Customer Reviews

Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess

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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.

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".

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.

I bought this book 7 years ago, and have referred to it time and time again. I teach Intuition classes [...]. Part of what I teach includes understanding natural life cycles. I use Demetra George's book to show my students all the aspects of a moon cycle and to remind them that all parts of the cycle, including the time of the Void (Dark Moon) are important in life. This book also provides excellent information about the Goddess Hecate, the old wise women who helps us in the night. George's book is very empowering for women and attaches the female spirit to ancient women's knowledge before it was changed and distorted by conflicting religions and societal influences. I recommend this book.

Demetra George has done it for me in this book.I couldn't put it down.I was absolutely intrigued with her theory on why the godess disappeared,and what impact it had on our lives and the changes we needed to face.She talks about the skills we needed to develop ,in order to cope without her presence in our lives.After each chapter she gives the reader challenging questions to consider and I felt myself reconsider the myth I was holding about patriarchy and the essence of what it was meant to be.A great book for your women and men friends for christmas,who always have had in interest in the moon,astrology,anthropology,history and godesses.

I bought this book after reading all the glowing reviews. It read like a term paper to me. It describes a number of myths in a more or less engaging style, and incorporates a very interesting section on the overlap of astrological, historical, and cosmic lunar cycles, but the author fails to get past description to insight and meaning. She cycles around to the same two or three conclusions about the three part goddess and patriarchy, again and again, without ever saying anything I haven't heard elsewhere. There is, however, an extensive biography of her sources, which should make a good reading list.

This is a fantastic book that explores every nuance and crevice of darkness! 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. George points out the cycles that are experienced each day, each month, each year, and suggests that there is a great over-arching cycle of the Goddess that spans millennia. Delving into prehistory in a way that seems to be based on good scholarship, she puts forward a fascinating theory about the "triumph" of patriarchal monotheism and the present-day (and welcome) rebirth and return of the Goddess. Chapters discuss centuries of fear and discrimination; goddesses of the dark moon, such as Nyx, the Furies, Medusa, Hecate, the Fates, and Lilith; blood mysteries such as menstruation, birth, and menopause; and initiation mysteries of Demeter and Persephone as a means to regeneration and rebirth. This book contains the best discussion of Hecate that I've ever found. Read it in the autumn. It'll set your thoughts on a wild ride.

I was and am very pleased with this book.. It is well written with thouhtful insights. The history of the rise and fall of the Goddess with it reference to the Lunar Cycles really gives insight to where our world is heading today into this next century... Demtra George did a greyt job compacting a lot of information into an easy to read and understand book... It has been very helpful to me and given me much to meditate on... Anyone interested in learning about or Following the path of the Dark Goddess will love this book..
PegM

I have always believed in equality and feel ashamed of the way other men have treated women. At times, I have wished that I could completely disassociate myself from Patriarchal society and men, in-general. In fact, if not for The Masons I would probably just give up on men, as a general rule. However, I suppose it is better to offer them books like this one, which is enlightening and gives a wonderful representation of The Feminine and Goddess influences on humankind. This book gives men a view of Woman undistorted by patriarchal, propagandist, or nonsensical traditional notions passed down through the generations that place women in a lower realm of Society and Culture, than men. You would have to live in a cave to be unaware of The Goddess imagery pre-dating God imagery...however, cave-dwellers will be awakened by this well-written book. I read it in '93 and it made a tremendous impact on my thinking, although I was already very appreciative of Women and their nature. This book will defeat some Silly Superstitions about a woman's Moon Time, as well. Read this book and stop treating a woman's Period as something threatening, disgusting or worse. I cannot say enough good things about "Mysteries of The Dark Moon," it is an Anthropologist's delight!

That such a simple, unpretentious book could be so healing. This book helped me to live through the mysterious, dark cycles of my life and emerge into new life with health and vigor and new love.

The fact that I remember the lessons so many years later is quite a testament.