Last month I wrote about fertility symbols. I believe at some point I wrote that many individuals do not recognize these symbols in current times. Well, I just came across one individual who does.

I have heard of Tori Amos, but haven't ever listened to her. While in the bookstore this winter I came across her book Piece by Piece. The cover intrigued me and I requested it from the library. After waiting through spring, I finally have it in my hands.

The book was written along with Ann Powers whose writing career follows the pop music scene. It has song canvases for a lot of her work and this part of the book is telling. You can really get a feel for where Amos was when she was writing these songs. Next up, I'll be requesting some CDs of hers.

One of the chapters in the book is entitled "Demeter: The Journey Into Motherhood". Once again, I'm reading along and here comes an infertility story within a life. Once again, I am reminded that regardless of money or fame, fertility issues can plague anyone. And Amos has it all. Many miscarriages, unscrupulous doctors, surgeries and recoveries. She also balances these trials of bringing her daughter into the world along with experiences with her mother. She tries to make sense of her situation by trying to understand certain archetypes which I hadn't heard of before. It gave me a total other view of how someone outside of the mainstream may view infertility. More specifically, how a rock star may view infertility. It was eye opening. To see her view of the feminine and all of the feminine aspects of certain archetypes and goddesses really made me think. I ended up having to review the stories of Venus, Demeter and Persephone. Also Pandora. I was suddenly back in college. This book was very unexpected and I enjoyed it.