Welcome

We are the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology, a 501c3 nonprofit member organization. Our mission is to support scholarly and creative endeavors that elucidate aspects of the sacred feminine, women and mythology.

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 Click HERE for 2026 Symposium Information!

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Art images © Lydia Ruyle.: The colorful banners on this page were created by our long-time friend and advisor, the late beloved Lydia Ruyle.

News

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2026 Symposium Presenter: Carla Ionescu

Presenting for the 2026 Online ASWM Symposium (May 3), Dr. Carla Ionescu draws on case studies from Artemis sanctuaries to examine how the reduction of hundreds of offerings to a small, aestheticized selection alters interpretation and dimishes the cultural significance of goddess cults.

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2026 Symposium Presenter: Judy Grahn

Judy Grahn, who is presenting “Spirit Talks to Us, but How Do We Know?” for the ASWM 2026 Online Symposium (May 3), explores the question, could all beings live in a possible “common mind” from which our mass culture has disconnected, but which is only a heartbeat and some concentrated attention away?

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2026 Online Symposium: “Reimagining Goddess Scholarship: At the Edges of Sacred Knowledge”

Reimagining Goddess Scholarship:  At the Edges of Sacred Knowledge

Sunday, May 3 2026  

Passing Water Forward, by Leah Dorion (acrylic and glass bead gel, 2013)

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This symposium is a conversation that focuses closely on the question of “Who holds/gives voice to sacred knowledge?”  A spacious schedule allows us to create dialogues among speakers and members. Our program features three  panels on issues that we are often asked to consider.  In this online format we  are able to feature panelists from a wide range of disciplines and locations. Our featured speaker,  Dr. Apela Colorado, Director of the Worldwide Indigenous Sciences Network, will respond to panelists’ work, adding important context and exploring the spaces between Western and Indigenous knowledge.

Panel 1: Gatekeeping Material Culture 

Panel 2: Revitalizing Sacred Ceremony 

Panel 3: Dethroning Human Hubris 

Registration is now open for Members and Nonmembers. Because of the focus of this year’s program, we also have a special category for International Nonmembers who are just learning about ASWM.

Note: For those in need, a discount offer will appear on the MEMBER and INTERNATIONAL registration forms, after clicking the REGISTRATION FEES box.

MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS
INTERNATIONAL NON-MEMBERS

We are grateful to Métis artist Leah Marie Dorion for sharing her artwork “Passing Water Forward” for our ASWM event. Leah  is a Métis writer and artist currently living near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her artwork celebrates the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and families. She has also authored books forMétis children and illustrated other books on Métis culture.  See more about Leah and her work here.

 

Mission & Policies

Mission Statement

The Association for the Study of Women and Mythology (ASWM) supports the work of those whose scholarly/creative endeavors explore or elucidate aspects of the sacred feminine, and archetypes and images of women, including their relationships with other sentient beings in ecological context. Through conferences, publications, online presentations, interviews, and networking, ASWM opens dialogue among disciplines, individuals and spiritual traditions. We encourage collaboration within an atmosphere of mutual respect, and we support the development of appropriate and respectful methodologies for independent and inter-disciplinary research, within and across cultural traditions. Scholars and creative artists in all media whose work deals with female divinity, as well as those interested in the work of such scholars and artists, are welcome to join and participate in ASWM’s activities.

Diversity Statement

It is the purpose of ASWM events to bring together people of diverse disciplines and backgrounds, in order to develop and strengthen scholarship concerning women in mythology and the female divine. Participation of all people from diverse cultural, spiritual, racial and ethnic backgrounds is encouraged. We do not advocate or exclude any view, nor do we permit proselytizing. Respect for each other’s views is essential for the success of our events and our organization.

Code of Conduct

In order to foster a positive and professional learning environment, we expect participants to follow the  ASWM code of conduct.

Membership

Click here to learn more about becoming a member.

More About Us

About ASWM: Who We Are, What We Do, How to Get Involved