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