an encyclopedia of spirituality in the aging process, but for men it’s also a blueprint of how to help and understand a woman going through one of the worst periods in her life: menopause.

I initially wanted to read Creatrix Rising to maybe give me some insight to my wife’s emotions as she continues to annually climb another rung on the ladder of aging. However, I quickly learned that this book is not only for women, but for anyone experiencing the aging process (including men). A good part of the book is unisex. After all, even men experience internal changes—both physical and non-physical—during the aging process.

The first few chapters discuss the author’s broken family, her relationship with her mother, as well as the hole of self-deprecation she ends up in after leaving home before finishing high school. Including all that in the beginning of the book did two things for me. First, it provided a basis for everything that was to come, and second, the candor in the author’s writing in those first few chapters lended credibility to what was to come.

The talk about menstruation and menopause really blew me away! I guess I never really thought about what menstruation means to a woman psychologically. But more importantly, I was completely clueless on what menopause does to a woman both psychology and physically. (I so wish I could have read this book before my wife took that journey.)

The subject of spirituality comes up many, many times. Not so much in a religious context (but there is some of that), but rather in a psychological sense—our inner being.

The author wrote (said), “In music, it’s not just the notes you play. It’s the spaces between the notes—the notes you don’t play—that lend themselves to the character of a piece of music.” She said that as an example of looking inwardly; what we don’t see is just as important as what we do see. For example (in my mind), if you look inside and don’t see hate, you’re doing good. If, however, you look inside and don’t see love or empathy, you’re in trouble.

There is also homework. At the end of each chapter, there is a section called Reflection, Activity and Journaling. One of the chapters gave the reader this assignment: “How would you describe yourself using only positive words? Write them down and let yourself take in the description.”

“Soul Work is the personal work of reflecting on your psychological and spiritual life, and making choices about how to nurture yourself inwardly.”

—Stephanie Raffelock

As you can imagine, there is much discussion about our psychological and spiritual life and well being. In another related assignment, the author said, “Coloring, doodling or working with clay are great ways to bring out your creative nature and to contemplate the current state of your life.” I never really considered that before, but she’s absolutely correct, in my opinion.

I was quite surprised by the Epilogue. It was called, “The Gift of COVID-19 from the Perspective of the Creatrix.” In this chapter, the author gave Coronavirus a real persona and discussed thoughts and actions from that perspective. I found it quite ingenious and interesting!

If you are unaware, author Stephanie Raffelock does the narration in this audiobook. Technically, the narrator can “make or break” the success of an audiobook. In my opinion, the author did a phenomenal job! She has a very calming and engaging voice, instantly putting the listener at ease. As the author, she was able to provide the proper timbre in the proper places. Her voice helps the listener to look internally and reflect on what is found.

I’m sure I could gush for many additional paragraphs, but I think you get the idea by now. My enjoyment and engagement of this book are over the top! I cannot think of anything else that will only take four hours and forty-three minutes of my life, yet provide so much information and advice.