Reviews
Queen of the Great Below
Queen of the Great Below:
An Anthology in Honor of Ereshkigal
Janet Munin, Bibliotecha Alexandrina, 2010
5/5 Broomsticks
What a fascinating Goddess to dedicate a book to! While I would nitpick the first paragraph of the introduction — a sentence about Ereshkigal being jealous and vindictive — one of the epithets in the second paragraph made me laugh and nod: “She is Goddess of Dealing With Your Shit…” Yes, she certainly is! I highlighted that one.
This book of poems, praises, hymns, and stories by modern devotees in honor of Ereshkigal, Queen of the Great Below, is filled with personal experiences. Some of these stories are BDSM-oriented, so I do offer the warning of their presence, if anyone has an issue about that sort of activity. These offerings of love are truly rich in their depth of soul and magnitude of heart. I found myself wishing for another pair of arms so that I could have one set of hands to hold the book, and another for holding open to welcome the gods as I read.
Many people tend to avoid the underworld and its dealings out of fear of the shadows, especially those in the mirror. The contributors of this small, thin book, however, know that the underworld is the place where transformation takes place. This truth is laid bare in their poems and stories. As Janet Munin says in her poem, “Are You Lost?”:
“Fall on your knees.
Offer praise to the Lady of the Great Below.
Your descent has only begun.”
These stories and praises are pulled so deep from the heart and soul, the personal experiences so painfully honest and real, one can only act as witness when reading them. Read this book with open arms and an open heart, and prepare to be transformed.
MICHELE BRIERE.
Witches&Pagans #23 - Law and Chaos
