Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth [Paperback]

Karen Tate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 2008

The Sacred Feminine, whether viewed as an archetype, ideology or heavenly deity, has been stripped from our cultures, religions and psyches for several millennia. But we are starting to remember its roots and origins. She is the missing piece of the spiritual, cultural and political puzzle that can address the human conditions of suffering that plagues the planet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Walking an Ancient Path takes us on a spiritual journey by one of the foremost pathfinders of the Goddess movement. Rosemary Clark, Author of The Sacred Tradition in Ancient EgyptKaren has created a wonderful book that blends travelogue, personal reflections and shared rituals in a way accessible to anyone. For those spiritual travelers looking for new and old ways of experiencing the Divine Feminine, Karen's book is the perfect resource. Tina Carey, Author of God's Mesengers for Today's Women

About the Author

Karen Tate is an independent scholar of the Sacred Feminine, ordained minister, prolific writer, lecturer, speaker, and sacred tour organiser. She is very active in programs in and around Los Angeles, where she lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: John Hunt Publishing (May 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846941113
• ISBN-13: 978-1846941115
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Goddesses

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Goddess Advocate's Personal Journey, August 19, 2008

By 

Joan Norton "author ,14 Steps To Awaken the S... (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth (Paperback)

Walking An Ancient Path might have a subtitle of "into the modern world".Karen Tate's book reads like an entertaining novel which is hard to put down. "Just one more chapter" you'll think to yourself. As an experienced travel guide on sacred sites tours, Karen is adept at describing all the interesting small details of foreign places; the sights, sounds, fragrances, and people of a place. I'm not a traveler so I was quite captivated to be taken on an intimate journey to (for instance)the Goddess Brigid's sacred well of healing water in Liscanor, Ireland and to "see" both Pagan and Christian offerings left there by spiritual pilgrims. She also describes the "spirit trees" that you might otherwise just drive by, trees that are even today covered with "clooties", which are strips of cloth representing individual prayers, and which show us that Goddess recognition is alive and well in Celtic lands.
We also travel to Goddess temples in Anatolia(Turkey), Egypt, and Rome to understand the psychology of those long ago who worshiped the feminine Source of Life, and to feel their spirituality as our own. On these journeys Karen is not one to just describe the outer pathway, she also shares her personal journey of faith along the way, and like all of us, she has her moments of doubt. The doubt is always answered by the magic of synchronistic happenings, the way it is for all of us when we are open to receive divinity as a normal part of life. Don't forget to read her story of her ring's disappearance on a trip and its reappearance in a very startling place.(page 227)
I learned something useful for my own area of work, which is the stories of Mary Magdalene and the Sacred Union, from the trip to the Anatolian city dedicated to Aphrodite, called Aphrodiasias.There is a statue of Aphrodite with a crown/headdress made of a wall and column, honoring her role as protectoress of the city. One of Mary Magdalene's titles is "Watchtower" and "Stronghold of the Flock", as protector of the people. Same idea, same symbolism.
"The Divinine Feminine or Goddess Spirituality Movement is probably one of the most important grassroots movements on the planet today. With this impetus, it is the hope of the movement's advocates, the world can be transformed and the future of many improved across the globe." I noticed that Amazon has paired Karen's book with Jean Shinoda Bolen's Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World, another book on the same subject of the urgent need for feminine values to gain prominance in the world. It's our only way forward into the New Creation and Karen Tate is one of the ones who is showing the way.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easing on down the road...., June 23, 2008

By 

Sotto Voce Nyx - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth (Paperback)

Ms. Tate's first book, "Sacred Places of Goddess", was a travel log like no other: a compendium of 108 sacred sites around the world, which culled from her vast experience as a world traveler/guide and as a goddess scholar/worshipper.

In this book the author again invites us to walk along side as she (and we) tread "the everything old is new" path of goddess spirituality, consciousness and advocacy. However, this time the fascinating sacred sites take a back seat to personal anecdote and experience. The result is an insightful and engaging read. One gets a sense of the woman behind the movement, or perhaps: every woman (or man) who finds themselves drawn to goddess religion.

I especially liked how the chapters were broken into "elemental" theme sections. The Spirit section introduces us to the author and sets the stage for her spiritual quest. The Earth section is a little bit like the first book, as it revisits select sacred sites, but here the approach is less fact filled and more personal. This perspective makes for an easier read. The elements that drew me in were Water and Fire as these chapters are filled with rituals and practices (or descriptions there of) and practical advice and suggestions. One might even use them as a workbook of sorts or inspiration for your own practice. Other practical aspects are the resource section and glossaries. Not enough books nowadays (or publishers) allow for appendices that are useful.

The Air chapter discusses creativity, and is a nice balance of what one can do out in the community or on their own to honor the goddess and/or advance goddess consciousness. There are several chapters that focus on group/community work or mainstreaming the goddess message. It was refreshing to read about the down sides and pitfalls of her personal journey, as well of her triumphs. It is clear that the author is an advocate and has an agenda, something like: the return of goddess consciousness will bring the world back into balance and act as a force for positive change. Although, I am pretty a-politico, her beliefs didn't come off as heavy-handed or necessarily preachy to me. Thank god/dess! The author tries to present a balanced view via posing questions and is not afraid to question her own beliefs and the views of the community that she is part of. There is much here that encourages discussion and provokes thought, as well as, all that fun stuff--like how to make your own sistrum.

I think this one will appeal to both the newbie, and the seasoned goddess worshipper. There is a lot of rudimentary stuff, no doubt intended for the mainstream, but those who have walked similar paths will see a lot of there own experiences and discoveries in Ms. Tate's special journey.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, Inspiring and Practical!, May 30, 2008

By 

M. Smith (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking An Ancient Path: Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth (Paperback)

Walking an Ancient Path is a moving, insightful and inspiring book, filled to overflowing with experiences, anecdotes, thought-provoking ideas and practical suggestions for making Goddess a transformative living
power in our lives and in the world. From Karen's extensive travels
to Goddess sites around the globe, to meaningful rituals here at
home, there is something for everyone in this heart-felt book. The book includes many b/w photos from worldwide Goddess temples as well as contemporary imagery and altars to the Sacred Feminine by 21st Century devotees.

As a Goddess-centered, Isis-focused person, I found Karen's book to
be a healing balm for the Goddess-soul in us all - women and men alike. If you haven't yet read it, move "Walking an Ancient Path" to the top of your reading list!

Thank you Karen!