Interview with Stephanie Rose Bird, author of “The Big Book of Soul”

By admin, on March 9th, 2010

About Stephanie Rose Bird

Stephanie Rose Bird is a cum laude graduate of Temple University, Tyler School of Art and a MFA graduate of the University of California at San Diego where she was a San Diego Opportunity Fellow. She was assistant professor at the School of the Art Institute, a Fulbright Senior Scholar and has taught at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Garfield Conservatory. Bird is a professional member of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing and the Herb Research Society of the American Botanical Council. She is author of Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs, Four Seasons of Mojo and Herbal Guide to Natural Living, and A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for Body and Spirit. Bird is a practicing herbalist and aromatherapist who lives with her husband, family and animal friends in the Chicago area. You can visit her at Author’s Den at www.authorsden.com/stephanierosebird or her new website at www.stephanierosebird.com.

The Interview

Could you please tell us a little about your book?
The Big Book of Soul: the Ultimate Guide to the African American Spirit: Legends & Lore, Music & Mysticism, Recipes and Rituals explores the healing, magic, and divination traditions of ancient African earth-based spirituality, and traces how these practices have evolved in contemporary African American culture. Along the way the book offers recipes, rituals and resources that you can use to heal your life.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

For many years I have been inspired by and on the receiving end of arts as a form of healing. I wanted to research ways the arts were used in African cultures as a healing tool and to also explore African diasporic herbal healing practices and put this together in one book.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My children and family.

Your biggest critic?

My husband and myself.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I’m passionate about tolerance and this leads me to support various causes for people of color and women (such as ending domestic violence and equality) as well as spiritual tolerance especially for those who practice earth-based religions. I am passionate about these topics because I and many people I know have had to suffer under intolerance.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I’ve learned to be a better communicator using the internet, joining social networks, putting up a website and tweeting.

What are you currently working on?

Two nonfiction books tentatively called “Drawing from the Well” which focuses mainly on African women’s wisdom and traditional arts and crafts—the other book is “Mama Earth’s Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss.”

What are some of your long term goals?

To move to a cottage by the sea and to buy some land in the mountains. I also want to create a work of fiction that will probably be supernatural and spiritual in nature.
What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Winning a COVR award for best general interest book in 2004 for “Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs.”

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Persistence

Biggest weakness?

Chocolate

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

This book has a specific focus on African diasporic earth-based spirituality traditions something that isn’t written about a whole lot.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

I’m much more confident and driven. I realize life is for living, right now—nothing is promised to us. I’m grateful and I pray more.

What is your favorite past-time?

Swimming in natural bodies of water like the ocean and lakes.

stephanie

I’d like to say a heart-felt thanks for this interview. People can find out more about my work at www.stephanierosebird.com

The Big Book of Soul by Stephanie Rose Bird (click on cover to purchase at Amazon)

About The Big Book of Soul: The Ultimate Guide to the African-American Spirit

Soul is the essence of African American culture–the ingredient that makes it tick. In The Big Book of Soul, writer and herbalist Stephanie Rose Bird takes us on an amazing journey into the ancient traditions of mysticism, spirituality, and mythology that lie beneath this uniquely African American experience. Bird explores the healing, magic, and divination traditions of ancient African earth-based spirituality, and traces how these practices have evolved in contemporary African American culture. Along the way she offers recipes, rituals and resources that you can use to heal your life.

Read the excerpt!

The Big Book of Soul is an epochal exploration into the meaning of soul in sacred and mundane life of Africans in the diaspora with spiritual lessons for all. This book is also an investigation into the nexus of heart, art, and soul–how the three can come together to imbue life with unfathomably rich possibilities. The trio’s possibilities include depth of loving, potential for healing the self and others, as well as the idea of tapping into energy that enriches the soul experience.