What is a priestess? Is she a ritualist? A leader? A shaman? A role model? A coach? A soothsayer? A sybil? Or is she all of these, or some of these, or none of these? This anthology is a vibrant tapestry of voices illuminating the roles and perspectives of priestesses in the ancient and modern worlds, and weaving them together to create the beautiful fabric of women's sacred service. The personal essays, academic articles, poetry, rituals and tools in this book will speak to your heart, inspiring you to step into your own spiritual authority.To see more about this volume and other Goddess Ink books, visit is at wwww.goddess-ink.com Welcome the new generation of Goddess culture makers! All that was taken away from women, our Heras, their names and deeds, the inventors of poems and prose, rituals and dances,we could still not fill the the gaping empty space if we published a million more books like this. But it is something. This work will be seeding the generations after us to continue the research, the relentless reclaiming, the constant agitation, to re create sisterhood. -- Z Budapest, Spiritual Elder of the Dianic Tradition and author of 13 books about the Goddess and her lost mythology, lore, culture. There are wise words here for those of us who have been burned, and soaring words for those who aspire to step into the title of "Priestess." This book is a balm for those of us who have held positions of power and then still had to carry out the garbage, and find a way to navigate through the deep projections of others. -- Ellen Evert Hopman , Herbalist and Druid Priestess, author of the "Priestess of the Forest" trilogy of Celtic novels and other volumes. What is a priestess? Is she a ritualist? A leader? A shaman? A role model? A coach? A soothsayer? A sybil? Or is she all of these, or some of these, or none of these? Stepping in to Ourselves: An Anthology of Writings on Priestesses is a vibrant tapestry of voices illuminating the roles and perspectives of priestesses in the ancient and modern worlds and weaving them together to create the beautiful fabric of women's sacred service. The personal essays, academic articles, poetry, rituals, and tools in this book will speak to your heart, inspiring you to step into your own spiritual authority. This book is like a luscious and well-appointed buffet dinner: scholarly essays, juicy stories, and thoughtful reflections, personal poems, songs and prayers. It is quite a satisfying meal! -- Vicki Noble, co-creator of Motherpeace, author of Shakti Woman and The Double Goddes sThis work will be seeding the generations after us to continue the research, the relentless reclaiming, the constant agitation, to re create sisterhood. -- Z Budapest, The Holy Book of Women's Mysterie s This book is a balm for those of us who have held positions of power and then still had to carry out the garbage. -- Ellen Evert Hopman, Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey ... a rich and inspiring offering...this world is a sacred place which women may help to heal if we but serve it as priestesses. -- Miriam Robbins Dexter, Whence the Goddesses and Sacred Display: Divine and Magical Female Figures of Eurasia Celebrates the priestess in all of us. -- Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, She Who Dwells Within: A Feminist Vision of Renewed Judaism and Trail Guide to the Torah of Nonviolence Enter this rich labyrinth of wisdom prepared to review every aspect of your own calling as a priestess. -- Holli Emore, Executive Director of Cherry Hill Seminary. This book is a must-read for beginning and mature priestesses.-- Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D., Pagan Every Day Candace Kant holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in history from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Ph.D. in history from Northern Arizona University.  She taught history, women's studies and religious studies at the College of Southern Nevada since 1976, Upon retirement she was awarded the title Emerita.  She develops and teaches courses in applied Pagan and Goddess Spirituality at the Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet in Cactus Springs, Nevada and through the College of Southern Nevada Continuing Education department.  She is a member of the faculty of Cherry Hills Seminary, the first Pagan seminary in the United States.  Anne Key Key is adjunct faculty in Women's Studies and Religious Studies at the College of Southern Nevada. A graduate of the Women's Spirituality Program of California Institute of Integral Studies, her investigations centered on Mesoamerica. Dr. Key was Priestess of the Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, located in Nevada, from 2004-2007. She currently resides in Albuquerque, NM with her husband, his five cats and  her snake, Asherah.                                                                                                                                                  Jalaja is an inspiring teacher, public speaker, counselor, author and circle leader. Fresh, c