DESERT PRIESTESS

Desert Priestess: A Memoir / by Anne Key. – Goddess Ink Ltd., c2011.

This is a serious, honest, first-hand account of Anne’s three years at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet in the Mojave Desert, and the effect it had on her.  This is a unique and enthralling depiction of the life of a priestess today, and in particular what it is to be a priestess of Sekhmet.  Every aspect of the process is documented, starting with background about the Temple and its founding, philosophy, economy, natural environment, getting to know Sekhmet, and the impact of these things on Anne’s psyche.  Anne describes her first day, her first month, and events leading up to the moment when she felt she had truly arrived.  She describes the ceremonial year in terms of meaning and symbolism; and the many transformations she struggled with an embraced.  The memoir contains descriptions of a typical day, and the different kinds of people who come to the Temple in various capacities.  The social and political meaning of such things as air, land, animals, trees, and water add an important dimension to this story: the interaction of ecology and ritual…the human being in space and time… is something all priestesses need to consider.  Peace and activism are also discussed.  The descriptions of Anne’s inner experiences are especially valuable: I see them as a source of support, guidance, and encouragement to other priestesses.  This personal story of immersion in goddess culture is a rare study of a situation without a huge body of literature.  It is a wonderful resource for someone who is devoted to Sekhmet; or who  is a priestess; or who is wondering what it is like to be one.