Living Lilith: The Four Dimensions of the Cosmic Feminine [Paperback]

March 3, 2009: For those who might be interested in this book but would like to see a review first, I am writing this as a "place-holder," or "pre-review." In other words, it is praise for the author. (I am swamped and will write the actual book review after I have had a chance to read it.)

I have been on an email list for M. Kelley Hunter's astrology newsletters for quite a few years. This has given me the opportunity to know her as a powerful, evocative, insightful, and delightful writer -- she has a rare gift for humor as well as depth. In her frequent newsletters, she often mentions Lilith in conjunction with the Black Moon and other astrological elements. I am a cross-cultural mythologist, not an astrologer, yet I am fascinated by Kelley's tantalizing comments on the astrological role played by this ancient goddess. I enjoy Kelley's style and am certain this book will not disappoint. In fact, I suspect that it will catalyze an unexpected but powerful spiritual journey for many of us.

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REVIEW, January 16, 2010: As I noted in my "pre-review" last year, I have been on Kelley Hunter's mailing-list for several years and know her as an insightful astrologer with strong connections to the ancient goddess Lilith (Adam's untamed first wife, among other roles). I have been attracted to Lilith ever since reading J.R. Salamanca's eerie, hypnotic novel about a woman of the same name in the early 60's; Lilith is also a Sumerian goddess whose byform is an owl, my favorite bird. When I learned Hunter was writing this book, I had high expectations -- I wasn't disappointed.

Hunter points out that in one of the oldest Lilith myths (much older than Genesis), Lilith lives in a primal tree-of-life with a serpent and huge wild bird. Elsewhere, she is connected with wilderness, storms, disorder, sexuality, darkness, death -- i.e., earthly, physical matters. Hunter's primary focus, however, is not on Lilith as an Earth Goddess but on her importance as the "Cosmic Feminine," viewed through her four astral, or sky, dimensions.

Two of Lilith's sky-dimensions are easy for a non-astrologer like me to understand (physically, that is, not astrologically) because they exist visibly: first, the asteroid Lilith, orbiting between Mars and Jupiter; second, the bright star Algol (mischief-maker, ghoul, demon) in the Perseus constellation, a star "...sometimes called Lilith by the Hebrews" [p.11]; Hunter adds that Algol also "marks the paralyzing eye of Medusa" [p.25]. Thus, Algol, which has its own uncanny, dark reputation, also links two "Dark" Goddesses, Lilith and Medusa.

The remaining two of Lilith's sky-dimensions are more difficult because they have no visible existence. First, there is earth's Dark Moon "ghost" Lilith, about which Hunter writes: "perhaps it is a moon that used to be, or exists on an astral level" [p.18]. Personally, I love the idea of a moon "that used to be" and still is, at least astrally. It reminds me of earth's primeval forests, long-vanished yet still "alive" to the eye of anyone studying our planet from many light-years away. Such an observer would see, not some mystical astral-plane, but light from an *actual* earth that existed billions of years ago. There, the forests are still alive in their own reality -- so too, perhaps, "ghost" Moon Lilith.

The final sky-dimension is Black Moon Lilith. Hunter describes her as "not a body at all; [she is] ....an invisible but meaningful astronomical point of reference" [p.11]. Although I have no problems with a ghost, an asteroid, and a star, I can't make sense of this one -- probably it would take a brief animated film before I could understand it (others, of course, might grasp it instantly and instead balk at the ghost-moon). Regardless, Black Moon Lilith plays a significant role in astrology charts.

About these four astral dimensions of Lilith, Hunter has an elegant passage in which she explains: "Though there are distinctions to be made about the effects of the various Liliths, there are underlying themes that connect them, like playing the same note in different octaves. The interpretations of each Lilith are not to be taken as isolated from the others. Pluck one string, the others will vibrate" [p.12].

For me, shifting from heaven's confusing math and maps to the realm of music was a brilliant move. It gave me a much better understanding of the role of these four celestial Liliths. Hunter returns to the theme of musical octaves a few pages later, writing: "With a potential of dangerously repressed anger, Lilith requires channels of expression, conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation, therapy or marriage counseling, before charged explosions explode into abuse. The rage inherent in Asteroid Lilith is echoed, even amplified by the Lilith Star, Algol. Perhaps the asteroid offers a concentrated outlet for the star, which exists on a more remote, collective octave" [p.17].

Elsewhere, Hunter adds yet another layer of understanding: "Making up over 90% of the univese, dark energy presents incalculable potential in our collective process of conscious evolution. Perhaps Lilith works in this dimension" [p.31]. That insight opens up a vast range of exciting possibilities.

In addition to the four celestial Liliths, I was touched by Lilith's psychological role in Hunter's personal life. For example, about a time when she was playing Lilith for a dramatic presentation at the United Nations in 1993, she writes: "Working with Lilith lured me into deeper aspects of my self experience, as drama work often does. Exploring this character in a theatrical context underscored other aspects of my life and relationships. The creative work provided a channel through which to process an inner and outer transformation, as I came to recognize some darker emotions and to act more strongly from my person center.... Playing with this dark goddess constantly stretches my personal and theatrical boundaries. I enjoy allowing the power to move through me and to move my body, yet each time I must overcome some resistance in myself -- necessary when working with Lilith! I learn a great deal about myself in the process. I discover how I stay in my power and how easily I can lose it" [pp.52-53].

For those interested in Lilith's role in astrology, the book has a section focusing on her positions in the charts of well known male and female leaders, writers, artists, and thinkers. Although not an astrologer myself, I'm nevertheless inspired by Hunter's wealth of insightful information and find it useful in decoding some of the meanings of Lilith in my own chart (NOTE: an online link is provided where one can get a free chart with all four Lilith positions).

In summary, this well-written, well-illustrated, illuminating book offers a wide-ranging exploration of Lilith in dreams, myths, the arts, and wisdom traditions. There is heartbreak here too, for Hunter eloquently argues that Lilith's fury and "evil" reputation all express the widespread denegration, oppression, and mutilation of the feminine in the world's largely androcentric societies. If you resonate with mythology's "dark goddesses," and/or are interested in astrology, don't miss this one.

I enjoyed this book and am glad I bought it. I learned more about all the Liliths, the asteroid, the dark moon, the black moon, and the star Algol. However, I found the emphasis to be on the glamor and legends and mystic mumbo jumbo of the subject more than on the useful psychological mechanics of these major influences and their effects on human behavior. For that, at least as regarding the Dark Moon Lilith (by far the most powerful of these four Liliths in my experience) I will continue to rely on Delphine Jay's masterpiece INTERPRETING LILITH, a must-read for any astrologer or serious student of human nature. Bravo, Kelly Hunter, for writing possibly the finest book so far on the four Liliths together -- however, I would like to see more deep psychological insight into the affects of these powerful astrological influences on human behavior rather than the psychic glamor shows I have come to expect in their treatment thus far from the generally women's subjects writers who have interpreted Lilith from a woman's subjects point of view. Frankly, since men have Liliths too (just as they have nipples -- and if we were created in God's image, you fundamentalist Christians out there, why do men have nipples, does God have nipples too -- and if so, what for?) since men have Liliths too, Lilith is not so much a symbol of women's lib, as an aspect of human nature, representing, in my opinion, experience, and research, where our genius and wholeness lies, creative and realistic integration (leftbrain-rightbrain) yet also our division and separation and alienation when not manifested properly. As Delphine shows, Lilith must be used objectively, universally, and creatively -- then we flourish -- rather than subjectively, uncreatively, and for selfish motives -- or we suffer. Lilith forces us to be creative and universal and realistic -- and thus to be great! And to do great things! And help humanity creatively and realistically and idealistically with a passion! Or she kills us.

She is like a seductress, a magical Delilah for good.

Ultimately, the purpose and plan of Lilith needs to be presented more clearly in this book (or future books, Ms. Hunter), otherwise it becomes a lot of spaghetti, sound and movement signifying nothing, more confusing and scary than productive, more weird than scientific, in all the books I have read thus far on the subject other than Delphine Jay's INTERPRETING LILITH. More tables and clear demonstration of the affects of Lilith for the positive and negative, when used positively or negatively. Showing us not just what we have, but how to use it and amplify and balance it (often with a focus the opposite sign from Lilith, as well as the opposite sign from Lilith's solstice point, not discussed here -- possibly due to a fear of treading on Delphine's and Ivy's territory). More a scientific, graphic, meaningful, practical, and useful -- as well as artistic and creative -- approach.

In other words, more, a, well, Lilithian approach --

But don't get me on my soapbox ...

After all, I have Dark Moon Lilith in Gemini in the tenth.