The Moon Under Her Feet

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Summary: Sneak this book in to your next gift for a girlfriend!
Review: I have a girlfriend who is Christian and is religious but not overly so. I bought her this book and gave it to her along with other presents for Christmas. I know she's always been curious about all the Goddess 'stuff' I keep talking about. I tried lending her "When God was A Woman" but it was too academic(dry) for her. She said she couldn't read it because it bored her.

This book was perfect for introducing her to some of the ideas of the Goddess in a way that was somewhat familiar to her (the story of Jesus&Mary). Plus the story was so much a story that she enjoyed it without even thinking of the philosophical side of it.

The only thing I wish for now is that the author come out with this book in Spanish! I told my mami a little about the book and she (Catholic) wants to read it! *sigh* But I've yet to hear about a Spanish version.

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Summary: Read this now!
Review: I love it when authors take major stories in history and present them in a new way. Ms. Kinstler has done a wonderful job in telling the beautiul story of Mary Magdalene. Christians and pagans alike will enjoy this book and I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that you don't want to read to quickly, and really focus on the story, but at the same time you don't want to put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Wanted it to continue
Review: I loved this book, devouring it as quickly as I could. Getting inside Mary the Magdalene's head and viewing those times from her - admittedly, alternative as compared to Orthodox Christian history - point of view was a true joy. The book is written very well and quite creatively, and I could imagine myself back in those times, living in the time of the Christos.

Having said that, I'm highly suspicious that any of the events as described in the book happened in any way near as they are described. The notes in the back of the book are helpful, but in no way convincing: they allude to a different truth of the gospels than the one we're usually taught, but they don't prove anything. The bibliography is helpful as well, but I suspect I'm not about to read every one of those books to see if I come to the same conclusion as the author.

Still, it's an enchanting read, and one worth contemplating. I will definintely be reading more about Mary the Magdalene - or Mary Magdalene - as she is a fascinating topic, and one Western Civilization has ignored for too long. I give the book a huge thumbs up and despite my skepticism as to the overall fictional "truth" of the book, I'd still recommend it to anyone as a great read.

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Summary: A good bok that leaves a lot out
Review: I really enjoyed this book, but I was disapointed by the fact that it doesn't reflect the diversity of the region in which it is set. The book challenges the place of women in Christianity and the Bible but the only character of color is a Black man who is a eunuch and the servant/slave of the main character. The books is supposed to take place in Persia and ancient Israel, but the most important characters are described as having fair skin, lights eyes blue, green, hazel) and straight hair. Miss Kinstler isn't stepping to far outside modern beauty standards. It is an enjoyable read, just keep in mind what Arabic, African, and Persian people really look like. A great companion to this book is the SAcred Prostitute by Nancy Qualls-Corbett. It gives more detailed information of the goddesses mentioned in The Moon Under Her Feet.

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Summary: The Moon Under Her Feet
Review: I really enjoyed this novel. Kinstler weaves together elements of Judaism, Sumerian and Egyptian spiritualities, as well as Roman political intrigue. She also tells the tale of the Magdalene and the Messiah with grace, sensuality, and surprises. It is time indeed for her tale to be told, and Clysta Kinstler does is with vivid imagination and graciousness, as well as remarkable historical clarity. Bravo on her first novel! I would read this book over again, as well as anything else by this author. Highly recommended to anyone interested in early Christian history and/or worship of the Great Mother, as well as anyone who loves a great love story.

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Summary: Beautiful and breathtaking
Review: I stumbled across this book at a second hand store many months ago, bought it because it was about Mary Magdalene and promptly put it away. Recently I pulled it out and cannot convey the beautiful storytelling eloquently enough! If anyone is at all connected to both Goddess and Jesus, then this is the book that will steal your heart and have you wishing for more. It may only be fiction but Kinstler has done her homework and woven a tale that I personally would take over anything else... I didn't want to put it down, I hightly recommend it to everyone interested in a Goddess perspective on Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

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Summary: Origin of the book title.
Review: I was priveleged to teach Philosophy of Religion and Comparative Religion courses at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. for fifteen years. THE MOON UNDER HER FEET is my attempt to express the richness and harmony of spiritual insights I found expressed through world myths and their evolution into a symphonic whole. Writing the book and seeing it read and appreciatiated by so many people has been a continuous blessing to me. Two mornings ago I got up just before dawn to let Annie, our Airdale in from the deck outside our bedroom where she sleeps. There in the eastern sky was the wonderful sign of the Goddess that Mari learned to watch for as a little girl, Venus, the Morning Star brilliant above the slimmest crescent moon. "...a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet." Ever since I began to write the book, I would just happen to see that sign in heavens before something significant in relation to the book or it's progress toward publication would come about. I don't know why the Mother called me to awaken that morning-perhaps to write this note to you who are my readers, to thank you for your letters, and for the gift of our sharing. Blessed Be.

Clysta Kinstle

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Summary: An alternative to patriarchial viewpoints...
Review: I'm in my 3rd reading, reading it aloud to my husband, and loving it!
Some will say it's 'fantasy' and that's there's no historical basis for a thriving Goddess culture 2000 years ago. So what?!
There's been enough archeological evidence to tell us our forebearers had reverence for the Divine Feminine, which is sadly lacking since the murderous Chrisitan missions that demonized everything non-Christian, with an emphasis on the feminine.
This is a book for anyone looking for a great read, an alternative view and of course, for those who revere Goddess in all Her forms and Her Ten Thousand Names.

Rating:
Summary: An alternative to patriarchial viewpoints...
Review: I'm on my 5th reading; read it to my husband, and I'm loving it! Still!

Some will say it's 'fantasy' and that there's no historical basis for a thriving Goddess culture 2000 years ago. So what?!
There's been enough archeological evidence to tell us our forebearers had reverence for the Divine Feminine, which is sadly lacking since the murderous Christian (and Islamic) missions that demonized everything non-Christian, with an emphasis on the feminine.

This is a book for anyone looking for a great read, an alternative view and of course, for those who revere Goddess in all Her forms and Her Ten Thousand Names.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a version I can believe ...
Review: I've been haunted by the inconsistencies and irrationalities of the new testament stories for as long as I've been hearing them. Mary Magdalene, the whore, such an important player in so many of the episodes. Jesus so very not-human. Women so very nearly non-existant. And now, the story told in a much more believable version. Mary the priestess. Jesus so very human. Women so much the keepers of religion, as they are today. I closed this book and thought, "I know this is the way it really happened."