Andrea’s presentation is called, “The Goddess and Women’s Embodiment in Four”
Representation of Goddess has transformed throughout human history. From the early forms of the Great Goddess unearthed at Catal Huyuk and decoded by Marija Gimbutas, through the work of Jane Ellen Harrison who explored the archaic Greek development of dual and triple female deities, to the poetic interpretations of Robert Graves with his adoption and popularization of the triple goddess as Maiden, Mother, Crone, we can see the development of the expression, interpretation, and experience of the goddess throughout history. In the last century the life span of women has expanded statistically from 45-50 years to nearly 90 years. Running parallel to the increase in life expectancy, women’s lives have also expanded from three stages to four, psychologically and spiritually. If women are the metaphoric embodiments of the goddess in the flesh, if we are living metaphors of the goddess’ creative power as womb and tomb, and if we are living metaphors of the cycle of the seasons, as personified in the seasons of a life, then it is fundamental that the metaphors of the goddess have expanded right along with us. We are the goddess and she is us. Women cannot separate themselves from the goddess anymore than the goddess can separate herself from women. The goddess’ metaphors have transformed in the past, have done so again and will always continue to reflect the lives of women. I maintain that we are now squarely in four, Maiden, Mother, Regent, Crone. The four-fold goddess is one expression of the new emerging mythos that may, hopefully, find its full expression in the balancing of the masculine and feminine attributes within the psyche and in the external world.
Andrea holds an M.A degree in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology and is a Ph.D. candidate in the same field. She has created a coaching/counseling program that guides women during midlife and menopause to rediscover their authentic selves, so often back-burnered during the hectic householder years. In her creative and supportive workshops and one-on-one coaching/counseling, she incorporates the work of personal story and depth psychology, honoring the changes women’s psyches and bodies must navigate through the profound transformations of midlife and menopause. A writer, speaker, coach, and workshop facilitator, Andrea’s leadership in creative expression and group dynamics was honed for over 25 years as a producer and a director for the stage, in TV and video projects, and as a college adjunct instructor.
You can connect with Andrea through her website, Facebook, Instagram, and email.