Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood: A Treasury of Goddess and Heroine Lore from Around the World [Paperback]

Merlin Stone (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0807067512 | ISBN-13: 978-0807067512 | Publication Date: September 30, 1990

This collection of ancient images of women as goddesses and heroines brings together legends, rituals, and prayers from China, Celtic Europe, South America, Africa, India, North America, Scandinavia, Japan, and elsewhere.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Every feminist should have a copy of Ancient Mirrors. . . . These are stories to grow up with. —Sojourner

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (September 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807067512
• ISBN-13: 978-0807067512
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be passed from Mother to Daughter!, December 7, 1999

By 

Cotton Wood - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood: A Treasury of Goddess and Heroine Lore from Around the World (Paperback)

I checked this book out from the library twice. When I couldn't check it out the third time, I bought it! I have used it as a source of inspiration, by just opening it up at any point and reading. Becoming dear friends with the goddesses in this book, if I had to choose three favorite books, this would be one!

I have learned about those goddesses who aren't very popular, like the "Spider Woman" who weaves a web of destiny or Goddess Ma'at "The Eye of Heaven". The section on Ma'at is particularly beautiful and inspiring. There is an understanding of justice, not our twisted backward laws, but true justice in this passage that is not limited by time. In that passage I also came to understand what is meant by "a light heart." One of my favorite sections is about the Australian Lia, woman of the Goanna Tribe. She led the women out of their dull and unforgiving existence to a place of hope. I highly recommend this book! Rich with tales, history and culture that should be passed on from Mother to Daughter.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As important to us as the bible is to christians!!!, September 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood: A Treasury of Goddess and Heroine Lore from Around the World (Paperback)

this is a beautufil gift that ms. stone has given the Goddess community and i for one will be forever grateful.this is not a history book. it is a holy book. the myth and poetry that ms. stone has birthed touches the soul.the subtitle of this book is "a treasury of goddess and heroine lore from around the world" and it truly is a treasury. the scope of the book is incredible. it brings is the stories of the well known goddesses and the stories of goddesses who we may never had heard of before.another reviewer says that ms. stone is not a good scholar. i am not sure why that person would have read this book. it is clear from the writing that the author is providing histories that are not found in your average history book. she is presenting an alternative. she offers the history that acomapanies each region section as possiblities. history is an art and not a science. if you are satisfied with the so-called "original sources" that were gathered by, translated by, edited by white christian men and believe that they are totally unbiased--then why buy this book. ... but if you are a person who understands that you don't know everything, this book is easy to love. it is not terribly outrageous, and the historical background it provides is just as valid as any other. ms. stone never presents them as the ultimate truth but rather offers us information that has been kept from us, because others found it unimportant.but this is ultimatly not a history book. it is a book of myth. it is beautifully written. if is full of reverence. it takes the goddesses seriously. it is powerful. and i can't recommend it more highly.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be passed from mother to daughter..., April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood: A Treasury of Goddess and Heroine Lore from Around the World (Paperback)

Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood

I checked this book out from the library twice. When I couldn't check it out the third time, I bought it! I have used it as a source of inspiration, by just opening it up at any point and reading. Becoming dear friends with the goddesses in this book, if I had to choose three favorite books, this would be one!

I have learned about those goddesses who aren't very popular, like the "Spider Woman" who weaves a web of destiny or Goddess Ma'at "The Eye of Heaven". The section on Ma'at is particularly beautiful and inspiring. There is an understanding of justice, not our twisted backward laws, but true justice in this passage that is not limited by time. In that passage I also came to understand what is meant by "a light heart." One of my favorite sections is about the Australian Lia, woman of the Goanna Tribe. She led the women out of their dull and unforgiving existence to a place of hope. I highly recommend this book! Rich with tales, history and culture that should be passed on from Mother to Daughter.