Desert Priestess: A Memoir by Anne Key
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had the opportunity to read this unique book recently, and it's got me yearning to travel to Nevada. In her memoir, Anne Key recounts the three years that she served as the chief priestess at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality. This temple is dedicated to the Egyptian deity Sekhmet, and it sits in truly liminal space. Just outside of Las Vegas, bordered by a bombing range and a nuclear test facility, Key learned what Sekhmet's myths mean in the modern world.
Dealing with community, leading rituals, and caring for the temple were all an integral part of Key's experience. She also learned from the land and the native peoples, enriching her sense of personal spirituality. A myriad of difficulties cropped up, but Key worked through them with patience and a little help from the lion headed lady.
The idea of a thriving goddess temple in modern America seems incongruous, but at the same time, tantalizing. Key's experience is unique and will appeal to those who crave spiritual memoir and tales of the divine feminine.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Goddess Tarot: Card of the Week
My tarot deck of choice is still the first deck I ever bought: Kris Waldherr's Goddess Tarot. I love these familiar cards, but there's always more to learn, even after over a decade spent working with this beautiful deck.
I've decided to post a card of the week, drawing randomly from my deck each Monday and letting the message of the card marinate as I move about my busy life.
Today's card is:
Card:Nine of Swords
Deck: The Goddess Tarot
Artist: Kris Waldherr
I have to admit, I was less than thrilled with the card I pulled this week. The nine of swords is a card of insomnia and worries, and I've always been prone to both. Thankfully, though, this card is close to the culmination ten, so I hope that whatever worries are keeping me awake at night (and believe me, it's a long list) are coming to a close.
What can I learn from this card? Well, I already knew I hadn't been sleeping very well lately, but I tend to ignore my insomnia and pretend that I don't have any worries...at least until nightfall. This card is reminding me to give credit to my concerns, but not to let them take over my life or disturb my sleep. So, with that in mind, I'm going to try to be kinder to myself and give myself permission to slow down. It's okay to be worried, but this too shall pass.
What does the nine of swords mean to you?
Blessed be!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Review: THE FOREVER GIRL by Rebecca Hamilton
The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey by Rebecca Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sophia has returned to her small Colorado town after college, but she doesn't really want to be there. Her mother's church is openly intolerant to her Wiccan faith, and because she witnessed a murder years ago, the rest of the town doesn't quite trust her. But all of that pales in comparison to the supernatural mess she finds herself in after accompanying her best friend, Ivory, to a paranormal club.
Earth elementals (vampires) begin hunting her, and Sophia must learn the secrets of her soul if she wants to survive. Caught up in a complicated relationship with the magical mixed breed Charles, Sophia doesn't know who to trust. Ultimately, her greatest strength lies within, but will she discover this before it's too late for the mortal world?
This was a fast read reminiscent of Twilight. The world building is intricate, if a bit rushed, and the story never lags. If you are a fan of any urban paranormal, check out this book!
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sophia has returned to her small Colorado town after college, but she doesn't really want to be there. Her mother's church is openly intolerant to her Wiccan faith, and because she witnessed a murder years ago, the rest of the town doesn't quite trust her. But all of that pales in comparison to the supernatural mess she finds herself in after accompanying her best friend, Ivory, to a paranormal club.
Earth elementals (vampires) begin hunting her, and Sophia must learn the secrets of her soul if she wants to survive. Caught up in a complicated relationship with the magical mixed breed Charles, Sophia doesn't know who to trust. Ultimately, her greatest strength lies within, but will she discover this before it's too late for the mortal world?
This was a fast read reminiscent of Twilight. The world building is intricate, if a bit rushed, and the story never lags. If you are a fan of any urban paranormal, check out this book!
View all my reviews
Monday, November 19, 2012
Goddess Tarot: Card of the Week
My tarot deck of choice is still the first deck I ever bought: Kris Waldherr's Goddess Tarot. I love these familiar cards, but there's always more to learn, even after over a decade spent working with this beautiful deck.
I've decided to post a card of the week, drawing randomly from my deck each Monday and letting the message of the card marinate as I move about my busy life.
Today's card is:
Card:Six of Swords
Deck: The Goddess Tarot
Artist: Kris Waldherr
This card symbolizes travel or transition, and I started laughing when I saw it. Like so many people in America, I am gearing up to travel over the coming holiday. It's nice to know my trip should be smooth, since this is a card of positive travel and transition.
This card also indicates a chance for me to detach from my workload, which is something I'm really looking forward to. It's so hard to just leave work behind sometimes, and the holiday season gives us each an opportunity to slow down and focus on family, blessings, and of course, beloved carols.
What does the Six of Swords mean to you? Safe travels, everyone!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Review: THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lexi lives in Near with her mother and sister. Since her father's death, she has begun to step into his shoes (literally: Lexi wears his old hunting boots when she goes out roaming on the moor outside of Near). One night, a strange wind starts blowing, and a strange boy appears. The next night, children begin to disappear from their beds. Lexi doesn't believe that Cole, the stranger, has anything to do with the disappearances, but the rest of the village quickly gives in to fear of the unknown. Lexi and Cole must work quickly to discover the sinister secret of the Near Witch, a creature who was murdered hundreds of years ago by the villagers. The truth, however, is much more complicated, and the odds seem stacked against Lexi and the mysterious boy. The villagers may not remember the truth of the Near Witch, but that doesn't mean she isn't real.
This excellent story has at its core a very classic tale of wicked witchcraft: it's a ghost story tinged with revenge, and the whole thing reads like a beautiful, familiar fairy tale.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lexi lives in Near with her mother and sister. Since her father's death, she has begun to step into his shoes (literally: Lexi wears his old hunting boots when she goes out roaming on the moor outside of Near). One night, a strange wind starts blowing, and a strange boy appears. The next night, children begin to disappear from their beds. Lexi doesn't believe that Cole, the stranger, has anything to do with the disappearances, but the rest of the village quickly gives in to fear of the unknown. Lexi and Cole must work quickly to discover the sinister secret of the Near Witch, a creature who was murdered hundreds of years ago by the villagers. The truth, however, is much more complicated, and the odds seem stacked against Lexi and the mysterious boy. The villagers may not remember the truth of the Near Witch, but that doesn't mean she isn't real.
This excellent story has at its core a very classic tale of wicked witchcraft: it's a ghost story tinged with revenge, and the whole thing reads like a beautiful, familiar fairy tale.
View all my reviews
Monday, November 12, 2012
Goddess Tarot: Card of the Week
I've decided to post a card of the week, drawing randomly from my deck each Monday and letting the message of the card marinate as I move about my busy life.
Today's card is:
Card: Ten of Pentacles
Deck: The Goddess Tarot
Artist: Kris Waldherr
Like all the pentacles, this is a card of prosperity and abundance. It indicates the culmination or end of a creative project, and is a positive, joyful card of successful expansion. This is a card that represents fulfilled desires, realized plans, and completed projects.
I laughed when I drew this card. I just finished a draft of my next big creative project; literally, I wrapped it up moments before pulling this card. I'm still enjoying the sense of fulfillment that comes from working on a long-term project that is one step closer to being realized. This week, I'm going to try to stay focused on the positive message of the Ten of Pentacles and remind myself: I can do it! The end is in sight.
What does the ten of pentacles mean to you?
Namaste and blessed be!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Review: SAVAGE BREAST by Tim Ward
Savage Breast: One Man's Search for the Goddess by Tim Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am frequently distrustful of men who write about women's spirituality (what's your motive, dude?), so when my book club decided to read Tim Ward's exploration of the goddess for our April meeting, I was hesitant.
Boy, was I wrong.
I don't remember the last time I gobbled up a spiritual memoir. (Oh, wait, yes I do: Phyllis Currott's "Book of Shadows", over two years ago).
With a wonderful narrative voice, Ward blends myth and history with his own personal quest, pursuing the vestiges of goddess culture from the Minoans to the Anatolian plains. Each chapter focuses on a certain goddess and her culture, and Ward's work is richly informed by archaeology and Jungian principals. Ward is brutally honest in his writing, including pieces of his own fragile soul in the telling. What emerges is an excellent work, part research and part memoir, examining the widespread yet vastly different goddess of ancient times. Through his fiance and other women in his life, Ward also learns to see the ancient archetypes play out in the modern world.
If you loved "When God was a Woman", or if you have any interest in goddess spirituality, this is a must-read.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am frequently distrustful of men who write about women's spirituality (what's your motive, dude?), so when my book club decided to read Tim Ward's exploration of the goddess for our April meeting, I was hesitant.
Boy, was I wrong.
I don't remember the last time I gobbled up a spiritual memoir. (Oh, wait, yes I do: Phyllis Currott's "Book of Shadows", over two years ago).
With a wonderful narrative voice, Ward blends myth and history with his own personal quest, pursuing the vestiges of goddess culture from the Minoans to the Anatolian plains. Each chapter focuses on a certain goddess and her culture, and Ward's work is richly informed by archaeology and Jungian principals. Ward is brutally honest in his writing, including pieces of his own fragile soul in the telling. What emerges is an excellent work, part research and part memoir, examining the widespread yet vastly different goddess of ancient times. Through his fiance and other women in his life, Ward also learns to see the ancient archetypes play out in the modern world.
If you loved "When God was a Woman", or if you have any interest in goddess spirituality, this is a must-read.
View all my reviews
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Review: WICKED GIRLS by Stephanie Hemphill
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although the story of the trials in 1692 is well known, this novel explores the happening in Salem through the POVs of the primary accusers: girls between the ages of 12 and 17. Hemphill plays up the peer pressure aspect, reminding readers that groups of girls can be unspeakably cruel, and that it is hard to give up popularity by making the right choice. The narrative was fresh and quick, and I liked the distinct motivations that each girl brought to her accusations: in this rendering, it was more than just a land grab.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although the story of the trials in 1692 is well known, this novel explores the happening in Salem through the POVs of the primary accusers: girls between the ages of 12 and 17. Hemphill plays up the peer pressure aspect, reminding readers that groups of girls can be unspeakably cruel, and that it is hard to give up popularity by making the right choice. The narrative was fresh and quick, and I liked the distinct motivations that each girl brought to her accusations: in this rendering, it was more than just a land grab.
View all my reviews
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