Celtic Goddess (P)

by Claire French

This study reveals how the loss of status of womanhood down the centuries transformed the Goddess figure as the shift from egalitarian to patriarchal societies took place. It draws on the Welsh myths... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863153585
• ISBN13: 9780863153587
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Floris Books
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Mostly deals with the Mabinogion.

This was a very good book and I enjoyed reading it. I would have given it five stars if it wasn't for the title. The title led me to believe it would be about Goddesses from all the Celtic lands, the bulk of the book (from page 70 on) was about the women in the Mabinogion. The only other problem I have with this book is that it uses Robert Graves, whose work is deeply flawed,as a source.This leads to inacuracies in the book. For instance, the Celtic triple Goddess was never Maiden, Mother and Crone, but rather three Mothers, or three Maidens or three Crones. Despite these two problems I do recommend the book.

Traces the decline of a divine figure

The Celtic Goddess: Great Queen or Demon Witch? by medieval studies expert, writer and lecturer Claire French is a thoroughly fascinating study of the Celtic Goddess figure, venerated in triple form as Virgin, Mother, and Crone. From the ancient rituals that used to honor her to her displacement by Druidism in the fifth century BC (and her condemnation by Christianity), The Celtic Goddess traces the decline of a divine figure with scholarly accuracy and emotional heart. The Celtic Goddess is a very highly recommended, unique religious study. Also highly recommended is Claire French's The Queen Of The Silver Castle (...) in which she retells the story of Rhiannon and Pwyll for younger readers.