 The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece Author:
Marguerite Rigoglioso Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Marguerite Rigoglioso has created a beautifully researched and carefully written study of an aspect
of ancient religious practice that classicists and historians have entirely missed - or chosen to ignore. She has brought
forth a body of evidence directly from ancient sources to back her thesis. This book is a scholarly triumph, dealing with
the ancient Greek Goddess fertility ritual practices and the subject of parthenogenesis. Nearly every ancient culture contained within it's doctrines a belief with in divine birth, particularly that of a divine son of
god born of a virgin mother - Christianity was not the first.
Dr.
Rigoglioso has carefully brought together passages from many ancient sources, and meticulously constructed a platform for
her theory. Her scholarship is superb. She has created a strong case for her view, and puts forth a clear and beautifully
written account of one of the magical and spiritual purposes behind the ancient divine mother goddess cults, which eventually
led to the origin of modern patriarchal religion via the divine son of a priestess of the Goddess. Pure parthenogenesis
was the original theory at the heart of the mystery/fertility cults, which were later to be dominated by a shift in focus
to a patriarchal Hieros gamos. The author offers in this
book a well thought out and reasonable portrait of how these cults may have actually functioned, including their esoteric
practice, politics and roles in society.
This book
is a good source for little known Goddess symbolism, including some fascinating insight into the symbolism of the black dove
and the oak tree, not only do they denote virginity and divinity, but, as the author writes, there may also be a connection
with the 'Amanita pantherina' (panther cap mushroom) for which the oak tree acts as host, with the panther cap living
in root symbiosis with the tree.
This
book is highly original, with a depth of thought, analysis and critical perception that makes it a true gem. Here
is a list of titles of the chapters to give you an idea of the scope of this work: Chapter 1: A Taxonomy of Divine Birth Priestesshoods
Chapter 2: Divinity, Birth, and Virginity: The Greek Worldview
Chapter 3: Athena’s Divine Birth Priestesshood
Chapter
4: Artemis’s Divine Birth Priestesshood
Chapter 5:
Hera’s Divine Birth Priestesshood
Chapter 6: The Divine
Birth Priestesshood at Dodona
Chapter 7: The Divine Birth
Priestesshood at Delphi
Chapter 8: Is Virgin Birth Possible?
and Other Outrageous Questions Available through Amazon.com and us.macmillan.com
 Sigyn: Our Lady of the Staying Power Author: Galina Krasskova Publisher:
Asphodel Press The author, Galina Krasskova writes: "I'd like
to let folks know that my newest book is out. The title is "Sigyn: Our Lady of the Staying Power." The book
is formatted as a devotional manual, containing rituals, prayers, poems, articles and meditations which focus on this lesser
known Goddess of the pre-Christian faith of Northern Europe, whose name is Sigyn, which means 'Victory.' Known as
a Goddess of constancy and compassion, She provided a beautiful and interesting balance to the attributes of her trickster
husband, the God Loki. Sigyn, the Gentle One, gathered broken things, including the damaged hearts, minds, bodies and souls
to her breast in order to heal them.
This
book would be an excellent read for someone who is new to the Northern Tradition, as well as someone who has more experience
in this faith. It is beautifully written and researched, making for both an informative and enjoyable read. Everything is
clearly presented and accompanied by the Norse linguistical/ritual terms. The author explains the differences between the
different modern approaches to Northern Practices such as Universalism, Reconstructionist, Folkish, Theodism, and Forn Sidur,
which makes this book an invaluable aid for anyone who is not overly familiar with this spiritual path. Ms. Krasskova also
clearly delineates when she is drawing on her own personal experience and when she is discussing traditional practice and
folklore. One thing that comes to the fore in this work, is the author's
deep affinity and feeling for the subject. Her devotion to Sigyn is richly reflected throughout the book. The book is a true
devotional, displaying a depth of heart beyond the beautiful writing style and scholarship. As a true devotee of Sigyn, Ms.
Krasskova is not afraid to illustrate how Sigyn has often been dismissed and misrepresented as an accessory to the deeds of
her husband, and seen as weak. The author asserts, and I think rightly so, that because Sigyn is quietly steadfast and gentle,
that her role has been misconstrued.
This
book is currently available at www.asphodelpress.com, www.lulu.com, and amazon.com.
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Mirror of Isis - "We are all Her reflection" Copyright
© 2004-2009 The Circle of Isis Advisory Board, Fellowship of Isis
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the Fellowship of Isis, Foundation Centre, Clonegal Castle, Enniscorthy, Ireland. All contents published under the name The Mirror
of Isis on this website © Circle of Isis Advisory Board of the Fellowship of Isis and Temple of Isis.
The contents are not public domain. Direct links to these webpages are permitted. Copying the appearance, content or format
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"Circle of Isis" line drawing
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