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Grandmother Moon: Lunar Magic in Our Lives--Spells, Rituals, Goddesses, Legends, and Emotions Under the Moon
Inviting us to "look" at the moon as the old ally she is," renowned feminist witch Zsuzsanna Budapest shows how to tap into the moon's power for peace, health, and energy. With delightful wit and wisdom, she shares practical and entertaining lunar lore, from ancient moon-based rituals to lunar cycle diet tips. Budapest reveals how, by acting in harmony with the moon, women can balance everything from their mood and weight to fertility. Here is a spirited illumination of the natural cycles that influence our lives.
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 30, 2012
Recently I have gone back in the chronology of pagan and witchcraft literature to examine, to refresh my thoughts and workings as I have reached a plateau in my spiritual progress. I acquired Z. Budapest's revised classic “Grandmother Moon”. Organized by the lunar calendar, each cycle includes a Goddess myth, message from an associated deity, a “moontide” section which describes a possible obstacle during the cycle, spells, world lunar festivals, a lunar herb and other folkloric tidbits told in the style Budapest is best known for: through connections in her personal anecdotes. Each moon is named for the energy, coinciding with the common names from almanacs and “old wives tales”.
The introduction gave me a revelation I was not expecting. Z discusses a possible explanation for the separation of the humanoid primates we once were into up-right, speaking homosapiens, suggesting the shift occurred not by the once thought agricultural revolution but when we ceased being entirely solar creatures and transformed into the lunar beings we are now. Something I have never thought of: Why are human women the ONLY mammals which bleed monthly? Early humans would seasonally go into heat, much like modern primates. At some point this changed...our bodies began to synchronize with the tidal lunar energy, bringing an ebb and flow of magical energy. From a biological perspective this gave our species a better rate of growth, since we could ovulate more frequently. With this came a surge in population growth, more people to help feed and care for the rest. Men were kinda left behind in a physical sense but still could plant and harvest according to the phases of the moon; and many successful gardeners still do.
Her storytelling is one of the things which most people find so endearing about her personality and it comes through in several examples. One in which I found particularly interesting is the recollection Budapest makes about a family conversation when visiting back home. The heated political passion of her family is shown her spiritual-warrior self. In discussing the past hardships of her home country, Budapest offers two perspectives to the readers: through her families eyes and her own, being the daughter who returns to see the aftermath of war; something pagans here in the United States rarely can say to understand. Budapest recalls a workshop she gives in her home country and I was surprised to read the reaction from the women, public and media... all were so positive and full of support; unlike the combative stance she gets in her adoptive culture of American Paganism. If Americans had gone through the similar experiences of being caught in one corrupt government after another, with their rights taken away including choice of religion or property ownership, I think we would appreciate someone holding a flame in the wind and dark.
Budapest has always been a radical, never wavered from her political-spiritual ambitions and often says things many do not want to say, but they need to be said. Her personal views may be from another time, but as she becomes the Grandmother Moon, her wisdom is timeless at the core. I think before people make a judgment about who she is and what she teaches, they should pick up this book.
The introduction gave me a revelation I was not expecting. Z discusses a possible explanation for the separation of the humanoid primates we once were into up-right, speaking homosapiens, suggesting the shift occurred not by the once thought agricultural revolution but when we ceased being entirely solar creatures and transformed into the lunar beings we are now. Something I have never thought of: Why are human women the ONLY mammals which bleed monthly? Early humans would seasonally go into heat, much like modern primates. At some point this changed...our bodies began to synchronize with the tidal lunar energy, bringing an ebb and flow of magical energy. From a biological perspective this gave our species a better rate of growth, since we could ovulate more frequently. With this came a surge in population growth, more people to help feed and care for the rest. Men were kinda left behind in a physical sense but still could plant and harvest according to the phases of the moon; and many successful gardeners still do.
Her storytelling is one of the things which most people find so endearing about her personality and it comes through in several examples. One in which I found particularly interesting is the recollection Budapest makes about a family conversation when visiting back home. The heated political passion of her family is shown her spiritual-warrior self. In discussing the past hardships of her home country, Budapest offers two perspectives to the readers: through her families eyes and her own, being the daughter who returns to see the aftermath of war; something pagans here in the United States rarely can say to understand. Budapest recalls a workshop she gives in her home country and I was surprised to read the reaction from the women, public and media... all were so positive and full of support; unlike the combative stance she gets in her adoptive culture of American Paganism. If Americans had gone through the similar experiences of being caught in one corrupt government after another, with their rights taken away including choice of religion or property ownership, I think we would appreciate someone holding a flame in the wind and dark.
Budapest has always been a radical, never wavered from her political-spiritual ambitions and often says things many do not want to say, but they need to be said. Her personal views may be from another time, but as she becomes the Grandmother Moon, her wisdom is timeless at the core. I think before people make a judgment about who she is and what she teaches, they should pick up this book.
June 2, 2018
Grandmother Moon is organized around the 13 full moon cycles in each year. It includes a mix of lore, personal essays, spells, and astrology. Although this is an interesting structure, sometimes it feels a bit scattered and overwhelming when taken as a whole.
Z. Budapest doesn't age as well as some other Pagan writers. She is a feminist radical, and while I'm not saying that's necessarily a BAD thing, I'm not comfortable with all of her conclusions. Yes, patriarchy and capitalism are awful and Wicca/Witchcraft is a way to fight that. The problem is that Budapest doesn't leave much room in her work for men to grow and change and become feminist allies. I think that's unfortunate, especially now when lots of men are earnestly looking for ways to not be oppressive/sexist jerks (and it's equally true that many are still desperately clinging to the old ways, but that doesn't mean we should throw the baby out with the bathwater).
On my second read, I also felt uncomfortable with Budapest's drawing goddesses from colonized and marginalized cultures, like Native American tribes and Aztec/Inca lore. It's not that she's being overtly exploitative or gross about it, but she writes AS these goddesses. As a white woman, I'd be extremely uncomfortable putting words in the mouth of any goddess from a culture I can't claim. Learning about and studying culture, myths and lore is important for any witch, but CLAIMING that culture as part of the broader feminist/goddess movement ignores the very real (and often very contemporary!) beliefs and practices of people of that culture or faith.
Despite those caveats, I still think Budapest is an important Wiccan and feminist writer to read--she definitely helped shape the goddess movement in America and Europe, and she offers valuable wisdom and advice. As with any text, Witches or Witches-To-Be should read with open eyes, open heart, and open mind and draw their own informed conclusions.
Z. Budapest doesn't age as well as some other Pagan writers. She is a feminist radical, and while I'm not saying that's necessarily a BAD thing, I'm not comfortable with all of her conclusions. Yes, patriarchy and capitalism are awful and Wicca/Witchcraft is a way to fight that. The problem is that Budapest doesn't leave much room in her work for men to grow and change and become feminist allies. I think that's unfortunate, especially now when lots of men are earnestly looking for ways to not be oppressive/sexist jerks (and it's equally true that many are still desperately clinging to the old ways, but that doesn't mean we should throw the baby out with the bathwater).
On my second read, I also felt uncomfortable with Budapest's drawing goddesses from colonized and marginalized cultures, like Native American tribes and Aztec/Inca lore. It's not that she's being overtly exploitative or gross about it, but she writes AS these goddesses. As a white woman, I'd be extremely uncomfortable putting words in the mouth of any goddess from a culture I can't claim. Learning about and studying culture, myths and lore is important for any witch, but CLAIMING that culture as part of the broader feminist/goddess movement ignores the very real (and often very contemporary!) beliefs and practices of people of that culture or faith.
Despite those caveats, I still think Budapest is an important Wiccan and feminist writer to read--she definitely helped shape the goddess movement in America and Europe, and she offers valuable wisdom and advice. As with any text, Witches or Witches-To-Be should read with open eyes, open heart, and open mind and draw their own informed conclusions.
August 8, 2018
Disappointing. Far too Wiccan to be labeled Women's Studies. The dramatic dialogues, etc. were all rather annoying...and the whole section promoting drug use was rather disturbing. Personally, I do not believe mind-altering drugs are necessary to have an ideal relationship with nature. If you enjoy Wicca how-to books...you will enjoy this one; if you seek moon lore without a Wiccan bent, keep browsing.
March 15, 2020
I've read Grandmother Time many years ago, so was nice to delve into this one as well.
Beautifully put together just like the Time book, with an assigned Goddess, Moon festivals and rituals. And I love the Moon stories as well.
A nice book, and occasionally a sentence that spoke to my soul, or a ritual that I thought.... Oh this sounds good.
Still 1 more book I'd like to read by Z. So maybe will get to it this year 💜
Beautifully put together just like the Time book, with an assigned Goddess, Moon festivals and rituals. And I love the Moon stories as well.
A nice book, and occasionally a sentence that spoke to my soul, or a ritual that I thought.... Oh this sounds good.
Still 1 more book I'd like to read by Z. So maybe will get to it this year 💜
October 3, 2019
About half way through I wanted to quit but hung on and I’m glad I did.
January 26, 2021
A valuable book in all senses, for all the senses. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2021
3.5
Me gusto que contara experiencias suyas, fue muy interesante.
Me gusto que contara experiencias suyas, fue muy interesante.
October 19, 2022
There is a lot going on in this book…
May 17, 2024
Me gustó el libro, sin duda expandió mis horizontes y aprendí muchas cosas, abrió mi mente.
November 23, 2024
Tal vez la edición que leí era muy antigua por eso la puntuación. La información que da es muy buena y pocas veces me he encontrado con un libro con tanto detalle
January 29, 2017
I adore Zsuzsanna E. Budapest's work! This book is straight up fabulous! I love it! It has an obviously feminist flair to it. I love all the information, lore and musings within the book. She's been an amazing contributor to the Pagan community and her books empower women! I'm not a hyper feminist by any means but having done the work within her books shortly after my divorce while raising my children alone - my self esteem was rock bottom. Her books, helped to lift me up from feeling unworthy to reclaiming my own sacred divine from within. Her books provide a gentle and tough love approach that I found soothing as it reminded me of the strong matriarchs in my family (my grandmother, my mother). I'll always have a profound and deep respect for her because of that. If you are wanting to get in touch with your divine feminine and get (re)connected with the lunar energies, this book is for you! It is a definite asset to any magickal collection!
November 12, 2014
This is a book I've used over the years & to which I will always refer. One of my nicknames is Moon. If you want to understand better the moon's activity & its effect on the planet & our bodies & emotions/thinking, then take a look.
February 12, 2009
Lots of folklore, history and connections to the Past through this book. Much common sense and sanity couched in a magical format.
January 30, 2010
Can't wait for this book to be revised and rereleased! There is a lot of beautiful content on the 13 lunar cycles of the year and rituals for each.
August 8, 2011
Used this hands-on book constantly during the time I was in an active women's group. Very accessible and helpful for ceremony.
October 7, 2011
Some of you know I have personal reasons for rating this version higher than the previous. Enjoy!
Read
August 18, 2012very good
February 9, 2015
A beautiful book. Read it whether you are a witch or not. Its about connecting to that part of yourself that still beats in harmony
September 4, 2012
LOVE IT
April 26, 2017
Z Budapest is an amazing storyteller and a wealth of information!
October 3, 2017
It's...okay. Z's got some good ideas in here, for those looking for inspiration for your personal altars and shrines and rituals, but nothing earth-shattering.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews