Her Blood Is Gold
HER BLOOD IS GOLD was first published in 1993 and is a classic in the literature of women’s health and spirituality.
Here’s a pdf of the introduction which details the contents of the book as well as its genesis and inspiration: Her Blood Is Gold Introduction
The book is now published by Archive Publishing. (Scroll down for details of the book’s publishing history.)
To order, you can buy directly from the publisher by sending an email to orders@archivepublishing.co.uk. To buy online, the book is available at most of the online retailers. These links will take you directly to the book at Foyles, amazon.co.uk and amazon.com.
If you can, please support your local independent bookstore by ordering the book from them.
Her Blood Is Gold has its own Facebook page for sharing information on menstruation. Just click here and then click Like to join.
Reviews of Her Blood Is Gold
“Like the wise-women whose memory she celebrates, Lara Owen is both scientist and poet. In this wonderful book, she shows how “the curse”, when ritually respected and restored to its ancient position, becomes every woman’s crock of gold.” Chris Knight Ph.D., author of Blood Relations: Menstruation and the Origins of Culture (Yale Univ. Press), Professor of Anthropology, University of E. London.
“Her Blood Is Gold is a graceful and empowering book on menstruation, filled with insights that are equally valuable to both men and women. This book should be included in the curriculum of every school on this planet.” Christiane Northrup M.D., author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (Bantam).
“Lara Owen presents a viewpoint on menstruation which is startling in its reversal of conventional attitudes. Her presentation is so lucid and convincing that after reading it one wonders how one could ever have regarded menstruation as a problem. This book is a must for any woman seeking wholeness. This is the rare kind of book that creates culture rather than merely commenting upon it. Lara Owen has sketched the outlines of a new social norm.” Steven Bratman M.D., author of The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook (Lowell House)
“I want to tell you how much your book on menstruation has meant to me…..If I’d had it when I was thirty it would have saved me a lot of pain and confusion.”
Scilla Elworthy, author of Power and Sex: A Book about Women (Element Books)
“This fascinating exploration into the rich underworld of the female body is a well-written, passionate and thoughtful plea for a return to body-consciousness and acceptance of what it is to be female.” Lyn Webster Wilde. author of On the Trail of the Women Warriors (Constable and Robinson).
“Lara Owen’s well-researched, beautifully crafted and elegant book offers the reader a profound perspective on the role of menstruation in the life of women and society. It explores the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical dimensions of menstruation and provides a new and powerful view on this still taboo topic. Owen’s book is a classic and a must read for every woman and every man who wishes to understand this powerful part of feminine life. Her book changes lives. You will never look at menstruation in the same way again. Everyone should read this innovative, thoughtful and powerful book. A major contribution.” Gemma Summers, PhD, author of How to Get What You Want Without Losing It: A Woman’s Guide to Resolving Conflict (Bantam)
“A gift for any women who is ready to increase her health and power”
Jean Mountaingrove, in Sagewoman
“It’s been called everything from a “curse” to a “visiting aunt”, but a new book dares to call menstrual periods a celebration……….Lara Owen says a woman’s period is a time when she can tap into her own inner wisdom. The book is written from a personal perspective and supported with medical, historical, political, cultural and spiritual viewpoints as well as interviews and anecdotes from women who have “awoken to the power of their own periods.” Chicago Tribune
“An eye-opening examination of our historical and cultural attitudes. Owen helps women recognize the power of their periods, make the most of the pre-menstrual “altered state” and heal the wounds inflicted by a patriarchal culture.” Moving Words
“Menstruation has long been considered women’s dirty little secret, discussed only when missed…….Lara Owen explores the mysteries and spiritual significance of menstruation.” Elle magazine
“Lara Owen’s book seeks to restore to this vital, natural function the dignity it lost in a patriarchal world that has portrayed it as dirty and threatening.” Gannett Suburban Newspapers
“I highly recommend this book for Lara Owen’s ability to help us look with fresh eyes at a common feature of our lives.” Whole Earth Review
“Owen does a real service here by bringing this issue out of the closet in the way she does. Graceful and very readable. I can’t recommend this book enough. Read it and then pass it on to your sister, your mother, your best friend.” Colleen Devlin, womenwriters.about.com
“This is an extraordinary book that is difficult to put down.” Network for Optimal Aging and Wellness
See also the many five-star reviews on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
Her Blood Is Gold was first published in the US as Her Blood Is Gold: Celebrating the Power of Menstruation (HarperSanFrancisco 1993) and in the UK as Her Blood Is Gold: Reclaiming the Power of Menstruation (Aquarian/Thorsons 1993). A Brazilian edition (Seu Sangue E Ouro) was published by Editora Rosa dos Tempos in 1994.
The book was subsequently reissued by The Crossing Press in 1998 in a revised, expanded edition, with more information on cross-cultural practices, and a whole new section on natural remedies for menstrual symptoms. The title was changed by the publishers to
Honoring Menstruation: A Time of Self-Renewal (Crossing Press)
In 2008, Archive Publishing published the book in the UK under the original title, combining all the content of the first and second editions to make a definitive version. In 2009 the book was made available in the US.
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I would like to purchase 2 of your books, but I don’t see a way to do that on your website. I would like to purchase Love After 40 and Her Blood is Gold.
Hi Hillary,
You can certainly buy signed copies of these from me, or you can order from Amazon. It’s true that I don’t have a shopping cart on the site, but it is simple enough to bill you through Paypal for them. Let me know if you would like to buy them from me and what country you are in.
hi there. could you please send me details on how to buy a signed copy of her blood is gold from you? i live in canada.
Will email you, Amber.
Hello, Lara – I have just learned of your book, “Her Blood is Gold”, and tried to order it from Amazon. Unfortunately, I’m informed that it is not possible for them to send it to me due to some restrictions. Could you please let me know how I could obtain a copy?
Thank you!
Lidia
Hi Lidia, Which country are you in?
Hi Lara,
Can you please advise how to get a copy of this book in India, and what’s the approximate price?
Thank you,
Rohit
Rohit,
Her Blood Is Gold appears to be unavailable in India so the best thing is for me to mail you a copy if you can pay with Paypal. I’ll send you an email with details.
Greeting’s and Blessing’s,
I want to Thank you for your courage and knowledge to bring forth such information. the bible has made the menstruation to be something horrible, but you have the key and answers which disregard the negative feedback. I am in the process of writing a small book the menses, can you use you as an direct reference??
Peace and blessing’s
Empress; Letika
Sorry, I mean can I use you as an reference??
Could you explain a bit more what you mean by that?
I think the book Her Blood Is Gold Is Great. it’s good to see that other books are out as well. I first read Her Blood Is Gold in the 90s and I found it really interesting, comforting and useful.
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Hi Lara, I have read your book and have been so inspired by it :) I’m writing an article on my blog about it. I’m french and I write each of my articles both in english and french. Unfortunately you don’t have a french version of your book. Is there a translation to come, I would gladly get into it if not :)
http://rosemiho.wordpress.com
Thank you so much for you word of wisdom :)
Hi Rose, Many thanks for your comment. I would so love the book to be available in French (I lived in France for six years). If you know a French publisher who you think might be interested, please let me know. Also, letters/emails from readers can influence publishers to consider translations. Blessings, Lara
Hi Lara, thank you for your answer. I’m not sure how to contact the publisher. Maybe you could direct me there, give an address or something?
Not sure what you mean, Rose. I said “If you know a French publisher…..”
Yes, ok I misunderstood, I do know one, but it is quiet small. I could contact her anyway :)
Oh, please do. Small can be very good in publishing!
I talked to a publisher :) and well he told me a few things that it depends on your contract with your own publisher in english. It’s mainly a question of how much they would take on the sales as I understood.
He also told me that as he doesn’t know what’s in it he couldn’t say wether or not he’d publish it.
I know two publishers now so I’ll contact the other one later.
What I’d like to do is to start a translation. As you speak french you’d be able to reread the text ect…
maybe we could exchange by email for more details?
Hi there Lara.
I have been searching online to buy your book, Honouring Menstruation. I have been a bit discouraged to find that the shipping costs from America are around AU$40 from amazon.com. Do you know if there is a place I can buy this book in Australia? I am very keen to read it as I am a young woman on a journey of self discovery and I am very drawn to what I have read in reviews so far. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world.
Ruth, as I explained above, Honoring Menstruation was a reissue of Her Blood Is Gold done in 1998 under a new title (against my wishes). So don’t buy it at an extortionate price! Buy the latest edition of Her Blood Is Gold instead, published in 2008. In Australia you can buy from fishpond.com.au or from angus robertson or the other online sites. Blessings on your journey. (PS I regularly teach workshops in Australia — what area are you in?)
I live in Denmark, Western Australia, in the forested deep south by the wild southern ocean! In our town a good friend has managed and created a Women’s Red Tent. There is a groundswell of focus and intent around menstruation and woman energies happening here in different ways. This is what led me to read Michelle Royce’s book, Moon Rites, where I found reference to your book. I love the sound of your experience (that you write about). I am drawn to traditional practices to honour important cycles, but sometimes its the simple things done with a certain intention that are very powerful. I look forward to reading it. And I would love to be informed of any workshops you plan in Australia in the future. Thank you for your help in finding the book. With gratitude.
Hi Ruth, Keep an eye on my schedule page. I am based near Melbourne now so running workshops in Australia periodically. Am doing a weekend on menopause June 1-2 in Castlemaine. Am also open to coming out to WA to teach sometime.
I donated a copy of the Good News bible to a charity shop along with some other sexist books from the past before my 40th birthday and replaced it with Her Blood is Gold. The bible has said some nasty things about the menstrual cycle in Liviticus.