The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess

Basically, I'm an atheist and thoroughgoing rationalist, but one that not only seeks to better understand spirituality but wishes I could find a way to express myself within it rationally. I thought a form of paganism might do, since it seeks to root spirituality within the earth, ie reality. So I bought this book, wanting to learn more about Neopaganism, since I had read this was the classic in the literature.

I'm afraid I found that there isn't much of a line between this kind of "spirituality" and the supernatural and just plain superstition. Invocations, herbal charms, spells? I found this was no more to my liking than mainstream Christianity.

And if was filled with its own myths, it's own distortions of reality and history. Nine show more million died in the persecution of witches? Reputable historians think no more than 100,000--and that's at the high end. Nor was it exclusively women--a majority condemned as witches were women, yes--but not anywhere near 80 percent. Yes, sexism and racism has had a horrible number of victims. But whether it's witch burnings or the Middle Passage of the Atlantic Slave Trade, we do no honor to those victims to so exaggerate the numbers we discredit their real suffering, and cause people who learn the truth to dismiss what they went through altogether. Similarly, I find Starhawk's claims for Modern Wicca having any continuity with a Pre-Christian past dubious.

Yet parts of The Spiral Dance called to my young self--as demonstrated by the number of lines I highlighted and pages I do-eared. The idea of the whole universe as what is sacred--and we're a part of it. Also, I've known many fine people who call themselves Pagan or Wiccan--including one of my closest friends. This book and the movement have had an influence. If only for that, to understand that phenomenon and its adherents better, this is a book worth reading. show less

A classic and foundational work for many modern, feminist Pagan communities. Starhawk writes with a poetic ferocity that is refreshingly self-reflective in the books continued reprints as she adjusts, alters and reinforces her magickal worldview. Starhawk is a Pagan Elder who walks their talk and the Spiral Dance inspires one to do the same.

THE book to read if you want to find out about paganism, and how to change reality through magic (yes, it really does exist). No hocus pocus here - just a primer on ritual and how it can transform your life. If you want to get the whole story on modern day witchcraft, you should contact the folks in Reclaiming or see your local Druid/Priestess. Central message in a nutshell: You create your own reality. Star is still becoming and we can transform ourselves too. Crunchy but tasty morsels of wonder - a personal favorite on many levels.

This is one of the classics of its genre; highly influential its a must read to understand much of what has been written since it was first published. The original is clearly of its time and much influenced by feminist theories, it also contains many historical inaccuracies - some of the more obvious errors, more extreme political opinions and all round fluffy-bunny approaches have been toned down by the authors modifications in the 10th and 20th anniversary editions so do check which you are reading.
Your opinion on this book is going to be severely coloured by preconceptions going into it - look for an empowering spirituality there it is, looking for religion or for dangerous hocus-pocus you can find either of those too. This is not a show more clear-headed persuasive argument but it offers practical advice as well as heartfelt opinion.
I do recommend reading this book but with a critical eye as well as an emotional reaction. Enjoy it, be inspired & read around the subject before deciding about it. show less

I found this book very inspiring and loved the practicality of it. A powerful book by a powerful woman.

While I felt that almost every chapter was incomplete somehow, the book was inspiring and made me hunger for more in my personal practice. More passion, more goddess, more earth, more spontanteity in ritual, just as she describes!

This is the one book you need on the topic of neo-paganism. Great introductory book, provides background, how-to get started, philosophy. It really has it all. Even worth reading for philosophical reasons if you aren't intrested in becoming a pagan.