Alison Davies

In this enchanting book, Alison Davies tells us in a concise, easily accessible form, the stories of Goddesses, some famous and some less so. Katja Perez’ accompanying illustrations are bright, colourful and lovely, I really like the Green Tara one. Brief ceremonial practices are included, to empower readers in establishing a connection to the Goddesses and their power. I learned a lot about different myths, which is what I was looking for in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.… (mais)

This is a nice collection of goddesses and their stories along with a short ritual and artwork. As the author points out, it can be used just to learn a little about various types of mythologies, enjoy stories from around the world, or establish a greater connection to a particular goddess's energy by practicing a ritual. What makes it a little different from other titles of this sort is the inclusion of some lesser-known goddesses like Aine (Celtic), Bixia Yuanjin (Taoist), Saule (Baltic), Skadi (Norse) along with the ones that are most familiar like Aphrodite, Brigid, Bast, and Gaia. The artwork, while pretty and vivid, doesn’t have much symbolism or clues to provide more than a surface understanding of the goddesses but does offer a general feel for the story. One thing that is disappointing is that so many of the rituals assume easy access to movement or places. Not everyone can stand and greet the light or wander around in a yard or forest. Obviously, adjustments can be made to accommodate actions or materials, but it would be wonderful to have them worded differently to be slightly more inclusive. In general, though, this is a good introduction to goddesses that is well-organized and easily readable. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.… (mais)