Women of the Celts by Jean Markale

Within our society’s patriarchal framework, the goddesses of the distant past have been obscured and buried. In Women of the Celts, Jean Markale shows us that they do still exist and sometimes rise triumphantly to rock the supposedly immoveable foundation of masculine society.

The Celts, who at one time occupied the whole of Europe, were a people who stood halfway between earlier matriarchal societies abd the later patriarchal Indo-European cultures.  Their laws and customs reveal an equality and harmony between men and women that is unique.  Celtic women enjoyed, among other things, equal ownership of property with men and widespread sexual freedom.

Jean Markale (May 23, 1928 in Paris – November 23, 2008) was the pen name of Jean Bertrand, a French writer, poet, radio show host, lecturer and high school French teacher who lived in Brittany. As a former specialist in Celtic studies at the Sorbonne, he researched pre-Christian and medieval culture and spirituality. He published numerous books about Celtic civilization, particularly the place of women in Celtic culture, and Arthurian literature.

Published by Inner Traditions

315 pages