"The scholarship in this book is superior, revealing a depth of insight and a scope of knowledge possible only from a scholar who has lived with the concerns of feminist theology for decades. Ruether is a gifted storyteller, and lucidly translates complex ideas and debates. This work is of the highest importance, and Ruether asks the right questions at the right time. The text is groundbreaking."—Nancy Pineda-Madrid, Saint Mary's College of California "Ruether has provided a valuable introduction to an important feminist topic: what can we know about sacred female imagery in Western culture? She guides us through contemporary feminist scholarship, providing engaging narrative, and venturing her own interpretations. Ruether calls for feminists to move beyond divisions created by our different interpretations of prehistory and work together towards our common project of a more peaceful, just, and ecological world."—Carol Hepokoski, Meadville Lombard Theological School

No matter what land, culture, country or faith, the Goddess is alive and well and attracting not only women to Her many paths and Her Mysteries but also men who have realised and awakened the feminine within and without as needed in this time of great uncertainty. It is time not to suppress the feminine, but Empower Her, so the world can see the true beauty in everything that She stands for and represents. She is not separate from the world, She is the world, and everything has a little light of the Goddess within them if they only take off their blinkers and let Her shine forth. Let us all now honour the Great Mother and in this great hour of need for a Mother, let us honour all Mothers throughout women’s forgotten past and listen to Her-story not his-story. It is the Patriarchal religions of the world that have created a world of uncertainty, imbalance, and fear. Let us NOW through the Divine Feminine remove the imbalance of the patriarchal warring world and assist our own community in EMPOWERING women and men to awaken to a world of harmony, peace and equilibrium, The Golden Age of Harmony and Equilibrium is NOW!. Let us as a sisterhood, daughters, nieces, sisters, mothers, grandmothers and all women and men under the Light of the Goddess in all Her cultures, names, and differences awaken Her to our world, and through us let Her shine. In honouring the Great Mother we shall spread Her love and honour all Mothers, all women of every faith, culture, and path. “May The Goddess hold you gently in the palms of Her hands, And always close to Her heart!” Lady Tamara Von Forslun Elder High Priestess of the Clan of Boskednan – Tribe of the Crow

The Hindu pantheon is rich in images of the divine feminine—deities representing a wide range of symbolic, social, and meditative meanings. David Kinsley's new book documents a highly unusual group of ten Hindu tantric goddesses, the Mahavidyas, many of whom are strongly associated with sexuality and violence. What is one to make of a goddess who cuts her own head off, or one who prefers sex with a corpse? The Mahavidyas embody habits, attributes, or identities usually considered repulsive or socially subversive and can be viewed as "antimodels" for women. Yet it is within the context of tantric worship that devotees seek to identify themselves with these forbidding goddesses. The Mahavidyas seem to function as "awakeners"—symbols which help to project one's consciousness beyond the socially acceptable or predictable. Drawing on a broad range of Sanskrit and vernacular texts as well as extensive research in India, including written and oral interpretations of contemporary Hindu practitioners, Kinsley describes the unusual qualities of each of the Mahavidyas and traces the parallels between their underlying themes. Especially valuable are the many rare and fascinating images he presents—each important to grasping the significance of the goddesses. Written in an accessible, engaging style, Kinsley's book provides a comprehensive understanding of the Mahavidyas and is also an overview of Hindu tantric practice.

For millennia a patriarchal society has ruled to the exclusion of the feminine or the Goddess who was peacefully worshipped before being completely replaced by a warrior Father God. The Goddess and hence women have been relegated to second-class citizens. The concept of woman as defined by traditional patriarchal society has disempowered the female sex and deemed them inferior. This exclusion and denigration of the divine feminine has done serious damage to women and men both individually and collectively, not to mention the damage this masculine mindset has caused to the environment through wars and other aggressive acts. In this dissertation, the history of the Goddess from the Paleolithic to the present is discussed and causes for the rise of patriarchy, such as invasions by warrior cults, the advent of language and the development of the ego are explored. Then the re-emergence of the divine feminine and its psychological, spiritual and evolutionary effects are discussed. This negative perception of the self by women is challenged by re-imaging women after the Greek Goddess archetypes: Athena, Hera, Demeter, Artemis, Aphrodite and Persephone. The Goddess archetypes are discussed in a therapeutical context as well as other therapeutical techniques such as aspecting, visualizations and women's' groups and circles. The author proposes the re-introduction of the "Sacred Marriage," a sacred ritual performed in temples since Neolithic times and in certain sects today, as a technique for therapy. This sexual ritual along with an understanding of the history of the divine feminine will have individual, collective and evolutionary effects with its use.

This monograph focuses on "Christian Goddess Spirituality" (CGS), the phenomenon of (mostly) women who combine Christianity and Goddess Spirituality, including Wicca/Witchcraft. Mary Ann Beavis’s study provides ethnographic data and analysis on the lived religious experience of CGS practitioners, drawing on interviews of over 100 women who self-identify as combining Christianity and Goddess spirituality. Although CGS also has implications for Goddess Spirituality and related traditions (e.g., Neopaganism, Wicca), here, CGS is considered primarily as a phenomenon within Christianity. However, the study also shows that the fusion of Christian and Goddess spiritualties has had an impact on non-Christian feminist spirituality, since Goddess-worshippers have often constructed Christianity as the diametrical opposite and enemy of the Goddess, to the point that some refuse to admit the possibility that CGS is a valid spiritual path, or that it is even possible. In addition, biblical, Jewish and Christian images of the divine such as Sophia, Shekhinah, the Virgin Mary, and even Mary Magdalene, have found their way into the "Pagan" Goddess pantheon. The main themes of the study include: overlaps and differences between Christian feminist theology and CGS; the routes to CGS for individual practitioners, and their beliefs, practices and experiences; proto-denominational classifications ("spiritual paths") within CGS; CGS thealogy (Christian discourse about the female divine); and the future of CGS in social scientific and ecclesiological context. Christian Goddess Spirituality will be of interest to scholars of religion, especially those with interests in women and religion, feminist spiritualities, feminist theology/thealogy, alternative spiritualities, New Religious Movements, and emergent Christianities.

At some point after fifty, every woman crosses a threshold into the third phase of her life. As she enters this uncharted territory -- one that is generally uncelebrated in popular culture -- she can choose to mourn what has gone before, or she can embrace the juicy-crone years. In this celebration of Act Three, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Jungian analyst and bestselling author of Goddesses in Everywoman, names the powerful new energies and potentials -- or archetypes -- that come into the psyche at this momentous time, suggesting that women getting older have profound and exciting reasons for welcoming the other side of fifty.

The Mahabharata preserves powerful journeys of women recognized as the feminine divine and the feminine heroic in the larger culture of India. Each journey upholds the unique aspects of women's life. This book analytically examines the narratives of eleven women from the Mahabharata in the historical context as well as in association with religious and cultural practices. Lavanya Vemsani brings together history, myth, religion, and practice to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the history of Hindu women, as well as their significance within religious Indian culture. Additionally, Vemsani provides important perspective for understanding the enduring legacy of these women in popular culture and modern society.

Connect to the Sacred Feminine with Archangels and their Companion Goddesses Angels are here to help us deepen our hidden powers—from healing, compassion, and transmutation to faith, courage, focus, and manifestation. But these light beings are not alone. Crystal Pomeroy shares their ancient connections to goddesses worldwide. Learn who they are, how they can help, and what you can do to receive their support. Turn on your angelic intelligence and increase your spiritual powers Uncover the roots of the archangels in pre-religious traditions Work with angels and goddesses to retrieve your sacred feminine and sacred masculine powers Discover the angelic network behind world traditions and the miraculous difference it can bring to your own inner work With dozens of hands-on invocations, affirmations, visualizations, and rituals, Crystal teaches us how to work with angels and their goddess companions from around the world. Crystal also provides step-by-step instructions for healing and prosperity mandalas, an angelic dream journal, a marigold love blessing, and more. By activating our Angelic Intelligence, we can manifest our desires while restoring our confidence and true power.

Angels, Spirit Guides & Goddesses is a lavishly illustrated guide to 100 celestial helpers who are ready to provide guidance—all you need to do is ask. Celestial helpers surround us in abundance, simply awaiting our call. Angels, Spirit Guides & Goddesses is a lively reference to who’s who in the celestial realms. Featuring 100 divinities from spiritual traditions both current and ancient, this guide shows you how to call upon divine help in all areas of your life, from relationships, to career and money, to home and family. Angels, Spirit Guides & Goddesses offers an overview of each deity, their purpose, and how you can call upon them for assistance. Need protection? Call upon Archangel Michael. To find your true soul mate, open your heart to the Hindu god, Krishna. Want assistance with healing or communicating with animals? Invoke Saint Francis. Is your life in need of excitement? Call upon Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele to stoke your passion and inner fire! Beautifully illustrated in full color, Angels, Spirit Guides & Goddesses helps you to easily connect with the essence of each guide and call upon them for magical help and support.