There is, perhaps, no more powerful archetype of female resistance than Lilith. As women across the globe rise up against the patriarchy, Lilith stands beside them, misogyny's original challenger. This anthology--a chorus of voices hitting chords of defiance, liberation, anger and joy--reclaims the goodness of women bold enough to hold tight to their essence. Through poetry, prose, incantation, prayer and imagery, women from all walks of life invite you to join them in the revolutionary act of claiming their place--of reclaiming themselves. "Women (and the people who love us) must dig deep into our souls to liberate the questions that have been locked away in our time capsules. We must traverse the annals of history to unearth the sacred sites that have been violently gentrified by white patriarchy. We must find the Divine Truth that cannot be claimed, contained or tamed. What better place to start than at the beginning with Lilith, the world's first woman."-Christena Cleveland, Ph.D., in her Preface Praise for Original Resistance: "A rich anthology filled with essays, poetry, and art inspired by Lilith, the forgotten first woman of the Old Testament. Lilith's original story is described in detail, and the personal stories shared by women remind us that we all need to meet Lilith, the first radical feminist to stand aside from the rules of the father God. Read this book and decide for yourself - is Lilith a dangerous outcast, or is she a much-needed companion for women who don't take it lying down?" -Dr Kaalii Cargill, PhD, author of Don't Take It Lying Down: Life According to the Goddess. "Female resistance is dangerous. It is also necessary. For far too long the Western Judeo-Christian stigma of Eve as the downfall of humankind has served to oppress women, silence our voices, desecrate our power, annihilate our very existence. As an archetype of female strength and sovereignty, Lilith is the missing link in our spiritual mitochondria. Inviolable. Self-defining. Autonomous. She reminds us that we can, and must, resist any and all attempts to silence our voices, diminish our strength, erase our lived-experience. Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves is a veritable feast of artwork, poetry, and prose by visual artists and writers from a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, and countries around the world. It nourishes the soul and inspires us to embrace the wild beauty of our nature, and dance with abandon. Ultimately, it urges us to remember and reclaim our right--our duty--to resist all attempts to oppress and subvert our innate power. Like Lilith, it calls us to denounce the patriarchally-enforced feminine role of subservience, and restore our rightful place in the world." -Mary Saracino, author of Heretics: A Love Story and The Singing of Swans. "It's lovely to see the ways in which the archetype of Lilith continues to speak to women from different cultures and traditions. The beautiful art in Original Resistance adds much to the written accounts of Lilith's impact and meaning." -Judith Plaskow, author of The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics

Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves

Literature & Fiction

Hendren, Trista

Daly, Pat

Erotica

Independently published

Capitalist Patriarchy sucks for women. We are taught to blame ourselves incessantly for everything that is wrong in our lives--without looking at the bigger picture of structural inequality at play. However, as more women begin to wake up and share with each other, we will heal ourselves and weave our way out of this hellish maze together. Capitalist Patriarchy thrives when women shut up and do as they are told. While it would appear (for some of us at least) that if we play by the rules, we will be safe--those of us who begin to rock the boat with our questioning and refusal to STFU know how easy it is to be thrown off the boat altogether--children and all. Everything within Capitalist Patriarchy is designed to keep your inner-knowing and body wisdom suppressed. Therefore, in order to thrive despite this system, you must come back into contact with the deepest parts of yourself. As females, we have been taught to deeply hate those parts of ourselves, so they are often the most hidden--buried deep within. When we examine how we are contributing to Capitalist Patriarchy with our own time, money and energy--we can reallocate our funds for things that contribute to our liberation instead of our subordination. Many of us repeat the patterns of our families without questioning whether they serve us well. As poet Mark Gonzales asked, "Who told you the stories that taught you what it meant to be human, and did they have your best interests at heart?" This book will serve as a starting point to challenge some of our societal assumptions, in hopes of helping women become stronger and breaking their chains. As we begin to heal collectively, we can overturn this system altogether. It is time to break the silences which enslave us. It is patriarchy's goal to keep women exhausted, ill, on-guard, ashamed, numb, distracted and defragmented so that we don't have the time or energy to battle the giant Himself. We must return to ourselves--and to the Goddess--to regain our strength and overturn this abomination. There was once another way. Let us begin to remember.

How to Live Well Despite Capitalist Patriarchy

Self-Help

Motivational

A loving tribute to Mother Earth and a call to action for children, their parents and grandparents.
This newly revised edition contains gorgeous illustrations by Elisabeth Slettnes as well as inspiring poetry and quotes from Vandana Shiva, Sue Monk Kidd, Rachel Carson, Alice Walker, Winona LaDuke, Ursula K. Le Guin, Starhawk, Audre Lorde, Arundhati Roy, Dr. Jane Goodall and many others.
Praise for Mother Earth
“Mother Earth is a book for the ages, one that parents should read to their children for generations—for its message of healing is one we must take to heart.” –Elizabeth Hall Magill, author of Defining Sexism
 “The story form of the message of environmental awareness brings it home in a personal way. The illustrations by Elisabeth Slettnes are a big part of the appeal, as are the quotations. I highly recommend Mother Earth.” –Marilyn McFarlane, author of Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions 
 “Trista and Elisabeth have created another gorgeous illustrated story to impart wise, holistic values...this time about our environment, and done elegantly in metaphor and narrative. If only every child received this book from her or his mother or father, how differently we might treat Mother Earth—with gratitude, respect and awe.” –Amy Logan, author of The Seven Perfumes of Sacrifice

Mother Earth (The Girl God)

Children's Books

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Tell Me Why is a feminist twist of the creation story told with love from a mother to her son, in hopes of crafting a different world for them both.This is the third (newly revised) book in The Girl God series, written specifically with boys in mind.
 “Men, too, need the feminine divine in order to reconcile with, recover, and honor the repressed and denied feminine aspects of their own being and becoming.” –Jane Caputi
Praise for Tell Me Why
 “Tell Me Why uses a reimagined version of the Genesis story of Adam and Eve as an opening to begin discussing the loss of Mother God with children, especially with boys. The book does a beautiful job of describing the loss that boys feel when they are denied the companionship of the feminine side of God and, consequently, a healthy relationship with women in their lives. It is not a book that bashes men or masculinity; instead, it exposes the wounds caused by gender stereotyping and patriarchal religion, while leaving readers full of hope for reclaiming an Edenesque harmony between men and women. This is an ideal companion to the earlier books in this series, The Girl God and Mother Earth.” –Monette Chilson, Author of Sophia Rising 
 “Another gem from Trista Hendren and Elisabeth Slettnes. A beautiful and important message to all children, told here in the re-telling and re-writing of the Creation story, to Joey, by his mother. With Slettnes’ stunning artwork and inspirational quotes from other writers, it takes its place alongside The Girl God and Mother Earth as a future classic.” –Ruth Calder Murphy, Author of Spirit Song 
 “Tell Me Why is a wonderful book for a boy to read with his mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, babysitter, friend. The conversation between mother and son at the beginning of the book, and the quotes and artwork throughout, provide a wonderful context for explaining to boys that the story of “why things are the way they are” isn’t about blaming boys or men, but about recognizing history and healing it, for the good of all.” –Liz Hall Magill, Author of Defining Sexism in the U.S.
“Trista Hendren and Elisabeth Slettnes have created another significant book that is a piece of art as well as a good story. The message, important for both boys and girls: treat each other with kindess and respect, as equals. I love the surprise, several pages in, when after the mother has given her son all kinds of worthy advice, the boy becomes exasperated. He knows all this, he says; he just wants a story about why the world is the way it is. And she shifts into telling the tale. The colorful, dramatic illustrations are intriguing and once again the quotations from noted names add richness.” –Marilyn McFarlane, Author of Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions
“Trista Hendren has done it again. Incorporating beautiful pictures, meaningful quotes, and a story line that resonates she has created a wonderful book that will, hopefully, inspire hugely needed conversations between every boy, girl, man, and woman throughout the world.” –Peter Wilkes, Author of A Woman Called God

Tell Me Why (Girl God)

A magically illustrated children's book celebrating the Divine Feminine. This special edition trilogy includes the first three books in The Girl God series, including revised versions of The Girl God, Mother Earth and Tell Me Why. 
Praise for The Girl God Trilogy
"The Girl God: a picture book to show girls that god can be a girl, god is inside, god is an idea, a positive action or good deed, god is open to creative interpretation and should be about everyone. A great book to dispel the myth that god is male with wonderful illustrations by Elisabeth Slettnes. Empowerment for our girl children." –a girl's guide to taking over the world 
 "Read this book to your daughters and your granddaughters, and perhaps they will never doubt the validity of their inner voice. Read it to yourself to remind you of your own. Read it and weep. Read it and heal. Read it and smile with the relief that someone finally had the courage to tell our girls that God is not just for their brothers and their fathers. Walk away knowing that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is equally the God of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel. But most importantly, walk away knowing there is a Girl God inside you too." –Monette Chilson, author of Sophia Rising
 "A deceptively simple story about a whimsical young girl named Helani Claire, who would make Emily Dickinson smile as she deconstructs the patriarchal god of her father with the bluntness of a child. Akin to: If Kate Chopin was still alive, writing (and self-publishing) children's books. Elisabeth Slettnes' colorful paintings are feasts for the spirit, as are the addition of selected quotes and poems. Wisdom abounds." 
–Philadelphia Weekly
 “This is a delightfully rich book that can spark conversation and reflection on many levels –and one worth returning to again and again.” –David Weiss, author of When God Was a Little Girl
“This book is a must for our daughters.” –Christy Turlington
“Mother Earth is a book for the ages, one that parents should read to their children for generations—for its message of healing is one we must take to heart.” –Elizabeth Hall Magill, author of Defining Sexism
“The story form of the message of environmental awareness brings it home in a personalway. The illustrations by Elisabeth Slettnes are a big part of the appeal, as are the quotations.I highly recommend Mother Earth.” –Marilyn McFarlane, author of Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions 
“Trista and Elisabeth have created another gorgeous illustrated story to impart wise, holistic values...this time about our environment, and done elegantly in metaphor and narrative. If only every child received this book from her or his mother or father, how differently we might treat Mother Earth—with gratitude, respect and awe.” –Amy Logan, author of The Seven Perfumes of Sacrifice
“Another gem from Trista Hendren and Elisabeth Slettnes. A beautiful and important message to all children, told here in the re-telling and re-writing of the Creation story, to Joey, by his mother. With Slettnes’ stunning artwork and inspirational quotes from other writers, it takes its place alongside The Girl God and Mother Earth as a future classic.” –Ruth Calder Murphy, author of Spirit Song 
“Trista Hendren has done it again. Incorporating beautiful pictures, meaningful quotes, and a story line that resonates she has created a wonderful book that will, hopefully, inspire hugely needed conversations between every boy, girl, man, and woman throughout the world.” –Peter Wilkes, author of A Woman Called God 
 www.thegirlgod.com

The Girl God Trilogy: The Girl God / Mother Earth / Tell Me Why

New Love is a powerful combination of emotional and spiritual techniques for women who wish to move away from patriarchal thought. This reprogramming workbook combines the wisdom of intentional visual art and inspiring words. New Love includes a mixture of compelling thoughts and suggestions for each day, along with a “toolbox” to help transform the parts of your life you want to heal.  New Love is perfect for women who feel a little stuck, uncertain, or in need of focus and support. This book will work effectively as an individual handbook or can be used in supported women's circles. New Love contains bonus sections by Soraya Chemaly, Patricia Lynn Reilly, and Mary Scully. Praise for New Love “The title of this powerful book says it all. It truly is a TOOLBOX for undoing all the knots living inside us all from this long era of patriarchy. I am planning to offer this as a guide for a sacred women’s circle. New Love could easily be adapted to last more than 30 days, as each day offers so much richness to contemplate and incorporate. Grateful for this divine collaboration between these two powerhouse women! New Love will indeed awaken a new love in women the world over.”–Melia Keeton-Digby, author of The Heroines Club “If you have an intention to embrace abundance and release yourself from self-limiting narratives, New Love is the perfect guide. Here’s to a new love that will transform not just women, but the very ground on which we walk.” –Elizabeth Hall Magill, author of Defining Sexism in the U.S. “New Love is beautifully written and illustrated with artwork that blend in so nicely with the words. The quotes are reminders of our strengths, growth and wisdom, something we often forget as life and society challenges us. New Love allows the platform to free our mind and tune into ourselves.” –Alyscia Cunningham, author of Feminine Transitions

new love: a reprogramming toolbox for undoing the knots

Baartz, Arna

Journal Writing

More than 35 International contributors reflect on finding Goddess within (and without) Christianity and Islam. "By altering tradition -- and amending the translation from the (now) traditional "He" to "She" -- does the collective consciousness of the Ummah shift? Do we authentically reclaim The Divine Feminine inside Allah that was acknowledged 1400 years ago? Do we eliminate the neo-patriarchal paradigm that infects the Islam of our "modern" era?" -Shahla Khan Salter  Contributors include: Dr. Amina Wadud, Andrew Gurevich, Anna Ruiz, Bonnie Odiorne, PhD, Carol P. Christ, PhD, Dominique Christina, Donna Snyder, Glenys Livingstone, PhD, Helen Hye-Sook Hwang, PhD, Rev. Dr. Karen Tate, Kelly Stewart Hall, Kim Mohiuddin, Laurence Galian, Liona Rowan, Lisa Artis, Marianne Widmalm, Marilyn McFarlane, Mary Petiet, Mary Saracino, Monette Chilson, Rev. Nano Boye Nagle, Nicola O’Hanlon, Noor-un-nisa Gretasdottir, Patty Kay, Penny-Anne Beaudoin, Poet on Watch, Rachael Patterson, Shahla Khan Salter, Shehnaz Zindabad, Susan Klahr, Susan Morgaine, Susannah Gregan, Tamara Albanna, Trista Hendren, Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente, Victoria A. Brownworth and Wynn Manners

Jesus, Muhammad and the Goddess

Politics & Social Sciences

Gretasdottir, Noor-un-nisa

Social Sciences

Trista Hendren candidly shares her journey from “Princess of Nothing” to Goddess of her own life. Hendren exposes the perils of traditional recovery programs and gives her own anecdotes on how to blissfully recover from abuse, codependency and patriarchy.
"Trista Hendren's story, grounded in the particular details of her life, transcends the personal, and beautifully.”-Donna J. Snyder, author of The Tongue Has its Secrets
"What a beautiful, honest and unusual book. Every page shattered and healed my heart." -Laura Dodsworth, author of Bare Reality: 100 Women, Their Breasts, Their Stories
"We all reach that point where we have to rewrite the fairy tale template we were sold as children. If you are there, this book will make you feel less alone, while stirring up ideas that will help you, too, become the Goddess of your own damned life. Trista's story may have more or less dramatic upheavals than your own, but in this raw, unvarnished memoir you will find opportunities to rethink all those things you assumed were necessary—things as basic as your car and your particular creature comforts—while questioning how much of what we call privilege actually serves you. This is not a neatly wrapped up linear tale, but that is its beauty. It reads more like notes you'd scrawl in your journal. And you might want to have your own journal nearby as you read to write down the gems you will find in this memoir. I recommend this to anyone looking for women who have walked through the fire and come out glowing." -Monette Chilson, author of Sophia Rising

Hearts Aren't Made of Glass

Biographies & Memoirs

Memoirs

More than 45 single mothers from around the world share their struggles and triumphs via essays, poems, art and critique.
Praise for Single Mothers Speak on Patriarchy
 "If we are ever to value women, we must value mothers. Our voices can be easily ignored or dismissed. Single Mothers Speak on Patriarchy raises the voices of women who are so easily dismissed. This collection of words and art from single mothers is at once enraging, inspiring, uncomfortable, moving and authentic. Solidarity, sisters, and congratulations on speaking your truth. The rest of us? Listen up. #MothersOfTheWorldUnite."
-Vanessa Olorenshaw, author of Liberating Motherhood: Birthing the Purplestockings Movement
"These are voices that need to be heard … yet so many block their ears: the pain of memory and/or recognition may be too much. These stories speak a deep essential truth about the global cultural context for those engaged in maternal care, and where lies the illnesses of our times - that are seen played out everyday...This anthology furthers and encourages the speaking of womens’ truths, which often does indeed split the world open: but it apparently needs to be so. May more have the courage required, and may they be safer as they do so. May those who hear have more compassionate response for the mothers and the children, and may laws be enacted as if She – in us all – mattered." 
-Glenys Livingstone Ph.D., author of PaGaian Cosmology: Re-inventing Earth-based Goddess Religion
Edited by Trista Hendren and Pat Daly / Cover art by Liz Darling
Contributors include:A.L. Hayes, Anne Bonnie, Arna Baartz, Auriol Hays, Beth Mattson, Brenna Jean Richart, Celeste Gurevich, Chris Ball, Colleen Joy Miller, Destiny Eve Pifer, Elmira Rodriguez, Ihla Nation, Irene Sanchez, Jacinda Townsend, Jakki McIntosh, Jennifer Kimmel, Jessica Ruizquez, Julie Wolfrum, Kali Sunna, Karen McLaughlin, Katherine Belliel, Kelsey Lueptow, Lennée Reid, Lesley 'Orion' Johnson, Liz Darling, Louise M. Hewett, Louise Pennington, Lucía Martínez, Marianne Evans-Lombe, Martina Robles Gallegos, Mia Wright, Michelle Plata, Molly Pennington, Nicola O’Hanlon, Nile Pierce, Noelle Williams, Patty Kay, Rhonda Case, Shamecca Long, Sierra Melcher, Solana Simpson, Susannah Gregan, Trista Hendren and Veronica Cioaric. This anthology also includes the voices of numerous women who chose to be anonymous or use pen names.

Single Mothers Speak on Patriarchy

Literary

A remarkable collection of essays, poems, and art by scholars who have researched Her, artists who have envisioned Her and women who have known Her in their personal story. All have spoken with Her and share something of their communion in this anthology. 
"The Gorgon Medusa presents herself to us here and now, requiring us to be fully present, to listen deeply-past the noise of accumulated judgments —to the Ancient Wisdom that is our true inheritance. She reminds us of our mortality as the Great Awakener, and encourages us to reclaim whatever has been silenced or diminished within us. We are admonished to have the courage to speak what is true, to trust ourselves to hold her gaze and know we will not be turned to stone." -Joan Marler, excerpt from the Preface 
Praise for Re-visioning Medusa
"This deeply felt, thought and illustrated anthology asks us to imagine, know, feel, and face Medusa. This ancient goddess is not the monster to be slain by a patriarchal hero, but the face of the Earth and of wisdom. The diverse offerings in this wonderful anthology lead readers to knowledge, through study as well as dreams, art, and storytelling. It is a very fine and compelling read and also a glorious guide for getting down to the Earth wisdom so direly needed in these times." -Jane Caputi, Ph.D, Professor, Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Communication &amp; Multimedia, Florida Atlantic University
 "Gifted Women's Spirituality poets, artists, and scholars create a fascinating portal to open our understanding of Medusa and her powers, to protect and heal, and also to destroy. Medusa's angry fierceness — that opposes social oppression and other violations of the matristic values of community, cooperation, and caring — will find a resonance among spiritually awakening readers for facing the political challenges of today."-Mara Lynn Keller, PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Women's Spirituality, California Institute of Integral Studies 
 "I welcome Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine Wisdom wholeheartedly. Medusa unfolds the original vision of the female divine. Calling her a rebel underestimates her power. In short, the symbol of Medusa embodies Goddess Feminism, Activism, and Spirituality. Together with women, Medusa is ever present in the intergalactic journey of the Great Goddess."-Helen Hye-Sook Hwang, Ph.D., author of The Mago Way: Re-discovering Mago, the Great Goddess from East Asia
"No better time than now to be Re-visioning Medusa! Let's take her off the shelf, dust her off and embrace her! No more enduring, being docile, being quiet for others comfort. It's time to embrace our strength, our courage, our agency — even our rage!" -Karen Tate, author, speaker, social justice activist and radio show host of Voices of the Sacred Feminine
"I am in awe of this powerful anthology! The Re-visioning Medusa Anthology looks at the myth and medicine of Medusa in a whole new light shining her much needed ancient wisdom back into the world. This deeper insight into her stories and magic is a compelling reclaiming of feminine fire. A must read!" - Ara Campbell, The Goddess Circle 
“Who was the mythical Medusa? The original “nasty woman,” ugly and fearsome? Or the inspiring feminist model of a fearless woman daring to speak truth to male power? This fascinating collection both asks and answers this timely question.” -Donna Henes, author of The Queen of My Self

Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine Wisdom

Cargill, Kaalii

Livingstone PhD, Glenys

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