From this impressive journey, in chapters five and six, she offers a fascinating commentary on the history of humanity and particularly the conditioning of women. In these two chapters she opens our eyes to the underlying motivation behind the repressive and controlling nature of the patriarchal forces that have increasingly dominated our lives. In addition she offers us a clear and vital alternative in which we as women can gain the strength and self-esteem to face up to these forces. At the same time she shows us how to work towards a more loving, peaceful and harmonious way of living. Chapter Six, Lifting the Veil from the Face of Modernity in which she contrasts the imprinting of women in contemporary society with that of these sacred societies is especially moving, perceptive and provocative. Her analysis of the goals, successes and failures of the feminist movement, gave me new insight into the ways in which we have been manipulated by the media. These two well-documented chapters recalled for me the nature of the work of scholars and writers such as Riane Eisler, Naomi Wolf and Marija Gimbutas. But in this book, Ms. Rose as an initiate into and practitioner of the ancient teachings offers us even greater insight into the essential roles of women.
As a woman who has always been sensitive to energy and emotion, I was particularly affected by her description of woman's role as the keepers of the psychic-energetic-emotional landscape of society. Honestly, after reading these chapters I began to see myself, and the ways in which I have been taught to interact with the world in a new way.
I found the last three chapters to be extremely beneficial. Reading the myths and stories of the Goddesses gave me a deeper understanding of the many facets of woman. The exercises that follow are written in a lush, poetic language that deeply touched me. After reading the book I purchased the Awakening the Feminine video series tapes in which Ms. Rose transmits the teachings and exercises found in these three chapters. I found these tapes to be extremely enriching and beneficial as well. I thank Sharron Rose for opening the door for me to a unique and extraordinary vision of the power, grace and majesty of womankind.
? Reveals the essential role of women in creating and maintaining the psychic/energetic/emotional landscape of society.
? Explores feminine roles and the archetypal model of the Great Goddess from both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions.
? Includes exercises, meditations, and visualizations drawn from ancient techniques to assist women with their spiritual awakening and self-realization.
The Path of the Priestess takes readers on a journey deep into the heart of the feminine experience. It describes the author's years of first-hand experience in the ancient arts of Tantra, Dzogchen, and Indian and Egyptian temple dance and healing, as well as her research into the feminine principle in the mystic teachings of the Alchemists, Hebrew Kabbalists, and Christian Gnostics.
Beginning with an analysis of the basic issues and frustrations inherent in contemporary society's conditioning of and expectations for women, readers travel back in time to the age of the great temples, schools, and sacred societies in which women still held and transmitted the spiritual light that nourished all of civilization. Through its mythic and historic tales, descriptions of sacred ritual practices, and teachings on the Goddess traditions, The Path of the Priestess provides contemporary women with the means to enter this time-honored path. In keeping with the experientially based teaching methods of these traditions, it also offers exercises and visualizations designed to align women with the powerful, sensuous, and loving energies of the most profound feminine role model that shaped and preserved culture and society--the Great Goddess.