Pagan goddesses are deities that were worshipped in various ancient pagan religions. These goddesses represent different aspects of nature, fertility, love, war, and wisdom. They are often seen as powerful and divine beings who influence the human world. One well-known pagan goddess is Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She is depicted as a radiant and enchanting figure, often associated with sensuality and desire. Aphrodite is believed to have had a significant influence on relationships and emotions.
Queens of the Wild
Aphrodite is believed to have had a significant influence on relationships and emotions. Another important pagan goddess is Freya, a Norse goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility. She is often depicted as a powerful and independent woman, known for her bravery.
Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe: An Investigation
by Ronald Hutton
256 Pages , 5.00 x 7.75 in , 24 b-w illus.
- Paperback
- 9780300273342
- Published: Tuesday, 5 Sep 2023
- Hardcover
- 9780300261011
- Published: Tuesday, 31 May 2022
Also Available At:
A concise history of the goddess-like figures who evade both Christian and pagan traditions, from the medieval period to the present day
In this riveting account, renowned scholar Ronald Hutton explores the history of deity-like figures in Christian Europe. Drawing on anthropology, archaeology, literature, and history, Hutton shows how hags, witches, the Fairy Queen, and the Green Man all came to be, and how they changed over the centuries.
Looking closely at four main figures—Mother Earth, the Fairy Queen, the Mistress of the Night, and the Old Woman of Gaelic tradition—Hutton challenges decades of debate around the female figures who have long been thought versions of pre-Christian goddesses. He makes the compelling case that these goddess figures found in the European imagination did not descend from the pre-Christian ancient world, yet have nothing Christian about them. It was in fact nineteenth-century scholars who attempted to establish the narrative of pagan survival that persists today.
Ronald Hutton is professor of history at Bristol University and a leading authority on the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is the author of seventeen books.
“Europe’s pagan traditions never seem to have been stamped out. Instead, parts of them have been with us all along, as [Hutton] demonstrates in his sprightly—and spritely—account of four female figures: Mother Earth; the Fairy Queen; the Lady of the Night; and the Cailleach of the Gaelic tradition.”—Peter Stanford, Daily Telegraph
“Hutton’s arguments are thoughtful and convincing. . . . [He] propose[s] these archetypes as ‘new superhuman figures which operated outside of Christian cosmology.’”—Elizabeth Dearnley, Times Literary Supplement
“Whether your interest is in the history of formal religious practice, folklore, or mythology, or in the influences motifs of divine nature . . . have had and continue to have upon modern thought, I very much recommend this new book as an entryway into a remarkably expansive garden of possibilities as to how even the most so-called ‘settled matters’ may still be examined, and by which your interpretation of the world may be enlarged.”—Johannes E. Riuitta, Well-read Naturalist
“An illuminating and thought-provoking book.”—A. Sheppard, Choice
“Magnificently researched, thoroughly detailed, and clearly argued.”—Michael Nichols, Anglican and Episcopal History
“A wide-ranging, highly readable survey. . . . [Hutton’s] blend of skepticism with ontological humility renders him a uniquely refreshing guide to his field.”—Barbara Newman, Medieval Review
“A wonderful book, deeply thoughtful and engaging, packed with great research and thought-provoking ideas.”—Marion Gibson, author of Witchcraft: The Basics
“This splendid book greatly expands our knowledge of how apparently pagan divine figures of European tradition evolved. By deftly showing what we know—and what we only think we know—the author illuminates how these figures have mattered over the centuries, and continue to do so.”—Mark Williams, author of The Celtic Myths that Shape the Way We Think
“England’s favourite historian has done it again! In this series of essays, he traces the histories of four popular feminine figures from folklore, showing us the vitality of human creativity and its shaping of tradition even under periods of religious domination.”—Sabina Magliocco, author of Witching Culture: Folklore and Neo-Paganism in America
Pagan Gods
Pagan religions are the fastest growing and most popular type of spirituality in the modern world, according to some sources. The concepts of divinity within Paganism are many and varied, so here is an overview of Pagan Gods, from a contemporary Pagan author and teacher, Lora O’Brien.
Freya is also associated with magic and divination. In Celtic mythology, Brigid is a pagan goddess associated with healing, poetry, and crafting. She is often viewed as a triple goddess, representing three aspects: healing, poetry and inspiration, and crafting and smithing. Brigid is a revered figure in Irish folklore and is believed to bring blessings and protection. There are also pagan goddesses in other cultures, such as Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love, beauty, and war, and Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic, motherhood, and life. Pagan goddesses played significant roles in ancient religions and were worshipped through rituals and offerings. They were seen as divine beings who held immense power and could grant blessings or curses to humanity. Today, some people continue to draw inspiration from these goddesses and incorporate their teachings and qualities into modern spiritual practices..
Reviews for "The Feminine Divine: Pagan Goddesses in Religious Syncretism"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Pagan goddesses". While I was expecting a deep exploration of pagan mythology and the role of goddesses, the book only provided surface-level information and seemed more focused on sensationalizing the topic. I was hoping for more scholarly analysis and insights, but instead, it felt like a collection of random facts and stories without any coherent structure. Overall, I found it to be a superficial and shallow representation of a fascinating subject.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Pagan goddesses" was a complete waste of time for me. The content of the book was poorly researched and lacking in any real substance. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating information from Wikipedia without any critical analysis. The writing style was also lacking, with grammatical errors and a lack of flow. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about pagan goddesses, as there are much better resources available.
3. Mark - 1 star - I found "Pagan goddesses" to be highly misleading. The title gave me the impression that this book would provide an in-depth exploration of pagan goddesses and their significance. However, I was sorely disappointed by the lack of depth and analysis in the content. The book felt more like a shallow overview, barely scratching the surface of the subject matter. I found it to be a waste of money and time, and would advise others to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive and well-researched book on the topic.
4. Emily - 2 stars - As someone interested in pagan mythology, I had high hopes for "Pagan goddesses". Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. While it provided a basic overview of some pagan goddesses, it lacked the depth and analysis I was looking for. The author seemed more focused on storytelling and mythological tales rather than offering a scholarly exploration of the subject. Additionally, the writing style was repetitive and overly simplistic. I would recommend this book only for those seeking a light read on pagan goddesses, but not for those looking for a more academic perspective.