Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power

of Midlife Women

BY Stephanie Raffelock

Categories: Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir

Publisher: She Writes Press

Pub Date: August 24, 2021

Pages:176 Pages

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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 (She Writes Press). 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.

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Praise

“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

“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.” –Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country

“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.” –Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author

Creatrix – an artist, a healer, a teacher, an illuminator.

Stephanie Raffelock knows how to encourage women and remind us that life doesn’t stop as we get older. While many of us probably know that deep down, it can be hard with what we see in the media and it seems that we are being pushed aside for younger women. The funny thing is that this only really happens in the US. Why is that? Why do other countries embrace women of all ages but not us? I believe that there is a shift happening with that mindset but it has been too long in coming in my opinion.

This book is a combination of a memoir and a self-help book. Stephanie shares many stories about her life and family; in fact, she tells us that she is a storyteller and is especially interested in stories about women. I was quite surprised by some of the tales of her life because I never would have expected to learn how she ended up in Los Angeles at 17 and had to figure out how to make it on her own. The other stories she shares are inspirational and might even give the reader pause to reflect on the story and wonder if they had found themselves in a similar situation or how they might have reacted. I found each story to be inspirational but also a period of reflection about these women and what they achieved in their lives and how they shared it with others.

We have all heard the term crone and I think most of us would picture a shriveled up older woman, hunched over, and not very attractive. Sort of like what you think of from fairy tales and other children’s books. However, the term has been used to describe older women since the 1400s and really doesn’t apply to women of today that are out conquering the world in their chosen roles in life. Much like the Helen Reddy song, they are women, hear them roar. I love how Stephanie has found a better word to describe women – Creatrix. This is a word that is already in existence that is feminine and means a woman who makes things, a creator.

As I reveled in each story set forth, it gave me time to reflect upon my own life and wondered if I was living my life to its fullest potential. I think that all of us can do more and get out of our rut and this book is one way to move us forward on that path. Reflecting on each story and then the reflection suggestions/questions at the end of chapters, we might all learn something new about ourselves and seek to become a Creatrix in our own lives.

There are so many wonderful lines to take away from this book, but these few are some of my favorite lines:

“That’s what we learn to do when we hit midlife: we start harmonizing with our younger selves.”

“…none of us escape the presence of grief in our lives and we handle it each in our own way, whether it’s alcohol or a garden of saints.”

“Living life on your own terms is mid-life awakening.”

This book is one that could be read over and over especially when it comes to the reflections at the end of each chapter. It is a wonderful starting place for us to reflect on who we are and what has made us who we are today. My only negative comment about this book is the political commentary at the beginning of one of the chapters. While there is a small part that leads into the chapter, most of it was not relevant or necessary and could be a turnoff to those reading the book.

Overall, we give this 4 1/2 paws.

Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press). She also penned the award-winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.

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.

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Four winners!

Each receive signed copies of Creatrix Rising plus,

 a $25.00 Starbucks gift card. 

(US Only; ends 9/11/21)

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