History and description of the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

This richly illustrated study examines how the Black Madonna has become a symbol of national identity, resistance against oppression, and empowerment for the female populations of such diverse cultures as Poland and Cuba.

Read China Galland's posts on the Penguin Blog With this book, China Galland brought increased attention to the spiritual traditions of the Black Madonna and other cross-cultural expressions of the feminine divine. The popularity of recent works by authors like Sue Monk Kidd and Kathleen Norris have only increased readers’ fascination. Now with a new introduction by the author, Longing for Darkness explores Galland’s spellbinding and deeply personal journey from New Mexico through Nepal, India, Switzerland, France, the former Yugoslavia, and Poland—places where such figures as Tara, the female Buddha of the Tibetan tradition, and the Black Madonna are venerated today.

The Moonlit Path is an anthology of writing by figures from throughout the spiritual world on the dark feminine. Known variously as Lilith, Kali, the Black Madonna, Morrigan, Guadalupe, and Tara, the dark feminine appears in many cultures and throughout the ages. "It is only by embracing her,"writes Murray Stein in his preface, "that we can learn intelligent tolerance of paradox, tough-minded respect for important differences, and compassion for the alien other in our midst."