By Erica Ross

Here is book #2 in the "Recommended Reading" Series. 

This book is from my personal collection of Divine Feminine mythology titled, "The Storyteller’s Goddess, Tales of the Goddess and her Wisdom from Around the World", by Carolyn McVickar Edwards, printed by Harper Collins, Copyright 1991.

The Storyteller’s Goddess is a collection of thirty enchanting, richly imaginative stories of Goddesses from twenty cultures including India, Ireland, Greece, Scandinavia and the Middle East. These stories, both invented and found by the author, are accompanied by introductions that place them in cultural and historical context, giving Carolyn’s imaginative stories roots, depth and significance.

In this soft-covered book you will find inspirational, relevant and healing stories based on Carolyn’s seven ‘Goddess Principles: Truths Inside of Truths’. Themes such as surrender, creativity, sexuality, archetypes and cycles are fleshed out through the mythic journeys of global Goddesses such as Hawaii’s Pele, Ancient Turkey’s Hecate, Ireland’s Brigit, North Africa’s Lamia and China’s Kuan Yin.

Carolyn Edward’s says in her introduction, “In writing this book, I mean to sit with you at the hearth of our mutual wonder and wisdom and to spin for you, Grandma style, stories and reflections about the Great Mother of us all. I hope that some of Her stories will become beloved to you- that all, snuggled in the context of seven principles that crystallize something of Her essence in my life, will crackle a certainty of Her inside you. Together we are reviving an ancient Earth-centered religion. We are sharing truths of Her that flow from each of us in order to make a whole as ever changing and powerful as the ocean.”

And she is so right! You will feel like you are gathered around the hearth fire- and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to read them aloud to friends and family.  To give you a taste of Carolyn’s writing, here is the opening of my all-time favourite version of the ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone found in this book:

    “Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there were no seasons.  There were no changes in the weather or the plants.  Animals played outside all the time, because the only season that the Earth knew was Spring.  Always there were hopping birds, chirping flowers, and fluffy clouds in a blue, blue sky.

    That was the time when the Great Goddess Demeter and Her Daughter Persephone roamed the meadows and the hills, picking flowers, laughing, and swimming in rivers that took them whoosh! down to the next curve.  There They climbed from the water, skins glistening in the sun, and ran back to throw Themselves in again, rush down in the water perfect around Them, and start all over again.  They did everything together, Demeter and Persephone: They ate and ate of pears, apples, and oranges.  They ate bananas, persimmons, pomegranates, and grapes.  They made grass and flower salads with dew for dressing and necklaces of berries and nuts.  They braided strands of golden barley into Their hair.  

    Demeter loved to sit on a rock and watch Her Daughter’s brown legs flash when She ran with deer and wolf.  Then She would loop Her skirts and join, and the Earth would bustle with the sound of feet and bees.”

If you want to read the rest of this magical story of mother/daughter love, loss, reunion and healing, as well as other wonderful stories of the Divine Feminine, check your local library or bookstore.  The Storyteller's Goddess is perfect for anyone - man or woman - who wants to connect with the Earth, and bring the Goddess into their lives, and the lives of their friends and children.

Here’s a link to one of my favourite stores featuring women’s spirituality, ‘Wonderworks’, on Harbord St.  They sell this book and other wonderful things.