Patrik Qvarnström
asked:
Is this book worth reading as the first book to learn about wiccan? if not, could you recommend a book worth starting out with?
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The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess,
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Del Gaddie
I'd suggest picking up a copy of 'Drawing Down the Moon' by Margot Adler. It's just a bit dated around the edges, but is nonetheless a good introduction to different styles of Wiccan practice. It's well written if only slightly biased. Adler was a Wiccan priestess and a correspondent for NPR, and the book reflects a appropriate levels of passion with journalistic integrity.
'The Spiral Dance' is a decent read if you're more interested in immersing yourself further into the community. There are some good meditative practices (I felt) and it does go into greater detail into one style and practice of neopaganism than Adler's book, which is more of a collective overview.
Be warned, however - Wiccans can be as elitist as any other community when it comes to evaluating styles. I've noticed that some communities can be a bit 'stand-offish' if they feel you're not asking the right questions.
(Disclaimer - I don't prescribe to Wicca per se - I'm a pantheist. Hope I could be helpful anyway! ;-)
'The Spiral Dance' is a decent read if you're more interested in immersing yourself further into the community. There are some good meditative practices (I felt) and it does go into greater detail into one style and practice of neopaganism than Adler's book, which is more of a collective overview.
Be warned, however - Wiccans can be as elitist as any other community when it comes to evaluating styles. I've noticed that some communities can be a bit 'stand-offish' if they feel you're not asking the right questions.
(Disclaimer - I don't prescribe to Wicca per se - I'm a pantheist. Hope I could be helpful anyway! ;-)
Edith
I agree with Del Gaddie. I'm rereading this. I read the first edition in 1984, so I wanted to see what Starhawk has to say after 20 years had passed. It's the 40th anniversary of the book this year, and I wonder if she'd update it, but I haven't seen any news of that. "Drawing Down the Moon" is a good overview of different Neo-Pagan practices in the US, though it is dated. Margot Adler died five years ago, so it's unlikely it will be updated. Reading that should give you a basic idea of what's out there, and the bibliography would give you an idea of what to read next to learn about any traditions that catch your interest.
I also agree with Del Gaddie's assessment about some Pagan groups being "standoffish" if you don't ask the right questions. Arm yourself with knowledge first before you seek out a group in your area, if that's something you wish to pursue.
I also agree with Del Gaddie's assessment about some Pagan groups being "standoffish" if you don't ask the right questions. Arm yourself with knowledge first before you seek out a group in your area, if that's something you wish to pursue.
Brother Moloch
Yes this is a decent book to start with albeit it is written from a very feminist pov and by that I mean one of my biggest gripes about this book is how Starhawk takes the Hoodoo root, High John the Conqueror and renames it "High JOAN the Conqueror". Um pardon me but that smacks of elitist nonsense right there. While I do not call myself a feminist, I have very strong feminist attitudes and beliefs. Still you do not change the classical name of something just because you dislike males or some such thing.
Beyond that I enjoyed her history section and the meditations. I know many today tend to view her as "archaic, of yesteryear" (as one person said to me online recently) so there is a heavy bias these days for the new pretty McWiccan authors with their snazzy covered books with more New Age style of presentation and social media connection for the want of popularity.
I always point Witch seekers towards the classics like:
Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson
What Witches Do by Stewart Farrar
The Witch's Bible Complete by Stewart & Janet Farrar
Where Witchcraft Lives by Doreen Valiente
The ABC's of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente
Wicca fir the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
The Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
Those are all worthwhile introductory materials. So what if they were written today or 70 years ago? Does that change anything? Sure some minor things may have changed but 98% of the material will still be valid and useful.
Beyond that I enjoyed her history section and the meditations. I know many today tend to view her as "archaic, of yesteryear" (as one person said to me online recently) so there is a heavy bias these days for the new pretty McWiccan authors with their snazzy covered books with more New Age style of presentation and social media connection for the want of popularity.
I always point Witch seekers towards the classics like:
Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson
What Witches Do by Stewart Farrar
The Witch's Bible Complete by Stewart & Janet Farrar
Where Witchcraft Lives by Doreen Valiente
The ABC's of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente
Wicca fir the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
The Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
Those are all worthwhile introductory materials. So what if they were written today or 70 years ago? Does that change anything? Sure some minor things may have changed but 98% of the material will still be valid and useful.
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