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Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
by
Margot Adler
Now fully revised-the classic study of Neo-Paganism
Almost thirty years since its original publication, Drawing Down the Moon continues to be the only detailed history of the burgeoning but still widely misunderstood Neo- Pagan subculture. Margot Adler attended ritual gatherings and interviewed a diverse, colorful gallery of people across the United States, people who fin...more
Almost thirty years since its original publication, Drawing Down the Moon continues to be the only detailed history of the burgeoning but still widely misunderstood Neo- Pagan subculture. Margot Adler attended ritual gatherings and interviewed a diverse, colorful gallery of people across the United States, people who fin...more
Paperback, 672 pages
Published
October 3rd 2006
by Penguin (Non-Classics)
(first published 1979)
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Recommends it for:
Don't read this ('86) edition. Get the '06 version.
Shelves:
nonfiction,
reading-my-religion
One of the grandmamma books on modern Paganism. There's a lot of fascinating history in this book, but it's much more of a snapshot of 1979 Pagan America and England, plus a tiny bit of updating for the new edition. But the new stuff felt less like the reconsidering the subject deserves and more like "where are they now?" tack-ons to the original material. Many of the groups Adler profiled originally have dwindled or died entirely, and several groups and movements I know were active in...more
This gets 5 stars for influence.
A couple of years prior to this read I had a spontaneous spiritual emergency as I came out of a meditation sitting in the sand at Alki Beach in Seattle.
I was familiar by this time with Starhawk and Reclaiming and had met people at the pagan bookstores and had taken a class or two with some pagans.
This book was a matter of fact reading about who's who in the pagan subculture, some history and an introduction to paganism in genera...more
A couple of years prior to this read I had a spontaneous spiritual emergency as I came out of a meditation sitting in the sand at Alki Beach in Seattle.
I was familiar by this time with Starhawk and Reclaiming and had met people at the pagan bookstores and had taken a class or two with some pagans.
This book was a matter of fact reading about who's who in the pagan subculture, some history and an introduction to paganism in genera...more
Hmmm what to say about this book. Well it's pretty much an essential book to have on ones bookshelf if you are into the history of Neo-pagan resurgence in the UK and USA. Yes it is dated, including the updated and revised edition, but that shouldn't count much against it because it is impossible to have a constant updated work in print. The work goes into detail of early wicca and a number of the other alternative religious viewpoints. The chapter on the Feminists I pretty much skipped after...more
coming from a christian background, i was amazed at the different categories of alternative spiritualities in this book. was that pc enough? anyways..where else would i learn about a group of men called "radical faeries"!
A clearly written history of paganism in America, including witches, druids, heathens and the whole ungainly lot of us. The book was first published in 1979, and has undergone a couple major updates. I could wish that the revisions were better incorporated, but it would be almost impossible to keep up with the rate of change in the pagan community. She's made a fair attempt to keep current; still, half the internet links I looked up are now defunct. Some of the groups she covers in-depth sou...more
One of my many, many reading lists is suggested readings in Celtic lore. Many of these books are the type you can only find in the occult section of your book store, or in a specialized occult shop. I’ve never really let that bother me. These books often offer multiple versions of the same bit of folklore, or they offer conflicting interpretations of various symbols, and then I get to have a little fun doing the research necessary to determine which is the more widely-accepted one (or which is t...more
This book is still a wonderful classic despite its inaccuracies and Adler's confession that some of her research data was inflated. The main themes of the book, how pagan religion works, who practices it, and how they synthesize their lives still remain relevant. If someone was looking for a first time Wiccan/Pagan book, I would probably reccomend Ronald Hutton's "Triumph of the Moon" over this, however it is still a valuable and prominant Pagan text.
It's important to get the most currently updated version. I found the references section to be one of the most useful. It's not a "how to" book, or a B.O.S, it's more of a social study of paganism, the culture, history, beliefs, etc... It's definitely a worthwhile read, but it can be a difficult read. There is a lot of useful information to be found in it. As I said before, definitely get the most updated version you can find.
I really liked that this was written by a journalist. I normally can't take reading new age-y stuff because I feel like it's propaganda. This book takes a truly critical account of Paganism in America during the 70's and 80's. The best part is Margot Adler was not an outsider to the world of Paganism, personal accounts about her own experiences make for a more interesting read. I'd love an updated version!
I used to be really into Wicca during my late teens/early 20s. I read TONS of books on the subject but I no loner own any of them. This is the only title that I could remember so, it must have made an good impression. I do recall it being a more serious discussion and account of the craft than many of the of the other books which were probably intended more for young readers.
I'm not sure why I read this book in the first place. It was many years ago while I was in high school. Still I remember reading it and it did influence me. Not to become a pagan, but it did feed my curiosity about other ways of thinking. As I think of it, this may have been the start of my skepticism. I remember it being a book that I couldn't put down though.
I read Drawing Down the Moon my first year of university, disillusioned with the sneakily-backward Southern Baptist youth group at Florida State University, and with conservatives in general. At the sections about animism and heathenism, a light went off for me: I'd found a new world, even if I didn't have the community yet. This was one of the first non-fiction books I devoured; it has changed my field of possibilities.
In February 2007, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Margot Adle...more
In February 2007, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Margot Adle...more
As a dictionary/encyclopedic text it is a wonderful resource. Sadly, it is becoming increasingly outdated as paganism hurtles towards the future with exponential leaps in its evolution, seemingly, every year. It is pretty dense, but an invaluable asset on any pagan's bookshelf. Beware! It is NOT for the 101 or 201 group. Definitely an advanced read.
I've only skimmed this book, as I've only borrowed it. It's a comprehensive, scholarly study of a field of study which is sometimes lacking in decent and honest scholars. Over all, a good book I thought, and one I'd like to have and re-read.
after watching enough Buffy (a crude farce, i know) and reading about a local lady who fought for Pagan headstones in Arlington Cemetery, i realized i had zero knowledge of the subject. and that irritated me. thanks to Stefanie for lending me a copy; thus far it's pretty intriguing -- this lady obviously did her research.
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i've been chipping away at this book for a while now, but i think i finally have to put it down -- there's simply too much here to read. i do defini...more
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i've been chipping away at this book for a while now, but i think i finally have to put it down -- there's simply too much here to read. i do defini...more
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If you have any interest in neopaganism this book is a must read.
Margot Adler takes a true journalists approach to taking you through the many faces of paganism in modern society, though it is probably a bit dated by now.
Margot Adler takes a true journalists approach to taking you through the many faces of paganism in modern society, though it is probably a bit dated by now.
Interesting but pretty vanilla coverage of the topic. It's not going to change your mind if you are pro or con-Wicca. It's not a tell all and is somewhat sympathetic. I read this in the 90's. Margot Adler is an NPR correspondent.
Good coverage of Wiccan-based paganism, if a bit dated; other pagan faiths, not so good. However, there's really nothing else like this out there and it's an excellent look at paganism at a particular point in time.
I have a more current edition of this book. Excellent book to have in a library for someone that likes to reference information from all religions as this book touches on Wicca, druids and misc. pagan groups.
This is an excellent book for those people who are fed up with the empty, money hungry, power lusting of modern religion. This book shows you how to return to the original means of dealing with source
In retrospect this book probably could have been better written. However there is still a wealth of knowledge in it and you do get a good grasp on the past and present of the Craft.
It's dated somewhat, but I was still hugely pleased to read a scholarly work on (mostly American) neo-paganism. Fascinating. If only there were more rigorous works out there!
A fascinating read anthropologically, but a hard one to get through. Definitely worth the trouble though if you're into the development of pagan religions.
When i got this book i was starting to get into the wiccan religion. the author is a little weird at times. But all in all the book was interesting.
This book contains great overviews of many groups of Pagans. Its a great starting place for someone just discovering their inner Pagan.
Shallow-but-broad overview of a LOT of neopagan traditions. Good for the curious, it's an excellent introductory guide.
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler (1997)
I consider this a classic in modern Paganism. Indepth and informative, with a lot of the author's personal experiences.
A great resource on a subject often covered with a too "new-agey" approach. Plus, Adler rocks. Love her work on NPR.
excellent compilation of pagan groups; dry reading at times, but very informative
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