Did you know that many ancient civilizations worshipped the Goddess as the giver of life and wisdom? The cycles of the seasons and of life were understood as the context for life and people lived in balance with the earth.  Male energy and female energy both were honored.

Myth and reality began to change more than 4,000 years ago, when famines in the northern part of Europe and Russia caused marauding warriors to move south and conquer the Goddess-worshipping, peace loving people of the Mediterranean.  On Crete, there was a civilization that lived peacefully – there is no sign of war for 1,500 years, until the invaders from the north arrived.

Before the invasion, the Goddess was most revered, along with her companion or lover, but soon the lover began to take on characteristics of a god.  The Goddess’ power was distributed among many more minor Goddesses in the mythology of Greece and Rome – becoming Hera, Athena, Aphrodite.  As the Jewish and Christian religions developed, the Goddess or Queen of Heaven and her consort Baal were considered to be evil and their worship was forbidden.  Although outlawed, little carvings of the divine feminine were found throughout the Holy Lands. Symbols of the Goddess such as the snake and the apple were made evil as part of the creation myth of the Garden of Eden.

Our knowledge of the ancient Goddess culture has been in the shadows for a long time. Now, there is a revival of interest in those cultures and in the honoring of the divine feminine.  Goddesses for Every Day: Exploring the Wisdom and Power of the Divine Feminine around the World by Julie Loar is part of that awakening.  Julie has identified 366 goddesses – from civilizations around the world – ancient and contemporary – and presented them in this book, along with a contemplation on what each goddess means in our daily life.

Julie says “The predominant view in religion today is of God as a singular, authoritative father figure, although many gods fill the myths of the world. It is my hope and prayer that Goddesses for Every Day will serve in some way to restore the overarching principle of the goddess to her rightful place as the feminine half of the divine. She has been known as Queen of Heaven and Great Mother in many cultures, and it seems right for her to reclaim the throne.  I invite you to enter this sacred circle and embrace this ancient wisdom, taking these truths into your heart and soul.”

If you are interested in exploring your own divine feminine and learning about your place in this legacy, Goddesses for Every Day is an excellent place to start your journey.  You can find out more about Julie Loar at www.julieloar.com.

As we embrace our place in the divine feminine, confidence in our selves, in the sacredness of our bodies will grow and flourish.  Join the discussion on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GirlsGuideToSwagger.

Goddesses for Every Day © 2010 by Julie Loar.  Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA  www.newworldlibrary.com.