How the Burning Times of yesteryear actually still affects women today. Historical trauma and how it operates in the world and why healing from this trauma requires a spiritual response.
Beth Bartlett, Ph.D, is an educator, author, activist and spiritual companion. She returns to the show today discussing how the Burning Times of yesteryear actually still affects women today. I'll ask her about this historical trauma and how it operates in the world and why healing from trauma requires a spiritual response. We'll delve into feminist spirituality and how that movement is a valuable part of this healing, particularly the reclamation of the immanence of the Divine. Lots to talk about today, including the importance of Carol Christ's piece, Why Women Need the Goddess - as well as the world. You can check out her previous appearance on the show on February 15 when we discussed Restoring Sisterhood.
Show Music
Nomad's Land by Zingaia
Guest Biography
Beth is Professor Emerita of Women, Gender and sexuality Studies at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the author of numerous books and articles, including Journey of the Heart: Spiritual Insights on the Road to a Transplant, Rebellious Feminism: Camus's Ethic of Rebellion and Feminist Thought, and Making Waves: Grassroots Feminism in Duluth and Superior. She's been active in feminist, peace and justice, and rights of nature and climate justice movements, and has been a committed advocate for water protectors.
Books/Films on the Burning Times recommended by Beth:
The book by Mona Chollet, In Defence of Witches, is the first I've seen that directly talks about the effects of the burning times on women today. Women's historical trauma based in the burning times is a book I've been contemplating writing for a long time, but haven't. My blog post was my first attempt at that.
Other books about the burning times include:
Barbara Ehrenreich and Deidre English, Witches, Midwives, Healers: A History of Healers.
Barstow, Anne L. Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts. New York: Harper One, 1995.
Starhawk's Spiral Dance is more about her practice of Wicca, but begins with an overview of the witchhunts.
I'd recommend this film: The Burning Times. Directed by Donna Read. National Film Board of Canada. 1990. You can find clips from it on YouTube.
Carol Christ's books are wonderful about goddess spirituality.
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