Cheap Spiral Dance, The - 20th Anniversary : A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition (Book) (Starhawk) Price

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Customer Reviews of Spiral Dance, The - 20th Anniversary : A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition

Solid but controversial
OK, I'll say this up-front. Starhawk is very, very political. She is a strong proponent of feminism and the environment. She is out to change societal sex-role conditioning for both males and females. She uses Dion Fortune's definition of magic, "the art of changing consciousness at will", and interprets it to mean both magical and political consciousness. If you're dead-set against ecofeminism, maybe you shouldn't read this book. If you prefer not to mix your spirituality with your politics, you might have to skip some chapters. If you tune out whenever psychobabble commences, you may have to skip some chapters. That said, let's go on...

One of the reasons _The Spiral Dance_ has become such a classic in NeoPagan circles is its "magic education" exercises. Starhawk gives the reader "homework" in energy-raising, concentration, grounding and centering, trance, and more. This is the most complete source I have seen on this kind of work. Her exercises have been borrowed and recycled in many more recent books. If you've read any Wicca 101 books, you've probably read versions of Starhawk's exercises, whether you know it or not. All of them are useful in some way, and can help you learn to use the powers of your mind for magic.

I also must rave about the breathtaking beauty Starhawk's language achieves from time to time. I'm a woman, so I don't know what a man feels when reading this book, but I find it a wonderful mood-booster when I'm going through tough times. Just read the passage beginning, "Mother Goddess is awakening, and we can begin to reclaim our primal birthright, the sheer intoxicating joy of being alive." Just read some of the ritual poetry written by Starhawk and her coven. The goosebumps on your arms and the tears in your eyes--now that's magic.

Starhawk envisions a world transformed by spiritual power, a world where women are strong and powerful and comfortable in their bodies, and a world where men are free of the urge to "one-up" each other and free to show emotion. It's an inspiring idea. If you like this sort of thing, or if you want a comprehensive set of magical exercises, or if you want to read some gorgeously written Pagan rituals, by all means, get a copy of this classic.

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marvelous - and extremely useful
The Spiral Dance is magnificient - I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Starhawk has done a truly outstanding job of providing the reader with an excellent groundwork for an introduction to wicca, providing invocations, rituals and meditations. But what I found most useful were her numerous mental exercises designed to develop awareness, improve visualization and meditaiton techniques. They have been extremely valuable to me.

Starhawk discusses the various aspects of Witchcraft at length as well, which is also useful reading. Chapters are devoted to the Goddess, the God, summoning and grounding energy, casting - everything one would expect in a book for beginner practioners but with much more depth in explaining the "whys" rather then simply the "hows."

I would only add that the book is a little "advanced" for many new to witchcraft or wicca - the writing is pretty mature and techincal, albiet very good. If you have read Cunningham or Sliverwolf (who are both good), and are looking for something a little more mature, this would be my first choice. Enjoy! And bright blessings.

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A good book for beginners on this path
This is a good starter book, for those intersted in the "ancient ways" and the "old religion". If you have read more than a few books on this subject already, you should probably look elsewhere.