Pagan Portals – Mestra the Shapeshifter

Ancient Heroine of the Sacred Grove

by Dianna Rhyan

Follow Mestra the shapeshifter through sacred groves and ancient seas, where lyrical voices evoke forgotten worlds of peril and beauty. She invites you on a journey to re-enchant the world, to discover unforeseen landscapes where primeval spirits, nymphs, and priestesses dance together. Goddesses shelter mysteries here, nurtured by prophetic trees, watered by wellsprings of the spirit. A luminous mystical maiden who is also a cunning trickster, escape artist, lover, and beast, Mestra is more than a figment of imagination. Exploring her ancient myth evokes the deep foreknowing of Earth, the dynamic energy of wild creatures, the pull of elemental forces, and the strength of immortal passions. Her transformations call us to seasonal cycles of change, and beckon us into the heart of nature’s sacred powers. Mestra embodies the vibrant, evergreen potential that dwells in the female psyche, accessible to us all.

REVIEW

5 out of 5

I must admit, this book is the first time I can really clearly remember hearing of Mestra. The book is well-organized and researched, and brings to light the fragments that are known about her. The opening chapter, Mysteries of Mestra piqued my interest, and painted a beautiful and intriguing picture of someone so little known. The deeper you get, the more fragments of poetry you get to read, the more of a picture that forms. It’s a bit sad that more records regarding her didn’t survive, although I’m grateful for what did. The journaling ideas were brilliant, and really help you find a deeper connection not just to Mestra and her journey, but to your own life and journey. I highly recommend checking out the glossary at the back before beginning, and if you’d like further reading, the bibliography is extremely helpful.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dianna Rhyan is a mythologist and therapist whose work focuses on forgotten voices, nature goddesses, and the spirituality of sacred landscapes. She has a PhD in Ancient Greek and Latin, and taught college for thirty years. She has been a visiting scholar on archaeological excavations in Greece and Cyprus, where she explored women’s devotion to rural shrines, and the ancient evidence for women’s veils. When not delving into archaic myth or studying Sumerian, she can be found exploring the Cuyahoga Valley trails of northeast Ohio with her swift-footed husband, hiking crone companions, and assorted wise dogs.