The anthology, She Rises, edited by Helen Hye-Sook Hwang and Kaalii Cargill is a powerful exploration of the Sacred Feminine, what She means to women’s lives, and why humanity and the planet need Her now. Its 468 pages include essays, poetry, and art from 92 women and men including Vicki Noble, Barbara Mor, Carol P. Christ, Starhawk, and Janine Canan.
The collection is divided into three sections responding to the questions: Why Goddess Feminism? Why Goddess Activism? and Why Goddess Spirituality? The responses create an inspiring image of sisters, mothers, and grandmothers coming together for the sake of children, justice, and Mother Earth. The authors proclaim that as women come to value themselves and honor their bodies, the Goddess becomes the symbol for their empowerment.
The responses to the three questions also reveal the destruction of the planet, the damage to society, and the abuse of women due to 5,000 years of patriarchy. Many of the contributors declare the urgent need for female spirituality and feminine values in order to heal our society and bring compassion and fairness to our world. Some assert that our planet will not survive without the re-emergence of the Goddess.
She Rises is ultimately a vital and compelling collection. Personal reflections as well as calls to action create a refreshing look at the Divine Feminine and a new desire for the return of the Goddess in the hearts of humanity and the world at large. By turning to the Goddess, as Yia Alias says, “A reverence for All Life becomes our common Spirituality.” (p. 103) I highly recommend She Rises.
Marcella J. Lively