does one analyse the relations the various objects enter into? How do those objects comprise and operate within larger religious assemblages and objects? How does one interpret the relevance of said objects for either the practitioners or the other objects? These questions are not to be ignored simply because object-oriented ontology places metaphysical analysis before that of epistemology. One simply proceeds with the conviction that there are real objects to be studied, and they are not enslaved to the human cogito and gaze. Humans are important, but they are not central.
With regard to my hypothesis that there are now two goddessoriented assemblages following their own trajectories, I share the
following, provisional findings. Initially, it is clear that within the Goddess
movement there are many religious objects which share common
relationships, and move in similar orbits to one another, blocking any easy
division into separate religious assemblages. For example, ceremonial,
magical and ritual objects seem to be interchangeable across the
movement. However, when one looks beyond these, and searches for
other significant objects and relationships, the findings shift, moving
toward the kind of categories and alliances of objects that I have proposed.
On the one hand, there are aggregations of objects whose affects and
causal powers cluster around an individual human practitioner and a set of
fairly discrete concerns, emotional states and material conditions. Textual
objects representative of these would be what may be called ‘spiritual
guides’, such as 21st Century Goddess, Teen Goddess and A Goddess is a Girl’s Best Friend.[1] All of these attempt to draw one range of objects, such
as crystals, oils, tarot decks, into a powerful alliance with others, such as
those of beauty, business, love and wealth. The blurb for 21st Century Goddess captures this particularly well:
Written by the Charlie's Angels of the New Age, this book will help you decide what to wear, how to choose the right man, decorate your
- ↑ J. Adams, J. Glisic and A. Paul, 21st Century Goddess: The Modern Girl's Guide to the Universe, London: Corgi Adult 2004; L. S. Brockway, A Goddess is a Girl’s Best Friend: A Divine Guide to Finding Love, Success and Happiness, New York: Perigee Books 2002; C. Wishart, Teen Goddess: How to Look, Love and Live Like a Goddess, Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2003. See also, D. Gisonni, The Goddess of Happiness: A Down to Earth Guide for Heavenly Balance and Bliss, Makawao, HI: Inner Ocean Publishing 2005; F. De Grandis, Be a Teen Goddess!: Magical Charms, Spells and Wiccan Wisdom for the Wild Ride of Life, New York: Citadel Press, 2005; L. Simpson, Awaken Your Goddess: A Practical Guide to Discovering a Woman's Power, a Woman's Glory, London: Gaia Books Ltd 2001.
