Book Review: Gods Behaving Badly

I read this novel during a mythology class my sophomore year in college.  I wasn't sure what to expect from the book, but it was, by far, the best book I have ever read.  It is my favorite novel, and I have read it multiple times.  This book has been refered to as a "high-concept comic" novel.  It takes Greek mythology and the most well known characters/gods and throws them into a hilarious living situation in London.  The deities have experience terrible misfortune and now have to live surrounded by normal people, but they still have their powers and abilities.  Some of the gods I have mentioned within this blog are in the novel as well.  For 293 pages, this novel has everything a good book should have.  There is action, humor, drama, and romance all wrapped up in a great binding.  The gods finds themselves involved with two humans, and the crazy antics and intense moments continue until the book ends.  This novel is so greatly appreciated there is a movie version that is supposed to come out.  The brief movie summary is :

Greek gods living in modern-day New York intervene in the lives of a young couple.  The cast will add to great story as well.  Some actors/actresses who will be on the big screen are Christopher Walken, Alicia Silverstone, and Sharon Stone.  It is my advice to read the book first.  The movie is going to release sometime in the next year.  The book is great, and I plan to read it a few times before I go see the movie.  When the trailer releases, I will post it.  Go get a copy of the novel and enjoy!

Gods and Goddesses

In Wicca, each of the Goddesses and Gods represents an ideal, a human quality, something we as people can relate or respond to.  Gods and Goddesses are representations that we are to uphold the greatest amount of respect.  In Wicca, the Gods and Goddesses are not meant to control our lives.  They are simply around as figure heads that guides to illustrate good influences.  Wiccans recognize the Earth as their Mother. She is seen as the Mother of all living things. She has an infinite variety of things to teach us. We do not believe that She controls us. We are always free to take Her advice or leave it.  It takes two to tango, so the Earth Mother is the Sky Father, the sun.  This is not a God who is described by sitting in the sky and making judgements.  He illuminates the world so that we may see clearly, and as with the Earth Mother, he is a good listener and teacher.  For many Wiccans the Moon is the first goddess who catches their attention.  The Moon has stages that can cause a "pull" that revolve around the Earth and changes that happen naturally.  As Wiccans we have no excuse for “bizzare” behavior during a Full Moon. When we recognize its pull we take advantage of this time for more serious meditation, healing or other positive work.  With this in mind Wiccans use the time of the Full Moon to focus on their interactions with other people and the world in general, whereas the during the Dark Moon, when the Moon can't be seen, it is a time for reflecting inward, meditating and working on self-improvement.

Many Gods from certain mythologies and histories are also incorporated in the Wiccan faith.  Both Celtic and Greek Gods are celebrated within the traditions.  Personally I am more familiar with the Greeks and their mythology because it draws me in more and more each time that I read about it.  I welcome anyone who has some Celtic Gods and Goddesses information.

Here is a list of some of the Greek Gods that I am familiar with and what they represent.  Their representations allude to how they are incorporated into Wiccan belief systems.

Demeter- Goddess of the harvest and nature

Artemis- Virgin Goddess, huntress, Goddess of the Moon

Apollo- God of music and creativity, God of Sun

Hecate- Goddess of the dark moon and magick

Aphrodite- Goddess of love and beauty

I often hear a lot about Hecate when reading a book about Wicca or witchcraft.  Hecate represents the maiden, mother, and crone which makes her a triple Goddess.  She is birth, life, and death.  She is also the Goddess of night which makes her a triple Goddess in the aspect of the Moon, representing the new, full, and dark lunar stages.  For her maiden aspect, she stands for new beginnings.  For her mothering side she is nurturing, the crone within her shows her wisdom and magick.  Hecate is also considered the high priestess, like in Tarot who is also a woman of the Moon.  Among many things, Hecate represents a great deal within the Wicca tradition, and she is one of the more common Gods/Goddesses that I read about.  She is also my personal favorite.  As a triple Goddess, Hecate represents Maiden, Mother and Crone; mind, body and spirit; and birth, life and death.  As Mistress of the Night, She represents the three stages of the lunar cycle of New, Full and Dark.