Legendary Ladies

50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You

Ann Shen

• Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781452163413
• eBook ISBN: 9781452163482
• Topic: Ciencias sociales
• Subtopic: Sexualidad y género en la religión

Goddesses — Mythology — Inspiration

Readers who have enjoyed Warrior Goddess Training or Women Who Run with the Wolves will love Ann Shen's Legendary Ladies

Goddesses from mythology: Goddesses from our past are celebrated in this lushly illustrated book by Ann Shen, the author and artist who created Bad Girls Throughout History. Ann is an illustrator, letterer, and author based in Los Angeles who has created artwork for a number of publications, campaigns, products, and galleries.

Explore the feminine divine and feel empowered: Legendary goddesses and powerful deities are celebrated in gorgeous artwork and enlightening essays. Lushly illustrated goddesses that you will love include:

• Aphrodite, the Greek goddess whose love overcame mortality
• Mazu, the Chinese deity who safely guides travelers home
• Lakshmi, the Hindu provider of fortune and prosperity

Unique alternative to Goddess cards or other gift items: Ann Shen's signature watercolors make Legendary Ladies a unique, gift-worthy homage to the mighty women within.

ORIGIN: Ibo

MYTHOLOGY: Daughter of the Supreme Creator Chi, Ala is one of the most important Alusi (deities) in western Africa. She’s the queen of life and death, and she brings abundance both in humans and in the earth as quickly as she takes it away. Ala is a keeper of morality for humans, and those who transgress and commit crimes will be punished by her. She often warns people first in dreams to change their ways, before she sends her army of ants.

The custom of burying our deceased in the ground comes from Ala’s legend. She decreed that all souls be returned to her womb. She is often portrayed seated on a golden throne next to her husband, Amadioha, the sky Alusi. Her earthly messenger is the python, highly revered in Ibo communities.

Call on Ala when you want to find justice or protection from those who harm you.

ORIGIN: Irish

MYTHOLOGY: A widely loved and respected goddess in Celtic times, Brigit is the sun goddess of creative arts, a matron of poetry, music, and smithcraft. As one of the prominent goddesses in Irish folklore, she also oversees wisdom, fertility, and healing.

Daughter of the fertility god the Dagda, she married Bres, an Irish king from a warring tribe, hoping to end the feud between their people. Sadly they did not succeed, and their three sons were sent into major battle between the two families. When her sons died, Brigit was the first person to “keen,” and her wails of grief were heard so loudly throughout all of Ireland that it finally brought both sides to drop their weapons and forge a peace. Brigit is also credited with the invention of whistling, which both alerts her friends to come to her side and provides women with protection.

It’s said that everywhere she walks, small flowers and shamrocks grow. She has an ancient temple in Kildare, where an eternal flame and miraculous healing well reside; the practice of throwing pennies into wells for wishes originated with her worship. Brigit is associated with the coming of spring, as her gifts bring light, inspiration, and the healing energy of the sun into the world. Every February 1, even now, she’s celebrated during the festival of Imbolc in Ireland.

Call on Brigit to help bring peace into your heart, heal past pain, and light inspiration for a new path in life.

ORIGIN: Hindu

MYTHOLOGY: Known as the Invincible One, goddess of war Durga (also referred to as Devi or Shakti) was born out of the flaming breath of dozens of gods during the primordial war between gods and demons. Manifested as a bejeweled golden goddess with ten arms, each holding a weapon handed to her by the gods, Durga rode in on a tiger and swiftly slaughtered the buffalo demon leader, Mahishasura, and his demon army. Durga traditionally holds the weapons of all the male gods, since in Hindu belief, female goddess energy is what powers and charges everything.

A fierce protector, Durga is often depicted with a serene face while in battle because her strength comes from an act of love, of guarding those around her, and for liberating the souls who depend on her. She’s celebrated during a ten-day festival in the autumn, the Durga Puja, and offered flowers, fruit, mangos, and marigold garlands.

Call on Durga for protection when you are suffering spiritually, emotionally, or physically.

ORIGIN: Greek (Roman: Trivia)

MYTHOLOGY: Goddess of magic and Queen of the Crossroads, Hecate is a moon divinity associated wi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Dedication
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Creativity and Manifestation
• Love
• Power
• Protection
• Reinvention
• References
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Chronicle Ebooks