Live Reading from Encountering the Dark Goddess

I will be doing a live reading from my latest book tomorrow afternoon (3.30 pm Adelaide time). "Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms" is due for release in March 2021 through Moon Books.

The Dark Goddess is often associated with the Underworld where she leads the uninitiated through a transformative journey of self-discovery, change and soul. She is connected with the unwanted, the forgotten, the ignored or even ashamed parts of our psyche. However there is more to her than that.

"Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms" guides you through what this challenging facet of the Divine Feminine, the Dark Goddess, is truly about, and encourages you to step through the veils into her hidden realm to explore 13 aspects of herself.

Early pre-release copies can be ordered direct from me (Australia and New Zealand only) through this link.

UK/USA and rest of the world copies can be ordered through John Hunt Publishing

ONE DAY DARK GODDESS RETREAT
I will be hosting an one day workshop at the Riverdell Spiritual Centre, near Gawler on 12 September 2020. Bookings are essential as there are limited places available.

I am also hoping to be at the CONSCIOUS CONNECTION OF SELF Women's Retreat to be held in Queensland, in November 2020.

Do not forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel

Book Review of Encountering the Dark Goddess

Book Review: Encountering the Dark Goddess - A Journey into the Shadow Realms

by Frances Billinghurst (Published by Moon Books)

Review by Daniel Bran Griffin, The Chattering Magpie. 

It is rare that I write a book review. By the time I get around to the actual writing, the book has often been in print quite some time. My thoughts are therefore, of little value to the publisher; even if my fellow bibliophiles would and do appreciate my opinion. On occasion I am asked to write a review by a publisher or by a magazine editor.

I often decline these invitations and the accompanying offer of a free book. I do this because for reasons that puzzle me, I am frequently asked to reviews works that are not of interest to me and would not under normal circumstances consider reading. I am of the opinion that under these circumstances, others could write a more appropriate and appreciative review. This does mean that I have refused the offer of a work that I could potentially have sold later for profit but honesty prevents me from accepting these offers. Encountering the Dark Goddess by Frances Billinghurst is therefore, something of an exception. This is a work on a subject that is of interest and is indeed a book I would read.

Winter Solstice: The Return of the Light

The timing of the winter solstice is marked when the sun reaches its furthest north position in the sky and starts to move back towards the south.  As it does, it marks one of the main turning points in the year, the others being the equinoxes as well as the summer solstice (that occurs in December).  

The timing for the winter solstice here in Adelaide this year was this morning, Sunday, 21 June at 7:13 am (ACST time).  From this moment onwards, days start becoming longer and night times shorter.  However with the worse of the winter weather yet to arrive, this thought is not often the first that comes to mind.

With the increase of light it was hoped that social distancing in relation to the COVID-19 may have been relaxed.  However, as new cases are still be detected, and despite South Australia still being remarkably lower than other States, it has been decided to continue hosting events via Zoom conference calls at least for the time being.

This means that the July Gathering Around the Cauldron event which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 2 July 2020, at 7pm (ACST) will be in the format of a Zoom conference.  The theme for July's Gathering Around the Cauldron is The Witch's Familiar.

In European folklore and folk-belief from the Medieval and early modern periods, witches and cunning folk were believed to assisted by certain supernatural entities that were known as “familiars”. These spirits would appear in numerous guises, including as in a humanoid figure, but more commonly as an animal. When they served cunning folk, familiars were often thought to be somewhat benevolent, however when they were in the service of witches, familiars were considered to be rather malevolent.  On 2 July 2020 we will be exploring the historical sources as well as the modern perception of familiars.  More information as to how you can register for this discussion can be found here.

At this stage other events being hosted at Riverdell Spiritual Centre are still going ahead.  These include Imbolc celebration on Saturday, 1 August 2020 and A Day with Hekate on Saturday 15 August 2020.

Book Review: Encountering the Dark Goddess

The following review of Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms has been received from Shani Oates, author and the Maid of the Clan of Tubal Cain:


The author sensibly opens the text with demythologising the concept of ‘dark’ relative to this primal form. She then moves on to describe the various forms that peoples across the globe have prescribed for Her, including Kali, Nephthys, Lilith, Hekate and Baba Yoga. Her value is here acknowledged as the essential catalyst for sloughing off guilt and fear associated with ‘womanhood,’ breathing new light into Jungian concepts of the shadow; suggestions are given on how to reabsorb the shadow through recognising “little griefs” that cloud perspective. More importantly, she guides the reader away from floundering on the rocks clutching to the ‘victim’ mentality, a tragic state linked by the author to PTSD. Tackled through the Virtue of Medusa, the sufferer is coached towards release and revitalisation.

Book Review of Encountering the Dark Goddess

The underworld: a place of fear, wisdom, and transformation, where powerful and terrifying Goddesses wait with a smile.


"Encountering the Dark Goddess" is an intimate exploration of one woman’s descent into the underworld, and her encounters with the many different aspects of the Dark Goddess. Through personal anecdotes, mythological and psychological analysis, rituals and spellwork, and soul-deep devotion, Billinghurst invites the reader to join her on this journey through the shadows of the underworld, through a dark night of the soul, and into the transformative heart of the Goddess.


Publisher: Moon Books
ISBN: 9781789045
Release Date: 26 March 2021


Review by Rebecca Buchanan, Eternal Haunted Summer

Book Review: Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms

Frances Billinghurst, Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms (Moon Books, 2021).

Reviewed by Caroline Tully.

One of the first things that a reader of Frances Billinghurst’s new book, Encountering the Dark Goddess, will come to understand is that this is not a book designed to provide feel good ego gratification. If anything, it is the opposite. This is a workbook that will teach you how to form relationships with the Dark Goddess in her various guises, in order that you may traverse your personal Underworld and emerge back into the light.

Essentially the book teaches you how to endure the Dark Night of the Soul and survive. Only then may you presume to form an allegiance with the Dark Goddess and, even then, she may demand that you undergo more trials. As the author shows, the Dark Goddess will strip you to your authentic core – and that can be scary. Not only that, but it can be inconvenient.  It is far easier to go along through life avoiding serious introspection, self-questioning, surrender and loss of control. It is simpler to avoid the chthonian abyss, the underworld, and potential annihilation. But sometimes it is forced upon you.

Conscious Connection with Self Women's Retreat

I am delighted to be part of this wonderful retreat that will be held in November in Queensland.

You are invited to join us for the ultimate self care weekend consciously connecting with self. Our weekend retreat will give you time and space replenish your spirit, and connect with other women.

Our weekend together will include connecting in sisterhood, sacred workshops, communing with nature, and immersive experiences to remind you of the sacred, divine goddess you truly are and awakening your consciousnesses to self healing.

You will gain personal awareness through healing exercises, workshop facilitation and meditations.

More information can be found here: https://mysticalrealmsaustralia.com.au/spiritual-retreat