In Goddess on Earth: Portraits of the Divine Feminine, Nyack resident Lisa Levart inspires everyday women to realize their inner goddess. Among the pages of the hardcover linen-bound book, 75 women age 8 to 99 connect their divine power to the myths of ancient goddesses in portraits. Each touches on the essence of raw and natural feminine beauty. Alongside the photos, each woman presents their identification to the sacred goddess form that manifests within them.
A handful of Hudson Valley locals are featured, including Serpentessa, a snake priestess and dancer, posing with two of her pythons as Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health. Woodstock-based author and herbalist Susun Weed embodies Baba Yaga, the Slavic goddess of age and fearsome wisdom. “To be Baba Yaga you must not be afraid of great age,” Weed writes. “I am old and wise.”
Jodie Evans and Dana Balicki from the female-initiated activist group Code Pink embrace Kali, the ancient Indian goddess of birth and destruction. The female figure in all of its body shapes is represented—plus-sized beauty Deirdre McLary poses nude as the Venus of Willendorf.
Actresses Olympia Dukakis (Inanna, Sumerian mother of Heaven and Earth) and Karen Allen (Habetrot, Celtic goddess of spring and healing) tap into their feminine spirit, along with cookbook author, actress, and Columbia County resident Madhur Jaffrey (Durga, Hindu warrior goddess). Goddessonearth.com
This article appears in March 2012.
