Encounters with Mary, the mother of Jesus, are occurring frequently today among ordinary people of varying religions. What do these visions of the feminine Divine mean, not only for the visionaries, but for people who have not experienced them?          Blessed Among Women recounts first-person, dramatic, true stories of people's encounters with Mary and discusses their significance in ways that will inspire people of all spiritual backgrounds. Dr. G. Scott Sparrow, who has had his own encounters with Mary, offers spiritual and psychological interpretations of Marian encounters and explains why they are relevant to everyone's life. His absorbing commentary provides a historical context for these profound experiences and teaches readers how to get in touch with Mary's inspiring directives, her presence and energy.          Whether these experiences take place in the city or countryside, in the sanctuary of dreams or during moments of indecision, emotional turmoil, illness, or even joy, they all resemble one another in a central way: Each dramatically transforms the course of the seer's life and unleashes an inner strength and a renewed sense of faith, compassion, and caring.