Book Review

Naming the God

edited by Trevor Greenfield

Publisher: Moon Books

248 Pages

Publication Date: May 1, 2022

 

 

Naming the God is the latest anthology brought to us by Moon Books who published Naming the Goddess in 2014. This latest work is a collaboration of 70 essays that explores attributes of male deities and individual gods. The first part of the book offers 12 essays where the authors share their perspectives and personal practice working with various gods of different aspects. The rest of the book is arranged with a focus on one god. Many traditions and cultures are represented in this anthology and on its pages, you will of course find the popular Greek, Celtic, and Egyptian deities, but Chinese, Hindu, Japanese, Inuit, and many other cultures are found as well. 

This book was very interesting to read, and I got through it quickly. The authors share their perspectives with us using wonderful storytelling that takes the reader along for the ride. The essays at the beginning offer thoughts that challenge the reader’s thinking in many ways. I found many of the viewpoints I have held about gods challenged and I walked away with many new perspectives. I didn’t agree with all the perspectives offered, but I didn’t expect to nor want to, either. The essay authors present many sides of the gods and usually provide a note about the problematic nature some of the gods might have if judged by today’s society, instead of conveniently ignoring that aspect. I feel this can alert the reader and inspire them to do their own research if they wanted to do so. The second part of the book felt more personal than reading the encyclopedia-like entries I was expecting to see. While factual, the writing didn’t feel dry and clinical, and in many cases I could feel reverence from the author, instead of recounting. I learned a few things about gods I have studied for decades and much about gods from other cultures I had yet to explore. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hearing others’ perspectives on spirituality. The essays are short, most are under 10 pages, and each entry for the gods is 1-3 pages which makes this a great book for those moments when we want a quick escape. The book can be read completely out of order allowing the reader to pick and choose what they are in the mood for in that moment, if desired. My favorite parts of the book, though, were reading about gods who were new to me, such as Yam the Canaanite god of the sea and rivers, or considering a new perspective such as whether or not one could consider Pegasus a god. I am happy to have added this compendium to my library. 

 

Naming the God on Amazon

 

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About the Author:

Montine Rummel

Montine is an astrologer, tarot reader, and occultist living on unceded Duwamish land that some call Seattle. A forever student, journalist, and queer gender-nonconforming femme, she spends her time listening to the stories people tell with the hope of understanding many more perspectives than her own. Recently diagnosed with ADHD and self-diagnosed as autistic, she is rediscovering the world through a neurodivergent lens and transforming her life to work smarter and not harder. She writes an annual called Book of My Shadows which explores different ways to use the energy of New and Full Moons for personal growth and exploration and one of her current hyperfixations is studying the Greek Magical Papyri.