Category: Issue 29 cover image

“Venus” is the operative word here – the name was originally given to those figurines dating from the Palaeolithic, the vast majority of which portray women.  In the early days of such finds they were, perhaps ironically, named “Venuses”, as many would be considered most unattractive by more modern Western standards.  Or perhaps it was because of the often exaggerated sexual or fertility characteristics, but in either case the name tells us more about the archaeologists of the time than it does the figurines themselves, not to mention that the assumption seems to have been that the figurines were made by men, for their use and enjoyment, and certainly not by women, for their own purposes.

Goddess Pages readers will know Anna McKerrow as a poet (see her “Aphrodite”, and “Sea Mysteries”), and she has now written this exciting and magical novel for young adults.

Set in a disturbingly not-very far-distant future, Britain is suffering the effects of a worldwide lack of resources and energy, and is at war to try and secure supplies.  However, the south-west peninsula, basically Devon and Cornwall, has split off and is trying to be self-sufficient and non-polluting, in stark contrast to the rest of the country. 

Marlaina’s style of writing is friendly and approachable, assuming no prior knowledge or experience in the sacred feminine. She uses a conversational tone, which gives an aura of having her in the room with you as you read. This is much more than just a “how-to” book, it is an introductory guide that reads like a one to one conversation with a mentor. Each chapter is laid out clearly, and every section of reading has an interactive portion – be it a meditation, recipe or visualization. This is a book that wants you to stop reading it and to involve yourself in the learning process.