The mafic within refers to the presence of mafic minerals, which are rich in iron and magnesium, within a rock or geological formation. Mafic minerals are commonly found in igneous rocks and are characterized by their dark color and high density. Examples of mafic minerals include olivine, pyroxene, and biotite. Mafic minerals are formed from molten rock, or magma, that cools and solidifies. As the magma cools, mafic minerals crystallize and form within the rock. The presence of these minerals can give the rock a distinctive appearance, often appearing dark in color.
I hope women everywhere feel the tight restraints of menstrual blood stigma begin to loosen and fall away.
There are companies beginning to establish whereby a woman collects her menstrual blood each month that is then deposited into a menstrual blood bank that can be there for her should any of her organs or tissues become damaged she can use her own menstrual stem cells to heal herself. In ancient times menstrual blood was seen as a potent elixir, a life giving substance that could heal and be used as medicine for longevity and regeneration.
The presence of these minerals can give the rock a distinctive appearance, often appearing dark in color. One common type of rock that contains mafic minerals is basalt. Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock that is commonly found in volcanic regions.
Blood Magic: The Anthropology of Menstruation (Paperback)
Examining cultures as diverse as long-house dwellers in North Borneo, African farmers, Welsh housewives, and postindustrial American workers, this volume dramatically redefines the anthropological study of menstrual customs. It challenges the widespread image of a universal "menstrual taboo" as well as the common assumption of universal female subordination which underlies it. Contributing important new material and perspectives to our understanding of comparative gender politics and symbolism, it is of particular importance to those interested in anthropology, women's studies, religion, and comparative health systems.
Thomas Buckley is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He Specializes in North American Indian ethnology and history, with particular interests in religion and language. Alma Gottlieb is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her area of interest is Africa, with emphasis on gender, religion, and family structure.
- Social Science / Anthropology
- Social Science / Gender Studies
"The first book on the anthropology of menstruation to be published by a major university press.”
— Becky Vorpagel
"A major innovation is the deliberate and consistent focus on women’s views and their participation in social responses to bodily processes."
— Terence Hays
“Reclaiming the female body, retrieving it piece by piece from the grip of patriarchal culture and medical practice, has been a central feminist goal for each of the last two decades. Menstruation . . . is now front and center on the feminist agenda as a topic that needs to be rethought . . . Blood Magic . . . [is] among a larger set of books that are seeking simultaneously to dismantle the traditional formulations and to replace them with a woman-centered set of understandings . . . [the book]. . . not only clear[s] and point[s] the way for a new woman-centered scholarship on menstruation but demonstrate[s] its significance to the feminist agenda.”
“The first major collection on anthropological interpretations of menstruation. . . The editors contribute a lengthy, useful introduction to this biological phenomenon and the interpretations given to it by different peoples; moreover, they provide discussions for each section . . . A well-edited and useful contribution to the continually growing literature on the cultural constructions of gender.”
— L. Beck
“Menstrual taboos have long been a favorite subject of ethnographic inquiry, but in the past their study has suffered from both an ethnocentric and male-centered bias. Burdened by their own set of ‘menstrual taboos,’ ethnographers have too often assumed they knew what those of another culture meant. Blood Magic, a collection of essays by nine fieldworkers in anthropology and related disciplines, marks a welcome departure from earlier studies in a number of ways. It derives its perspective from women’s studies in recognizing the need to focus on women’s experiences as well as those of men, and in recognizing the importance of female fieldworkers to do this. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body . . . This is a well-constructed and well-researched collection, grounded in received anthropological theory, yet looking far beyond it.”
— Jennifer Livesay
It's something we painstakingly hide, cover, soak up and medicate away throughout our reproductive lives. It's seen as a nuisance. The amount of time, mental and physical energy we put into making sure ABSOLUTELY NO ONE EVER sees a single drop of our blood is quite frankly, exhausting (also super grateful to be with a man that appreciates and is unfazed by menstrual blood and makes me feel even more feminine and beautiful when I have my period - shout out to the other partners who do this too!).
It is composed mainly of mafic minerals such as pyroxene and olivine, along with plagioclase feldspar. The presence of mafic minerals within a rock can have significant implications for its overall composition and physical properties. Mafic minerals are typically denser and have higher melting points than other minerals, which can contribute to the overall strength and durability of the rock. In addition, the presence of mafic minerals can also influence the rock's color and texture. As mafic minerals tend to be dark in color, rocks containing these minerals often have a darker appearance. The texture of the rock can also be affected, with mafic minerals contributing to a more fine-grained or crystalline texture. The mafic within can also have important implications for the formation and evolution of geological formations. The presence of mafic minerals within a rock can provide valuable information about the source and composition of the magma from which it formed. By studying the distribution and characteristics of mafic minerals within rocks, geologists can gain insight into the processes that shaped the Earth's crust and the history of geological events. Overall, the mafic within is a term that describes the presence of mafic minerals within a rock or geological formation. These minerals, which are rich in iron and magnesium, can have significant implications for the composition, physical properties, and formation of rocks. Studying the mafic within can provide valuable insights into the Earth's history and the processes that have shaped its crust..
Reviews for "Examining the Chemical Composition of the Mafic Within: Insights from Geochemical Analysis"
1. Michael - 2/5 - I found "The Mafic Within" to be a slow and rather confusing read. The plot seemed overly complex and convoluted, with too many characters to keep track of. Additionally, the writing style was quite dense and difficult to follow. I struggled to connect with the characters or become invested in their story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - "The Mafic Within" had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was too slow, and the story took too long to get to the point. It felt like the book was dragging on and on without really going anywhere. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional. While there were some interesting moments, overall, I felt underwhelmed by this novel.
3. David - 2/5 - I was excited to read "The Mafic Within" based on the positive reviews, but I found it to be a major letdown. The writing style was overly verbose and pretentious, making it difficult to engage with the narrative. The plot was confusing and disjointed, with too many subplots that didn't come together in a satisfying way. Overall, I struggled to stay interested in this book and was relieved when it finally ended.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I really tried to like "The Mafic Within," but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. The story felt overly complicated and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also quite repetitive and overly descriptive, making it hard to stay engaged. While I can see why some people might enjoy this book, it just didn't resonate with me personally.