Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves

by Trista Hendren, Priscilla Warner (Foreword), Christena Cleveland (Preface)

There is, perhaps, no more powerful archetype of female resistance than Lilith. As women across the globe rise up against the patriarchy, Lilith stands beside them, misogyny's original challenger. This anthology--a chorus of voices hitting chords of defiance, liberation, anger and joy--reclaims the goodness of women bold enough to hold tight to their essence. Through poetry, prose, incantation, prayer and imagery, women from all walks of life invite you to join them in the revolutionary act of claiming their place--of reclaiming themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

258 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2019

About the author

Trista Hendren founded Girl God Books in 2011 to support a necessary unraveling of the patriarchal world view of divinity. Her first book—The Girl God, a children's picture book—was a response to her own daughter's inability to see herself reflected in God. Since then, she has published more than 40 books by a dozen women from across the globe. You can read more about her projects at www.thegirlgod.com.

Reviews

[Ellie Lieberman]

I had devoured this book on a plane ride. And, how right it felt, to connect not only to Lilith, but these incredible female voices, while I flew about the clouds.

I had searched for a book that had everything this was. The couple of books I tried before Original Resistance that I thought would hold promise (that old saying about judging a book by it's cover) left me unsatisfied by the preface. Honestly, I had no idea what I was looking for. And, I was frustrated that I couldn't find it.

I followed the Girl God for a while now. I am in love with their Facebook page. My mom, who first introduced me to Lilith when I was probably around three or four, showed me their Facebook page maybe a year or two ago, mainly because of their books about Lilith.

Lately, the discussions I have with my mom have been focused on other women in mythology such as Medusa and Medea, and taking a deeper look at the more feminist meanings behind the story. So, imagine my delight when I realized they had an anthology on Medusa, too.

After my most recent illustrating gig, when I had a little extra money in my pocket, I finally went to their website and decided to buy Original Resistance for myself, desperate for that satisfaction I couldn't find elsewhere. I couldn't resist the anthology on Medusa either, and when I saw the deal for including the one on Innanna, I simply couldn't help myself.

Being familiar with Lilith, I was already very ecstatic. By the first page, it spoke to my soul. And, the level of excitement only grew, which my mom and I did not think possible.

This book spoke to my inner child and the woman I am now. It said things my mom and I talked about, and this validation and connection drew me in further. It said things I never knew or considered, and sparked even more conversation and thought. It made me reexamine my own relationship and connection, not only to Lilith, but Eve as well. It's the kind of book that sticks with you. That even after you've finished it, days, weeks, years later, you'll be thinking about it, considering it, discussing it.

And, I found myself so moved by the prose and poetry, that I had to read certain passages more than once. My poor mother, who can never get a virgin read of anything that piques my interest, was subject to many quotes and "in the margin" notes over text, my fingers fumbling over themselves and horribly mistyping words in my excitement to share and talk through what I just read.

My mom and Aunt of the Heart (AOTH) have a book discussion/exchange they do with each other, and this is definitely a book I'm throwing in the mix (I'm particularly looking forward to The Morrigan anthology, too, since that's who my AOTH connects with). And, the fact Danielle Dulsky, who all three of us love, is a contributor is like the jimmies on top of the icing!

This book was everything I love. It was everything that I did not know I needed. It was everything I was looking for and more. By the time you turn that final page, it's like taking a deep breath. You can conquer the world!

I have already started devouring the Medusa anthology, because my soul is hungry for more!

[Stephanie]

It was delightful to read a variety of interpretations and praises of Lilith from so many different voices and cultures. She's a universal archetype and a foundational creation myth that touches all of us.

[Molly]

We used this book all summer with a weekly small group Lilith Circle (using the companion circle guidebook). Loved doing that and it will always have a special place in my heart after having lived it so deeply.

[Monette Chilson]

I typically don't review my own books, but since I was editor of this, rather than author, I consider it fair game! This anthology is a chorus of voices belonging to 45 women from across the globe. It was an honor and privilege to read and edit their work, shaping it into this powerful collection that tells the story of Lilith and of the women influenced and inspired by one of the world's original strong female archetypes. The prose, poetry, manifestos and prayers that make up this book wrap themselves around the maligned version of Lilith created by those wishing to vilify women for daring to claim their full personhood, bringing to life a new vision of Lilith. This book does not ignore Lilith's dark side, it embraces it. Journeying through anger, grief, joy and ecstasy (sometimes simultaneously), all facets of the feminine are honored and embraced. This book is for any woman looking to live a life unencumbered by the confines woven into so many of the cultural and religious paradigms of womanhood.

[Kara]

This was a very interesting book! Growing up Catholic, I had heard the name Lilith but never with any context to the faith. I felt the disgust and discontent and was unnerved by the hypocrisy. I left the church in 8th grade.

I loved all of the different perspectives of this book. The problem for me was, because these were from other sources, they could be very repetitive. Most are retelling Lilith's story. And an entire book of that retelling? Well, needless to said, I could recount it easily now.

There were two writers whose insights were over the top and far too drawn out. I skipped those. I read all of the others. There were some I appreciated more, that went into more depth. I liked hearing about people's own personal discoveries of Lilith as well as what she means to them.

I would have liked this book a lot more if all of the people included had been contacted and asked to write a chapter, able to focus on what they want to say because Lilith's story could have been told prior to that. As it is, there was far too much repetition. That being said, I liked a lot of what many of the writers had to say.

[Lindsay]

This anthology is life-changing for every Woman, familiar with Lilith or not, our truth is uniquely common and Universal, none is left behind or unseen.

Thank you thank you for this incredible offering of Women's voices and TRUTH!!! Lilith, our Dark Mother, the Original Resister, Self-Possesser and Embodiment of truth has been a great ally, motivating force and healer for Women across ALL walks of life, all affected by patriarchy, and it is incredibly re-inspiring/re-invigorating and healing to hear all these Sisters' stories. This anthology is life-changing for every Woman, familiar with Lilith or not, our truth is uniquely common and Universal, none is left behind or unseen. Thank you again Girl God books and Sisters/Sistas!

[Raine]

A collection of different writers who write about their reflections and teachings from the oft forgotten story of Adam's original wife Lilith, centering on feminine power, sexuality, and resistance. There is a lot of overlap as a result of being a collection of other's writings, each author often has to describe the origin story before they can contextualize it. However this means you both read the same account multiple times without ever actually feeling you read a thorough version of said origin story.

[Kristy Marquez]

I have a love/hate relationship with pagan books and with anthologies so my rating is biased.

I loved portions of this book but having so many stories repeat similar information over and over again is where my head goes coo-coo. I know each woman had her story to tell and it was important, but it added up to a lot of information getting repeated.

Otherwise, each voice was different and interesting and I loved learning about all these women and about Lilith.

[Marguerite]

Lilith was Adam's first wife, strong and independent, as God made her.

So what happened? Adam did some whining so God sent Lilith away and created Eve to take her place.

Original Resistance is collection of works that tell the story and show women the way to reclaim Lilith's strength and independence today.

[Patti Triplett]

I followed Girl God Books on FB for a long time. Thought I would give this book a try, and got the workbook to go along with it. Read quite a bit of it on retreat with my beastie, and we worked through some of the workbook together. Thought we might finish this at some point, but I lost interest.

[Danielle Pope]

It is an anthology some offerings are much better than others, I mostly enjoyed the book.