The human reception of divine messages, known as revelation, has often played a central role in world religions. This critical analysis explores how spirituality and the personal experience of the divine has been expressed and preserved in various religious traditions. The phenomenon of revelation is explored and interpreted through examples from across the religious spectrum, and six different types of revelation are posited: visions and voices, divination, spirit journey, spirit mediation, mystical union, and divine incarnation.

Goddesses often are labelled as one-dimensional forces of nature or fertility. In examining a number of goddesses whose primary role is sovereignty, this volume reveals the rich dversity of goddess traditions. Drawn from a variety of cultural and historical settings, the goddesses described here include Inanna of ancient Sumer, Oshun of Nigeria, and Cihuacoatl of pre-historical America.

Goddesses often are labelled as one-dimensional forces of nature or fertility. In examining a number of goddesses whose primary role is sovereignty, this volume reveals the rich diversity of goddess traditions. Drawn from a variety of cultural and historical settings, the goddesses described here include Inanna of ancient Sumer; Oshun of Nigeria; and Cihuacoatl of pre-historical America.