"...the Goddess from whom the earth and the prosperities of the farming life emanated. From her too, no doubt, came domestic animals, and she gave protection against the tigers and snakes who lurked on the earth and on the fringes of the villages."
-Ninian Smart, The World's Religions (Cambridge University Press, 1995), p 52.
This reminded me of Poul Anderson's description of a goddess:
"Hers are the trees, the vine, and the fruits thereof. Hers are the sea and the ships that plow it. Hers are the well-being of mortals and peace among them."
-Poul Anderson, "Star of the Sea" IN Anderson, Time Patrol (Riverdale, NY, 2010), pp. 467-640 AT III, p. 628.
Some passages in "Star of the Sea" are neither sf nor historical fiction but mythological writing. Both authors convey a sense of devotion to the goddess even to readers who do not believe in such a being.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I was also reminded of the prefatory comments Anderson added to "The Queen of Air and Darkness," giving this "goddess" a more Satanic role.
Ad astra! Sean
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