The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe: Goddesses, Sacred Women and the Origins of Western Culture

In this fascinating overview, Sharon Macleod follows the development of human culture from Paleolithic times up through the Medieval period, presenting archaeological evidence and anthropological extrapolation to bring ancient societies to life. Along the way, she explores the representation of the feminine in imagery, mythology, and literature during each time period she discusses. She finds no evidence to support the idea of a universal Mother Goddess worshiped by peaceful, matriarchal cultures, or that such tribes were wiped out by patriarchal invaders. Rather, MacLeod finds that the Divine Feminine existed in different forms in different areas, that early European hunter-gatherers likely lived in egalitarian societies much like their modern counterparts, and that the Indo-Europeans were probably a peaceful people whose customs and culture were voluntarily adopted by the local populations.MacLeod counters the overemphasis on Greek and Roman civilization by pointing out the rich tapestry of vibrant cultures that inhabited Europe. Her descriptions show that these were not rude, crude, grunting barbarians, but people with sophisticated and fascinating cultures of their own. Further, MacLeod states that their contributions to modern European culture have been underestimated. I was looking forward to learning about these contributions, but curiously, MacLeod does not name them.MacLeod’s stated objective in the preface is to show the existence of veneration for the Divine Feminine, but the book discusses far more than that one subject. Macleod stresses the need for Western society to return to the harmonious relationship with Nature it once enjoyed, and for people of European descent to rediscover their indigenous roots to cure their “profound soul loss.” She criticizes modern society for its emphasis on material wealth, technology, and destructive practices, but at times goes too far. The “illusory marvels of technology” are not at all illusory to the people who benefit from them: the woman whose cancer was detected at the earliest possible stage through digital mammography, anyone whose surgery was performed arthroscopically, or whose aching tooth was treated with modern dental methods. While she is right to appreciate the cultures of indigenous people and the lessons they offer, her failure to acknowledge any distasteful aspects of those societies or any good in Western culture gives this book a slanted view.Each chapter begins with a short fictional narrative that incorporates the points of that chapter and humanizes the data. This brings up the issue of artistic license—which parts are supported by evidence and which parts are conjecture?Macleod is so careful to present evidence concerning prehistoric societies that her lapses in other subjects come as a surprise. She perpetuates the common view that Samhain is the Celtic New Year, when there is no evidence at all that this was the belief among the ancient Celts. Sir John Rhys proposed the idea in 1886, Sir James Frazier supported it, and the notion became entrenched by the 1930s. She refers to Eostre as the Anglo Saxon goddess of spring, but Professor Ronald Hutton has argued convincingly that this is based on a selective reading of Bede and should not be taken as fact. (Curiously, the footnote for MacLeod’s passage cite the Prose Edda rather than Bede). She states that early Christian missionaries were instructed to wipe out native beliefs when Pope Gregory the Great’s directions were to accommodate local customs as much as possible. Holy water and blessing the fields are two examples of practices that were incorporated into Christianity. She puts forward the plausible notion that mythical creatures may have had their origins in exposed fossils, but the example she gives, that the dinosaur psittacosaurus was a precursor of griffins, overlooks the obvious problem that it had no wings.Still, this book gives readers an intriguing look at the development of humans and the Divine Feminine across the ages and serves as a useful stepping stone toward a deeper exploration of native European traditions.

First and foremost I appreciate that the author offered a well-rounded look at the development of European religion and spirituality and tried to offer an unbiased look at all the evidence rather than attempting to make assumptions of the meanings of things. That being said, I've found this book a disappointing look at the DIVINE FEMININE in European religion. I was totally on board with her preamble but then she spent pages and pages reiterating the same information: generally that we don't know. I love the honesty of "we don't know" but it doesn't need to be said from every angle. And much of the information went from being background and set-up to explain the role of the divine feminine to completely overtaking the book. I see the author has written other book about more general cosmology and spirituality of Europe and that seems more in her wheel house. Shes a good writer, but needed an editor that would keep her on track to the theme of this book. Again there seems to be a lot of build up with very little actual meaningful discussion of the divine feminine. I also agree with the other reviewer that her quotations of modern native peoples doesn't add or particularly relate to the work. I understand the a thropological basis for studying modern indigenous cultures for clues into past cultures, but in terms of themes and patterns, not direct grabbing from one culture and overlaying it to talk about another. Similar feeling to her discussions of shamans which felt unresearched and broad sweeping.I really liked this book from the start and it has good information, but overall I'm disappointed with the repetitiveness and lack of real discussion of the divine feminine (rather than European religion broadly and the importance of environmentalism) . A good introduction to European spirituality for a beginner.

This scholarly book looks at the latest archeological, anthropological, and mythological research and evidence about how ancient Europe revered the Divine Feminine in her various female forms. The author makes the case that to categorize "all female divinities as "Earth Goddesses" or "Mother Goddesses" would be inaccurate," reducing their cultural role in ancient Europe to a limited and imprecise one, according to available evidence. An excellent historical look at evidence-supported facts related to various female figures and spiritual beliefs and practices in ancient Europe.Ms. Jamieson Haverkampf,M.F.A. Creative Writing candidate at Northwest Institute of Literary Arts (specializing in writing for children and young adults) and author of the 4-time award winning 500+ resource guide Mom Minus DadMom Minus Dad: The Essential Resource Guide for Busy Adults with a Newly Widowed ParentMom Minus Dad: The Essential Resource Guide for Busy Adults with a Newly Widowed Parent Kindle book

This book fills a unique niche I have rarely discovered on this topic. It's well-researched and intelligently scholarly without being tedious or preachy. And, it retains some of the magic and mystery of the topic without succumbing to shallow superstition or adolescent fairytales. This is the real deal, a deep, beautiful foray into some of the lesser-known histories and mysteries of ancient Europe.