Goddess Stories: Discover their mythology

by Alison Davies, Katja Perez (Illustrator)

Learn the powerful stories behind over 40 goddesses  from around the world, and discover how you can embody their power to improve your wellbeing, and live your best life.  From ancient myth to modern day icons, there’s a goddess to help you with every situation. Including some of the best and less well-known goddesses throughout mythology, and accompanied by a gorgeous illustration of each, learn the stories   ·    Freya (Norse Goddess of Love, Beauty, and War)
·    Eostre (Celtic Goddess of the Dawn and Spring)
·    Guan Yin (Buddhist Goddess of Compassion and Mercy)
·    Nut (Egyptian Goddess of the Sky)
·    Selene (Greek Goddess of the Moon)
·    Jaci (Brazilian Moon Goddess)
·    Gaia (Greek Goddess of the Earth)
·    Pele (Goddess of Fire, Volcanoes, and Dance)
·    Inanna (Sumerian Goddess of Love, Fertility, and Sensuality)
·    Amaterasu (Shintu Goddess of the Sun)
·    Lakshmi (Hindu Goddess of Wealth, Good Fortune, and Success) …and many more!  With a simple ritual or activity alongside each story to help you channel the iconic energy of each goddess, this is the ultimate book of female empowerment. 

Genres: Mythology, Spirituality, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this enchanting book, Alison Davies tells us in a concise, easily accessible form, the stories of Goddesses, some famous and some less so. Katja Perez’ accompanying illustrations are bright, colourful and lovely, I really like the Green Tara one. Brief ceremonial practices are included, to empower readers in establishing a connection to the Goddesses and their power. I learned a lot about different myths, which is what I was looking for in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Leslie Pompa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! I had no idea there were so many goddesses and I love that the author included affirmations and rituals in order to connect with each one. This book is very empowering and helps you with what you are looking for

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with the ARC copy of this book. The cover photo is gorgeous and the title really intrigued me into reading this book.

This book is absolutely gorgeous and I have no words to say. As I am on a path to spirituality this book came to me at the perfect timing. I learnt about so many goddesses which I had never heard about. The writer has also gone into so much detail about each and every goddess and I must say that the illustrations are just gorgeous. I fell in love with them at first sight.

I will definitely recommend this book to people who are curious about spirituality, gods and goddesses. Grab your copy today and don't miss this masterpiece.

#GoddessStories #NetGalley

[Mae B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Just wish the descriptions were a little longer. A solid read.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A standard-seeming guide to some aspects of the world's myths, ie the female ones we have had more chance of hearing about. Each gets a wonderful full-page portrait, and two pages to convey with text their essence and what they got up to. And then, oddly, a fourth page, full of quotes, affirmations and business for us to do, as if, get this, we actually think these characters are real.

Yes, that threw me – the introduction at least coming on a bit strong with the "this is what to do for these goddesses" malarkey. Certainly if I want to gen up on Nut, Gaia, Kali or Rhiannon, I could easily come here for some of the basics but it won't be because I intend to build a shrine to them any time soon, or get mindful with their lessons in their honour. It's enough that this is sexistly dividing the pantheons – the mind boggles what we are to be recommended to do when Thor, Mars and that ilk get a redressing 'brother' volume.

Still, before then this is still pretty reasonable. It does prove a slightly awkward concept when Juno is crammed into the 'Air Goddess' chapter only by dint of being 'bringer of Light' (it's either that or because peacocks can, you know, fly. Through air). It proves valuable in bringing Baltic deities to our attention, alongside Pele (not the footballer), and characters from Sumerian and other thinking. But it also loses much kudos for cramming itself with internal rhymes, for no reason – I lost count with Kali there were so many.

All in all this is an interesting approach, if clearly flawed. It doesn't look any worse than similar books, and while it sticks to a kind of mood of the goddess as seen through one key story, and not the full legend, it still probably has enough about it for the layman. But the fact I skipped a quarter of the pages entirely means this is probably three and a half stars at most.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When you look up and see the sun in all her radiant glory, remember that she does this for you.” - from the story of Sunna, Norse Goddess of the sun

This is a lovely book. Author Alison Davies has collected tales of over 40 goddesses from a wide range of cultures, including Celtic, Norse, Roman, Native American, Egyptian and Hindu, and presented them in short, accessible stories. Each story is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by Katia Perez, and a brief ritual that allows the reader to meditate on the unique powers of each goddess. The stories are divided up into four sections with each section including goddesses from one of the four elements: earth, air, water and fire. This organization allows the reader to dip in to various kinds of stories or immerse themselves in a particular set of traits.

Although this isn’t a criticism of this book per se, I do wish that authors who write meditations and rituals consider the circumstances and abilities of a variety of readers and propose alternatives for those who cannot, for example, go outside and lay on the grass (my own 70-year-old knees prevented me from doing that years ago), go to a park (there may not be one nearby), or use tools like essential oils (which may be expensive or unavailable). Some alternatives are presented here, but not always. That’s a small quibble and really more for other potential authors who may be reading this review.

Many thanks to Quarto Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much Information About Goddesses

The author discusses how the deities came into being, stating that ideas sprang forth and the gods and goddesses were created. She states that if you’re drawn to a particular
mythology, you may wish to single out deities from that area and read those tales first. In particular, she writes about earth and mother goddesses, characters who are strong, grounded, and sometimes groundbreaking.

Alison writes that according to Native Americans, Atira is the earth goddess. The one they called upon when the earth was barren, and nothing would grow. She was the one who would send the rains to drench the soil, and the sun to welcome the first new shoots. She was the one they dreamed about when times were tough, and they needed inspiration. The author states that Atira became the mother of every living thing, the corn lady, and the one who would always provide, and this she did by leaving a legacy. Wherever her feet had touched the earth, great fields of golden corn grew. They stretched to the heavens, and acted as a conduit, bringing her and her people closer together.

The author discusses various goddesses, outlining their specific qualities and she provides goddess affirmations abd a goddess ritual: “With every step I take, I am connected to
earth energy.”

The affirmations are really great ones that I feel anyone can, possibly, modify and use.

I truly enjoyed learning about all the goddesses , their particular affirmation and their associated qualities. I highly recommend this book.

[Kcaroth1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice collection of goddesses and their stories along with a short ritual and artwork. As the author points out, it can be used just to learn a little about various types of mythologies, enjoy stories from around the world, or establish a greater connection to a particular goddess's energy by practicing a ritual. What makes it a little different from other titles of this sort is the inclusion of some lesser-known goddesses like Aine (Celtic), Bixia Yuanjin (Taoist), Saule (Baltic), Skadi (Norse) along with the ones that are most familiar like Aphrodite, Brigid, Bast, and Gaia. The artwork, while pretty and vivid, doesn’t have much symbolism or clues to provide more than a surface understanding of the goddesses but does offer a general feel for the story. One thing that is disappointing is that so many of the rituals assume easy access to movement or places. Not everyone can stand and greet the light or wander around in a yard or forest. Obviously, adjustments can be made to accommodate actions or materials, but it would be wonderful to have them worded differently to be slightly more inclusive. In general, though, this is a good introduction to goddesses that is well-organized and easily readable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

[Lady Orpheon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun, simple and still informative book that covers goddesses coming from a variety of mythologies, giving you a story featuring them, showing who they are, what they are generally visually depicted as though individual art works for them and a simple spell that may help you through your various ailments that may relate to the field or power they hold. It's a simple read that you may enjoy to relax, gain a lesson or two, learn by exploring varying mythologies and see many women who hold different types of powers and strengths and as to how to gain such strength or power.

The description is very accurate to the book as it effectively gives what it claims. The writing is simple and engaging. Something you may even read as a bed time story for anyone. The art style is average. The rituals are attuned to the tones of the book. It's overall geared towards beginners and those who are looking for something light.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddess Stories is a treasure of a book - I couldn't recommend this enough! This book weaves together captivating narratives of goddesses from various cultures, offering a delightful introduction to their diverse attributes and symbolism. What truly sets this book apart are the practical rituals that allow you to connect with the deities on a personal level. The inclusion of goddess affirmations adds an uplifting touch, making it a wonderful daily companion for self-empowerment. The icing on the cake is the stunning illustrations of each goddess - I wish some of them were available as prints! An easy 5 star book from me!

[Kayrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of fables about goddess with lush deeply coloured drawings of each female. This is the sort of book you would dip into and read about one goddess for inspiration when needing guidance. There are optional affirmations/meditations to practice more after each story to help the reader tap into her divine feminine.
My favourites include the stories of Arianrhod, Rhiannon, and Hel.

I learnt a lot from this book and I'm incredibly grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advance reader copy for review.

[Stephanie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Leaping Hare Press, and Alison Davies for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a great book for people beginning their study of or practicing with different Goddesses.
The art work is beautiful and it’s easy to read through.

The elements are separated and the Goddesses of each element from different mythologies each have their back story, an affirmation, the theme and what they represent, and different types of rituals for each:

Highly recommend, I’ll be purchasing a hard copy for myself.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. If you are new to goddesses and want a great intro into who they are, this is it. It does not go into great detail, just a story about them along with some beautiful art work for each goddess and a ritual to help you connect with that goddess. There are goddesses from all over in this book. Some Aztec, Native American, Celtic, Native American; just to name a few. I highly recommend this book. It’s perfect for beginners.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an utterly fabulous book! I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful illustrations as well as the stories of many different goddesses from all different cultures, religions, and continents. The author includes well thought out, practical ways to embody and put into practice the teachings of each goddess.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelsie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! I loved this selection of mythology and rituals paired for each goddess. Usually in mythology books you see the big four: Greece, Rome, Egypt, and either Celtic or Norse. This anthology featured so many more, plus the classics! Buddhist, Native American, a selection of African pantheons, and more. I was thrilled to learn new goddesses and explore the short ritual with each. Highly recommend if you want to explore daily practice and new goddess worship, or are just curious!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers - Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare and Leaping Hare Press
– for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A selection of stories about different goddesses all over the world and how to involve the goddesses in your own practice. A nice little book for people who have just discovered an interest for mythologies.
Beautiful illustrations by Katja Perez.

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Edelweiss+)

I found this to be a great introductory read on the subject and the illustrations that accompanied the Goddesses are lovely.

[TheLittleLunarReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it was informative and enlightening. I’ve noted down which goddesses to do rituals with for my own personal practice as I myself am a witch. I enjoyed the forward from a practicing and experienced witch and you could definitely see that Alison has done her research!

[Amanda E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book that focuses on a variety of elemental goddesses from a broad range of cultures, religions, and peoples.
Included in the goddess stories, are beautiful rituals to bring the goddess spirit and energy alive.

[Priscila Vera Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! I had no idea there were so many goddesses and I love that the author included affirmations and rituals in order to connect with each one. This book is very empowering and I would love to read more of your work.

[Isabella Ferree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and diverse. Not only Greek snd norse goddesses. And very fun to read.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely compilation of goddesses from around the world. Rooted in Norse, Greek, Roman and other mythology, among other goddesses represented in this book, each provides a strength and a way to channel that strength in everyday life. It was an interesting way to learn about beliefs from around the world.

[Kaida.tbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: Katja Perez

This book provides a captivating exploration of various goddesses from a wide range of belief systems and origins, spanning from Buddhism and Celtic mythology to Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and Native American traditions. It is organized into four sections, each representing a different element and facet of the goddesses: 1) Earth and Mother, 2) Air, Sky, and the Winds of Change, 3) Fire and Sun, and 4) Water, Sea, and Moon. Delving into the interesting narratives of each goddess, Davies also suggests some rituals to foster a deeper connection with these divine entities.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐

I enjoyed immersing myself in the myriad short stories featuring goddesses—a topic I've explored all too rarely. The concept of this book is captivating, and I must praise the truly enchanting and whimsical illustrations that accompany the text. The book provides concise introductions to a vast array of deities, making it an accessible and engaging read. However, while I understand that the book's primary goal isn't exhaustive exploration, there were instances where I wished for more in-depth accounts of certain goddesses. Nonetheless, this book serves as an excellent starting point for those seeking to delve deeper into specific areas of interest and more extensive readings.

One aspect that didn't quite align with my personal preferences and beliefs regards the rituals. To me, they felt somewhat self-serving, centered on the idea of seeking personal gain through the worship of a deity. In my view, rituals should focus more on channeling energy in a selfless and disinterested manner. Nevertheless, I found that this element did little to detract from the overall experience, as how one chooses to utilize these rituals is left to the reader's discretion. Many individuals use meditation and prayers to express desires in their lives, and this book will appeal to those who seek this kind of practice.

For those seeking self-improvement and introspection, I believe this is a very good tool to do so in a light-hearted way. I truly recommend this book as it was a great experience, especially if you are looking for a cozy fall read that is also educative.

Gratitude is extended to Quarto Group and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good introduction to the different Goddesses from mythology around the world. I have been reading stories about Greek mythology for years, but this was my first introduction to other mythologies as well and I really enjoyed it. The stories for each of the Goddesses were short and sweet, just enough to really see how people who believe in these mythologies might see these deities. While I would have loved to learn more about each of them, these stories were clear, precise, and to the point to see either their origin stories or the stories that made them famous. If this author comes out with another book relating to the Gods or Goddesses, I will definitely be checking it out.

I received this book as an eARC from Netgalley for my honest review.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Leaping Hare Press for providing me with an ARC for an honest review. 🩷

What a really cool book! I absolutely loved learning about the different goddesses from the different religions. I feel like I am learning so many new things about goddesses I’ve always heard about, but never knew the story of! And THE ART IS AMAZING!! That’s probably my favorite part about the whole book. The art, alone, is worth going through the whole book. If you want to gain a better understanding of the stories behind the goddesses behind many of our ancient schools of wisdom & religions, this is a great resource for dipping your feet!

[lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this beautiful book!

The art was stunning and the stories capturing. I haven't read much about goddesses but this book serves as a perfect jumping off point for anyone interested in the stories of a myriad of goddesses. It was not only informative, it made me feel strong, powerful, and ethereal. Being a woman is no easy task, and it was uplifting to read about goddesses that unapologetically took on the world.

The affirmations from each Goddess are still in my daily roster and I encourage anyone who reads this book to channel your inner goddess.

[Mel Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully put together book, the art was incredible, and I loved the stories alongside each goddess. It was sectioned to the elements which I thought was brilliant. I liked the different approach throughout, compared to other goddess books available.
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the stories and illustrations.
My favourite part were the affirmations from each Goddess.
This is a well written, empowering book for anyone wanting to learn more about these wonderful mythical women.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

[Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book from my library and ended up buying it AND the matching oracle cards. I love the art work, the stories, and the rituals. I've been wanting to use Goddesses as archetypes and look forward to adding these SASS friendly rituals to my practice.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The spark of inspiration burns within me."

I can't express how much I LOVED this book. Each goddess has a story, affirmation and ritual. I really enjoyed learning about each goddess.