ABSTRACT

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.

chapter |7 pages

INTRODUCTION

ByMiranda Green

chapter 1|18 pages

THE CONCEPT OF THE GODDESS

ByJuliette Wood

chapter 2|15 pages

The Celtic Goddess as healer

ByMiranda Green

chapter 4|12 pages

FREYJA AND FRIGG

ByStephan Grundy

chapter 5|10 pages

FREYJA—A GODDESS WITH MANY NAMES

ByBritt-Mari Näsström

chapter 6|13 pages

MEG AND HER DAUGHTERS: SOME TRACES OF GODDESS-BELIEFS IN MEGALITHIC FOLKLORE?

BySamuel Pyeatt Menefee

chapter 7|16 pages

MILK AND THE NORTHERN GODDESS

ByHilda Ellis Davidson

chapter 8|13 pages

COVENTINA’S WELL

ByLindsay Allason-Jones

chapter 9|9 pages

NEMESIS AND BELLONA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF TWO NEGLECTED GODDESSES

ByGlenys Lloyd-Morgan

chapter 10|12 pages

FORS FORTUNA IN ANCIENT ROME

BySandra Billington

chapter 11|11 pages

TRANSMUTATIONS OF AN IRISH GODDESS

ByMáire Herbert

chapter 12|14 pages

ASPECTS OF THE EARTH-GODDESS IN THE TRADITIONS OF THE BANSHEE IN IRELAND

ByPatricia Lysaght

chapter 14|8 pages

The Mistress of the Animals in Japan: Yamanokami

ByCarmen Blacker