In a few weeks, I will give birth to an eight year-old -- or that is what self-publishing my first book feels like. When first conceived, I thought the path to publishing Goddess on Earth would be fairly complex but straightforward. Instead, it took me to unknown lands, introduced me to wondrous individuals and in general, carried me on a great adventure.
Eight years ago, suffering during a night of insomnia and depression, I picked up Jean Shinoda Bolen's book Goddess in Everywomen and couldn't put it down. Though thoroughly enthralled by the subject matter, one of the Goddesses seemed to leap off the page and speak to me. Her name was Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Bountiful Harvest.
Demeter was a nurturer and a mother (as I was), and when Hades (the Greek God of the Underworld) abducted her daughter Persephone, she was devastated. Demeter's grief caused the land to became barren. While reading this myth, I saw myself reflected in this universal archetype. With this knowledge, I felt strengthened and empowered: I knew that I would eventually crawl out of my cave and return to the world of light, creativity and passion, just as Demeter had done when Persephone returned to her for six months out of the year.
My journey had begun and I began photographing women as Goddesses to see if sacred myths spoke to other contemporary women. I wanted to explore how resilient, complex and multi faceted present-day women were -- just like the goddesses of ancient myths. I chose women of all ages and from all walks of life, and for some, the idea of their lives resembling a universal archetype was a new and thrilling concept. The choice of sacred myth wasn't necessarily easy, or straightforward, but it always revealed deep personal insight.
When I first approached Jodie Evans and Dana Balicki from the political organization Code Pink about a portrait, Jodie immediately identified with the fierce Hindu Goddess Kali. For Dana, it was a personal moment of truth -- she believed in change and transformation, but had to dig deep to find the raw anger and rage necessary to embody the bold, giver and destroyer of life: Kali.
" My memory is not what it used to be. But my life is rich with daily, weekly, yearly experiences with my husband, my children, my grandchildren and my friends".From my mother I learned that while growing older certainly is hard, I can embrace every moment fully and cherish all I have; a supportive husband, a thriving son and, a community of women who have given me sustenance and guidance along the way while creating this book.
Follow Lisa Levart on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@lisalevart
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