Return of the Great Goddess [Paperback]

Burleigh Muten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 1997

From Sappho to Judy Chicago, from the late Egyptian era to Audrey Flack, this anthology of fine art reproductions and literary excerpts proclaims the strength and majesty of the feminine experience. The images and messages, based on the award-winning Return of the Goddess engagement calendars, remind women of their spiritual heritage, their innate wisdom, the integrity of the female body and its rites of passage, and the growing global community of women who celebrate the return of a feminine deity.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Offering a diverse array of images and words, from prehistory to present day, the mission of this genuinely inspired volume is to remind women of their "spiritual heritage, innate wisdom, the integrity of the female body, and its rites of passage." Prehistoric artifacts are juxtaposed with modern art, ancient verse with contemporary 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. Included are an ancient Egyptian sculpture of Isis suckling Horus and Judy Chicago's The Crowning, a graphic needlepoint of a woman giving birth. Paired with literary excerpts from Sappho, Emily Dickinson, and other writers, this multicultural celebration of the myriad expressions of womanhood reflects the ongoing influence and presence of goddesses.

About the Author

Burleigh Muten is the founder of 'Hands of the Goddess Press', which published her 'Return of the Goddess' calendars upon which this book is based. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (July 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556706081
• ISBN-13: 978-1556706080
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,385,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A visual and spiritual treat!, May 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Return of the Great Goddess (Paperback)

I like to keep this book by my bedside and open it at random right before I go to sleep. I read the quote and look at the image, as my last thought of the day. I find the imagery powerful and empowering, and the quotes are insightful. This is not just a book for women, it is something that my husband also appreciates. This makes a great gift for special friends, and it is especially nice as a Mother's Day present.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Goddess Contemplation Book, May 16, 2006

By 

Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Great Goddess (Paperback)

This little book is a collection of images and words that expresses, in some special way, a connection between the Great Goddess Mother and those who seek Her out.

The editor herself is the founder of Hands of the Goddess Press, which published the calendars that this book mirrors. The layout of the book is similar: a page of text with an image opposite it. The copyright of this book is 1994, and it is published in Ireland.

So, looking at what the editor writes in the introduction, we hear a very feminist point of view, expressing delight at the return of the Goddess figure in our society and discussing the movement to restore Her to a place of respect. She discusses the Hindu tradition of Darshan, or the consideration of an image of the Divine as not so much a symbol but the real thing. This book is filled with images that are meant to be symbolic of the Divine Feminine, are to be considered the Mother Goddess Herself.

As you page through the book, you will see images in paint, statues, and photos of the feminine. Most of them lend themselves to the idea sought by the editor. There are a couple of photos of some women who have had an influence on our feminine culture.

As you leaf through the photos, you will see images of art that represent the Divine Mother, and they are for the most part well chosen and do inspire.

The other part to this is the text, which is a mix of quotes, passages, poems and moments of consideration of the expressions of various well known authors on the meaning of the Great Mother Goddess and the Divine Feminine. There are excerpts of stories, lovely thought concepts, ideas and poems to read, contemplate and meditate upon. Some of them are moving and some are surprising. Some might be considered a bit driven. But none of them are disrespectful, and there are many here to choose from.

I am not overly feministic, but often I find myself looking at the image of Woman, and how I am/we are reflections of the Goddess. This book offers some additional reflections, some new ideas and a focal point for that moment's reflection. A nice little addition to your meditative library. boudica

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gift of a lifetime, September 1, 2001

By 

Connie Hanna (Tidewater, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Return of the Great Goddess (Paperback)

My husband presented this book to me as an anniversary gift, so I must credit him with awakening my own Goddess Within. I keep this book next to our bed and when I need stregnth I open it's pages and find exquisite artwork, inspiring prose, moving poetry. It never fails to lift me and it is my pleasure to have given at least a dozen copies of this book to others who might benefit from it's beauty and wisdom. Blessings to all...