This thesis will examine the re-emerging interest that modern western society has with the practi... more This thesis will examine the re-emerging interest that modern western society has with the practice of sacred sexuality, what it is; who are the practitioners; and what services are being offered. Historical research of Hieros Gamos or ‘sacred marriage’ rituals that occurred in the Goddess religions of the past and other ancient cultures, provide the basis from which I compare and contrast what influence those practices had (if any) on attitudes, values and behaviours of contemporary practitioners. In seeking out the modern day sacred prostitute, I uncover the new religious movement known as Goddess Spirituality and investigate its emergence from the womens’ feminist movement and chart its growth. The interviews of five women who I deem to be modern day sacred prostitutes are reported and I explore their personal stories. Wider attitudes to any sexual service that receives a payment attracts a social stigma. I intend to explore how these women see themselves placed within this social context, how they distinguish their services and if they view their work as creating social change. I strive to discover the links between the practices of the Goddess temples, the rituals and sexual attitudes of the ancient past and attempt find them manifest in the modern day practitioner
This thesis will examine the re-emerging interest that modern western society has with the practi... more This thesis will examine the re-emerging interest that modern western society has with the practice of sacred sexuality, what it is; who are the practitioners; and what services are being offered. Historical research of Hieros Gamos or ‘sacred marriage’ rituals that occurred in the Goddess religions of the past and other ancient cultures, provide the basis from which I compare and contrast what influence those practices had (if any) on attitudes, values and behaviours of contemporary practitioners. In seeking out the modern day sacred prostitute, I uncover the new religious movement known as Goddess Spirituality and investigate its emergence from the womens’ feminist movement and chart its growth. The interviews of five women who I deem to be modern day sacred prostitutes are reported and I explore their personal stories. Wider attitudes to any sexual service that receives a payment attracts a social stigma. I intend to explore how these women see themselves placed within this social context, how they distinguish their services and if they view their work as creating social change. I strive to discover the links between the practices of the Goddess temples, the rituals and sexual attitudes of the ancient past and attempt find them manifest in the modern day practitioner
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Papers by Kerri Ryan