Cauldron Corner

God & Goddess Book Reviews

If you have a book recommendation or you would like to review a book that is God & Goddess related then send the review in to Debs.

The God Year by Nigel Pennick & Helen Field - This book is a celebration of the sacred male throughout the Pagan year, it deals with the cycle of the year through the medium of its sacred associations with divinity, in this case the gods of Northern European, Roman, Greek and Egyptian tradition. In contemporary Pagan practice, the traditional year relates spiritual qualities to their corresponding times and each of these times is commemorated by a festival or observance. Each festivity is ruled over by an appropriate corresponding goddess and/or god.
	The Goddess Year by Nigel Pennick & Helen Field - Pennick & Field combine their talents to provide a feast of illustrations celebrating the Goddess throughout the Pagan year. There are new time wheels throughout the book, which has eight sections, each relating to one of the major festivals. There is also a section on the Goddess Days of the Moon with texts on the corresponding nine Goddesses. Illustrated in black and white with some wonderful pictures.
The Witches God : Lord Of The Dance by Janet & Stewart Farrar - I am not a Gardnerian or Alexandrian, so most of the Farrars' books are lost on me, but this one and the companion book reviewed below 'The Witches Goddess' are an invaluable resource for researching the God & Goddess. They list and describe deities and their worship from cultures the world over, this book is well-written and well-organised. Highly recommended. ~ Moonshadow This is the companion volume to Witch’s Goddess and it re-establishes the ancient balance between God and Goddess. In part 1 the many concepts of the God are examined, including His faces through history, the Son/Lover God, the War God and much more. Part 2 takes a close look at 12 individual Gods of history with an invoking ritual for each and Part 3 is a comprehensive directory of over 1000 gods from many world cultures, past and present.
	The Witches Goddess : The Feminine Principle Of Divinity by Janet & Stewart Farrar - This book is essential for EVERY witch! If you are new to paganism/wicca/witchcraft then this is a book that you should have on your magical book shelf, it lists over 1000 goddesses with lots of information on the more well known goddesses ie. Hecate, Artemis, Brigid, Isis, Demeter etc. I would recommend also getting The Witches' God (reviewed above) which accompanies this book. Highly recommended. ~ Moonshadow This book is of great practical value in discovering and celebrating the transforming energy of the Feminine Principle of Divinity. Included are in part one Her presence throughout history, Earth & Moon symbolism, her revelation within the psyche, Her relationship with women. In part two are ritual invocations of the Goddess in 13 guises and in part three there is an a-z listing of more than 1,000 Goddesses, including history and correspondences of each.
Awaken Your Goddess by Liz Simpson - This practical book shows how women today can draw inspiration from the ancient Goddess archetypes. With easy-reference charts, the book uses the three phases of the female life cycle (Maiden, Mother and Wise Woman) as progressive guides. Each chapter includes step-by-step exercises, such as meditations, breathing, questionnaires and visualisations, which will help women of all ages find their true selves.
	God / Goddess Exploring and Celebrating the Two Sides of Wiccan Deity by Patricia Telesco - This book provides foundational tools for connecting with and celebrating the Sacred in personally meaningful ways. Recognising that each person has a unique vision of the Divine, God/Goddess explores central archetypes [the phases of human life] that anyone can relate to, complete with historical, multicultural examples to awaken the God and Goddess within each of us. Much more than a "how to" book, God/Goddess challenges us to think about the deeper meaning when we call upon the Divine, and during all our spiritual activities. Truly, the time has come to awaken the spark of the Sacred within, and honour the Spirit within our words and deeds. God/Goddess helps make this journey both fulfilling and empowering.
Reclaiming The Gods by Nicholas R Mann - In the same way as the Goddess has been reclaimed in recent years this book reclaims the archetypal God. Nicholas Mann, in this vibrant new work shows how the figure of the God has become monopolised, marginalised and corrupted to our great loss. The restoration of the God liberates our individual spiritual experience, to see with new insight the reality of good and evil. To understand the true nature of our sexual passions and our relationship to others, and the world, in all its true beauty and magnificence. Here we revisit the trickster, the Hunter, the Shape-shifter. The protector, the Lover, the Craftsman - the gods of Wisdom, Fertility, Wealth and Laughter that still resonate in our lives today. Welcome back, the Gods of Old!
	The Ancient British Goddess by Kathy Jones - This large format book is full of photos and illustrations including a colour section. Focussing on the return of Goddess spirituality in Britain you are introduced to some familiar Goddess names and some that will come as if from a dream, a remembering of a time long ago. Not just looking backwards to the past but an inspiring journey into the bounteous and abundant nature of the native British Goddesses. Kathy is co-founder of the annual international Glastonbury Goddess Conference.
Goddess Spirituality Book : Rituals, Holydays and Moon Magic by Ffiona Morgan - A clearly written, precise, no-nonsense how-to book. Superb for both the enthusiastic beginner and seasoned practitioner. “ I highly recommend this book to all women, especially to those recently curious about their own spirituality, no to mention magic” Diane Wilde. Previously published as "Wild Witches Don't Get The Blues"

More reviews to come soon......