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Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance: Awakening Spirituality Through Movement & Ritual
Shows how dance, the highest expression of spirituality in cultures and traditions all over the world, is being integrated into the lives of women today
• The first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance
• Investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship, and reveals how dance is once again being brought into spiritual practices
• Includes resources for further instruction in sacred dance
Today we primarily think of dance as a form of entertainment or as a way to exercise or socialize. There was a time, however, when dance was considered the way to commune with the divine, a part of life's journey, celebrating the seasons and rhythms of the year and the rhythms of our lives. Dance is a language that reunites the body, mind, and soul. While the role of women's sacred dance was most valued in goddess-worshipping cultures where women served as priestesses and healers, dance was once an integral part of religious ritual and ceremonial expression in cultures all over the world, including Judaism and Christianity. In this book the author investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship and reveals how dance is once again being integrated into spiritual practices. Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is the first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance. It describes sacred circles, birth rituals, ecstatic dances, and dances of loss and grief (in groups and individually) that allow women to integrate the movements of faith, healing, and power into their daily life.
• The first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance
• Investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship, and reveals how dance is once again being brought into spiritual practices
• Includes resources for further instruction in sacred dance
Today we primarily think of dance as a form of entertainment or as a way to exercise or socialize. There was a time, however, when dance was considered the way to commune with the divine, a part of life's journey, celebrating the seasons and rhythms of the year and the rhythms of our lives. Dance is a language that reunites the body, mind, and soul. While the role of women's sacred dance was most valued in goddess-worshipping cultures where women served as priestesses and healers, dance was once an integral part of religious ritual and ceremonial expression in cultures all over the world, including Judaism and Christianity. In this book the author investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship and reveals how dance is once again being integrated into spiritual practices. Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is the first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance. It describes sacred circles, birth rituals, ecstatic dances, and dances of loss and grief (in groups and individually) that allow women to integrate the movements of faith, healing, and power into their daily life.
- GenresNonfictionSpirituality
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
10 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Iris J. Stewart
2 books3 followersIris J. Stewart has taught dance and lectured on women's subjects for over 20 years. To research Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance, Stewart visited archaeological sites throughout Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 11, 2011
Humans are diverse creatures. We live in many different places, and our history spans thousands of years, across thousands of cultures. Throughout this there are a few universal things which have appeared in all known cultures: language, spirituality, music, and DANCE. The details vary, but these things are part of what it means to be human.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance explores the intersection between two of these: Dance and Spirituality. Part One, "In the Beginning Was the Dance," goes back in time to the birth of dance. It covers dancing goddesses, dancing priestesses, dance as a form of theology, the role of dance in women's culture, and the symbolism in dancers' garb. Dancing is inherently female in its origins, many dances were meant to be seen by women only as initiation into womanhood rites and childbirth. Just as men used initiation ceremonies to welcome a new male into the community, women have always used dance to celebrate the feminine.
Part Two presents "Modern Sacred Dance Today." It begins by showcasing modern sacred dancers like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis and sacred dance forms. Special purpose dances include the Moon Dance, Sacred Circle, Serpent Dance, Lamentation Dance, and Drum Dance, each is covered in its own chapter.
Following comes the chapters on immanence and transcendence, followed by a discussion of elemental dances. The mirror dance promotes understanding between two people. The book concludes with keys for accessing spirituality through dance.
The supporting material really makes this book come alive. There are many exquisite full-color photographs of dancers, along with historical images like cave paintings and carvings. At the back you'll find generous resources on sacred dance, extensive chapter notes, a fascinating bibliography, and a handy index. The result is something of a coffee-table book, something of a reference text, something of a dance manual, and altogether a great read.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance delves into an area that touches many religions. It's a wonderful addition to any personal library, or for the cultural scholar. Dancers will find it especially interesting, but it's delightful for everyone else as well.
Highly Recommended.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance explores the intersection between two of these: Dance and Spirituality. Part One, "In the Beginning Was the Dance," goes back in time to the birth of dance. It covers dancing goddesses, dancing priestesses, dance as a form of theology, the role of dance in women's culture, and the symbolism in dancers' garb. Dancing is inherently female in its origins, many dances were meant to be seen by women only as initiation into womanhood rites and childbirth. Just as men used initiation ceremonies to welcome a new male into the community, women have always used dance to celebrate the feminine.
Part Two presents "Modern Sacred Dance Today." It begins by showcasing modern sacred dancers like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis and sacred dance forms. Special purpose dances include the Moon Dance, Sacred Circle, Serpent Dance, Lamentation Dance, and Drum Dance, each is covered in its own chapter.
Following comes the chapters on immanence and transcendence, followed by a discussion of elemental dances. The mirror dance promotes understanding between two people. The book concludes with keys for accessing spirituality through dance.
The supporting material really makes this book come alive. There are many exquisite full-color photographs of dancers, along with historical images like cave paintings and carvings. At the back you'll find generous resources on sacred dance, extensive chapter notes, a fascinating bibliography, and a handy index. The result is something of a coffee-table book, something of a reference text, something of a dance manual, and altogether a great read.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance delves into an area that touches many religions. It's a wonderful addition to any personal library, or for the cultural scholar. Dancers will find it especially interesting, but it's delightful for everyone else as well.
Highly Recommended.
November 5, 2025
Book Review: Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance by Iris J. Stewart
Over the past month, I’ve read a few chapters each week and gathered online for a unique book club experience centered around Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance by Iris J. Stewart. Each week, we danced, drew Goddess Oracle cards, and discussed the chapters we had read together.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is a thorough and illuminating exploration of the Feminine Mystery Teachings, weaving together herstory, symbolism, mythology, spirituality, nature, the elements, healing, vibration, rhythm, astrology, divination, community, and more; all around the central theme of women and sacred dance throughout human existence.
The book feels like a homecoming, welcoming the reader, especially those who identify as female, back into the natural tapestry and birthright of womanhood. I read the entire book while listening to the music Iris recommended for dance, as well as pieces I selected myself that evoke the Priestesses and Goddesses.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is more than a book, it’s a portal, a shamanic journey through the ages that invites readers to intuitively embody the sacred feminine in the present moment. A five-star read for me. It’s a wonderful choice for a book club and a beautiful companion to the remembrance and return of the Feminine Mystery Schools.
Review by Nicole Lynn, Facilitating Love on Earth (FLOE)
Over the past month, I’ve read a few chapters each week and gathered online for a unique book club experience centered around Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance by Iris J. Stewart. Each week, we danced, drew Goddess Oracle cards, and discussed the chapters we had read together.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is a thorough and illuminating exploration of the Feminine Mystery Teachings, weaving together herstory, symbolism, mythology, spirituality, nature, the elements, healing, vibration, rhythm, astrology, divination, community, and more; all around the central theme of women and sacred dance throughout human existence.
The book feels like a homecoming, welcoming the reader, especially those who identify as female, back into the natural tapestry and birthright of womanhood. I read the entire book while listening to the music Iris recommended for dance, as well as pieces I selected myself that evoke the Priestesses and Goddesses.
Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is more than a book, it’s a portal, a shamanic journey through the ages that invites readers to intuitively embody the sacred feminine in the present moment. A five-star read for me. It’s a wonderful choice for a book club and a beautiful companion to the remembrance and return of the Feminine Mystery Schools.
Review by Nicole Lynn, Facilitating Love on Earth (FLOE)
December 8, 2019
The pictures in this book are really nice, but the text contains some speculative anthropology and a lot of theories that are just that theories. It has some interesting ideas and thoughts, but I would take it with a grain of salt.
September 24, 2021
This is a lovely book that I will return to for the pictures and inspiration. While it definitely dances on the edge of goddessy essentialism circa year 2000, it also features decent scholarship, personal stories, and spiritual insight.
July 8, 2020
Overall a interesting and well written book. Great for those interested in Goddess Spirituality and how it interconnects with dance. -2 stars because of transphobia.
July 8, 2025
2.5 really. just kinda a slog.
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September 14, 2007A wonderful story about the transformative power of movement therapy,as told through the feminine eye
November 2, 2008
The artwork was more compelling than the text.
January 29, 2010
This is a great book. It has helped me outline a new dance class!
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November 10, 2018Loved it! It gave me a lot of insight bto my new hobby.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews