Table of Contents

Part 1 Foreword Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgements Part 4 Introduction Encountering Durga Part 5 The Teachings of Goddess Durga Chapter 6 Chapter One Durga: Goddess of Paradox Chapter 7 Chapter Two Tantra, Kaula, and Sakta Tradition Chapter 8 Chapter Three Durga as Bhagawati: The Power of the Yoni Chapter 9 Chapter Four The Art of Pilgrimage and the Durga Puja Part 10 Durga Puja: The Ten-Day Harvest Festival Chapter 11 Day One Saraswati: Goddess of Creativity Chapter 12 Day Two The Kumari: Living Virgin Goddess Chapter 13 Day Three Mai, Ajima: Ancient Mother, Ancient Grandmother Chapter 14 Day Four Laksmi: Goddess of Abundance Chapter 15 Day Five The Eight Matrkas: The Power of Women in Groups Chapter 16 Day Six The Yogini: Goddess and Priestess of Erotic Arts and Mysteries Chapter 17 Day Seven Kali: Goddess of Transformation Chapter 18 Day Eight Taleju: Women's Blood Mysteries Chapter 19 Day Nine Nine Durgas: Goddesses of Liminality Chapter 20 Day Ten Durga's Victory Part 21 Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Part 22 Bibliography Part 23 Index

About the Author

Laura Amazzone is an author, teacher, jewelry artist, and Yogini. She completed her master's degree in philosophy and religion with an emphasis in women's spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2001. Laura teaches goddess classes and workshops in California and is adjunct faculty in the Yoga Philosophy program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Reviews

Amazzone's powerful narrative of her personal experience backed by extensive field and library research is a must read for anyone interested in the relationships between the divine female, women's spirituality, and women's empowerment. It is a splendid example of feminist writing in which the author is deeply engaged in her own journey. Hers was a pilgrimage to the source, and of personal renewal and redemption promising hope for the return of the goddess in Western consciousness.
*Elinor Gadon, PhD., Author of The Once and Future Goddess, religious studies professor at Brandeis University*

Amazzone's voice is strong and clear. Goddess Durga promises the transformation, empowerment, and dignity that is our birthright.
*Marisa Tomei, Academy Award-winning actor*

Scholarly and fierce, the work of Laura Amazzone draws from our ancient strength. The time for this wisdom is now.
*Alice Walker, poet; activist; author of The Color Purple*

Laura Amazzone is a modern day yogini. She is a scholar as well as a practitioner and her new book Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power embodies this duality....True to feminine form, Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power is a balanced read, utilizing the logical brain and the intuitive heart. The book itself is in a non-linear layout, meaning it does not need to be experienced from start to finish- it is cyclical and can be picked up, flipped through and enjoyed from any angle.
*Common Ground*