4 comments about Lady of the Beasts: The Goddess and Her Sacred Animals.

1. I bought this book in support of research into the Potnia Theron (Lady of the Beasts) tradition in ancient iconography. This tradition is very important to me personally. A Goddess associated with lions, owls, etc. is central to my spiritual practice.
   
   Lady of the Beasts does contain a delightful collection of animal-related iconography from a wide range of cultures. It was worth the price to me just for this.
   
   That is a good thing, too, because the text is so full of howling errors that I have to assess it to be perfectly useless as any kind of guide to the tradition.
   
   Androgynous figures, or figures of completely indeterminate sex, become Goddesses by default. Just a few examples: A seated figure on a stone from Sweden, shown holding snakes, which reminds me strongly of the Cernunnos (horned God) figure from the Gundestroup cauldron, becomes a Goddess "in birth position." (pp. 175 - 177) True, the figure's legs are spread, but it is seated, not squatting, which -- women, please correct me if I am wrong -- looks like an absolutely hideous and impossible position for birthing. The body is androgynous, but the shape of the head suggests a beard. The lighting on the picture precludes any firm conclusion on the question of beard vs. pointed chin. Another figure, clearly a woman seated on the back of a sow, is in a similar position, but holding one leg up. Johnston cites this as a fertility fetish and suggests the female figure here is also in a birthing position; this one looks much more likely to be that. Interestingly, these images are not linked with the later Sheela-na-gig images from Ireland and elsewhere. Perhaps that is understandable, since the Sheela-na-gig is nowhere linked with animals. At any rate, I can come up with several alternative spiritual interpretations of these figures without much effort at all, which is consistent with the nature of myth and of mythic art.
   
   A figure from a Fremont Indian rock painting (p. 33), with a roughly rectangular body and long ears or horns, becomes a creatrix on no evidence whatever. It could just as well be Coyote, who in some of the stories from the region created the world as one of his jokes (and considering some of the more ribald Coyote stories, his maleness is not in any doubt). Since there are no living Fremont Indians from whom to collect oral tradition, we just don't know.
   
   On p. 19, conveniently unnamed archaeologists from "the Soviet Union" (which no longer existed by the time the book was published) are cited in support of the Universal Paleo-Neo-lithic Mother Goddess myth.
   
   Contrary to Johnston's assertion, Tammuz (Dumuzi) was not originally Ishtar (Inanna)'s son (p. 179). I am particularly displeased when people pervert the grand old stories of the Ancient Near East in support of a vision of all Pagan religions being exemplars of a particular monomyth. They were not, and their very chaotic diversity is part of their power. Much information is potentially lost when authors put their One True Interpretation first and the facts last.
   
   This sort of excess does not serve feminism, Neopaganism, or Goddess spirituality well. It is exactly why those movements, with their infinitely valuable message for humanity, are so easily dismissed by their academic and political critics (who, of course, are the same people in some cases).
   
   It would be so much better to present a balanced view, in which the ancient relations between Gods and Goddesses are preserved in all their messy glory, than to destroy the legacy of ancient Paganism by dismissing and trivializing the male half of it, even in just retaliation for how the female half was treated. Perhaps this is a necessary part of a dialectical process, and the balance I seek is being developed as the wild swings of the pendulum are damped by the critical process. A man can dream.



2. This book is gorgeous enough to be a coffee-table ornament, and substantial enough that it'll spend more time in your hands than on the coffee table.

   Many of the goddesses worshipped in ancient times were envisioned in the form of animals, or depicted with animals, such as the snake, cow, bird, or sow. Buffie Johnson writes lucidly about these goddesses and supplements her work with TONS of pictures. She touches on many different cultures, from the Mediterranean to Scotland and South America. If you're interested in goddess spirituality, you will definitely want this book.

   A side note: I really wish I'd had this on hand when I read _The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory_ a few weeks ago. In that book Cynthia Eller tries to disprove matriarchies, and among other things, questions the theory that there was goddess worship in Crete. She says that the two "Snake Goddess" statues don't necessarily prove anything. No, not by themselves. But from Johnson's book, I learned that there were similar but less elaborate statues on altars in people's houses...that a beautifully painted sarcophagus bore a mural of a host of priestesses performing a bull-sacrifice as a lone male flutist trilled in the background...that there were far more images of female power in the "seal stones" than I had seen before. Or that the smaller of the Snake Goddesses wears a rose crown, the sign of Ariadne, though I don't know if they're connected. I still don't know whether there was a matriarchy there, or whether it would have been a good or bad thing if there had been one. But Johnson has convinced me that there were goddesses worshipped there.

   This book does occasionally go a little bit overboard, seeing goddess symbolism where there may be no symbolism at all. But in general, it is a beautiful and useful resource that will delight anyone interested in the ancient Ladies.




3. this book tells about Goddesses and their sacred animals. i don't know what i expected, but still, it is a good book. the chapters tells about different animals; birds, cats, cows, bugs and so on. also, there are many pictures and drawings. only minus comes from the texts...they would be little bit longer.



4. This book was written very well. It covered many of the Goddesses from all around the world and told their stories. The photos were very helpful in showing the old Goddesses when reading their stores. This is one book that is a must for those studying the old religions.

4 comments about Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou.

1. As the title says, if you are interested in Vodou-influenced Haitian art (in other words, most Haitian art), this is the definitive book on the subject. If you are not interested in the subject, the breathtaking illustrations are likely to make you a convert.

   Consentino has compiled some excellent information to go along with the pictures, including interviews with Vodouisants and artists. He avoids the all-too-common sensationalist treatments of Haitian Vodou, and is never condescending or patronizing. He (correctly) treats Vodou like a world religion, and gives it due respect; his scholarship is impeccable both in art and comparative religion. Well worth the cost: this is a coffee table book you will cherish.




2. This book is the catalogue of the recent New Orleans Vodou exhibit. I had studied comparative religions when I was in college, so the origins and practice of vodou are of natural interest to me, but I knew absolutely nothing about vodou until seeing this exhibit. Having lived in New Orleans, I had always thought that voodoo involved sticking pins into dolls to bring bad luck or disease to an enemy and other darkly occult rituals. Obviously, I didn't understand vodou at all, not even to know the correct spelling. The Hollywood film industry is responsible for a large part of our misconceptions about vodou.

   I quote André Pierre, a contributor to the catalog: "The Vodou religion is before all other religions. It is more ancient than Christ. It is the first religion of the Earth. It is the creation of the World. The World is created by Vodou. The world is created by magic. The first magician is God who created people with his own hands from the dust of the Earth. People originated by magic in all countries of the world. No one lives of the flesh. Everyone lives of the spirit."

   Spirits (lwa) of vodou define parts of the universal human experience. The spirits all have names and personalities, very much like Roman Catholic saints. Like Mexican altars to deceased ancestors for El Dia de los Muertos, these vodou spirits are offered their favorite things that represent these personalities. These items are placed on altars or sewn in sequins and beads on 36" x 36" flags in their honor. The spirits, like saints, are invoked to grant favors or assist in getting through a difficult time, or they are praised for their virtues and help.

   My two favorite Vodou spirits are Ezili Freda and Ezili Danto. These cousins are diametrically opposed forces of femininity. Ezili Freda represents love and luxury, a city girl who has elegant fashion sense, likes sweet drinks and Virginia Slims cigarettes. She looks pretty, dressed in white lace with pink trim. Her day is Thursday. Mater Dolorosa represents Ezili Freda.

   Her country cousin Ezili Danto is linked to protective motherhood. She dresses in bright red and blue calicos and drinks strong rum. Black pigs symbolize Ezili Danto and her favorite food is fried pork. She smokes unfiltered Camel cigarettes and her days are Tuesdays and Saturdays. Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Mater Salvatoris represent Ezili Danto.

   This catalog allows a closer study of the brilliant sequin art associated with vodou. Spirit bottles, mirrors, jackets, vests, leggings and flags are covered with the flash of sequins that are anchored with seed beads. The symbols of the vodou spirits and their aspects are reflected by the designs made with the sequins and beads.

   The Sacred Arts catalog is an obviously well researched and comprehensive look at Vodou. I highly recommend it for a broad range of people, from cultural anthropologists to decorative artists.




3. I've been obsessed with this book ever since I was introduced to it. I find it well-researched and unbiased. It provides an accurate glance into this unfairly shunned religion.



4. Everything about this book is of the speaks of quality. The numerous color prints are excellent,and the paper and binding have a luxurious feel.

   This is a combination art book, art history book, book about religion, and travel book. The different perspectives that are brought together in this one volume makes it absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in Haiti. I have read it cover to cover twice, and plan to read it a third time.

   Only one chapter suffers from a dry, academic approach, that is the one on African Voudou, and may be safely skipped without missing much. That chapter, which contains no color prints, is much below the standards of the rest of the book.

   I am surprised that I am the first person to write a review of this book, because it is really an incredibly well done volume.

   The authors include anthropologists, folklorists, art historians, voudou practioneers, and artists. Yet the organization of the book makes each chapter fl! ! ow into the other. Well worth the $100.00 purchase price.

   Don't be put off by the word "voudou". This is not a goofy "new age" kind of book that teaches you to do spells. It is high quality, facinating analysis of the art, culture and lif of Haiti.

1 comments about 60-Second Skits.

1. These brief sketches are very relevant for your youth group, and easy to learn. A wide variety of topics are included, so you won't have a hard time finding something you can use. They are very effective.

4 comments about Santos: Enduring Images of Northern New Mexican Village Churches.

1. This book has just been awarded "Exceptional Books of 1999" by the A List, published by Bookman Book Review Syndicate and is a candidate for best book of the year. The reviewing panel found it to be worthy of such an award, and it was chosen over hundreds of books.



2. Since E. Boyd wrote her almanac about the traditional arts of the 18th and 19th centuries in New Mexico and the surrounding areas, she was followed by several books written by Professor William Wroth, then at the Taylor Museum in Colorado Springs. Both his books were concerned with the Taylor collection of Santos, a huge representation housed in their Museum. However, Wroth's books are difficult reading, particularly for the novice and the collector. His usage of big words unnecessarily bog down the information, and there are few discoveries which separate his writings from those of the late E. Boyd. Miss Cash, on the other hand, has blessed us with an informative, easy to read book on the Santos in the New Mexican churches, replete with hundreds of photographs (many previously unpublished) which form a chain which extends from the 1760's to 1900. Yes, we would have loved for these photographs to be all color, but certainly the writing makes up for that lack. An ingenious detective search allowed Miss Cash to unearth the identities of two major santeros, the 18th Century Novice and the magnificent Laguna Santero. This book is must reading, not only for the collector, but for the researcher and those interested in the primitive arts of the region.



3. I found "Santos" a very informative book. There have been other books written on this subject, but none have covered the subject so thoroughly. The author has discovered the names of two previously unknown santeros, and has proven her theories respectably; she has also gone into great detail to dispel many of the myths about the santeros created by other writers. I think this book is a must read about this subject. Granted, many of the photos are black and white, but that does not diminish the importance of the research. It was not designed to be a coffee-table book, and therefore the university press which published has done an ok job of reproducing the many photos. As I understand it, this book has received great reviews by the author's peers, perhaps some of which should be mentioned here: Tradicion Revista; New Mexico Magazine; Latina Magazine and many others. It has been called the "New Testament" as relates to the subject.



4. An interesting composition of information mostly available from other books. A nice group of photos unfortuantely most are black and white which is somewhat dissappointing.

2 comments about Sengai: The Zen of Ink and Paper.

1. This is an informal and accessible guide to Master Sengai's work, a man who in his study of Zen stumbled rather appropriately into the ink drawing art of sumi-e as a means of revealing for himself and others the essence of wisdom. It has been said that the secret of the Tao is so simple that if it were to suddenly become common knowledge, laughter would be heard everywhere. Looking at Sengai's art is to experience that truth and I recommend this as an antidote to the stifling austerity to which religious traditions are so often view as being caught up.



2. For the people interested in Zen this book is an excellent way to learn about one of the most influential monks in Zen history. Sengai was not only a monk, but a great artist whose art was expressed through his drawings. And this book written by D.T. Suzuki, author of numerous books about Zen, is focused mainly in explaining the meaning behind some of the Senagi's drawings. A negative aspect about this book is that the quality of the ilustration's prints is almost like the one of a newspaper. I tought I would find the same quality as the drawing from the cover but it was a big disappointment. Still, through the bad prints, we can appreciate the sublime art of Sengai.

1 comments about Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion (Perfect Illustration Series).

1. This has been an indispensable part of my preaching preparation for over a year. The illustrations vary: some are jokes but more are serious, some are parables but more are life anecdotes. The majority of the illustrations are fresh and relevant. All include full citation info - who said it, when, and where it was previously published.
   
   What makes this volume so useful is the indexing. All illustrations are categorized by their major theme. Two indexes at the back list (a) illustrations by related scripture, and (b) illustrations categorized by alternate themes. It is actually easier for me to find things in the paper edition than using the included computer program on CD.
   
   Sprinkling one of these anecdotes into my sermons every week or two has improved the quality of my message. My congregation often uses the story as a hook to remember what I say.

2 comments about The Faces of Christ in Sonora: Los Rostros del Senor en Sonora.

1. The Life of Christ is celebrated throughout the world, but no two regions do it the same. "The Face of Christ in Sonora" shows that we can even learn about the culture around it in observing the way that they worship, as shown with the turbulent, yet rich history and culture of the Mexican state of Sonora. Written in both English and Spanish for maximum accessibility, "The Face of Christ in Sonora" is highly recommended for both religious and world history community library shelves- and for anyone who wants to see pictures of how another culture celebrates something so familiar to us.



2. This is a book written by two sensitive and knowledgeable individuals who have spent their lives in the Sonoran Desert, deeply immersed in the life of the region.
   
   A gem!
   It is a good way to have a snapshot of a region with a shared history at a time when the lives of millions of folks are being shredded in the political struggles that have been generated a long distance from here.

2 comments about Drama, Skits, & Sketches 2.

1. Though I have not been through this book in depth, I had a hard time finding something that was not too preach-y, and with interpretive and doctrinal spins of the author. I will have to spend quite a bit of time adjusting material for a more open view. The scripts give start points to do this, though. Those with similar interpretations and doctrines will likely not have issues with this material. I notice the high schoolers I work with dislike being characterized as teens, in which adults develop material to speak to them on their ground, but frequently miss it. This book seems to do just that in many places.



2. This book has many wonderful skits and sketches for youth to use in youth group. Most of them are funny and will keep your youth intersted. The skits are a good length, most are between 5 to 7 minutes long and deal with a good number of youth issues. I particularly like the one entitled "Bible Broadway." This skit takes some Broadway tunes and gives them a spiritual message!

No comments about Indian Temple Sculpture.

No comments about Fabiola or The Church of The Catacombs.