This volume is an up-to-date, highly readable study of the female aspect of religion both in past and present mythologies. It explores the function and nature of goddesses and their cults in many cultures, including Celtic, Roman, Norse, Caucasian and Japanese traditions. The contributors explore the reasons for the existence of so many goddesses in the mythological traditions of largely patriarchal societies. They demonstrate how, in many myths, the female deity is seen as more ambivalent than her male counterparts, curing and cursing at whim. They show goddesses do not play primarily 'feminine' roles in myths; war, hunting and sovereignty being equally important aspects of their cults. Lindsay Allason-Jones, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carmen Blacker, formerly of Cambridge University, Anna Chaudhri, University of Cambridge, Hilda Ellis Davidson, fo