The Concept of the Goddess

The Concept of the Goddess explores the function and nature of goddesses and their cults in many cultures, including:
* Celtic
* Roman
* Norse
* Caucasian
* Japanese traditions.
The contributors explore the reasons for the existence of so many goddesses in the mythology of patriarchal societies and show that goddesses have also assumed more masculine roles, with war, hunting and sovereignty being equally important aspects of their cults.

List of contents

List of illustrations, Notes on contributors, Preface: the life and work of Hilda Ellis Davidson, Introduction, 1 The concept of the Goddess, 2 The Celtic Goddess as healer, 3 Now you see her, now you don’t: some notes on the conception of female shape-shifters in Scandinavian traditions, 4 Freyja and Frigg, 5 Freyja—a goddess with many names, 6 Meg and her Daughters: some traces of goddess-beliefs in megalithic folklore?, 7 Milk and the Northern Goddess, 8 Coventina’s Well, 9 Nemesis and Bellona: a preliminary study of two neglected goddesses, 10 Fors Fortuna in Ancient Rome, 11 Transmutations of an Irish goddess, 12 Aspects of the earth-goddess in the traditions of the banshee in Ireland, 13 The Caucasian hunting-divinity, male and female: traces of the hunting-goddess in Ossetic folklore, 14 The Mistress of the Animals in Japan: Yamanokami, Index

About the author

Sandra Billington, Miranda Green

Summary

This volume is an up-to-date, highly readable study of the female aspects of religion both in past and present mythologies. It explores the function and nature of goddesses and their cults in many cultures.

Product details

• Assisted by: Sandra Billington (Editor), Billington Sandra (Editor), Miranda Green (Editor), Green Miranda (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 05.11.1998
• EAN: 9780415197892
• ISBN: 978-0-415-19789-2
• No. of pages: 206
• Weight: 380 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, Religion: general, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Gender studies: women, Gender studies: women and girls, Archaeological Theory, Ancient religions and Mythologies, Other non-Christian religions, Nature and existence of God and of the Divine, Other religions and spiritual beliefs