She Who Scrivens

Prayers, Ceremonies, and Spiritual Practices to Guide Public Historians

For the Ebook, order here. 

 

For the Paperback, order here.

Do Public Historians Need Prayers?

 

Although public history is often meant to be a secular world, it is often related to religion, cultural heritage, and artifacts that are considered sacred. While many professionals frown upon bringing spirituality or religion into a secular historical space or art museum, others are seeking ways to become more attuned to and prepared for, dealing with cultural heritage and history that is considered sacred.

 

The prayers in this book are meant to address the many different ways public historians might be dealing with sacred, spiritual, or religious objects. But also, how public historians must deal with historic places, cultural heritage, ancient history, locations of historic events, and places of deep and disturbing trauma.

 

Blending ministry with public history, I have adapted some traditional prayers and blessings, and have written a plethora of new ones. These are meant to help you:

 

• Add elements of respect, reverence, and spiritual/emotional support to your daily work
• Honor trauma, and the pain of those that came before, with a blessing or a prayer
• Find solutions for dealing with situations, objects, or events considered sacred by honoring them spiritually, or by finding a non-religious approach that is inclusive of all.