San Antonio College Library

David Leeming and Jake Page gather some seventy-five of the most potent and meaningful of these tales in an extraordinary rich and readable introduction of this divine figure as she has emerged from prehistory to the present.

"The monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have severely limited the portrayal of the divine as feminine. But in Hinduism "God" very often means "Goddess." This extraordinary collection explores twelve different Hindu goddesses, all of whom are in some way related to Devi, the Great Goddess. They range from the liquid goddess-energy of the River Ganges to the possessing, entrancing heat of Bhagavati and Seranvali. They are local,...

"This book is a critical biography of the volcano goddess Pele, as well as a history of her religion. Topics covered include the ongoing belief in Pele, her popular manifestations, her ceremonies, her new cultural roles and her current status in Hawai'i"--Provided by publisher.

"This provocative book, based on analyses of primary sources, examines the role of the feminine deity in religious piety." "Goddess religion was widespread in the world of the Bible and is reflected in many biblical texts. With skill and insight, the field's finest scholars discuss such questions as: What is the relationship between goddesses, their appearances in myth and ritual, and the social roles and practices of women? How can such religious...

This landmark work presents the most illuminating portrait we have to date of goddesses and sacred female imagery in Western culture - from prehistory to contemporary goddess movements. Beautifully written, lucidly conceived, and far-ranging in its implications, this work will help readers gain a better appreciation of the complexity of the social forces - mostly androcentric - that have shaped the symbolism of the sacred feminine. At the same time,...

"Examines the motif of the flying woman as it appears in a wide variety of cultures and historical periods, in legends, myths, rituals, sacred narratives, and artistic productions. ... Throughout, Young demonstrates that female power has always been inextricably linked with female sexuality and that the desire to control it is a pervasive theme in these stories."-- "From the beautiful apsaras of Hindu myth to the swan maidens of European fairy tales,...

Christine Mitchell Havelock's book takes a much-needed new look at some of the most famous icons of Western art: the nude statues of the Greeks produced to represent Aphrodite. The Aphrodite of Knidos, by master sculptor Praxiteles, is the leading example of this form. The author analyzes the meaning of the pose of the Aphrodite of Knidos, the significance of her nudity, and her architectural setting. A survey of the statue's reception and interpretation...