New book release: Goddess with a Thousand Faces

A highly anticipated book by Exeter-based author Jasmine Elmer has hit the shelves today.

Goddess with a Thousand Faces is a feminist deep dive into the historical legacies of 10 different ancient goddesses, spanning across cultures and time periods.

Jasmine’s background is in classical Greek and Roman mythology, but she considers herself an ancient world expert as opposed to an academic.

Through this book, Jasmine hopes to make her subject more accessible and help women reconnect to their feminine selves, encouraging them to find natural balance in a currently imbalanced world.

Jasmine discussed the thought process behind her selection of goddesses, explaining that much of it was organic and based on instinct. 

“I knew there would be a Greek or a Roman goddess in there because I needed to have some anchored in ones that we knew. But the whole point of it was to put them alongside goddesses that we’d never heard of so that they’re all on an equal playing field.

“I really wanted to make sure that I was representing women from all different types of cultures. My research was almost geographical at first, but it sort of evolved to an interest of feminine qualities within a culture. I knew that there would be some gem in there that felt right to include.”

Goddess with a Thousand Faces roughly divides each chapter into three sections: a fictional retelling of a famous myth, an overview of the goddesses' historical context, and a reflective moment that encourages modern-day readers to identify with these divine icons.

“What I’m doing with the book, I believe, is quite unique. It’s a brand of history I call History with Soul. I think people have to literally feel their history in their own hearts; otherwise, there’s no point. 

“I wanted to weave storytelling that’s really emotive and captures your heart, imagination, and feelings first, and then give you what you need to situate that. At the end of every chapter, I wanted the reader to have some self-reflection so they could make it their own.”

Jasmine also said that she found the contextual element of her chapters the most challenging to write. 

“The history section was the hardest part to write because you’re trying to summarise an entire culture. You want to make it accessible without dumbing it down, but there’s a very fine balance.”

Growing up in a mixed-race family on a council estate in the East End of London, Jasmine is well aware of how far removed the ancient world can feel from our contemporary one. 

“I didn’t have any classics courses at my school. We end up learning that the subject is elitist and too difficult. It was really important to me that the book was conversational and relatable because I wanted to make sure everyone could read it. I want people to cherish their inner geek, and that's why there’s a bibliography, so that readers can discover their interests and find out more.”

So why is it important for people to slow down and seek a connection to the ancient past?

“My general view of the world today is that we are too far into our masculine—life has become all about productivity and busyness, working and pushing, pushing, pushing. We’re out of balance. The feminine side, in a spiritual sense, is more about nurture, slowing down.

“When you look at the ancient world, they were more in sync with these balances than we are today. Not always, but generally. My personal belief is that these goddesses aren’t real, but what I do think is that they symbolise the natural balances of the world. I don’t think we as a modern world are doing that very well. I would like people to be able to find their way back to balance, and if they do that through my goddesses, then wicked; if not, fine. The important thing is that we need it back. 

“The older you get as a woman, the more pissed off about this you're going to feel. Fact."

Jasmine only started her writing career three years ago, but during this time she has also worked on podcasts and for Channel Five television shows.

You can stay up to date with new announcements on her website, and Goddess with a Thousand Faces is available to buy on Waterstones.