Unearthing Venus: My Search For the Woman Within
Cate Montana, 2013
Watkins
300 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781780285979
Summary
Network TV editor and journalist Cate Montana was raised in a man's world to be “one of the guys." Then, while on a writing assignment, a chance encounter with a shaman set her on the path of understanding the illusive power of the feminine.
In a riveting recapitulation of her life Cate discovers the devastating absence of feminine qualities within herself and the withering personal and global consequences of having only one paradigm available for her to express through: the masculine "P" values of Power, Possessions, Profit, and Progress.
An intelligent, compellingly honest and frequently funny memoir of a modern woman's search for her unrecognized feminine spirit, Unearthing Venus is both a visionary and everywoman story that brilliantly captures what it is to be a woman today and everyday.
Author Bio
• Birth—August 4, 1951
• Where—Middleburg, Virginia, USA
• Education—B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., University of West Georgia
• Currently—lives in Olympia, Washington
Author of Unearthing Venus: My Search for the Woman Within (Watkins) co-author of The Heart of the Matter: Discovering Gifts in Strange Wrapping Paper (Hay House) with Dr. Darren Weissman, and co-author of GhettoPhysics with “What the Bleep Do We Know!?” creator Will Arntz, Cate Montana’s work focuses on self-realization and the resurrection and implementation of feminine life values and sustainable lifestyles.
As one of the West’s emerging spokespersons expanding our understanding of sexuality and the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine forces, Cate’s insights and powerfully engaging talks and guest appearances have hosts of such shows as the Virtual Light Broadcast and Voice America’s “Awakening to Consciousness” rebooking and asking for more. And as a former spokesperson and marketing writer for the film “What the Bleep Do We Know!? and editor of the film’s vastly popular, consciousness-raising newsletter, "The Bleeping Herald," she has an excellent grasp on the physics of consciousness and human potential.
As a journalist, Cate has published hundreds of articles in the mainstream media. Prior to her writing and publishing career she freelanced as a TV editor for ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, ESPN and the BBC. Currently she is conducting feminine power and gender awareness seminars and writing the second book in the Unearthing series called Beyond Perfection: Healing Religious Trauma Syndrome and the Old Story of Unworthiness. She lives in the Pacific Northwest—for now! (From the author.)
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Book Reviews
I’m not easily impressed by many books, but I regard this book as possibly delivering the most important message of our time.
Sandie Sedgebeer - Virtual Light Broadcast
A literary masterpiece and a compelling everywoman’s story
Regina Meredith - Gaiam TV co-founder and host of “Open Minds"
The revelations are incredibly impressive and stimulating.
Grady Harp - TOP 50 Amazon reviewer
A compelling view of a woman coming into her power, it’s inspired compassion and given me a clearer view of how easy I’ve had it as a man in a man’s world.
Bruce Smith, ed. - Mountain News
A true tale, Unearthing Venus reads like a gripping novel filled with outlandish characters and circumstances, interesting locales, and astonishing bravery by an everyday heroine. Readers will be captivated by the humor, raw honesty, heartwarming tone, and unexpected insights along this unconventional journey, which eventually yields personal awakenings but also universal lessons about the struggles that women in particular, but humanity in totality endures as a consequence of the feminine values being denied, denigrated and violated.
Julie Clayton - New Consciousness Review
Discussion Questions
1. You say that Western women are not truly liberated. Could you explain this?
2. A newspaper interview with a shaman triggered your exploration of the Feminine and the writing of this book. What was the story and why was it so powerful?
3. You speak about the shame patriarchal religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam have instilled in women. Do you think religion still affects women’s view of themselves and their health and general happiness?
4. Alcoholism and drug use rates have sharply risen amongst women in the last 30 years. In your view what are the main contributing factors to this trend?
5. You’ve been quoted as saying, “The feminine is not a gender. Neither is the masculine. Feminine and masculine are archetypes, patterns and ways of being… specific qualities inherent in man and woman.” Could you please explain this?
6. You talk about the “Penis Values” of Power, Possessions, Profit and Progress and how they mold Western culture. Can you really ascribe these values to men only?
7. What are the “Vagina Values” you speak of?
8. How has Western spirituality been affected by the current masculine social model? How have these masculine values affected modern spiritual movements such as Unity and the New Age/New Thought movements?
9. In your view, women’s liberation has translated into an unnatural over-sexualizing of women, with men as the primary benefactors. Could you please talk about this?
10. How can women and men come into better relationship balance?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)