Desert Priestess: A Memoir

by Anne Key

Visit a temple in the Nevada desert and live vicariously through Dr. Anne Key as she shares her experience of living as a 21st century priestess. After years spent as a college administrator, Anne followed her heart to the Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. In this memoir, she shares the the exhilaration she felt upon discovering Sekhmet's powerful presence in an unlikely location; the uncertainties she mastered in order to become a respected temple leader; and all the day to day activities - good, bad, funny, and frustrating - that go into maintaining a spiritual retreat. You'll laugh, you'll cry, but most of all you'll be inspired by Anne's real account of spiritual growth -inspired to seek your own. Includes Reading Group Guide.

196 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2011

Reviews

[Olivia Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent! Anne provides a very honest and real reflection of her unique experience as a temple Priestess in the Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, in the Nevada desert. Although hers was a rare opportunity to live as a full-time Priestess on temple grounds, Anne offers insights that could be applied to many others who serve Goddess also, from insecurities and self-doubt, to disposing of offerings and designing authentic ceremony.
I particualrly love - and honestly got very excited - how Anne sought to understand Sekhmet both in her ancient and modern context. Towards the end of the book Anne attempts to truly undetstand this Goddess in her modern manifestation:

"I wanted to re-write her myth, or better yet, write her current myth, her current story, the story of the Sekhmet, her in the Nevada sesert..."(p.143)

This put into words what so many people applying Goddess Spirituality to their spiritual path do. I had not read someone word it this way, but it is absolutely perfect.

Thank you Anne for sharing your experiences with us in this book. We need more books like this, that offer tangible experiences of what it is to be a 21st century Priestess, the highs and the lows.

[Barbara Ardinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about Anne's life as a priestess at the Sekhmet temple in the Nevada desert near the atomic testing ground. Filled with touching, true stories. Anne is an inspiration to all who know her.

[Viviane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and its structure. It gives you plenty of food for thought and made me aware of a unique temple set up that I had never heard of before. It is well written and draws you along on the priestess' journey.
It is very much focussed on her inner thoughts and experiences (a memoir indeed) during her time at the temple. I really enjoyed and appreciated that.
I also loved her honesty and her relationship to Sekhmet. I did not know much about this goddess before and for me this was great, because I could really learn and dive deep along with her in the book.

If I had to pick on something, I'd say it would have been nice to read more about other's encountering her and the temple or how she encountered them. At times, I really wanted to know more about the other people working alongside and with her when we got glimpses only. But that is nitpicking as I loved the book and its focus on working with a Goddess in a modern setting while discovering who you are as a priestess living this life/role. I would recommend it.

[Jen McConnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this unique book this month, and it's got me yearning to travel to Nevada. In her memoir, Anne Key recounts the three years that she served as the chief priestess at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality. This temple is dedicated to the Egyptian deity Sekhmet, and it sits in truly liminal space. Just outside of Las Vegas, bordered by a bombing range and a nuclear test facility, Key learned what Sekhmet's myths mean in the modern world.

Dealing with community, leading rituals, and caring for the temple were all an integral part of Key's experience. She also learned from the land and the native peoples, enriching her sense of personal spirituality. A myriad of difficulties cropped up, but Key worked through them with patience and a little help from the lion headed lady.

The idea of a thriving goddess temple in modern America seems incongruous, but at the same time, tantalizing. Key's experience is unique and will appeal to those who crave spiritual memoir and tales of the divine feminine.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely memoir of Anne Key's time as a Priestess at a temple dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet. I really enjoyed her honest account of how she dealt with her self doubt and ego during her time as priestess. I also enjoyed her discovery of how Sekhmet can be honoured in modern times and out of her homeland of Egypt.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Beautifully written in a very honest manner the narrative includes her self-doubts and follies as well as her priestessly moments. My heart is yearning to take a pilgrimage to the desert now, as well as to further deepen and refine my own priestess path.