The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition by Starhawk
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Book Reviews of The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition
Book Review: The Spiral Dance is NOT Wicca
Summary: 2 Stars
It is true that this book has had an impact on modern Wicca, but it is also the simple truth that Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance" and "Reclaiming Tradition" are not actually Wiccan, was inspired by a faddish notion of an ancient Goddess Monotheism and utopia that has no basis in reality, and is more a political movement than a spiritual movement.Book Review: If you think you want to be a witch, read this book.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Spiral Dance is the first book I would recommend for anyone who wants to work with women in ritual space with earth centered spirituality. Her Starhawk's writing is clear, specific and practical. She has revised her classic feminist work to include working with men and children in sacred space.
The Spiral Dance is a must-read for pagans, witches, or other folks who want to know how to work ritual in sacred spaces.
Book Review: Wonderful book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed this book a lot. It gives a you a look at the positive aspects of Wicca and helps diffuse the myths that most people believe about witchcraft.Book Review: Read it with three bookmarks
Summary: 5 Stars
I read it when I first started studying Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism, and then didn't read it for a few years.
Somehow, in that time, I saw so many reviews talking about how it was so 'Goddess/women focused', 'not balanced', blah blah blah...
It's really odd how other people's opinions can colour your perception like that, because I'd started believing it, to the extent I'd forgotten it even *had* a chapter on the God, let alone that it was the same size as the one on the Goddess. Weird.
And on the reread - it was pretty decent to start with, and in all the bits that I had questions or doubts, she's updated it with her commentary.
You WILL want to read the commentary as you go, so read it with three bookmarks, so you can flick back and forth. I respect that she wanted to let the original work stand alone, flaws and all, but for something written in her 20s, in the climate of the late 70s, it still stands up pretty damn well.
It's more group practice than solitary, but it's a classic for a reason.
Book Review: Inspiring, and a great beginning
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the first book I ever bought about witchcraft or paganism. Because of this, it will always hold an extremely special place in my heart and my bookshelf. It is one of those books that makes you want to be a more spiritual person, work harder, and throw off your chains. When I feel myself flagging, this is the book I pick up. Her exercises are excellent for those who have no starting point, because they are not too complicated and they work on developing very essential skills that will be used later, like visualization. Her slant is definitely on the feminist side. However, I would not say that she devalues men. By going for equality in this way, it can be seen as hating men. If you are a man and are planning to get this book, be forewarned. She does not give the same treatment to the God as she does to the Goddess. If you read her notes in the back, she does explain why she didn't, and she helps the situation somewhat. Just be prepared for that. It is called the "Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess" for a reason. Her sample invocations are beautiful, and very different. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an inspirational, wonderful read.