Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women

by Sylvia Brinton Perera

Book Overview

1981 trade paperback as shown. Book in Mint condition. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0919123058
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Inner City Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A great signpost for the intellectually inclined on the way to personal awakening. A must read!

I first read this book some some 30+ years ago. It was synchronous with my life experience at the time. Even though the emphasis is on "A Way of Initiation for Women". as a man it perfectly explained, for me, my episode of what Michael Washburn described in his "The Ego and the Dynamic Ground" as "Regression in the Service of Transcendence.". That regression being my 'decent' to the underworld of personal crisis & dismantling. And like the Goddess Inanna's descent and return this marked my rise from regression to regeneration to integration of unconscious content.

Phenomenal...A totally unique interpretation of Inanna's descent

If you choose any book on Inanna, or even on the Goddess- and there are many- this is the one to get. Absolutely one of the best books I have ever read on the Goddess Inanna. Truly inspiring. What is truly great about this book is the way the author weaves the of Inanna's descent in a way that makes the relevance to women's lives and psyche's today clear and poetic. the author carefully and skillfully describes how aspects of the goddess Inanna have been relegated to the Shadow "other" and how reclaiming her lessons women can intergrate and reclaim themselves. But this book goes beyond simple Jungian analysis. Perera carefully describes Inanna's descent and interprets it's beauty and wisdom. I have read many books on Inanna and the Sumerian pantheon. This book remains one of my favorites. I can't rave about this book enough. highly recomended for the astrologer wishing to learn more about the roots of Venus, Sumerian buff, Inanna fan, or current explorer of earth based/ goddess based faiths. this book has been the foundation to which I have chosen to explore and learn about Jungian theories. A totally unique interpretation. For any woman on an exploration into herself.

Descent to the Goddess

The first time I read this story it took me on the journey itself. It took a week to read this slim book. Highly recommended to anyone seeking to integrate the feminine component in life, especialy for a man exploring his anima.

Small book packed with a lot to ponder on

I'm glad I am familiar with the myth of Inanna and Dumuzi otherwise I would have been completely lost. This book was a facinating journey into the psychology found within the Descent of Inanna. I found it hard to put down. For a small book, it is packed with profound images of the misunderstood dark feminine. It's language is sometimes hard to follow because of the long sentences containing words commmon only to psychologists. The book itself gives one pause to think, but it is best used as a therapy tool in the hands of a qualified and trusted therapist.

The Deep and True Feminine

As an astrologer, Jungian and VisionCoach, I often recommend this book to my clients as a healing journey. It is probably necessary to have a little Jungian and mythological background to enjoy this particular approach to the universal truth of the female. The style is elevated and uses language familiar to Jungian analysts.You cannot imagine what you will find in this book, though -- it is so different from Women's Lib and and the generalized Greek and Roman myths, for example.Perera discusses the bi-polar nature of women and mythically describes their arrival to Power and The Deep Feminine.If you are serious about your path of development on the female side, I can't think of a more worthwhile book.

Essential Reading for Therapists Treating Depression

As a therapist (16 yrs), I have been using the material in this book for reframing the experience of depression for my clients. The clients I have introduced this book to are now reframing their illness as an intiation into a greater understanding of their relation to self/soul. While at times dry for most laypeople, It has become a reference book for my practice.