Book Review-Ancient Goddess Magic: Invoking the Queens of the Heavens: A Sacred Planet Book by Vanessa Lavallée

Book Review

Ancient Goddess Magic: Invoking the Queens of the Heavens: A Sacred Planet Book

By Vanessa Lavallée

Publisher: Destiny Books

160 Page E-Book

Release Date: November 3rd, 2024

Ancient Goddess Magic: Invoking the Queens of the Heavens: A Sacred Planet Book is a fascinating exploration and examination, both historically, and in a modern Neo-Pagan sense, of Goddess Archetypes that were present in many classical and middle eastern ancient Pagan cultures. Ancient Goddess Magic explores deities from Hittite, Sumerian, Babylonian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek and other ancient cultures and their goddesses. Ancient Goddess Magic also draws parallels to planetary and star worship in these ancient traditions, noting that deities such as Ishtar, Aphrodite, Astarte and the like draw ancient origins to the worship of Venus in its different aspects, female in the morning, male at night. Other celestial bodies are also discussed in relation to these goddesses. The Goddesses discussed are also broken into sections, based on their archetypes.

I chose to review this book because I had seen it posted on Destiny Book’s social media page, and was immediately interested, as I am a modern-day Goddess worshipper. What I found was interesting, and not what I expected; but that doesn’t necessarily mean it was bad. Ancient Goddess Magic is a book that anyone interested in Goddess worship in what we think of as the “Classical” world (really just the mediterranean and its surrounding areas) will find interesting, but that’s not to say that I feel it’s for beginners.

I personally feel that those with intermediate magical & Goddess veneration experience will probably find themselves making meaningful connections in this book, and it will definitely enhance anyone’s practices with any of these ancient Goddesses. My only concern is that someone with very little to no experience could find themselves drowning in a plethora of (accurate) information, as the planetary, animal and celestial correspondences can be overwhelming when you’re first starting out. That said, the end of Ancient Goddess Magic does give rituals and the like to invoke any one of the deities that are in the book, again broken up by archetype.

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating book on a subject I’m always willing to read more about. I give Ancient Goddess Magic a 5/5 star rating. Besides some of the not-so beginner friendly material, I truly think anyone, beginner or advanced, will find value in this book, and I myself will be returning to it in the future. An excellent, well-researched and well-written read!

Vanessa Lavallée is an animist practitioner and ancient magic enthusiast. She earned a Master’s Degree in ancient religions and is working on earning a doctorate in religious studies. Vanessa lives in Montreal, Canada.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for 15 years, worshipping and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!