The Sacred Whore: Sheela Goddess Of The Celts

by Maureen Concannon

Accessible study of the ancient carved stone images of naked female figures found throughout Ireland. Unnoticed and ignored for centuries, they are being rediscovered on early churches, medieval castles and bishops' tombs. Is this a signal to pay attention to the feminine side of the human psyche? This is the story of these mysterious carvings, their history, location and psychological significance. Called Sheela-na-Gigs, these figures display and emphasize the genital organs, symbols of fertility and new life. Originally symbols of God as ""The Great Mother"" in pre-Celtic society, the Celts integrated them into their druidic religion to later become part of Celtic Christianity. Then the victory of the Roman over the Celtic Church gradually turned the Divine Hag into a Harlot. But to Irish chieftains Sheela was the Divine Hag, Goddess of the Land. They are found at early monastic settlements in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, and pilgrim routes on the continent set up by Irish missionaries. September 2004, photos, drawings, maps, 5½ x 8½

Genres: Religion, Ireland, Paganism, Mythology

233 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2004

Reviews

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much controversy, so little time. Once more we have a powerful, sexual, female figure and people are arguing about whether she is a bitch or an angel. Whore or goddess. Quantum physicist or game show host. What is it about the appearance of a woman's twat that causes so much hysteria? The world applauded when Britney *pretended* to dance naked in public... but the day she flashed actual hootchie at the world they started screaming "Hor!"

This book is the version of the controversy that I happen to buy into. Don't ask a Christian academic to interpret pagan symbology. They inevitably get it wrong. And if one more person points out that the "old pagans" weren't nice and sweet like the "new pagans" and therefore I should stop "romanticizing" them I'm going to take out my broadsword and lop off some heads. What makes you think I prefer the pacified Celts? If it hadn't been for that prick St. Patrick the Celts would have been better prepared to fight off colonization by the British and we wouldn't have the whole Northern Ireland troubles, now would we? I'll take my pagans the old fashioned way, thank you: bloody, bawdy, brawling, and screwing anything that moved.

There's so much more to say about sacred sexuality, the dark feminine, and twats... but it's all in the book! Go read it! I'm going to slag off and go to sleep.

[Gabriel Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most excellent book I have read about Irish pagan divinity. The narrative emphasizes the divine feminine in Irish history and, to provide contrast, also the divine masculine. The author therefore gives an overview of pagan divinity in Ireland and also Europe. Concannon discusses the fall of women down to second class citizens which she writes began with the denigration, destruction and defilement of the divine feminine which resulted in imbalance in societies across the world as a result war, intolerance and fear became constant aspects across the world. The author makes a very convincing argument that this is not just theory but fact as she uses the Irish Goddess Sheela as the fulcrum for her beliefs.
Her narrative about Sheela, Goddess of the Celts, is fascinating. At times the author almost brings this forgotten goddess alive so vivid is her description.

An excellent book which I highly recommend for discovering both Irish pagan culture and divine feminine.

I am Gabriel Woods, author of The Golden Age Desolation

[Lisa Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and made me extremely angry at the patriarchy!

[Vicki]

Adding this book to my to-read list based on Charissa's amazing review.