Goddess Spirituality Book

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

A fascinating introduction to one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the United States today. Through interviews, participant-observation, and analysis of movement literature, Cynthia Eller explores what women who worship the goddess believe; how they express those beliefs in private, in public, and in the political realm; and the place of feminist spirituality in the history of American religion.

Goddess worship is among the original forms of human religious expression. Thomas Cleary and Sartaz Aziz show how the Divine Feminine has never really disappeared from religion-in spite of its suppression by patriarchal culture. Whether conceptualized as divine person, saint, mythic figure, archetype, or abstract principle, the Divine Feminine inevitably arises, manifesting in hidden as well as obvious ways. This book is a guided tour of the feminine principles, symbols, and imagery found in Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and the Sufi tradition of Islam, with insightful meditations on the deep meanings of these manifestations of the Divine.

“A fascinating ‘herstory’ of the Divine Feminine, rich in heart, depth and wisdom . . . an empowering message of hope and inspiration.” —Katherine Woodward Thomas, New York Times–bestselling author At the dawn of religion, God was a Woman. The Divine Feminine is known by innumerable names and symbol-rich manifestations across the world’s cultures. Throughout the ages the Goddess has been honored and worshiped as the Virgin Mary, Isis, Inanna, Asherah, Diana, Kuan Yin, Kali, Oshun, Athena, Pele, Sarasvati, Demeter, and White Buffalo Calf Woman, to mention just a few. Goddess Power takes you on a fascinating and, at times, surprising journey into the enduring essence of the Divine Feminine. Inside this book you will learn: • How the Goddess path offers an empowering message and inspiration • The importance of re-establishing a healthy balance and integration of both the “masculine” and the “feminine” archetypes • That the notion of God as archetypal “Sky-Father” is fairly recent in Western culture • Why the wisdom of the Goddess/Sacred Feminine has been ignored, distorted, and oppressed for centuries • How archetypes, mythic narratives, and qualities of Goddesses are alive within you and how they reveal intimate truths about yourself and others • How Goddesses can serve as empowering guides in your personal and professional life • Why especially black Goddesses/dark-skinned Mothers (e.g., Kali or Black Madonna) are a powerful symbol and catalyst for change in our times, both individually and collectively • And much, much more! “An empowering message and inspiration that can be drawn from the Goddess so humanity might evolve toward higher awareness.” —Karen Tate, author of Walking an Ancient Path and Goddess 2.0

Today’s young women are smart, educated, career-oriented, and maybe a little bit fashion-obsessed. So where does the spiritual life fit in? With InStyle magazine on one nightstand, and Julian of Norwich on the other, author Donna Freitas has her finger on the pulse of a new generation of women and understands the spiritual issues that most concern them. Drawing on the stories of popular heroines such as Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw, Becoming a Goddess of Inner Poise illustrates how our life choices can have a profoundly spiritual dimension—in the bedroom, the boardroom, the beach, and at Barney’s. Freitas combines wisdom from a variety of spiritual traditions and with a generous dash of humor, giving modern women a new model for the spiritual journey.

An illustrated seasonal celebration of goddesses "The Goddess Book is a joyful celebration of perennial goddess wisdom that nourishes, expands, and inspires.” —HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess Training This is a book of mediations that celebrate the divine feminine. It is an exploration of representations of the goddess throughout history. Here are heroines, queens, witches, healers, proud princesses, courageous daughters, and cranky crones. Organized by the four seasons, author Nancy Blair groups these goddesses according to the seasons in which their energies are most potent. These meditations and affirmations challenge readers to: Awaken the divine feminine Join the seasonal circle of goddesses Create meaningful, simple, heart-nourishing rituals Let the goddess inform daily life Create the life you want Here is a book of earth-based spirituality, informed by perennial goddess wisdom. The words and the stunning art of artist Thaila Took create a sacred space that will nourish women around the world. From Aphrodite, Brigit, Hekate, and Lilith to Baba Yaga, Kuan Yin, Oshun, and Sekmet this is a treasury to let the goddesses empower and inspire you. "Every woman needs this book on her bedside table. An active and animated must-read.”—Emma Mildon, bestselling author of The Soul Searcher’s Handbook and Evolution of Goddess