Blog Post: Nature Through the Eyes of Women

I have recently discovered the genre of female nature writers. It began when I picked up “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Robin is a botanist and author. Her writing is a combination of storytelling and her insights on human’s relationship to nature. Her take on the human/earth relations is positive and she sees us as being integrally entwined. “Braiding Sweetgrass” changed my life. It opened up the pathways in my mind that always felt connected to nature and removed the guilt and shame put there by our culture and society. This book encourages and inspires you to integrate with the earth, to engage and value it as part of who you are. It’s not a battle cry for saving the planet and calling for the repentance of our sins against it. Instead Robin asks us to remember that we too are part of the natural world and it is in our blood to work alongside it. 

The second book in this genre that changed my life is “A Place in the Woods” by Helen Hoover. I wrote a whole article on it which you can find here: 

Helen and her husband Adrian left their Chicago life in the 1950’s at the age of 40 and moved to the remote Minnesota wilderness to live in a rugged cabin. “A Place in the Woods” is Helen’s account of their first year living in the remote forest. The Hoover’s were city people with no real life experience in the wild. But they were determined and had the help and support of some neighbors. Eventually they would find a flow and lived in that cabin for many years before moving to New Mexico then finally Wyoming. 

Helen began writing and her husband illustrated her books as a way to make money and survive financially. Helen was also a scientist. She was an analytical chemist for many years before turning to writing. Like Robin Helen’s take on nature was one of integration and belonging. She and her husband discovered quickly that in order to survive they must not only learn to work alongside each season but also find joy and community with the animals and plants. 

I have not read many non-fiction nature focused books in my life. From what I know the genre is mainly dominated by men. This is wonderful and anyone writing about their experiences in the natural world are welcome. But I cannot fairly compare the different styles and perspectives between the genders on this topic. What I can do is write about what a fan I am of the books I have read and I intend to continue to read more. The next book I’m picking up in this genre is called “The Living Mountain” by Nan Shepherd. Nan was a Scottish teacher and writer from Aberdeen. She wrote about her experience in the Cairngorm mountains and sought to understand the nature of our relationship to the natural world as well as the “essential nature” of the Cairngorms.

As I read her book I will be writing along and sharing with you my thoughts and feelings on her writing. I believe that our relationship to the earth is an integral part of the collective unconscious health. How we engage and don’t engage with the natural world plays a massive role in the health of our culture and society.  I fully intend on letting this book change my life as well. So far it’s been a good trend and I’m excited to see how my mind and spirit morph after this journey.