|
 Feminine
Divine
A
God Who Looks Like Me : Discovering a Woman-Affirming Spirituality
By Patricia Lynn Reilly; One reader described this as “the book that changed my life.” An ideal starting place for those seeking the Divine Feminine.
The
Once and Future Goddess: A Symbol of Our Times
Edited By Elinor Gadon; A comprehensive overview of The Goddess throughout time. Beautiful color plates of ancient and modern Goddess Art. I especially recommend Chapter 10, The Hebrew Goddess and Monotheism, and Chapter 11, Is the Virgin a Goddess?
Virgin,
Mother, Crone: Myths and Mysteries of the Triple Goddess
By Donna Wilshire; Dramatic poems and scholarly commentary linking the ancient Goddess with Christian imagery; A delight to read!
365
Goddess : A Daily Guide to the Magic and Inspiration of the Goddess
By Patricia Telesco; A wonderful daily meditation book that introduces a new goddess each day, discusses her attributes, and gives suggestions for integrating her into our daily lives.
The
Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets
By Barbara G. Walker; Comprehensive! Essential! Especially recommened: entries on Mary, Mary Magdalen, and Jesus Christ.
The
Power of Myth
By Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers; A comparative study of myths from many cultures. I especially recommend Chapter 6, The Gift of the Goddess. Wonderful pictures.
When
God Was A Woman
By Merlin Stone; A classic work in Goddess research.
The
Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future
By Riane Eisler; An exploration of the sacred feminine in balance with the sacred masculine. What was lost and how can we reclaim it? A must-read classic!
Inanna:
Queen of Heaven and Earth
By D. Wolkstein & S.N. Kramer; Original ancient texts translated from the cuniform; Includes the Descent of Inanna and the Sacred Marriage.
SOPHIA:
Goddess of Wisdom, Bride of God
by Caitlin Matthews; This book unveils the veiled Black Goddess in her many hiding places over the last several thousand years. She has survived in the major Western religions, philosophies, and mystery schools in many guises.
The
Hebrew Goddess
By Raphael Patai & Merlin Stone; A scholarly tome! Required reading for those interested in how the Goddess was worshiped at the time of the ancient Israelites.
Lilith
By George MacDonald; An important early work about an often misunderstood Goddess.
The
Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image
By Anne Barring & Jules Cashford; In this scholarly study the authors draw upon poetry and mythology, art and literature, archaeology and psychology to show how the myth of the goddess has been lost from our formal Judaeo-Christian images of the divine. The authors explain what happened to the goddess, when and how she was excluded from Western culture, and the implications of this loss.
Eclipse
of the Sun: An investigation into Sun and Moon myths
By Janet McCrickard; This books blows away the gender stereotype that the moon is always female and the sun always male in ancient myths. Read about many Sun Goddesses and Moon Gods from diverse cultures!
Dark
Mother: African Origins and Godmothers
By Lucia Birnbaum; “Prehistoric African migrants took signs of the belief in the dark mother to all continents, where the belief has persisted to the present in the art, folklore, and political hopes of subaltern cultures of the world…and perhaps in the submerged memory of all humans.” Anthropological evidence for the Afrocentric origins of The Goddess.
The
Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory : Why An Invented Past Will Not Give
Women a Future
By Cynthia Eller; Written from the viewpoint that ancient Goddess worship is a wishful fabrication of modern-day feminists, this books is somewhat offensive in tone, yet nonetheless a valuable read. While it was not Eller’s intention, she provided more evidence in support of my beliefs than against them. It’s wise for every Goddess follower to be aware of the arguments against our beliefs about the past and to think for herself.
VIDEO:
Women and Spirituality: Goddess Remembered
(1993) VHS Format-Canada & USA; This stunning and poetic documentary examines pre-Christian goddess-worshipping religions and explores the modern women’s spirituality movement inspired by them. This film is part one of the Women and Spirituality trilogy which also includes The Burning Times and Full Circle.
VIDEO:
Women and Spirituality: Burning Times
(1990) VHS Format-Canada & USA; The Burning Times is an in-depth look at the witch persecutions that swept through Europe only a few hundred years ago. This film is part two of the Women and Spirituality trilogy which also includes Goddess Remembered and Full Circle.
VIDEO:
Women and Spirituality: Full Circle
(1993) VHS Format-Canada & USA; A stirring documentary that awakens memories of the ancestral roots that connect us to each other and to all living things. This film is part three of the Women and Spirituality trilogy which also includes Goddess Remembered and The Burning Times.
VIDEO:
Women and Spirituality: 3-Tape Set (see above)
Our
Bodies
The
Vagina Monologues
By Eve Ensler; An outrageous, uproarous, heart-rending, heart-warming chat about “down there,” our beautiful vaginas. Be brave, read it! Or be braver still, go see a stage production!
Femalia
By Joani Blank, Ed.; A lovely pictoral book that would serve well as a companion to the monologues above! Vaginas only, not objectified but radiant in their naked beauty. Browse the book then take out a mirror and adore your own.
The
Return of The Great Goddess
By Burleigh Muten, Ed.; Check out this wonderful tribute to The Goddess and ourselves in images and poetry. Painting, sculpture, photography, film, and performance art portray the goddess in all her roles: creator and destroyer of life, fertility figure, and ruler of love and wisdom.
Our
Bodies, Ourselves : A Book by and for Women: 25th Anniversary
By Boston Women’s Health Collective; Three decades ago, information about women’s health was hoarded by physicians and doled out sparingly to their female patients. Our Bodies, Ourselves, first published in 1969, helped change that situation. The latest edition runs 752 pages and covers a stunning range of territory about women’s physical beings: fitness (this section includes a reminder that overweight women have a right to not exercise), reproductive health, aging, sexuality, and childbirth.
A
New View of a Woman’s Body
By Federation of Feminist Women’s Health Center; Another excellent resource! An invaluable book on women’s health with hard to find, easy to understand info and pictures.
Bodylove:
Learning to Like our Looks and Ourselves: A Practical Guide for Women
By Ruth Freedman; This book is for women who want to become less critical of their appearance, less preoccupied with weight, and more in love with themselves – physically, sexually, and emotionally. Combining vivid case histories, practical techniques, and simple exercises, Bodylove addresses family expectations, self-esteem, aging, and social values.
The
Woman’s Belly Book: Finding Your Treasure Within
by Lisa Sarasohn ; This book is about valuing your body and yourself. It’s about knowing your body’s center as the wellspring of your physical, emotional, and spiritual vitality.
Back to the Top
The
Goddess Movement
Living
in the Lap of the Goddess: The Feminist Spirituality Movement in America
By Cynthia Eller; Published in 1992, this book traces the herstory of the Feminist Spirituality Movement via interviews with Goddess women, famous and not. An excellent read! I especially encourage you to compare the info presented here with what you know about The Goddess Movement today — see how far we’ve come over the last decade.
The
Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals,
Spellcasting, and Other Womanly Arts… Complete in One Volume
By Z Budapest; Originally published in 1971 by the Susan B. Anthonly Coven No. 1. as the Feminist Book of Light and Shadows, this text was one of the earliest books published in the movement. Little has been changed in this 1989 edition. Take a trip through time and experience our origins!
Womanspirit
Rising: A Feminist Reader in Religion
By Carol Christ, Ed.; Originally published in 1979, this is classic anthology of essays from the early days of the movement. Most famous perhaps is Christ’s own essay, “Why Women Need The Goddess,” still valuable today!
The
Politics of Women’s Spirituality: Essays by Founding Mothers of the
Movement
By Charlene Spretnak, Ed.; Published in 1982, this text highlights areas of unity and controversies within the early days of the movement. Especially valuable are the essays on “Are Goddesses and Matriarchies Merely Figments of Feminist Imagination?”
Drawing
Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans
in America Today
By Margot Adler; First published in 1979, this text by National Public Radio journalist Margot Adler was the first to break the silence so publically. Adler visited numerous circles across the country to compile this account of what the Goddess movement (and its neighbor the new Pagan movement) looked like then. A sympathetic account from an outsider. Very valuable in tracing the history of the movement.
SageWoman Magazine
Keep abreast of The Goddess Movement and Practice today by subscribing to this beautiful, informative quarterly magazine. Enjoy!
Back to the Top
Young
People (& Parents!)
Teen
Witch: Wicca for a New Generation
by Silver Ravenwolf; This book provides enough basic material on Wicca to give anyone a good start to understanding the craft. As the title implies, this book is geared for teens, addressing the truths and myths about witchcraft in light of the issues that teens face, from school to parents to peer pressure.
Solitary
Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation
by Silver Ravenwolf; By the author of the best-selling Teen Witch and mother of four teen Witches, this book is a jam-packed learning and resource guide for more serious young Witches. This book has everything a teen Witch could want and need between two covers: a magickal cookbook, encyclopedia, dictionary, and grimoire. It relates specifically to today’s young adults and their concerns, yet is grounded in the magickal work of centuries past.
Teen
Goddess: How to Look, Love & Live Like a Goddess
by Catherine Wishart; Work with the power and beauty of fifteen ancient goddesses from around the world. Wishart shows you how to access your inner and outer beauty. Myths, meditations, and magic combine in this guide to girl power.
Maiden
Magick: A Teen’s Guide to Goddess Wisdom and Ritual
by C. C. Brondwin; Maiden Magick answers that often-voiced need from today’s teens for a clear, step-by-step guidebook to Goddess spirituality and Celtic magick. Brondwin delivers one-on-one instruction with compassion, respect, and a dash of playful humor for a teen embarking on the novice phase of her lifelong spiritual journey. The teen apprentice is encouraged to believe in herself and her own natural powers, and to walk the Goddess path with confidence.
Tarot
for Teens
by M. J. Abadie; The first and only complete guide to tarot interpretation written specifically for teens. This book provides comprehensive interpretations of each card plus instructions on how to use the cards, care for a tarot deck, and read the oracle for oneself and others.
newWitch: not your mother’s broomstick!
From the producers of SageWoman, this young magazine brings you “Sex, Spells & Rock’n’Roll in 80 pages, mailed quarterly in a sealed envelope for privacy.”
Seasons
of Magic
by Laurel Ann Reinhardt; For the younger set. This book traces a 12-year girl’s journey around the seasons of the year as she learns what it means to be pagan, growing up in a pagan family.
The
Book of Wizard Craft:
In Which the Apprentice Finds Spells, Potions, Fantastic Tales &
50 Enchanting Things to Make
by Janice Eaton Kilby et al; Recommended for ages 9-12, this book gives activities for fantasy play rather than lessons in real magick, but it’s quite popular, getting rave reviews from youngers and older folks alike. Make your own wand, robe, throw a wizard party and more.
The
Everything Kids’ Witches and Wizards Book: Amaze Your Friends, Astound
Your Parents, and Outwit Your Enemies!
by L. T. Sammuels; Also recommended for ages 9-12, this book provides similar activities to the book above, yet also includes some exercises in concentration that might be helpful for those who want to learn magic later on. Praised by one Spiral Scounts leader.
Pagan
Kids’ Activity Book
by Amber K; For ages 4 – 8. The book has pages which include: moon phases, what a worship circle is and means to a pagan, aspects of the Goddess and the God, various pagan symbols and their meanings, a discussion of the various pagan holidays (focusing mostly on Celtic/Wicca ones), and discusses the Wiccan Rede. As well there are mazes, games, and puzzles for kids to do.
The Blessed
Bee
A Pagan family newsletter, filled with magic, features, stories and resources for Pagan families everywhere. 32 pages, quarterly. Includes regular activities for the kids as well as advice for the parents!
Circle
Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions
by Starhawk et al; This priceless resource for parents offers guidelines for helping children discover the different facets of the Goddess tradition–from altars to sabbats–and suggests recipes, creative projects, and other activities resuscitating the values of family in our latchkey society
Raising
Witches: Teaching the Wiccan Faith to Children
by Ashleen O’Gaea; Here is the first book to give parents the means to teach Wicca in a more formal fashion than just “chatting with the kids” around the kitchen table. Featuring a Wiccan curriculum for each of the five age groups, Raising Witches offers a variety of sample lessons and both a structure and a prototype for readers who want to develop “Sun Day School” or “Moon School” classes
Pagan
Parenting: Spiritual, Magical & Emotional Development of the Child
by Kristin Madden; The first book of this kind ever published, Pagan
Parenting is a classic that remains alive for readers today, dispensing gentle suggestions and fun activities parent to parent.
Back to the Top
Interfaith
Study
Everyday
Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness, and Making Miracles
Marianne Williamson; Excellent advice for daily living. Accessible yet powerful. Williamson shows us how to use our (internal) wands of power to transform our lives.
Wise
Women : Over Two Thousand Years of Spiritual Writing by Women
By Susan Cahill; A marvelous collection of texts.
Fabric
of the Future : Women Visionaries of Today Illuminate the Path to
Tomorrow
Ed. M.J. Ryan; A breath-taking anthology of essays on living a spiritual life in the complex world of today. Writers include Angeles Arien, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Z Budapest, Shakti Gawain, Woodeene Koenig- Bricker, Starhawk, Marianne Williamson, and Gloria Steinem, just to name a few! Excellent devotional reading.
Every
Eye Beholds You: A World Treasury of Prayer
Ed. T.J. Craughwell; A moving collection of prayers from nearly every known tradition. Grouped by subject.
Book
of Hours: Prayers to the Goddess
by Galen Gillotte;Includes morning, evening, and nightly prayers; seasonal prayers; and prayers for the new and full moons.
The
Spirituality of Imperfection : Storytelling and the Journey to Wholeness
by Ernest Kurtz, Katherine Ketcham; The spirituality of imperfection, steeped in the rich traditions of the Hebrew prophets and Greek thinkers, Buddhist sages and Christian disciples, is a message as timeless as it is timely.
Ordinary
People as Monks and Mystics: Lifestyles for Self-discovery
by Marsha Sinetar; This book provides validation for (and case studies of) people who live “in the world, but not of the world.” Join the
Monks and Mystics Discussion
List.
Sanctuaries
— The Complete United States
A Guide to Lodgings in Monasteries, Abbeys, and Retreats
By Jack & Marcia Kelly; Who is welcome, when, at what fee, and under what circumstances. It’s all included here. Many sanctuaries offer work-for-board options. An excellent guide!
The
Grandmother of Time :
A Woman’s Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every
Month of the Year
By Z Budapest; I recommend anything by Z, but this classic is a great place to start!
Guide
to Goddess Craft
By Diane Stein; Women’s Spirituality (or Goddess Craft) is electic, multi-traditional. This book is an excellent place to start for any woman building a spiritual practice as her heart leads her.
Shakti
Woman : Feeling Our Fire, Healing Our World : The New Female Shamanism
By Vicki Noble; Reclaim your sacred sexuality and creative abilities with this must-read by the co-creator of the Motherpeace Tarot.
Spirial
Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of The Great Goddess
By Starhawk; This classic is still the best place to start for anyone interested in Wicca. Rituals, invocations, exercises, and magic, as well as complete instructions for practicing alone or with a coven are included here.
Mysteries
of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess
By Demetra George; The author helps you to face your fears of the unknown, and challenges you to abandon your prejudices against the shadowy feminine to achieve healing. Covering the dark moon, the scary aspect of the divine feminine, the unconscious, blood, sex, magic, divination, and death. This is the stuff you won’t find in your average mythology book.
The
Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
by Julia Cameron ; Don’t see yourself as an artist? This book can change that dramatically as you unlock your ability to explore the sacred in yourself though art.
In
the Shadow of the Shaman : Connecting With Self, Nature, and Spirit
By Amber Wolfe; A complete approach to Native American Spirituality.
The
Woman of Wyrrd : The Arousal of the Inner Fire
By Lynn V. Andrews; Journey to the past through astral travel. I recommend many other titles by Andrews, but this is my favorite.
That
Which You Are Seeking is Causing You to Seek
By Cheri Huber; An introduction to Zen practice in an illustrated easy-to understand format. The focus of this book is on stopping patterns of self-sabotage. Also recommended by Huber: The
Depression Book : Depression As an Opportunity for Spiritual Growth
Zen
Mind, Beginner’s Mind
By Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi; Highly recommended for anyone interested in Zen.
Also available on audiotape
Jesus
and Buddha : The Parallel Sayings
By Marcus Borg; Remarkably similar sayings from the two Masters presented side by side.
The
Dance of the Dissident Daughter:
A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine
By Sue Monk Kidd; The author takes the reader on her journey from traditional Christian wife and mother to a woman who argues for a feminine face of God. Kidd comes to the Goddess through Jungian practice instead of through Wicca, creating her own icons and rituals along the way.
When
the Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm
By Layne Redmond; Redmond comes to the Goddess through drumming — the culmination of her spiritual questing up until that time. Journey with her as she unfolds her connection to Cybele, the Goddess of the drum.
The
Path of the Priestess: A Guidebook for Awakening the Divine Feminine
By Sharon Rose; Rose comes to The Goddess through an East Indian approach via dance, meditation, and a new casting of Goddess history. She includes exercises for you to follow the path she followed.
To learn more about the Esoteric Mystery School, or to join, Click
Here.
To view The Esoteric Mystery School’s textbooks, Click
Here.
Back to the Top
Spiritual Fiction
The
Secret Life of Bees
By Sue Monk Kidd; This moving novel traces a young girl’s journey into womanhood. She escapes her abusive father by finding a strong community of women who honor Our Lady of Chains, a Black Madonna. Set in the South during the age of Civil Rights.
Franny
& Zooey
By JD Salinger; An ordinary young woman seeks to find God through praying The Jesus Prayer. An exploration in mysticism and Zen philosophy. One of my favorite books!
A
Prayer for Owen Meany
By John Irving; Is this unusual man insane or is he an emmisary of God? A soulful exploration of the nature of faith and sacrifice. Also a favorite of mine!
Pay
It Forward
By Catherine Hyde; Much much better than the movie, this book is not to be missed! A book of inspiration and hope. What would happen if we started enacting the principles of conduct suggested here?
Charms
for the Easy Life
By Kaye Gibbons; This is a grandmother-power book about a wise woman, circa WWII in the US rural South, who dispenses her medicine and her wisdom to her daughter, granddaughter and others in the community. A real treat!
Chocolat
By Joanne Harris; The film was delicious, but the book is even tastier! Experience of the magick of a traveling witch and her daughter who dispense the sweet medicine of The Mother in a delightful fashion.
The
Forest House
By Marion Zimmer Bradley; The first book in this series about pre-Christian Britian finds the Priestesses living under the protection of the Druids after the Roman invasion. At the end of the book, they emigrate to Avalon.
Lady
of Avalon
By Marion Zimmer Bradley; The second book in this series about pre-Christian Britian shows how Avalon was withdrawn into the mists with the help of the Faery Queen.
Priestess
of Avalon
By Marion Zimmer Bradley & Diana L. Paxson; The third book in the Mists of Avalon series presents the tale of Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, former priestess of Avalon. Equal in quality to the other Mists books even though it was completed posthumously by MZB’s partner.
The
Mists of Avalon
By Marion Zimmer Bradley; The fourth (and most popular) book in this series about pre-Christian Britian explores the Authurian legend from the viewpoint of The Goddess Religion.
The
Firebrand
By Marion Zimmer Bradley; Visit ancient Troy from a Goddess perspective.
Lioness
of the Sun
By Lorraine Tartasky; The mysteries, traditions, and theology of Ancient Egypt are revealed as we follow the initiation of Arion and Marissa into the Kemetian Priesthood during the reign of Hatshepsut, the Female King. The intrigue of Pharonic succession in the 18th dynasty is the canvas upon which Sekhmet, The Powerful One, Lady of Flame, sets out to right the inequity between gods and men.
The
Moon Under Her Feet
By Clysta Kinstler; Was Mary Magdalen a Priestess of the Great Mother? In this book she is. See the Christian Story unfold from a new perspective.
Feminist
Fairy Tales
By Barbara G. Walker; Looking for some tales of strong young women going forth to succeed in the world? Look no further! Walker presentes a delightful collection that includes revisions of classics (like Snow Night), reworkings of ancient myths, and sheerly new stories too. Not to be missed!
The
Red Tent
By Anita Diamant; This novel provides an insider’s look at the daily life of a biblical sorority of mothers and wives and their one and only daughter, Dinah.
Our
Lady of the Lost and Found: A Novel of Mary, Faith, and Friendship
by Diane Schoemperlen; What would you do if Mother Mary showed up in your living room one day and asked to stay for a week? This book presents a reverent but down to earth view of Our Lady. “Virtually everything that’s been said about me has become true,” Mary tells the writer she befriends. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
Daughter
of the Shining Isles: Magdalen Trilogy, Vol. 1.
By Elizabeth Cunningham; Sheer fun, sheer fiction! A Celtic Mary Magdalen meets Jesus at the Druid college in Wales
The
Return of the Goddess
By Elizabeth Cunningham; An Episcopal Priest’s wife finds the Goddess, awakens to her own power, and is able to blend her past spiritual practice with her newfound love of the Goddess.
How
to Spin Gold: A Woman’s Tale
By Elizabeth Cunningham; A surpisingly-good and in-depth reworking of the Rumplestilskin story.
The
Wild Mother
By Elizabeth Cunningham; Meet a race of ancient, immortal women who insist on living free.
Amazon
: A Novel
By Barbara G. Walker; A Wild Woman from the past undergoes a ritual that sends her into the future — our present day. (Out of print.)
Now
Is the Time to Open Your Heart : A Novel
By Alice Walker; Journey with Kate Talkingtree as she sets out on a year-long spiritual quest after dreaming of dry rivers. Kate undergoes shamanic experiences that cleanse and heal her. Her partner Yolo undertakes his own journey of healing at the same time, bringing them back together at the end. I couldn’t put this book down! Not to be missed. Very uplifting.
The
Temple of My Familiar
By Alice Walker; An African-American woman and man come to terms with their spiritual inheritance by coming into contact with an ancient woman who remembers all of her past lives, as far back as living in trees.
The
Kin of Ata Are Waiting for You
By Dorothy Bryant; Meet a community of Dreamers who Dream for World Healing. Alice Walker calls this one of her favorite books.
Siddhartha
By Hermann Hesse; Journey with the Buddha as he undergoes Enlightenment.
Back to the Top
Contact
Us
|
