Monday, September 21, 2009

The Dream of the Cosmos: A Quest for the Soul by Anne Baring

"A Website for the Recognition of the Soul" is devoted to the affirmation of a new vision of reality and to the exploration of the deeper issues facing us at this crucial time of choice.

Anne Baring has been working on her book, "The Dream of the Cosmos," for twenty years and is putting some chapters onto her website before it is published. The link above takes you to the chapters which are posted.

She co-authored, with Andrew Harvey "The Divine Feminine" and "The Mystic Vision" among other titles. This website holds many treasures , so enjoy exploring!

The Cult of Divine Birth by Marguerite Rigoglioso

"Greek religion is filled with strange sexual artifacts –– stories of mortal women's couplings with gods; rituals like the basilinna's "marriage" to Dionysus; beliefs in the impregnating power of snakes and deities; the unusual birth stories of Pythagoras, Plato, and Alexander; and more. In this provocative study, Marguerite Rigoglioso suggests such details are remnants of an early Greek cult of divine birth, not unlike that of Egypt. Scouring myth, legend, and history from a female-oriented perspective, she argues that many in the highest echelons of Greek civilization believed non-ordinary conception was the only means possible of bringing forth individuals who could serve as true leaders, and that special cadres of virgin priestesses were dedicated to this practice. Her book adds a unique perspective to our understanding of antiquity, and has significant implications for the study of Christianity and other religions in which divine birth claims are central. The book's stunning insights provide fascinating reading for those interested in female-inclusive approaches to ancient religion."