The Once and Future Goddess: A Sweeping Visual Chronicle of the Sacred Female and Her Reemergence in the Cult (Paperback)

~ Elinor Gadon (Author) "The upper Paleolithic (ca. 35,000-9000 B.C.E.) was a "revolutionary" period in human evolution..." (more)
Key Phrases: vulva slit, vegetation goddess, immaculate womb, Old Europe, Çatal Hüyük, Near East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Having demanded that spirituality be reexamined in terms of women's own spiritual needs, the women's movement has brought a resurgence of prepatriarchal spirituality centering on the goddess--whatever her name. Along with this resurgence comes the need to reexamine artistic and anthropological assumptions. Using art and artifacts, Gadon traces the history of goddess worship from Paleolithic times to the present day. The most moving and effective chapters are on women's art of the late 20th century. A compelling and challenging book suitable for both public and academic libraries.
- Gail Wood, Montgomery Coll. Lib., Germantown, Md.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A treat for the mind and eye, a very important contribution to our understanding of the key role of women and feminine images in prehistoricand now also modernart and life." -- Raine Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade

"An important, scholarly contribution to the study of religion and the history of women. I celebrate the publication." -- -- Susan Griffin, author of Women & Nature and Pornography & Science

"Important and delightfully readable...Points the way to the reassessment and reconstitution of the bases of human relations. A seminally fascinating book." -- Ashley Montagu

"An important, scholarly contribution to the study of religion and the history of women. I celebrate the publication." -- Susan Griffin, author of Women & Nature and Pornography & Science

"Does the Goddess have a place not only in our past but in our future? In this venturesome and persuasively argued book, Elinor Gadon answers this question with a ringing affirmative...This is a volatile and controversial book that will evoke widespread criticism and acclaim. I commend it to readers, not only specialist, but anyone who is interested in the health and well-being of our psyches and of our planet." -- Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity, The Divinity School, Harvard University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; Third Printing edition (November 29, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062503545
• ISBN-13: 978-0062503541
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,233 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic for women/men wanting to reconnect spirit with bod, November 6, 1998

By A Customer

Beautiful history of goddess worship as it existed throughout prehistoric times, focused mostly on european. After describing artifacts and architecture in context, Gadon then shows how artistic and spriritual worship continues today in the same fashion. Chapter on the great earth goddess figures (mounds and excavations) is moving and materiel was entirely new to me. Profoundly touches on the issue of woman's body as goddess -- to simply take it for given, for over 400 pages, was enough to move me to another level of acceptance.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revolutionary and deeply spiritual, January 21, 2003

By	Hermitess (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

Packed with beautiful images revering and honoring the bodies and spirits of women as deities... a powerful, timely and necessary resource for women seeking to reclaim their own divinity in a world built around the assumption of women as the "root of all evil" and other assorted nonsense!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opener, September 8, 2006

By	Stuart N. Holleman (King George, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The author does a great job in showing how the Goddess has always been worshipped through the ages even in the religons of Christianty and Judaism. She makes you rethink about your bielf system and opens your eyes to a bigger world. She gives women back their Divine spark and ownership of their spirituality!