Rating: 
Summary: The Sea Priestess is You
Review: As an astrologer, professional metaphysician, expert Tarot symbolist and VisionCoach, I am somewhat embarrassed at how adamantly I recommend this rare jewel of a book to my clients. Unassuming in its title, it carefully hides in the traditional esoteric manner, some of the greatest wisdom you will ever encounter on the subject of what it means to really be a woman. When I hear enthusiastic discussion about rights and entitlements and equality, I often think of the tale Dion Fortune tells of the beautiful, enthralling and mysteriously ageless woman who lives by the sea, the Sea Priestess. This book is a written ritual. It is sheer magic. If you but read it and really understand it, and you are a woman, you will never, ever be the same. This book is all about power. It's the real thing. Fortune is a seminal writer in the field of metaphysics whose name you should know and whose books you should read if you are serious about this field.
Rating:
Summary: The Sea Priestess is You
Review: As an astrologer, professional metaphysician, expert Tarot symbolist and VisionCoach, I am somewhat embarrassed at how adamantly I recommend this rare jewel of a book to my clients. Unassuming in its title, it carefully hides in the traditional esoteric manner, some of the greatest wisdom you will ever encounter on the subject of what it means to really be a woman. When I hear enthusiastic discussion about rights and entitlements and equality, I often think of the tale Dion Fortune tells of the beautiful, enthralling and mysteriously ageless woman who lives by the sea, the Sea Priestess. This book is a written ritual. It is sheer magic. If you but read it and really understand it, and you are a woman, you will never, ever be the same. This book is all about power. It's the real thing. Fortune is a seminal writer in the field of metaphysics whose name you should know and whose books you should read if you are serious about this field.
Rating:
Summary: A Veil is Lifted!
Review: Dion Fortune first published THE SEA PRIESTESS in the 1930s. At that time, because of its themes of ritual magic and pagan symbolism, the book was deemed sufficiently controversial that no established publishing house in England would touch it. Ms. Fortune was forced to publish her work of her own accord and by her own means. This, by the way, was an act of extreme courage on the part of Ms. Fortune since witchcraft statues were still on the books in 1930s England and women of independent means were still considered an aberration. Fortunately for us, both the times and the courage of publishing houses have changed and this lost treasure is now available to us once again.THE SEA PRIESTESS is one of several fascinating novels written by renowned Esotericist, Psychologist and Psychic, Dion Fortune. But within her fiction, as the author's own words in one of her other novels (see THE GOAT FOOT GOD) hint, "... there are some very curious things if you read between the lines." She then goes on to say, "Writers will put things into a novel that they daren't put in sober prose, where you have to dot the I's and cross the T's." On the surface, THE SEA PRIESTESS tells the story of a seemingly privileged man, trapped in one-dimensional life of illness, duty and servitude, who embarks on a perilous journey toward spiritual enlightenment. He is guided in his quest by a woman. A powerful woman who represents the very spiritual principle he hopes to find and, with whose help, he can be set free. But at a deeper level, THE SEA PRIESTESS represents a primer for the seeker looking to reclaim ancient spiritual knowledge - a "How To" guide that quite eloquently reveals some of the esoteric secrets and practices long held sacred by Western secret societies and mystical orders - several of which Dion Fortune was a member. Along the way, this book reminds us is that, in the tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of years of human history, the Christian perspective is the newcomer, the anomaly. When juxtaposed against the entire backdrop of history, the last two thousand years are but a blip on the radar screen. Yet since the dawn of humankind, there has existed a universal mother goddess throughout the world. She has largely been forgotten in modern times. This book also reminds us of the inherent dualism of nature. Nature and therefore the ancient goddesses that represent nature, have aspects that are both creative and destructive. What has been forgotten in modern times is that every coin has a flip side, every light casts a shadow and that balance is an essential component of the cosmos. Engaging, and deeply philosophical, THE SEA PRIESTESS holds value for even the casual seeker of enlightenment. In addition, the book is well written and entertaining. I would suggest you try reading it while sitting by the sea. You will find your imagination stirred to new heights.
Rating:
Summary: A VEIL IS LIFTED!
Review: Dion Fortune first published THE SEA PRIESTESS in the 1930s. At that time, because of its themes of ritual magic and pagan symbolism, the book was deemed sufficiently controversial that no established publishing house in England would touch it. Ms. Fortune was forced to publish her work of her own accord and by her own means. This, by the way, was an act of extreme courage on the part of Ms. Fortune since witchcraft statues were still on the books in 1930s England and women of independent means were still considered an aberration. Fortunately for us, both the times and the courage of publishing houses have changed and this lost treasure is now available to us once again. THE SEA PRIESTESS is one of several fascinating novels written by renowned Esotericist, Psychologist and Psychic, Dion Fortune. But within her fiction, as the author's own words in one of her other novels (see THE GOAT FOOT GOD) hint, "... there are some very curious things if you read between the lines." She then goes on to say, "Writers will put things into a novel that they daren't put in sober prose, where you have to dot the I's and cross the T's." On the surface, THE SEA PRIESTESS tells the story of a seemingly privileged man, trapped in one-dimensional life of illness, duty and servitude, who embarks on a perilous journey toward spiritual enlightenment. He is guided in his quest by a woman. A powerful woman who represents the very spiritual principle he hopes to find and, with whose help, he can be set free. But at a deeper level, THE SEA PRIESTESS represents a primer for the seeker looking to reclaim ancient spiritual knowledge - a "How To" guide that quite eloquently reveals some of the esoteric secrets and practices long held sacred by Western secret societies and mystical orders - several of which Dion Fortune was a member. Along the way, this book reminds us is that, in the tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of years of human history, the Christian perspective is the newcomer, the anomaly. When juxtaposed against the entire backdrop of history, the last two thousand years are but a blip on the radar screen. Yet since the dawn of humankind, there has existed a universal mother goddess throughout the world. She has largely been forgotten in modern times. This book also reminds us of the inherent dualism of nature. Nature and therefore the ancient goddesses that represent nature, have aspects that are both creative and destructive. What has been forgotten in modern times is that every coin has a flip side, every light casts a shadow and that balance is an essential component of the cosmos. Engaging, and deeply philosophical, THE SEA PRIESTESS holds value for even the casual seeker of enlightenment. In addition, the book is well written and entertaining. I would suggest you try reading it while sitting by the sea. You will find your imagination stirred to new heights.
Rating:
Summary: A Veil is Lifted!
Review: Dion Fortune first published THE SEA PRIESTESS in the 1930s. At that time, because of its themes of ritual magic and pagan symbolism, the book was deemed sufficiently controversial that no established publishing house in England would touch it. Ms. Fortune was forced to publish her work of her own accord and by her own means. This, by the way, was an act of extreme courage on the part of Ms. Fortune since witchcraft statues were still on the books in 1930s England and women of independent means were still considered an aberration. Fortunately for us, both the times and the courage of publishing houses have changed and this lost treasure is now available to us once again. THE SEA PRIESTESS is one of several fascinating novels written by renowned Esotericist, Psychologist and Psychic, Dion Fortune. But within her fiction, as the author's own words in one of her other novels (see THE GOAT FOOT GOD) hint, "... there are some very curious things if you read between the lines." She then goes on to say, "Writers will put things into a novel that they daren't put in sober prose, where you have to dot the I's and cross the T's." On the surface, THE SEA PRIESTESS tells the story of a seemingly privileged man, trapped in one-dimensional life of illness, duty and servitude, who embarks on a perilous journey toward spiritual enlightenment. He is guided in his quest by a woman. A powerful woman who represents the very spiritual principle he hopes to find and, with whose help, he can be set free. But at a deeper level, THE SEA PRIESTESS represents a primer for the seeker looking to reclaim ancient spiritual knowledge - a "How To" guide that quite eloquently reveals some of the esoteric secrets and practices long held sacred by Western secret societies and mystical orders - several of which Dion Fortune was a member. Along the way, this book reminds us is that, in the tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of years of human history, the Christian perspective is the newcomer, the anomaly. When juxtaposed against the entire backdrop of history, the last two thousand years are but a blip on the radar screen. Yet since the dawn of humankind, there has existed a universal mother goddess throughout the world. She has largely been forgotten in modern times. This book also reminds us of the inherent dualism of nature. Nature and therefore the ancient goddesses that represent nature, have aspects that are both creative and destructive. What has been forgotten in modern times is that every coin has a flip side, every light casts a shadow and that balance is an essential component of the cosmos. Engaging, and deeply philosophical, THE SEA PRIESTESS holds value for even the casual seeker of enlightenment. In addition, the book is well written and entertaining. I would suggest you try reading it while sitting by the sea. You will find your imagination stirred to new heights.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: For those of us with a certain relationship to the Moon, this book is a treasure. Fortune's theme is expressed vividly and wonderfully in this book about the unveiling of the hidden nature in men and women. The initiation sequence leaves me breathless everytime. Of course, there's also about 50 pages left after that, which makes the book feel uneven. Also, the class and race attitudes of the 1930's are apparent in some minor passages. Don't let the fact that the bbok was written in by a bourgiose professional in the 30's deter you-this is truly a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: For those of us with a certain relationship to the Moon, this book is a treasure. Fortune's theme is expressed vividly and wonderfully in this book about the unveiling of the hidden nature in men and women. The initiation sequence leaves me breathless everytime. Of course, there's also about 50 pages left after that, which makes the book feel uneven. Also, the class and race attitudes of the 1930's are apparent in some minor passages. Don't let the fact that the bbok was written in by a bourgiose professional in the 30's deter you-this is truly a wonderful book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not sure what I think
Review: I was prepared to really like this book after reading the previous reviews, but I have to say I'm disappointed. I enjoyed the old-fashioned description & writing style very much initially, but found myself getting more and more impatient while reading it & feeling that it was "dated". I expected something along the lines of Mists of Avalon, or Heart of the Fire... one of those novels that begins as a "fun read" but turns into something more profound & touches one spiritually. I purposely selected this book to begin my study of Dion fortune (I am a Phd student in Esoteric Philosphy, and a Wiccan Priestess), knowing that it was a novel rather than a studybook, expecting to be entertained as well as expanded somewhat. My feeling is that Dion Fortune probably was trying to convey some personal experience or past life through this story (I'm not sure, because I havent yet read her other books fully, although I have a stack of them in my "to read" pile)..
This book might open doors for some people, but for me it really didnt. Luckily, I was reading another book on Atlantis at the same time, so I was compelled to follow through and finish the Sea Priestess..otherwise I might have put it down. Back in the 30s when it was written, I'm sure it was major, but now it really seems dated to me. If you are interested in the history of the occult in the last 150 yrs, then definately read it, or if you are really really drawn to the sea & sea magic, then read it.
Eek I'm sorry, but I just didnt connect much with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not sure what I think
Review: I was prepared to really like this book after reading the previous reviews, but I have to say I'm disappointed. I enjoyed the old-fashioned description & writing style very much initially, but found myself getting more and more impatient while reading it & feeling that it was "dated". I expected something along the lines of Mists of Avalon, or Heart of the Fire... one of those novels that begins as a "fun read" but turns into something more profound & touches one spiritually. I purposely selected this book to begin my study of Dion fortune (I am a Phd student in Esoteric Philosphy, and a Wiccan Priestess), knowing that it was a novel rather than a studybook, expecting to be entertained as well as expanded somewhat. My feeling is that Dion Fortune probably was trying to convey some personal experience or past life through this story (I'm not sure, because I havent yet read her other books fully, although I have a stack of them in my "to read" pile)..
This book might open doors for some people, but for me it really didnt. Luckily, I was reading another book on Atlantis at the same time, so I was compelled to follow through and finish the Sea Priestess..otherwise I might have put it down. Back in the 30s when it was written, I'm sure it was major, but now it really seems dated to me. If you are interested in the history of the occult in the last 150 yrs, then definately read it, or if you are really really drawn to the sea & sea magic, then read it.
Eek I'm sorry, but I just didnt connect much with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not sure what I think
Review: I was prepared to really like this book after reading the previous reviews, but I have to say I'm disappointed. I enjoyed the old-fashioned description & writing style very much initially, but found myself getting more and more impatient while reading it & feeling that it was "dated". I expected something along the lines of Mists of Avalon, or Heart of the Fire... one of those novels that begins as a "fun read" but turns into something more profound & touches one spiritually. I purposely selected this book to begin my study of Dion fortune (I am a Phd student in Esoteric Philosphy, and a Wiccan Priestess), knowing that it was a novel rather than a studybook, expecting to be entertained as well as expanded somewhat. My feeling is that Dion Fortune probably was trying to convey some personal experience or past life through this story (I'm not sure, because I havent yet read her other books fully, although I have a stack of them in my "to read" pile)..
This book might open doors for some people, but for me it really didnt. Luckily, I was reading another book on Atlantis at the same time, so I was compelled to follow through and finish the Sea Priestess..otherwise I might have put it down. Back in the 30s when it was written, I'm sure it was major, but now it really seems dated to me. If you are interested in the history of the occult in the last 150 yrs, then definately read it, or if you are really really drawn to the sea & sea magic, then read it.
Eek I'm sorry, but I just didnt connect much with this book.
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