ABSTRACT
The focus of Chapter 5 is an exploration of the female body as a theologically mediated form. The idea that it is through thealogy and Goddess feminism that women can reconnect with their bodies and experience a greater sense of embodiment is explored. This chapter examines the values at the heart of Goddess feminism from the perspective of academics working in the field, in addition to practitioners. The Goddess as imminent and rooted in the lived experiences of these women is discussed. Themes of interdependence, interconnection and the web-of-life are drawn upon, alongside an exploration of the political dimensions of Goddess feminism as the author addresses the gendered imbalances of contemporary society in the context of the development of anorexia. The idea of the Goddess as a psychologically meaningful metaphor is further established in the context of a matriarchal prehistory, and an argument for the Goddess as a symbol of psychological strength is established. Here, the author explores the commonalities between thealogy and psychoanalysis with a view towards establishing Goddess feminism as providing a framework for healing gender-rooted psychological maladies, such as anorexia.
