I found this today here:

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://opossumsally.homestead.com/Legends/WhoIsTheGoddess.html

Who Is The Goddess?

Many people are surprised to learn that Goddess History dates back to the earliest civilizations. It�s well documented that ancient societies worshiped feminine forms of God -- typically as mother, earth, nature, and the Holy Spirit, or as deities who personified feminine attributes.

Our ancestors saw the Divine Feminine as the source of all that is and they depended on her to sustain their very lives. Her power was expressed in the image and stories of literally thousands of Goddesses from cultures around the world. For example, just a bit more than 2000 years ago, Cleopatra actively worshipped the Goddess Isis in Egypt, and Julius Caesar erected temples to the Goddess Venus in Rome -- less than 40 years before Jesus Christ was born!

Ancient Goddesses were treated with the reverence modern religious culture now offers to Jesus, God, The Father, Allah, Krishna, and Buddha. And they were called upon for everything from ensuring fertile crops and easy childbirth to attaining wealth, health or, even, a peaceful death.

Many of the world�s cultures continue to worship, honor and pray to female deities. The Hindu, Buddhist, Tibetan, Native American, South American and African cultures are among those that always have, and continue to, commune with the Divine Feminine.

Like the Hindu Goddess of Fortune, Lakshmi, or the Chinese Goddess of Compassion, Kuan Yin, many of these Divine Females represent specific abilities and powers. Today, they are still lending a hand � or four! Clearly, contemporary women need support in modern ways: Getting that job� finding that fabulous boyfriend�Nabbing that great apartment�Tapping into their own abilities and powers�discovering the true Goddess spirit within!

The Goddess -- and Her many forms, and faces -- is accessible to modern women for divine inspiration and guidance, yet she can also be appreciated for Her archetypical meaning and the metaphor of female prowess she represents. On a global level, we desperately need the Feminine Divine to balance our world. On a very practical level, it�s time for women of today to develop "Goddess Consciousness" that will help elevate self-esteem and empower personal and professional growth.

A Goddess Is A Girl�s Best Friend: A Divine Guide To Finding Love, Success and Happiness (Perigee Books, December 2002), introduces readers to 31 awesome archetypes who can help tackle some of life�s trickier moment, challenges and dilemmas, as well as inspire women to pursue their passions and goals, and bring their dreams to life. The book shares the history, mythology and meaning of these Goddesses, and offers prayers, rituals, exercises and inspiration for inviting them into every day life. The book includes Goddesses of Self, Strength, Love and Romance, Friendship and Family Life, Work and Finance, and Play and Lightheartedness.

Meet The Goddesses featured in A Goddess Is A Girl�s Best Friend �


RECLAIMING EVE

Eve � Considered the mother of us all, she is our first link to the Divine Feminine in human form. Reclaiming Eve is the first step toward getting to know the Goddess within.

GODDESSES OF SELF

Hathor, Egyptian goddess of love, beauty and pleasure, helps you to your inner light and shows you how truly beautiful you are.

Lilith, Hebrew Goddess, said to be Adam�s first wife, was demonized in the Bible but is an empowered woman in Kabbalah and Feminine spiritually. She helps you discover your dark and wild side within.

Oya, Yoruban goddess of wind, hurricane and wild weather, helps you welcome the winds of change.

Nike, Greek goddess of Victory and herald of success, helps you claim your victories in life.

GODDESSES OF STRENGTH

Mary, mother of Jesus, is not considered a goddess in the Catholic Faith yet has all the powers of a divine female and is the primary representation of the feminine divine for 2000 years, making her the Spiritual Mother for us all. She helps you connect to your healing power.

Sophia, goddess of wisdom in Gnostic Christianity, is also referred to in Hebrew texts and the books of Solomon. She helps you tap into, and trust, your own intuition.

Kuan Yin, Chinese goddess of healing and compassion, helps you find compassion for yourself, and others.

Green Tara, Tibetan Buddhist goddess of protection, helps you feel safe and shows you how to stay calm and centered in a crisis.

White Buffalo Calf Woman, Native American Spirit Woman, is the mystical feminine force who taught great sacraments to her people. She helps you connect with the true nature of the soul and create a more peaceful life � and world.

GODDESSES OF LOVE AND ROMANCE

Venus, quintessential Roman goddess of love and beauty, shows you that self-love and appreciation is the first step to embracing your own divinity and empowering your sense of self-worth.

Oshun, Macumban Goddess of sensuality, beauty and womanhood. Helps you tap into your more sensual side and express your sensual self.

Freya, Norse goddess of sexual prowess and war, guides you on how to be a man magnate and enjoy every minute of sizzling sexual energy in your life.

Persephone, Greek goddess of springtime who was abducted by the god of the underworld, shows you how to liberate yourself from bad relationships and set forth a new path in your love life.

Gauri, Hindu goddess of love and marriage shows you how to get yourself ready for a serious relationship, and how to gently encourage your true love toward the altar.

Isis, famous Egyptian mother goddess is hailed for her healing, magic and resurrection powers. She helps you rescue troubled relationships and get them back on track.

GODDESSES OF FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY LIFE

The Great Goddess is the divine female energy of all there is. She represents life its self, death and regeneration and can help transform your relationship with your own mom by connecting with the power of your female ancestry.

Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess who dwells in the volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, shows you how to channel and express anger and heal hostility in a healthy way.

St. Lucy/Lucina, the cherished Catholic saint who originated as the Roman Goddess of a newborn's first light, Lucina, can help you open your spiritual eyes, see family in a new light and bring light to the shadow side of family life.

The Muses, the nine Greek deities who joyfully presided over the arts, are among the most familiar mythical woman and Goddesses. They help you Celebrate creativity and connections with sisters, and friends.

Mary Magdalene, the spiritual heroine who is closely linked as soul companion to Jesus, helps you survive the loss of a loved one.

Vesta, the Roman Goddess of the Hearth, assists you in creating a true home.

GODESSESS OF WORK AND FINANCES

Artemis, Greek goddess of the hunt, helps you pursue your career goals with passion and focus.

Brigid, Celtic Irish goddess of inspiration, poetry, birth and blacksmithing, helps you find your inspiration and creative flow.

Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of fortune, gives you a hand, or four, increasing your income, your financial potential and your ability to plan for your future.

Nemesis, Greek goddess of retribution, helps you handle office politics and troublemakers while helping you see ways you sabotage yourself.

Durga, Hindu Mother goddess of protection and war, helps you drawn your boundaries and protect yourself from negative energies.

St. T�r�se, beloved Catholic Saint known as The Little Flower is a spiritual heroine for women of all faiths. She helps you get even the most menial jobs done by showing you the relevance, power and sacredness in life�s little chores.

GODDESSES OF PLAY AND LIGHTHEARTEDNESS

Bast, Egyptian goddess of play, felines and females, shows you how to be playful as a pussycat.

Iris, Roman goddess of the rainbow helps you add color and zest to your life.

Butterfly Maiden, Native American spirit woman, takes you from cocoon to butterfly and helps you transform your life.

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway