MAPS
explore the stories behind the story of
The Ash Girl
facts, truths, images, links, treasures, and juicy bits by chapter
Reader Map
where in the world is The Ash Girl on its quest?
MAPS: Chapter 0
The Ash Girl opens in the North African region now more commonly called The Horn of Africa. In 1886 modern day Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia were a part of the Abyssinian and Nubian Empires. Why would the Greek Goddess, Artemis, be hunting so far from home? We might say that gods and goddesses as storied forces of nature know no boundaries of place; we might also look to historic record.
MAPS: Chapter 5
Eritrea: Birthplace of Asmeret. How in the world did I come up with that? When this story emerged from my personal journal writing (with a sudden shift to third person) “She stood on the edge of the cliff . . .” I knew we were in Africa, but I had only been to South Africa and I sensed that we were north.
MAPS: Chapter 7
You Thoth Tarot readers may already have visions of Asmeret as a bit of The Hermit dancing in you heads. And you are right.
The rest of you are crying, “Wait! I thought Asmeret was the Princess of Disks?!?”
She is, and more.
MAPS: Chapter 9
9 Stories of Goddess Energy Rising
Inspired by The Ash Girl
click on an image to follow the path to goddess work all over the world—opens in new window
MAPS: Chapter X
Arsema’s 13th year initiation ritual and painted tattoos were inspired by all nine of the ethnic groups that comprise the Eritrean nation, while faithful to not any one.
MAPS: Chapter XI
Freya, The Fortuneteller, came into this story much as Charlotte and Alicia did—a thin wisp of character whose voice and story grew more insistent until I had to make the space they demanded.