Holder of the Sacred Whorl
Healing Realms of the Cosmic Weaver in Second Wave Feminist Fiction
by Janice Young

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Follow the threads of Spider Woman, the Cosmic Weaver, into an intricate and transformative world. Here, Janice Young draws on the pioneering work of Mary Daly and the rich tapestry of second-wave feminist thought to explore how Spider Woman imagery and textile metaphors—spinning, weaving, and mending—have shaped women’s writing, creativity, and consciousness. From the loom of myth to the pages of fiction, women writers have spun new linguistic landscapes and narratives that challenge oppression and celebrate interconnectedness. Through cross-cultural analysis and close readings of contemporary women’s literature, Holder of the Sacred Whorl reveals how the archetype of the spider and the act of weaving serve as powerful symbols of healing and the reclamation of feminine power. Part scholarly inquiry, part spiritual exploration, this work is a journey through women’s creativity, the resurgence of Goddess spirituality, and the enduring power of story as a tool for personal and communal transformation. For students of Women’s Studies, aficionados of Goddess symbolism, and anyone drawn to the art of storytelling as a healing modality, Holder of the Sacred Whorl offers inspiration and a guide to spinning a new weave of meaning in our lives.

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Janice Young holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature (2007) from the University of Victoria. Her work has appeared in We’Moon (2008, 2009) and Illumine: The University of Victoria Journal (2006) as well as several editions of the Cowichan Arts Council chapbook, Vision and Verse. For nearly forty years, Janice has walked and worked with the guiding energy of Spider Woman, studying the threads that connect language, art, music, dance, and healing across cultures. She has produced numerous multi-media publications, presentations, and performances in addition to several collaborative writing projects. When not writing, she can often be found gathered in Sacred Circle sharing story, song, sound journeys, textile and yarn arts, wild crafting and dance with others who honour the medicine path, the way of herbs and the creative spirit. Janice is a long-time community member on a small Gulf Island off the coast of British Columbia, where she continues to weave her life and creative arts into the ever-expanding web of Spider Woman’s design. Connect with her on Facebook (Janice E. Young) and Instagram (@weavingrose).

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Janice Young