Hi, friends!
I thought now was a good time to share with you some of the resources I've read up on over the past year. I think you'll find them highly influential, inspiring, and informative. I am so passionate about each of these. There are so many more on my bucket list, so this doesn't even come close to all the information that's out there. These are ones I would recommend for now!
Whether you want...
Art of Mother
Doctrine on Mother
Church appropriate reads for youth or adults
Scholarship on Mother in scriptural text
History on archetypes
Worship of the Mother throughout the ages
Spiritual journeys
... I've got you covered.
But first, if you are wanting a way to connect to Mother as you study Come Follow Me this year, I highly recommend checking out this version of the New Testament, below.
The Divine Feminine Version of the New Testament
This version of the New Testament speaks to the female audience and uses feminine pronouns, through a Divine Feminine lens. While it continues to keep any mentioning of Christ as it is in the Greek bible, they authors made an effort to include the Divine Feminine Mother. The book the word God is spelt as "Godde", and includes the term Mother at appropriate times. You might find it interesting to note that in both the Greek and Hebrew bible, the terms for God often include a Divine masculine AND feminine. Often times, the Mother is addressed directly. So the way they intertwine it is reflective of original writings in various chapters, and the rest is a nice addition. I'm finding this read particularly rewarding and healing, already. I compare it with my King James Version as I study. This is powerful and I highly recommend it.
Reflections on A Mother in Heaven
By: Certain Women
In Spring and Fall of 2022, the Certain Women Art Show held space in Salt Lake and in Provo for the first time. At this art show, they had hundreds of artist's work devoted to our Mother in Heaven lining the walls of the art exhibit. This read has hundreds of submissions of Heavenly Mother Art, with the artist's description. These often include each artist's vision, research and history behind each piece of art, as well as the artist's love, longing, and growing Wisdom of the Mother. It is an incredible read, and the art is breathtaking. Highly recommend.
The Mother Tree & The Tree At the Center
By: Kathryn Knight Sontag
I can't recommend Kathryn's writing enough. Not only will her poetry wow you, but you will be amazed at the analytical web of information on the Mother that Kathryn so beautifully and intricately puts to words. You will grow closer to our Heavenly Parents after reading these; I guarantee.
Kathryn describes the relationship between the Tree of Life and the Mother, and goes far into the patterns we see of the Mother's "disappearance" and loss of Her children, and the impact that patriarchy had on it, and how one can live within patriarchal societies and still find sovereignty.
Mother's Milk & I Gave Her a Name
By: Rachel Hunt Steenblik
We can't speak about Mother poetry without speaking about Rachel Hunt Steenblik and her work! These poems are full of awe inspiring imagery, but an easy read! Great for a quick daily pick-me-up in the morning or late evenings. Full of insights on the Mother, the longing for her presence, and what all has shaped our view of Her.
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
By: Sue Monk Kidd
This book is highly transformative. I cannot recommend it enough. It leads us on a beautiful journey women take as we come to see the Divine Feminine in our lives - the inspiration, the heart ache, the shock, the deconstruction. The history, the archetypes, the journey we take as we come to embrace Her and see Her in our world. It speaks the pains we experience, in such a telling and therapeutic manner. Sue Monk Kidd is not of our religion, but her story sure applies to the experiences women have of coming to Mother and deconstructing in patriarchal spheres. It will change your life.
Mother Wove the Morning & The Love Map
By: Carolyn Pearson
Oh, Carolyn Pearson. Carolyn is one of the most recognized trailblazers speaking about Mother for decades within the church. "Mother Wove the Morning" is a highly inspiring and deeply touching storyline, painting the stories of ancient archetypes and insight on the Mother, also in video form. Highly recommend her new read, "The Love Map," in which the character meets her higher self (a Mother figure), is able to heal and improve her marriage after an incredible spiritual journey.
A Girl's Guide to Heavenly Mother
& A Boy's Guide to Heavenly Mother
By: McArthur Krishna
McArthur Krishna is the perfect example of a woman who has a love for Mother and makes sure to keep what she shares firmly church appropriate. She shares strictly about the doctrine of the Mother, as put out by the church, and inspires young boys and girls to come to know their Heavenly Parents and do their own research. Not only that, but she includes the most beautiful art from over 50 artists from around the world to depict an inclusive view of the Mother from various backgrounds. Children and adults love it.
The Politics of Women's Spirituality:
Essays by Founding Mothers of the Movement
By: Charlene Spretnak
This is a HIGHLY educational read, essays with comprehensive studies and extensive research on the worship of the Divine Feminine and female goddess since the dawn of the age - even as far as prehistory. Scholarly finds, archeology by highly acclaimed scholars and archeologists. Symbols of the Mother, the worship of women, rites and rituals, the view of divine women by society. It is astounding, the volumes worth of information packed into one book. It is transformative to say the least. The most educational read I have found so far. Highly recommend, if you want a full scope of where the Divine Feminine fit within history, and how she can exist now.
Dear Divine Daughter
By: Amber Corkin & Aubri Robinson
Dear Divine Daughter highlights various female role models from the scriptures and beautifully narrates their biblical tales. Very empowering for the youth to visualize and learn about the women who played leadership roles and made a key difference within scriptural timeframes. They also have beautiful illustrations by a dozen artists that draw in the reader. (No pun intended). Beautiful work.
God Made Girls and Boys
By: Tammy Hill
This is a great read! Although I wish it were more gender inclusive, Tammy does an amazing job illustrating the need for young children to recognize both a Divine Masculine and a Divine Feminine partnership with their Heavenly Parents and the impact on their lives. And that boys and girls have equal worth and are equally capable. It's powerful to see the impact she is making on young girls who can see their image reflected in God, and to help show young boys how to honor women as their equal. It's been great for my sons.
Women Who Run with Wolves
By: Clarissa Pinkola Estes
This book is not strictly on the Mother, but describes various depictions of the Divine Feminine from various cultures. The main highlight of the book is to empower women, to allow women to get to their depths, and ensure that they reside in safe relationships. All the while, inspiring readers with archetypes of the Mother.
Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul
By: John Philip Newell
This book was awe-inspiring. Newell describes the sacred history of the Celts and how they honored the Divine Feminine, the Mother Mary, and various other Feminine Divine characters, in such a poetic and heartfelt manner. It is a truly great read.
The Mother of the Lord
By: Margaret Barker
If I could only recommend one book on the evidence of Mother in scriptural text, this would probably be it. Margaret Barker is a Methodist Scholar who has studied the Greek and Hebrew bible. She has spoken at BYU and Fair (Mormon) Conference on a few occasions about her findings on "The Mother in Heaven and Her Children." I can't even begin to tell you how much insight and information exists within these pages. If you can't see Mother in the scriptures - believe you me - you will after this. It has literally changed my life and touched my soul, broadened my scope more than I could ever say. It's entirely moving, but a dense scholarly read. Definitely worth it.
When Women Were Drummers
by: Layne Redmond, Lauren Gobes, et al.
This read describes women's part in being the first music makers, the first to form sacred rites, rituals, and bring music into worship within groves and dedicated spaces. Think psaltery, lamentations, hymns, Miriam's sacred song. Women formed a connection to the Mother God and Father God, all of earth and the universe through instruments and song. The drums rhythm and vibration mimic the fetal heartbeat within the womb, drawing us back to our creator and our first home. Highly educational.
The Power of Now
By: Eckhart Tolle
In the Power of Now, Tolle describes the need for us to find presence in our lives, to become one with our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. To overcome life's challenges and find peace in the moment. He also highlights the Divine Feminine and feminine energies and how we can apply them to our lives.
Mary Magdalene Revealed
By: Meggan Watterson
A highly acclaimed read about a very important figure in Christ's life, Mary Magdalene. She educates on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, an apocryphal book telling Mary Magdalene's relationship with Christ, perhaps in marriage. She is a beautiful archetype for the Divine Mother and gives us a glimpse into the eternities, and what journey she takes with Christ to get there. You'll never think of Mary Magdalene the same again. It is deeply empowering and inspiring.
Eve and Adam
By: Melinda Wheelwright Brown
Melinda does a beautiful job showcasing the strong, empowering character of Eve in the Creation narrative. She also makes a great effort to show the mutual relationship based on equal partnership and healthy dynamics that we can apply to ourselves as we study the couple. Great insight on relationships.
Pagan Meditations
By: Ginette Paris
Don't let the name put you off. This book is about the Greek and Roman goddesses and how they interlap. There are so many stunning insights that reflect back to biblical narratives and will leave you wanting for more. Paganism has been considered to be evil and dark, devilish... but the rites and rituals and beliefs of these people were not of that sort. Beautiful symbols and truth have been wildly distorted. Patriarchy has given it a bad name over the ages. Learn about some of the earliest archetypes of the Mother and her daughters in new, moving, and thrilling ways with this read.
And as a disclaimer, I do make a very small amount for recommending these books through these links. It's the same price for you, no extra charge on your part. I just get part of Amazon's share. It is one tiny way I can invest in my research, educate, and continue put out information and content for you all. It helps make my open sharing of the years' worth of studying and investments worthwhile, and make good use of my time, dedication, and effort.
I hope you take advantage of these reads and that they greatly enrich your life! If you do find yourself reading up on one of these, I would love for you to reach out, and to share in the joy with you! Good luck on your journey.
Warmest regards,
Krystal Barnes
@myheavenlymother
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