Wild Girls: The Path of the Young Goddess - Softcover

Monaghan, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567184421 ISBN 13: 9781567184426

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, 2001

Synopsis

Wild, reckless, and free, the maiden goddess is the Wild Girl who lives by her own laws. She is the part of a woman's soul that is always questing, always free to move and explore, always free to follow her own heart. She is part of all women―from pre-teens who are just beginning their path to the goddess, to adults who want to reconnect with the passionate girl they once were.

The stories in this book represent some of the many visions of the Wild Girl found throughout the world. Each goddess story is followed by commentary and ideas for activities that will help you connect with the Wild Girl within. You will learn how to:

• create your own magical ritual
• find your totem animal
• make a meditation pillow
• write a private dream dictionary
• build a personal altar
• create a magical power shield

You will also get advice on how to start your own Wild Girls Circle, for the young or the young in spirit. So lift up your voice in a goddess chant, lift up your feet in a sacred dance, or simply be still and contemplate your connection to the Wild Girl―the true embodiment of girl power!

About this title

About the Author

One of the leaders of the contemporary earth spirituality movement, Patricia Monaghan (1946 - 2012) had spent more than 20 years researching and writing about alternative visions of the earth.  Raised in Alaska, where much of her family still lives, she considered herself blessed to have learned the ecology of the taiga, the subarctic forest, in her youth.  She was a writer and reporter on science and energy-related issues before turning her attention to the impact of mythic structures on our everyday lives.

The worldwide vision of the earth as feminine--as a goddess, called Gaia by the Greeks--led her to recognize the connection between ecological damage and the oppression of the feminine in Western society.  Much of her work since that time had explored the question of the role of feminine power in our world, in an inclusive and multicultural way.  

An avid traveler, Patricia had researched earth spirituality and goddess worship on three continents, and traveled widely in Europe, especially in Ireland.  She held dual US/Irish citizenship and edited two anthologies of contemporary Irish-American writing.

Patricia was member of the resident faculty at DePaul University's School for New Learning in Chicago, where she taught science and literature.  She passed from this world in November 2012 and is survived by her husband, Dr Michael McDermott.

Reviews

Monaghan, popular author of The Goddess Companion and The Goddess Path, turns her attention to goddesses-in-waiting in this Wiccan manual designed especially for young women. She draws upon 12 myths and legends of young goddesses who can provide life examples for young women today. Thus the story of a Finnish creator goddess becomes an object lesson in unleashing creativity, and the Arctic goddess Sedna, who refused to marry, offers the chance to examine rites of passage into womanhood. The best part of Monaghan's manual is her storytelling; she has effectively reshaped the stories of goddesses such as Austrina, Artemis, Sabulana and Kuan-Yin (who, as she points out, is not technically a goddess but a bodhisattva) into relevant messages for young women. Monaghan clearly desires to speak directly and informally with that audience, resulting in some fine moments but also a few examples of trying too hard ("It may seem hard to believe, in today's society, that there was a time when a girl's first blood was celebrated with parades and parties. Wouldn't that be embarrassing, having everyone know?"). Young women and girls will probably enjoy the book's practical focus, however; the 12 chapters are arranged so that small groups can learn about one goddess a month and try the hands-on learning techniques suggested here, such as forming healing circles, constructing a personal altar or making special teas. Monaghan also offers interesting tips on multicultural awareness, highlighting goddess traditions from around the world. (Apr.)Forecast: Llewellyn found itself with a surprising hit in 2000 with its Witches' Chillers fiction series, which has been snapped up by a growing audience of teenage girls who are interested in witchcraft. This title, which blends storytelling with practical magic, will appeal to the same demographic.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

(It is Booklist policy that a book written by a regular contributor receive a brief descriptive announcement rather than a recommending review.)

The author of The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines (1997) and many other books concerned with goddesses uses the stories of 11 young heroines from goddess traditions throughout the world as a springboard to discussions of how to honor and practice, alone and with friends, such aspects of the goddess as creativity, spirituality, healing, and transformation. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1567184421
• ISBN 13: 9781567184426
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240