Barbara G. Walker

"In Restoring the Goddess Barbara G. Walker presents "thealogy," an alternative to the traditional patriarchal mythology, compatible with women's essential role in society and free of all the superstition and demeaning imagery characteristic of traditional male-dominated religion. Replacing the academic study of the god concept, this down-to-earth "knowledge of the Goddess" incorporates the scientific understanding of the universe, recognizes the purely symbolic nature of religious concepts, and celebrates the innate and singular power of the female to create and bear life."--BOOK JACKET.

"Do You Know ... where the legend of a cat's nine lives comes from? Why "mama" is a word understood in nearly all languages? How the custom of kissing began? Whether there really was a female pope? Why Cinderella's glass slipper was so important to the Prince? The answers to these and countless other intriguing questions are given in this compulsively readable, feminist encyclopedia. Twenty-five years in preparation, this unique, comprehensive sourcebook focuses on mythology anthropology, religion, and sexuality to uncover precisely what other encyclopedias leave out or misrepresent. The Woman's Encyclopedia presents the fascinating stories behind word origins, legends, superstitions, and customs. A browser's delight and an indispensable resource, it offers 1,350 entries on magic, witchcraft, fairies, elves, giants, goddesses, gods, and psychological anomalies such as demonic possession the mystical meanings of sun, moon, earth, sea, time, and space ideas of the soul, reincarnation, creation and doomsday ancient and modern attitudes toward sex, prostitution, romance, rape, warfare, death and sin, and more. Tracing these concepts to their prepatriarchal origins, Barbara G. Walker explores a "thousand hidden pockets of history and custom in addition to the valuable material recovered by archaeologists, orientalists, and other scholars." Not only a compendium of fascinating lore and scholarship, The Woman's Encyclopedia is a revolutionary book that offers a rare opportunity for both women and men to see our cultural heritage in a fresh light, and draw upon the past for a more humane future"--Back cover.

"This fascinating guide to the history and mythology of woman-related symbols features: Unique organization by shape of symbol or type of sacred object; 21 diifferent sections including Round and Oval Motifs, Sacred Objects, Secular-Sacred Objects, Rituals, Deities' Signs, Supernaturals, Body Parts, Nature, Birds, Plants, Minerals, Stones and Shells, and more; Introductory essays for each section; 753 entries and 636 illustrations; Alphabetical index for easy reference"--from Publisher description.

The third in Barbara Walker's invaluable series of knitting books. Buy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars --- Belongs on every knitter's bookshelf June 8, 2002 Amazon Review By JLind555 Barbara Walker outdid her own classic reference book in the "Second Treasury". It's cram-jammed, chock-a-block with patterns that make your fingers itch to get hold of some yarn and let your creativity run wild. Unlike the reader in Arlington, WA, I would never categorize this book as a "professional reference"; it's a must for anyone who likes to knit, from novice to expert. The genius of Barbara Walker's knitting books is her crystal-clear instructions and explanations; she makes it easy for anyone to follow. Many of the designs in the "Second Treasury" are quite simple and any beginner could do them with no trouble; once you develop more skill and experience, you can move on to some of the harder patterns. There are enough designs in this book to satisfy the rankest novice or the most experienced pro. I also found the black/white photographs very helpful in showing the design details much more clearly than color photos would. (In fact, some knitters make the mistake of combining too many pattern stitches with too many colors in one garment, and ruining the effect.) Like the first "Treasury", the "Second Treasury" is very well organized into different pattern groups, and includes some new groups such as mosaic patterns, which are really quite simple but the color effect is stunning. Both "Treasury" books are invaluable references that will provide enough inspiration for a lifetime of enjoying this craft.