Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess (Paperback)

by Demetra George (Author) "The moon, Queen of the Night in all her silvery splendor, reaches out to us as she glides across the black, moonlit skies..." (more)
Key Phrases: moon phase corresponds, dark phase energies, dark moon phase, New York, Moon Goddess, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A revealing journey into the deep, healing power of the archetypal feminine." -- -- Douglas Bloch, author of Words That Heal

"Brimming with insight, information, and mystery...For everyone with thirsty souls and inquiring minds." -- -- Michael Lutin, author of Childhood Rising and Made in Heaven

"[George] writes lucidly abour her dark, 'invisible' subject. This is a poetic, empowering exploration of nature." -- -- Marilyn Ferguson, author of The American Conspiracy

Product Description

Exploring the mystery, wisdom, and power of the dark phase of the moon's cycle--a lunar-based model for moving through the dark times in our lives with understanding, consciousness, and faith in renewal.

The moon's dark phase has traditionally been a time of fear and superstition, a time associated with death and isolation. The mythical embodiment of these fears is the Dark Goddess. Known around the world by many names--Lilith, Kali, Hecate, and Morgana--the archetypal Dark Goddess represents death, sexuality, and the unconscious--the little understood, often feared aspects of life.

Demetra George combines psychological, mythical, and spiritual perspective on the shadowy, feminine symbolism of the dark moon to reclaim the darkness from oppressive, fear-based images. George offers rites for rebirth and transformation that teach us to tap into the power of our dark times, maximizing the potential for renewal inherent in our inevitable periods of loss, depression, and anger.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062503707
• ISBN-13: 978-0062503701
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can almost recite this book from memory, September 7, 1998

By	strega2 "strega2" (USA) - See all my reviews

Once in a while, you come across a truly transformational book--for me, it was this book. George postulates an intriguing theory (that I won't spoil by discussing) about the rise of patriarchy and the present return of the Goddess into current consciousness. She explores the meaning of the "dark times" in every woman's life, when the past is dying and the future not yet emerged, that we confront in things as simple as a birthday anniversary. Her section about the significance of various Dark Goddess aspects --particularly her comprehensive study about the much-misunderstood Goddess Hekate--is worth the price of the book alone. Her third section deals with the mysteries that every mother and daughter are called on to face in one form or another, as symbolized by the Demeter-Persephone story. The central message of the book, that the Dark Moon times of any woman's life are a treasure-trove of untapped inner wealth and spiritual growth, is clearly and compellingly argued. An immensely rewarding and thought-provoking book that I treasure and re-read on a regular basis.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Embrace the dark, July 12, 2001

By	Melusine (www.FantasyLiterature.net) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Most of what I want to say about this book has already been said by other reviewers, and better than I could have put it. But I'll try to write a review, and say something original.

This book focuses on the period in the life cycle that comes between death and rebirth. The Dark Moon, the time when the moon wanes to invisibility before reappearing, is the metaphor George uses for this phase of the cycle. Other "Dark Moon" periods include: the time between Samhain and the Winter Solstice; the seed's dormancy in the ground before sprouting; the menstrual period; and any time in our own lives when one stage of life ends and the next is yet to begin. (And, of course, the literal meaning--the period after physical death, when no one knows for sure what happens. This is the true Mystery of human existence.)

Ancient Goddesses of death and regeneration are invoked here, as guides through our "dark times". We approach these times with negative emotions now, since we've been taught to think of time as linear rather than cyclical--but the Goddesses teach us that although one thing has ended, something new will begin. And in the meantime, we need to rest, withdraw, and regenerate. During the Dark Moon, we regroup in preparation for rebirth. When we understand this concept, we begin to approach times of "death" with optimism rather than depression. This book will help you relax and "go with the flow".

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A shift in thinking, May 16, 2002

By	Demeter - See all my reviews

Every once in a while I come across a book that causes a shift in my views, and this book stands out as one of those books. Don't let the word "dark" turn you away. In this case, the dark refers to the hidden, to the retreat into the self for purposes of healing, and the time between death and rebirth. Not to the evil that "dark" later became and that I too associated it with. Demetra George makes an excellent case for the dark goddesses: how they were once revered as powerful and benevolent keepers of natural laws and as the patriarchy and Christianity become more prominent, misunderstanding caused them to morph - in the minds of the people - into something they were not. According to George, repressing and ignoring what they used to represent to us causes humanity to express the resulting lack and imbalance in a harmful way, and she provides relevant examples of particular types of dark Goddess energy as well. eg - do you feel as though you cannot change anything and that everything is out of your control? Maybe you need to explore a relationship with the Fates...the sections on Hekate and Demeter and Persephone are excellent. She's also done her homework in a way that most authors of esoteric books do not, and she uses an engaging writing style. Thanks for writing this book, Ms. George. It's a valuable part of my collection, one of my favorites on that particular bookshelf in fact, and your ideas have helped me spiritually quite a bit.