A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess - 20th Anniversary Edition

Starhawk (born Miriam Simos in 1951) is an American writer and anarchist activist, well-known for her work in Wicca (e.g., the "Reclaiming" Collective in San Francisco) and ecofeminism. She is a columnist for Beliefnet.com and "On Faith" (the Newsweek/Washington Post online forum). She has also written books such as Truth or Dare: Encounters with Power, Authority, and Mystery,Dreaming the Dark,The Fifth Sacred Thing,Walking to Mercury, etc.

This book was first published in 1979; this edition is the "Revised and Updated" 10th Anniversary Edition. She wrote in the first chapter, "This book is structured around those elements that I feel are constants among all the varied traditions of the Craft. Interest in Witchcraft is growing rapidly. Colleges and Universities are beginning to feature courses in the Craft in their religious studies departments. Women in ever greater numbers are turning to the Goddess. There is a desperate need for maerial that will intelligently explain Witchcraft to non-Witches in enough depth so that both the practices and philosophy can be understood. Because entrance to a coven is a slow and delicate process, there are many more people who want to practice the Craft than there are covens to accommodate them. So this book also contains exercises and practical suggestions that can lead to a personal Craft practice. A person blessed with imagination and a moderate amount of daring could also use it as a manual to start her or his own coven. It is not, however, meant to be followed slavishly; it is more like a musical score, on which you can improvise."

Here are some additional quotations from the book:

"And Goddess religion, at its heart, is precisely about the erotic dance of life playing through all of nature and culture." (Pg. 9)
"Every initiate is considered a priestess or priest. Witchcraft is a religion of clergy." (Pg. 29)
"In the beginning, the Goddess is the All, virgin, meaning complete within Herself. Although She is called 'Goddess,' She could just as easily be called 'God'---sex had not yet come into being." (Pg. 38)
"Sex is the most basic of differences; we cannot become whole by pretending difference does not exist, or by denying either male or female." (Pg. 41)
"In Witchcraft, the dark, waning aspect of the God is not evil---it is a vital part of the natural cycle." (Pg. 43-44)
"There is no hierarchical authority, no Dalai Lama, no Pope. The structure of Witchcraft is cellular, based on small circles whose members share a deep commitment to each other and the Craft." (Pg. 49)
"Unfortunately, a lot of people claim to be Witches who are merely unsavory characters." (Pg. 55)
"People often ask me if I believe in the Goddess. I reply, 'Do you believe in rocks?' ... The phrase 'believe in' itself implies that we cannot KNOW the Goddess, that She is somehow intangible, incomprehensible. But we do not BELIEVE in rocks ... We know them, we connect with them. In the Craft, we do not BELIEVE in the Goddess---we connect with Her... (Pg. 91)
"I have spoken of the Goddess as psychological symbol and also as manifest reality. She is both. She exists, AND we create Her." (Pg. 95)
"Witches do not believe in or worship the Devil---they consider it a concept peculiar to Christianity." (Pg. 108)
"A spell is a symbolic act done in an altered state of consciousness in order to cause a desired change... Props may be useful, but it is the mind that works the magic." (Pg. 124)
"If Goddess religion is not to become mindless idiocy, we must win clear of the tendency of magic to become superstition." (Pg. 204)

This is a remarkably complex book with an equally complex history. In addition to its historical value (which other reviewers have commented on), this is a text which is seeking to put forth an entirely alternative worldview than that of patriarchy. It is NOT a book that "hates men," or treats men as inferior. It is, though, a text which incessantly flips over the hierarchy, and shows the implications of truly believing in the Divine Feminine for both women and men. It is a potent critique of the power dynamics of oppression, and has proven a powerful catalyst in my own life for seeing how it is dishonest (plain and simple) to believe in Goddess-spirituality and divorce that from my view of politics and the wider world. This is a subject many pagans don't like to confront, it seems, and so this book continues to challenge them.

Much is made of the book's dubious historical scholarship, but this edition includes pretty exhaustive notes that point that out. I appreciate the honesty of the author in acknowledging these mistakes, while preserving the original text. The added commentary also explores the ongoing conversation regarding the role of men in a Goddess-centered path, AND the need to expand "Feminism" to include queer identity.

I return to this book constantly, as its style is deeply poetic and magical. I use many of its passages in personal meditation. I always urge those exploring Paganism to get this book, because even if you end up disagreeing with Starhawk, what she presents is something no contemporary Goddess worshiper should ignore or fail to engage.

Starhawk's The Spiral Dance ranks among what come closest to "classic wiccan tests". After nearly 30 years it's still relevant, insightful, and full of wisdom (even if it does date itself at a few points.)

The first thing that really struck me about the book was how up-front she was about the ideology of Goddess worship and how it related to modern western ideology. She doesn't try to water it down to make it appeal to more people, she writes what she believes and what her readers need to know. Do her proclamations about saving the environment and liberating people from cultural oppression seem a bit ambitious? Yes, definitely. But that ambition shines throughout the book, though the rituals and spells that have been re-printed and re-interpreted a million times, and makes the book unique and far more than just another book on the same old stuff.

The rituals, visualizations, and other exercises are simple, easy to follow, and printed in a different font so they will stand out if you are trying to reference them later. Everything is explained well and designed to be added upon and customized as practitioners become more experienced.

The 20th anniversary edition includes commentary from the 10th anniversary edition, as well as updated 20th anniversary commentary. The commentary is interesting and has much to offer, but it is my one complaint: the two set of commentary at the back of the book make reading the commentary very disruptive to reading the text. It almost requires reading the book 3 times to get it all as a whole (once for the original, and once for each commentary.) It can be difficult to figure out the best way to take advantage of the commentary without getting too removed from the context.

Overall, it is an excellent book and definitely belongs on the bookshelf of any wiccan or new-age Goddess-worshipper.

I actually loaned this from a friend who made all kinds of helpful notes and tick marks in it, so I wasn't completely alone and helpless. But I found this is as good a place to start as any, detailing the gradual (or sudden, depending on how you look at it) rise of feminist spirituality in America during the last 40 years. Starhawk's arguments are delivered in poetry and expression so heartfelt and passionate, even the naysayer can't help but nod along as she describes what led her to create the system of witchcraft that she has, a mix of Faery Tradition elements from Victor/Cora Anderson with those of several other systems.

This is a great book for women in general, and for men who are not so conditioned that they can't walk around with a book on Goddess Spirituality. It has its flaws, such as the history which relies on some outdated anthropology (ie. Murray), and a little of the author's self-righteousness shows through from time to time. But this is a great starting point for the countercultural, anti-paradigm, modern feminist novice. The version I read is the 10th anniversary edition including separate sections with many new notes and comments from the author on the subsequent editions and the reasons for them. All of it is very readable, moving, interesting and worthwhile. Highly recommended.

I read it when I first started studying Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism, and then didn't read it for a few years.
Somehow, in that time, I saw so many reviews talking about how it was so 'Goddess/women focused', 'not balanced', blah blah blah...
It's really odd how other people's opinions can colour your perception like that, because I'd started believing it, to the extent I'd forgotten it even *had* a chapter on the God, let alone that it was the same size as the one on the Goddess. Weird.
And on the reread - it was pretty decent to start with, and in all the bits that I had questions or doubts, she's updated it with her commentary.

You WILL want to read the commentary as you go, so read it with three bookmarks, so you can flick back and forth. I respect that she wanted to let the original work stand alone, flaws and all, but for something written in her 20s, in the climate of the late 70s, it still stands up pretty damn well.

It's more group practice than solitary, but it's a classic for a reason.

About 3 months ago, I met someone who recommended this book to me. Truthfully, I've been studying Wicca for about two years, and have always craved more knowledge than each book I read can offer. Starhawk's "The Spiral Dancer" can be confusing at times and even lose your interest. Some blame this on her writing style as it takes a dip towards psychological expressions, but Starhawk's message is still relevant no matter the depth of her words. "The Spiral Dancer" discusses the God deity, but focuses mainly on the Goddess deity (and Starhawk warns you of this, early on in the book), so if you are seeking knowledge as a male, you could feel slightly uncomfortable reading this feministic work. I must admit that I did feel uncomfortable at times, but after reading this book I feel much more connected to the Goddess than ever before, as well as a sense of understanding feminists' and the futures they strive for. Anyone seeking further knowledge in Pagan ritual and/or Wicca should definitely attempt to read this book. Starhawk offers exercises for you to practice growing closer to the Goddess and God. If you have problems reading books deep of thought and detail, you may require pushing yourself to read this book. The first time I attempted to read "The Spiral Dancer" I quickly lost interest mid-ways through. My second attempt though, gained my undivided attention and opened up my mind to the Goddess and Pagan/Wiccan beliefs. Maybe there are better books to read for beginners of Wicca/Pagan paths, but at some point in your studies you may find (as I did) Starhawk's "The Spiral Dancer" interesting and helpful. I give this book four stars for Starhawk's efforts, but I would suggest she either update and republish this book, or start anew.

Though this is quite an enjoyable read, not to mention an excellent reference for certain concepts and facts that many other books miss, this work is more geared towards the advanced beginner or intermediate student with significantly more than a rudimentary knowledge of the Craft. I make this important distinction because I was told early on in my own course of study that this was a beginner book to be read and understood before moving on, and I turned out to be very ill advised. To begin, her writing is a little more cerebral than most beginner/intermediate works on wicca--she begins this work with several chapters of beautifully written prose, a commentary on each given subject interwoven with vivid descriptions, mingled with history, mingled with folklore. The writing is exquisite and the imagery extraordinary-but most appreciated by an intermediate student who can understand her allusions-a student who knows enough to get the most out of her writing. I speak from experience when I say that trying to "get through" this book is hard for a beginner at worst, and unfulfilling at best.
The first half of this book is, as I said, a collection of essays on the God, the Goddess, circle casting, ritual work, etc.-she discusses all of the basics, but in greater depth than most works. The second half of the book is a mixture of short spells for various purposes accompanied by brief intermitten instruction and commentary for these spells. Among her appendices are very helpful tables of correspondences. I find this a great work for someone looking to gain an understanding and inspiration of spell and ritual construction, which is truly an art. Many books just suggest that you "cast a spell" but not many deal with spellcraft, and Starhawk's writing structure serves as a great example. This is certainly worth reading. For those already serious and practicing the Craft, it will likely stimulate warm appreciation and bolster creativity.

Part theological and part "how-to" THE SPIRAL DANCE includes many suggestions regarding Wiccan rituals and magical practices, as well as the role of witches in a changing world. Like it's counterpart, DRAWING DOWN THE MOON (written a few years later), the book explores the organizing principles of Wicca in the 20th century. Starhawk wrote her book in the late 1970s and the special 20th anniversary edition includes her insights 10 years and 20 years later. Her additional comments expand on her earlier positions and reflect increased wisdom.
Do witches meet in the altogether to cast a circle? Not the members of Starhawk's coven who gather in drafty old Victorian houses-although one can do so. However, the most important aspect of WICCA is not whether to appear skyclad at a coven gathering, but recognizing the spiral dance of life. The world is in flux. Things change. On a practical level, this means even the rituals for observing Esbats (Moon cycles) and Sabbats (Sun cycles or the Wheel of the Year) are not set in concrete. Furthermore, witches have an "acrostic" eye that allows them to see underlying mind-sets, patterns, and structures are not absolutes.
Starhawk's observations are as salient today as ever. She finds those who subscribe to absolutism (which "stems from an intolerance of ambiguity") and a dualistic thinking (good versus evil) dangerous. She suggests the fall of communism in Europe forced the dominant class to identify a new enemy for the purpose of retaining control through fear. During the 1990s, these "rulers" identified drugs, Satanists, a president afflicted with satyriases, and Sadam Hussein as "the enemy." However, none of these "evils" captured the public imagination and wrath. (Issue date of this 20th anniversary edition is 1999 - post 9-11 Islam may work as an "enemy"). Starhawk suggests feminism is necessary because it is inclusive, not exclusive, and can help change the structures of civilization that rely on violence as a solution. Imagine a world where feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, comforting the dying, protecting the environment, and behaving in a kinder, gentler way towards all living things was the dominant motif!! The opposite of feminism is a "witch hunt" mentality.
Wicca is an important spiritual counterpart for women because all the major religions of the world are male centered. This is obvious regarding the Judeo-Christian and Islamic views, but the organizing principle of Eastern religions is directed towards helping one find a kinder gentler self. Starhawk thinks women have mastered that side of their personal development and need to become more assertive and aware of their own needs. This awareness requires the acrostic eye-seeing that the male "only" structures have to go. Simply adapting to them produces a Margaret Thatcher.
Some members of Wicca envision a goddess-centered universe, but Starhawk and others recognize a higher power that includes both male and female aspects. She says the `All that is One' is neither male nor female. Humans can use the metaphors of "Goddess" and "Lord" to address what Joseph Campbell described as "the thing that stands behind."

I picked up the second edition if this book several years ago because it is one of those "must reads" that has influenced the beliefs of so many (There's even a reference to it in White Wolf's "Mage" roleplaying game.) After reading it, I have mixed feelings.
On the good side, it does give a much more in-depth and grown-up view of witchcraft than many of the beginner books out there. It is a very emotional book with some beautiful poetry, symbolism, and exercises. Starhawk takes us down her path as a witch showing how her beliefs changed and grew, and as a beginner at the time, I found that reassuring.
On the bad side, the history section is embarassingly bad. I'll grant that most of the source material for it is 20-30 years old, but that does not excuse everything. (Joan of Arc was a witch??) I also thought that the femminist political nature of this book made it feel very dated, not to mention preachy.
So read this book because it is one of THE classic books on the subject, but read it with a grain of salt.

First published in 1979, The Spiral Dance is a recognized classic. It's a beautiful book to read, and Starhawk mages to convey the poetry of Witchcraft as few other authors have. It's filled with poems and invocations, spells and rituals, and in a practical sense is a very useful book, particularly as a resource for ritual. However, there is also a lot of theory presented, which is also wonderful but which may make it a challenging read for the beginner, and I'd suggest reading other books as well at that stage of one's development. Also, many of the rituals presented are coven-based, so a solitary may not get as much from this book as would someone working with a group. Still, this book succeeds in presenting the "feel" of practicing the Craft as well as any book can, and that in itself makes it a must-have.

Well for all those that have managed to read through this book and do the exercises I am sure that you are aware that it is a wonderfull source of information that provides profound insight into feminism and the goddess movement.
Now for those that are new to the craft and seeking a good beginners book.. I would place this one in the middle.. While Spiral Dance is in pretty much every pagans collection I would not consider it a beginers book.
First it focuses mainly on the goddess.. Wicca as we know it now is a Dual aspect religion.. There is an equality between the lord and lady.. And that through this equality we make a whole..
Second some of Starhawks views and statements can be a little misleading.. You come to think that she comes from a long line of witches where indeed in her own word you find out she was teaching the craft at school long before she ever knew a real witch (IE that which she believed was very close to the wiccan religion).
Now on the flip side.. once you have gone beyond the first steps into the craft I HIGHLY suggest you come back and pick up this book.. There are lotsa lotsa usefull information and meditation within this book.

Contrary to what other Pagans may have written on this site, I LOVE "The Spiral Dance" precisely because of its political overtones. As an anticapitalist, ecofeminist gay man, I am deeply moved by Starhawk's vision of an earth-based spirituality that honors women, community, the earth, sexuality and the body. Frankly, I am shocked by the outright sexist reviews some people have given of this book, not to mention the widespread denial of the burning times as a patriarchal holocaust against women, gays, and non-Christian people. The eagerness of certain Pagans to minimize the suffering of this period is, to me, a disturbing reflection of the larger culture's willingness to silence the histories and voices of feminist women and other marginalized groups. Furthermore, in at least one review of this book, I detect anti-Semitism, implying that Starhawk can't fully be a Witch if she retains her Jewishness. Such a narrow definition of what constitutes a Pagan denies us the complexities, nuances, individual choices and ancestries that enrich our lives. Need I remind the reader of the many Hebrew Goddesses of the Middle East or the ecological undercurrents, feminism, and social consciousness that informs Jewish tradition (the contradictions of right-wing Zionism aside). Without a doubt, what seperates Starhawk's writings on the Craft from many other Pagan authors is her passion for social justice, ecological sustainability and peace. Personally, I believe that spirituality devoid of concern for other human beings and the earth is nothing more than right-wing, reactionary navel-gazing. Unfortunately, I have met far too many witches who are much more interested in fluffy, woo-woo nonsense like astral projection and past live regression than they are in restoring the land (the living body of the Ancient Mother that witches supposedly worship). Moreover, as someone who strongly values participatory democracy, egalitarianism and consensus, I really appreciate Starhawk's insights on coven structure and group dynamics. (Coven hierarchies, like corporate hierarchies, do not appeal to me in the least!) Simply put, if you are looking for another New Age book on channeling spirits or casting hexes, then this book is not for you. However, if your idea of magic involves planting seeds in a community garden or marching for peace, then read this book immediately. It just may change your life forever.
Blessed be and tikkun olam.

Miriam Samos (Starhawk) documents her twenty years of growth in Witchcraft and feminism in "The Spiral Dance...". Ms. Samos provides excellent detail concerning the rituals of her Witchcraft Tradition, and includes a number of contemporary reference citations.
"The Spiral Dance..." is as much a political manifesto as about Witchcraft. Ms. Samos' repeatedly discusses the shortcomings of "patriarchal" politics and religions, stating that matriarchal religions are more equitable. Yet unlike Wicca (where the God and the Goddess are worshiped equally), the God and men are relegated to a weak supporting role in "The Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess".
Ms. Samos' includes 52 pages of her tenth and twentieth anniversary notes in a separate, appendix-like section. This arrangement places the notes out of context. The notes belong as footnotes within the main text.
I recommend this book. "The Spiral Dance..." provides detailed insight into Witchcraft not available in other books.

I encountered this book when I was fourteen years old, back in the days when this was possibly the most individual-oriented, approachable book about modern Paganism you could find. Since then, I've worn out the covers and dog-eared every page.
Starhawk's approach to magick is the most rational, socially responsible one I've seen. Reading Spiral Dance, I never forgot that what's being described isn't just a self-help system, a political movement, or a system of ritual magick, but a religion.
But about ten years ago, I stopped recommending this book. The historical sources Starhawk used in 1979 were accepted then, but they've since been thoroughly discredited, and I didn't feel comfortable with the idea that all the beautiful poetic discussion of Faith rested on a flimsy (even false) interpretation of Fact.
Now that the twentieth anniversary edition (with explanatory notes and updates to the history) is out, I can recommend this book with a clear conscience and a glad heart.

_Spiral Dance_ would be a fine introductory book for people interested in Wiccan and neo-paganism if Starhawk had the discipline to confine herself to the topic. Unfortunately, this eminently public pagan author considers it acceptable to use this opportunity to preach her particular version of ecofeminism. The implication for the person new to paganism is clear: "These are the orthodox social, political and ecological attitudes of the modern neo-pagan, and if you want to be a pagan and they aren't your attitudes, you'd better acquire them."
This is as much a socio-political book as an introductory treatise, and I'm disappointed at the disguise. She has written other books which are unabashedly political and with these I have no quarrel. I happen to share a fair number of Starhawk's views, but I believe that one can be a responsible pagan and disagree with Starhawk's personal take on society.

With the exception of chapter two, this book is actually pretty good. The only problem I had with chapter two (The World View of Witchcraft) and some other parts of the book was the psychological references. Start talking about my different "Selfs" and I start to blank out. I got over the feminist perspective fairly quickly and found the book to be rather entertaining.
Spiral Dance is a very positive, peaceful, calming look at Witchcraft. I don't think it would have killed Starhawk to include some more information on the God in chapter 6, but something is better than nothing.
I could see this book being very empowering for a woman, but for the male it could do either of two things. The book could make men get upset about the excessive feminism, or feel closer and more in touch with the Goddess aspect of Divinity. I'm glad to say I fit into the latter category.
I really like the 20th anniversary edition for the fact that I can read her comments from ten and twenty years after she wrote the book. It's interesting to see the different ideas between 70's Starhawk, 80's Starhawk, and 90's Starhawk.
The book has a lot of good exercises for the beginner and those who really like to do exercises.
Not a good starting point for the absolute beginner, but defiantly something for someone fairly comfortable with the basics of the Craft. A great book.

I first read 'The Spiral Dance' when I was nearly twenty, having already been practicing Witchcraft for several years. My own background had been influenced by the published materials that came out of the British Traditionalist Wiccan movement, most notably via the works of Janet & Stewart Farrar, so when I read Starhawk's book I was ready for something radical. At the time, 'The Spiral Dance' fit the bill nicely. It immediately became my favorite book on the subject of the Craft and I have recommended it highly for years as the one book that all Witches MUST read.

For the serious beginner this book represents a veritable treasure trove of training manual in trance-centered Witchcraft. It is full of meditational exercises both for the individual and the group, making this an invaluable resource for solitaries and covens alike.

The magickal principles that are espoused in this book are sound and the exercises, if worked with consistently, will yield results. Conveniantly there is a simple listing of all the spells, exercises, rituals, and chants that appear throughout the book, making this a wonderful reference that you will likely find yourself returning to time and time again. (I know I have...)

In this 20th Anniversary edition we have the added benefit of hearing the author's (and at times her communities') revised thoughts on the original material, making this not just a snapshot of the author's ideas at the time it was originally written, but a representation of an evolving process that is sure to get the reader thinking. New thoughts are easily referenced from the original text and the author is not afraid the even at times completely disagree with her original stance. This honesty in her work is a crucial element to its usefulness to the reader.

On the negative side, the history of the Craft as presented here has since been debunked (it was originally written at a time when the exaggerations of the 'Burning Times' was taken at face value in the Craft) and at times the reader might be left with the impression that Witchcraft merely boils down to psychotherapeutic tools and community-building parties/political activist rallies. If one is able to get beyond these (rather small, IMO) pitfalls, then it is likely that this book will become a treasured addition to their Witchcraft library as it has for so many others. While it does not represent the entirety of the Witchcraft movement (and never really claimed to) it does provide some important pieces to the beginner and seasoned practitioner alike. Even after all these years it still comes highly recommended.

As a resource for background and historical information on pagan religions and Wicca, this book is one of the best that I've found. There's a lot of folklore mixed in with her personal experiences with the craft. The excersises included in the book are very detailed, although the meditation and trance ones could be difficult for a person to do at first and may come off as a bit daunting to a beginner.
As a resource for spells, this book has a few, but does not give many. The book seems to focus more on raising power than focussing your intent on anything specific. There is also very little information on creating your own spells, although Starhawk does make it clear numerous times in the book that the rituals and spells given are not set in stone and unchangeable, but are given to be built upon and changed as the reader sees fit.
My only dislike in the book is the feminist slant that Starhawk seems to place on much of the information. While agree with some of her points, I didn't feel that I added anything to the book.

This was the first book I ever bought about witchcraft or paganism. Because of this, it will always hold an extremely special place in my heart and my bookshelf. It is one of those books that makes you want to be a more spiritual person, work harder, and throw off your chains. When I feel myself flagging, this is the book I pick up. Her exercises are excellent for those who have no starting point, because they are not too complicated and they work on developing very essential skills that will be used later, like visualization. Her slant is definitely on the feminist side. However, I would not say that she devalues men. By going for equality in this way, it can be seen as hating men. If you are a man and are planning to get this book, be forewarned. She does not give the same treatment to the God as she does to the Goddess. If you read her notes in the back, she does explain why she didn't, and she helps the situation somewhat. Just be prepared for that. It is called the "Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess" for a reason. Her sample invocations are beautiful, and very different. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an inspirational, wonderful read.

The Spiral Dance is a complex myriad of thoughts, dreams, creation and spiritual exercises that can challenge even the most experienced magical practicioners. This is not a light'n'fluffy read, definitely not a basic introduction to witchcraft, wicca or paganism in any of its forms. For many years, this book was the only widely available text on the Great Goddess religion and, with two updates to the original work, remains relevant to this day. This book challenges the reader to take their spiritual path more seriously and can be a truly life-changing and mind-expanding experience. All readers will find exercises to suit them, as there are plenty to choose from. The feminist aspects teaches respect for the feminine to both men and women, being honest and confronting without going to excess. I'd recommend this to anyone seeking to find/understand themselves and their spiritual path, however this is not really a starting point but a way to expand your knowledge and practices. Beginners would be better off looking at Scott Cunningham and Jennifer Hunter first. Starhawk's book goes into more depth on the Goddess aspect and on meditation and ritual, and it is useful to have a little grounding in the basics before moving into more complex intellectual and experiential territory. Fiona Horne's books are also great basic guides, with extra information for those of us in the southern hemisphere.

With additional notes, this classic moves beyond an essential book for any Wiccan or Neo-Pagan to be also a remarkable historical document and chronicle of a life-in-progress. (How many other pagan philosophers have said without shame or hestitation, I got parts of this wrong?) The vast number of exercises in this book, which can be done with others or (almost always) as a solitary are incredibly useful for any pagan. There are flaws in the history, and problems in how she originally perceived feminine/masculine polarity, which she documents in 10 and 20 year anniversary notes, and reflects on what-we-know-today-versus 20-years-ago; criticisms of the book on these issues are cheap and basically unfair. There is strong emphasis on equality of the sexes and recognition of the God as well as the Goddess; unless you are frightfully insecure about gender roles, the pre-eminance edge she gives the Goddess and women should be refreshing. A major strength of the book is the appeal of the imagry and clarity of the writing, which is unfortunately outstanding for a more-than-just-101 book. For the 30 year anniversary, I hope for more notes but no re-write; we could use another book, but this classic stands solidly as is.

This is the book that really made the modern Goddess movement possible by giving people permission to look beyond the Gardnerian/Alexandrian model to create a path that worked for them. I have nothing against the English traditions or any other traditions for that matter, but to live a religion must be free to evolve. That's whats wrong with Christianity; its evolution into something fit for the 21st Century is being hindered. It would be a terrible shame if the same fate befell Goddess worship, but as long as people are free to try out new variations on the age-old themes that won't happen. The exercises in this book help people get in touch with their innermost selves to come up with something both new and authentic.

The exercises in this book are exceptional, very basic, and easy to do either on your own or in a group.
That being said, the rest of this book gets rather questionable.
Reading through it you get the impression that you can cut most of it out as Starhawk's own rather political point of view. Some of it is really good information on Faery Wicca, but most of it is just Starhawk and her groups throughout the years.
I still recommend this book for its exercises and some of its content, but that I can only strongly recommend it for its exercises and lightly recommend it for some of its content keeps me from rating it more than 3 stars.

I've never read the "Spiral Dance" by Starhawk, but hearing of her work, I had to buy the 20th Anniversary Edition.
I learned so much by reading this book. Some things I had been wondering about were answered. New ways and things were taught to me.
I loved the introduction....the 20th year version, then the 10th, then the original writing begins. At the end of the book, Starhawk writes about differences now in the 10th year and the 20th year.
A great read...Starhawk is a wonderful author

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.

If you know anything about Wicca, you probably know that the way a lot of people begin on this religious path is by reading The Spiral Dance. Most seekers are told to read it - and for good reason. In this book, Starhawk recognizes the God and Goddess and gives a complete description of the way witches worship. It is my opinion that it is impossible to go away from this book unchanged. Even if you do not accept her teachings or the God and Goddess, you will find that you can never look at the seasonal changes and moon phases the same way again. This is because she does a wonderful job of showing the seeker the Wiccan world view. Starhawk's prose and poetry brings the spirits of nature to life and inspires the seeker to call out to them as well as the moon, the sun, the earth and everything in it as we reclaim our Father and Mother of pagan heritage.

Putting aside the strongly feminist and political sides (even Starhwak in this new edition tried to do that), is a very well written and documented book. The concepts of inmanence and "perfect love and perfect trust" are very well explained and comprehended by Starhawk. In fact, is a reminder for us, the old line, that the last lesson, after all the roads travelled and the uses of energy, is that to be whole, you need of somebody else. Very entertaining book, specially to know all the things some have to do to feel and control the magic that we are.

The Spiral Dance remains one of the most important and influential books on modern American NeoPaganism and one that I highly recommend.

Starhawk essentially married some core Wiccan beliefs and practices to the social and political ideas of the 70s -- feminism, environmentalism, gay rights, civil rights, and the peace movement. In doing so, she created a new path that is less concerned with secrecy and tradition and more with a sustainable future. Her tradition continues to thrive.

Many criticize Starhawk unfairly, forgetting that The Spiral Dance was published in 1979 and is clearly a product of its time. Starhawk makes no distinctions between Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, but few writers did in the 70s. She also presents Wicca as an ancient religion and the Burning Times as a persecution of Witches. These ideas have since been debunked, but they were prevalent at the time. Starhawk is well aware of this and she revisits these issues in her commentary.

With The Spiral Dance, Starhawk presented an entirely new model of spirituality in an era where there were scarcely any models of women's spiritual power and leadership. It may be hard to see now just how mind altering the very concept of a Goddess is, but at the time, it was a radical, illuminating idea. So, yes, Starhawk spends a lot of time talking about the Goddess and what a liberating path this is for women. But by no means is this a women-only book. On the contrary, Starhawk emphasizes that Wicca is for everyone and is clear about her position: that a female-only model of the universe would prove to be as constricting and oppressive, to women and men, as the patriarchal model has been.

Chapters deal with the basics of Starhawk's flavor of Wicca -- world view, initiation, the coven, creating sacred space, magical symbols, energy, initiation, moon rituals, the God, the Goddess, and the Wheel of the Year. The Spiral Dance also includes over 60 exercises, invocations, chants, blessings, spells, and herbal charms that are easily adapted to solitary or group work.

Even if some of the information is outdated, The Spiral Dance remains a poetic, intelligent, and inspiring work.

I put off reading this book because although I heard about how important and influencial it was for Neo-Paganism, there were many complaints about rampant sexism and politics.
I wish I had ignored the negitive reviews and read this book much sooner. It was so beautiful and it really inspired me! I can understand how this book started so many covens and brought so many people to the Goddess.
Read this book, and read the updated footnotes. Yes, some of her history has been proven untrue, but she owns up to it in the updated edition. If you are a Pagan of any tradition, this is a must read book!!

If you know anything about Wicca, you probably know that the way a lot of people begin on this religious path is by reading The Spiral Dance. Most seekers are told to read it - and for good reason. In this book, Starhawk recognizes the God and Goddess and gives a complete description of the way witches worship. It is my opinion that it is impossible to go away from this book unchanged. Even if you do not accept her teachings or the God and Goddess, you will find that you can never look at the seasonal changes and moon phases the same way again. This is because she does a wonderful job of showing the seeker the Wiccan world view. Starhawk's prose and poetry brings the spirits of nature to life and inspires the seeker to call out to them as well as the moon, the sun, the earth and everything in it as we reclaim our Father and Mother of pagan heritage.

Putting aside the strongly feminist and political sides (even Starhwak in this new edition tried to do that), is a very well written and documented book. The concepts of inmanence and "perfect love and perfect trust" are very well explained and comprehended by Starhawk. In fact, is a reminder for us, the old line, that the last lesson, after all the roads travelled and the uses of energy, is that to be whole, you need of somebody else. Very entertaining book, specially to know all the things some have to do to feel and control the magic that we are.

The Spiral Dance remains one of the most important and influential books on modern American NeoPaganism and one that I highly recommend.

Starhawk essentially married some core Wiccan beliefs and practices to the social and political ideas of the 70s -- feminism, environmentalism, gay rights, civil rights, and the peace movement. In doing so, she created a new path that is less concerned with secrecy and tradition and more with a sustainable future. Her tradition continues to thrive.

Many criticize Starhawk unfairly, forgetting that The Spiral Dance was published in 1979 and is clearly a product of its time. Starhawk makes no distinctions between Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, but few writers did in the 70s. She also presents Wicca as an ancient religion and the Burning Times as a persecution of Witches. These ideas have since been debunked, but they were prevalent at the time. Starhawk is well aware of this and she revisits these issues in her commentary.

With The Spiral Dance, Starhawk presented an entirely new model of spirituality in an era where there were scarcely any models of women's spiritual power and leadership. It may be hard to see now just how mind altering the very concept of a Goddess is, but at the time, it was a radical, illuminating idea. So, yes, Starhawk spends a lot of time talking about the Goddess and what a liberating path this is for women. But by no means is this a women-only book. On the contrary, Starhawk emphasizes that Wicca is for everyone and is clear about her position: that a female-only model of the universe would prove to be as constricting and oppressive, to women and men, as the patriarchal model has been.

Chapters deal with the basics of Starhawk's flavor of Wicca -- world view, initiation, the coven, creating sacred space, magical symbols, energy, initiation, moon rituals, the God, the Goddess, and the Wheel of the Year. The Spiral Dance also includes over 60 exercises, invocations, chants, blessings, spells, and herbal charms that are easily adapted to solitary or group work.

Even if some of the information is outdated, The Spiral Dance remains a poetic, intelligent, and inspiring work.

I put off reading this book because although I heard about how important and influencial it was for Neo-Paganism, there were many complaints about rampant sexism and politics.
I wish I had ignored the negitive reviews and read this book much sooner. It was so beautiful and it really inspired me! I can understand how this book started so many covens and brought so many people to the Goddess.
Read this book, and read the updated footnotes. Yes, some of her history has been proven untrue, but she owns up to it in the updated edition. If you are a Pagan of any tradition, this is a must read book!!

THE SPIRAL DANCE is an inspiring book on rituals and living a spiritual life. When I first read it, I was trying to learn what Wicca was. It is still the best book I have ever read on Wiccan rituals and Wiccan life - from the heavily feminist eclectic mix'n'match side of the spectrum. If you're looking for the Old Religion, it's not here. But if you're looking to raise spiritual energy with like minded people, Starhawk will tell you how she does it, and how she's done it, and make you want to rush out to the grove and draw the Goddess down.

Although this book is one woman's personal experience, there is a lot of good information to be gained from reading it, particularly for a new witch.

Yes, it's political, yes she claims witchcraft is a re-birth of an ancient religion, etc, etc, etc. And yes, surely those 'facts' aren't really facts at all...

BUT! If you are of a certain age or reading skill, and can think critically for yourself, then this is a book well worth diving into!

She talks about her experiences with everything from how she first came into the Craft to starting, maintaining, and leaving covens, and much much more.

I see the real value in this book in the 10 and 20 years notes, which show how she, her coveners, and her local community, have grown and changed over the years...

I for one, don't see the point in skipping over something that has led an entire movement just because it contains 'historical errors', as I do not know of any Craft books that can be proven 100% accurate...

And to miss out on such an interesting viewpoint of an author who's gone back each decade to update how and why she's changed her own personal points of view over the course of her lifetime (maiden, mother, crone) over something so trivial, would be such a shame.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as long as they are able to take what they read "with a grain of salt" and would not treat it (or any other book on the Craft) as a strictly factual manual.

Read it and decide for yourself.

As a Dianic Wicca-influenced Pagan, I adore this book. For many years it was my bible. $40NZ and I would have spent twice the price. Now, I still think it is one of the best books around, but perhaps too much for most beginners. This rates top of my Somewhat Experienced list (not quite Beginners but to much of the basics for Experienced). Every female should own it. Males will benefit from it too. The chapter on the history of Witchcraft is more poetic than historical, there is a lot of feminist/political guff, but the core of it is superb.
Blessings.

As many have mentioned before me, Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance" has been one of the great influence on the modern Craft. In that, it has both its strengths and weaknesses.
One of its strengths is a comprehensive, if at times dense, writing style. I happen to enjoy Starhawk's writings, but I can understand why some find her less than clear. Her meditations and exercises are absolutely wonderful, and although most are written with groups in mind many can be adapted for solitary practice. This book definitely is eco-feminist, no bones about it; however, in the endnotes for the 10th and 20th anniversary editions she does expand and correct some of the excesses of the original work.
Now the weaknesses. This is a book written primarily for group use. If you are a Solitary (as I am), prepare to do some mental editing to make it more useful to your practice. Also, the history, as has been mentioned before, is more poetic than factual -- which at times Starhawk seems to stress as "gospel" (no pun intended). The book does have a particularly feminist orientation; as a male, it did take me a bit to get used to (the consistent use of the female pronoun as neutral I understand as empowering, but in fairness perhaps a 3:1 ratio of female to male pronouns would have been more fair).
In all, this is a good read with many useful ideas and much information. I would *not* recommend it to an absolute newbie, but would use it in a Witchcraft 102 course.
Blessed Be!

As with so many other reviewers, this is the book that started me out in the Craft. The rituals and exercises presented gave me a solid basis for developing my own practice, and five years later much of the basic meditation and ritual material I use comes from Starhawk.
Still, I must agree with many of the more negative reviews that characterize this book as opinionated, sexist and completely political. Starhawk had an agenda in writing it, and the agenda was not to simply present Wicca to the world. Her feminist philosophy is founded in a version of history that was weak in 1979, and is just plain wrong in 2000. She ties religion to politics which is something that I am firmly against, but I can say this- she's honest about it.
This book is an essential text of Wicca, any way you cut it. You will undoubtedly (and hopefully) disagree with some of it, but the author's views are clearly stated, and the exercises and ritual material is not "tainted" by political sentiment. Read the book as the record of an era, and pick and choose what parts to incorporate into your own practice.

This book was highly poetic, it did not talk down to readers, it was not a school 'how to' text book, and it has much highly useful information. The book cleared me up about 'polarality' and it explained all female covens and co-ed covens very honestly. The information in the back is helpful and so are the books that Starhawk has used.
It should be noted that she is an ecofeminist before readers venture to this book. And if one does not have previous knowledge about Witchcraft they are likely to get lost. I don't see how this book 'bashes' men and though Starhawk does get very opinionated she is open and unlike many other authors make it seem like her way is the 'Only right way to do things' as many other traditions do. Overall, every Witch should read this book, though it is not perfect (not that any book is) it clears up many issues and gives a different and brighter perspective on the Craft.

This book can change your life and empower you to be in direct contact with Spirit. You don't need to buy or join anything, and it's all about how Goddess and God are immanent, directly and immediately present in heart, mind, soul and body. If you've always wanted to be a genuine lover of God/dess, this book can give you some ideas for how to really do it and feel it deeply at all levels. It helped me to find some doorways to spiritual bliss. And it's so free of the "power-over" trip of so many religions. It can really be a blessing.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in the Occult Arts then Starhawk's unique approach to Goddess worship is almost poetic. She recounts experiences with her San Francisco coven that shed a very creative and pure light on Wicca. Most of the books that are available to the curious or those studying the Craft are chock full of correspondence charts, numerology, astrology, herbalism (all very excellent fields and thorough resources on any of them are indespensible); mostly left-brained cut and dried facts that leave no room for interpretation or expansion. The Spiral Dance, however, is a much more meditative work, allowing the reader to create a world within themselves that will allow true Magick to flourish. If you are tired of books that are all spin-offs of the same novice theory and practice and you feel ready to delve into more intermediate realms of the spiritual, this book is for you.

The Spiral Dance is the first book I would recommend for anyone who wants to work with women in ritual space with earth centered spirituality. Her Starhawk's writing is clear, specific and practical. She has revised her classic feminist work to include working with men and children in sacred space.

The Spiral Dance is a must-read for pagans, witches, or other folks who want to know how to work ritual in sacred spaces.

reading the spiral dance is an experience in itself, whether one has been practicing wicca/goddess worship for years or they are just beginning along the path, or are researching the subject. it provides exceptional insights into the general beliefs, roots and practices of this movement. many who teach the craft put this in their list of "must read" books for new students. however, therein lies a problem. starhawk has included a large number of exercises to develop and enhance one's understanding and experience in spiritual and psychic development. many of these are best practiced in a group setting (indeed, some require a group to perform them at all). many are very advanced and a newcomer to the craft may become frustrated trying to perform them. this is an excellent book for all... including beginners. however, i feel that beginners might do well with more basic exercises before attempting many of those in this book.
an exceptional book and a must read for every student of the craft and goddess worship!

This book serves two great purposes. It is one of the first major books on Wicca when it exploded into public consciousness, combining the mystical with a lived political ethic. It is also a primer for beginners providing two decades worth of evolution of thought by Starhawk. I enjoyed every edition and Starhawk's willingness to share how she has grown and changed her understanding (and history). Excellent book!

The Spiral Dance is a wonderful walk back in time to the era when Witchcraft made a resurgence in this country. It was the height of the feminist movement, and although I do not consider my self a feminist (I prefer humanist LOL) I really did enjoy this book. Sometimes I just open it in the middle to find a topic to meditate on during the day. If you are thinking about picking up a copy of this book, I highly recommend the 20th anniversary version, as it has extensive recent commentary by Starhawk relating to how her views and those of others involved in the Craft have changed over the years. Without the commentary, I would have to give it four stars, but for me, the update makes all the difference. This book is a page out of history, albeit recent history...it`s important to know where we have been in order to decide where we are going.

This and Dreaming the Dark were the first books I read when I started on the path 4 years ago - and they were the only books that could have gotten me started. Since then I have read many other books on wicca and the Craft, but nothing else ever spoke to me about the WHY of the Craft, certainly nothing as deeply as Starhawk does. I would highly recommend Starhawk for beginners as well as those with experience, even for people who are 'just interested in reading about it". Anyone who is interested in thinking deeply about the human condition and acting powerfully to transform it on both the personal and societal levels, will find Spiral Dance, Dreaming the Dark, and Truth or Dare to be a worthwhile read, at the very least. Plus it has all the basics of magical "how-to" that you would get in the other books that lack Starhawk's poetry and insight.

This 20th anniversary edition is better than the original in many ways. While there are still some really glaring errors, the poetry and beauty of this book mades them something one can work around.
HOWEVER, this book deserves a context. Read it for what it is, and don't make it out to be more than what it is...
I recommend it for older, more mature students, with study and history behind them.

The troublesome problems that arise when attributing gender to deities hang perilously over Starhawk's often admirable 'The Spiral Dance' (1979). But if "the patriarchy" erroneously or prejudicially attributed the male gender to the concept of deity, has Starhawk accurately corrected the problem by simply taking the opposite position and replacing the concept of "God" with that of "Goddess"?

Unfortunately, the question of spontaneous psychological and anthropomorphic projection onto the concept of deity is never addressed, and appears never to have been considered at length by the author. Whether immanent force or transcendent reality or both, the simple truth is that an ultimate deity is unlikely to be gender specific at all.

Thus, 'The Spiral Dance,' despite its best intentions, often seems oblivious to its own tone of unhealthy polarity, a tone that suffuses the book in both large and small ways (for example, sentences consistently read "women and men" instead of the more common "men and women").

Starhawk is quick to point out that her "Goddess" and women-centered religion are not oppressive to men in any way, regardless of her repeated and somewhat sly suggestions about female superiority, which she doesn't seem to realize are uncomfortably similar to the historical "patriarchal" position she decries (fellow feminist Camille Paglia has argued that women are the superior sex in a far more convincing, objective, and fact-based manner).

The author's religion does recognize a male deity, but, not surprisingly, he is subordinate to and subsumed into the all-encompassing female principal that the "Goddess" represents. Readers may get the sense that Starhawk, blissfully locked into her own womanhood, simply can't see very far beyond her own gender, and really doesn't want to.

Early in the work, Starhawk states that "Witchcraft has always been a religion of poetry, not theory." It is also, apparently, not a religion based very much on fact, as Starhawk's "religion of poetry," as outlined and historically defined, is based around a loose mishmash of unproven, discredited, or purely erroneous anthropological, archeological, and historical theories (including those of Margaret Murray and Marija Gimbutas).

The author refers to the academic scholarship that has eroded much of the witchcraft mythology as "blatantly biased and inaccurate," when in fact the opposite is true. It is Starhawk who attempts to support her cause by referring dramatically what she feels are its historical linchpins while she simultaneously denies the untidy complications of history as largely irrelevant.

She shrewdly defends her approach by stating, "Is Buddhism invalid because we cannot find archeological evidence of Buddha's existence? Are Christ's teachings unimportant if we cannot find his birth certificate or death warrant?" Rather bravely, she also asserts, "the truth of our experience is valid whether it has roots thousands of years old or thirty minutes old...there is a mythic truth whose proof is shown not through references and footnotes but in the way it engages strong emotions, mobilizes deep life energies, and gives us a sense of history, purpose, and place in the world." Needless to say, 'The Spiral Dance' falters whenever the book suggests historical precedents, justifications, and traditions for the beliefs it promotes.

As with all systems predicated largely upon belief, the question remains: how potentially dangerous and misguided are the beliefs espoused?

Are members of witchcraft covens, particularly women, likely to be wiser, saner, and more capable of personal authority and empowerment if they accept Starhawk's interpretation of the period of the European witchcraft persecutions (here referred to as "the Burning Times")?

Starhawk writes that "an estimated nine million Witches," were executed, and "eighty percent were women, including children and young girls," but admits in her notes for the 10th anniversary edition that "actually, estimates range between a low of one hundred thousand and this figure [nine million], which is probably high. The truth, clearly, is that nobody knows exactly how many people died in the persecutions."

Undeniably and unavoidably, all organized religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have actively negative aspects, and have historically. But readers may want to refer to J. S. La Fontaine's 'Speak Of The Devil' (1998) and 'The Abduction Enigma' (1999) by Kevin Randle, Russ Estes, and William P. Cone, for other perspectives on the dangers of irresponsibly indoctrinating potentially naïve, vulnerable, and needy people with myth-based rather than fact-based ideas and theories, particularly those that imply special status, persecution, or hidden but present threats in one's immediate surroundings.

'The Spiral Dance' also promotes a heady political activism and what occasionally sounds very much like "compulsive compassion"; when Starhawk proudly announces that decisions within her coven and others are made by "reaching consensus," the shadows of Freud, Adler, and Camille Paglia's "Big Udder" may spontaneously interject themselves into the minds of more informed and politically savvy readers. In fact, throughout her introductions, Starhawk sporadically adopts both a tone and a voice that sounds suspiciously like a liberal Methodist with radical pretensions.

'The Spiral Dance' also has much to commend it, including its promotion of "life as a thing of wonder" and "love of life in all its forms" as its basic ethic.

"The price of freedom," the book rightly says, is "discipline and responsibility." Groundless or undue guilt and denial are discouraged ("The craft does not foster guilt, the stern, admonishing, self - hating inner voice that cripples action. Instead, it demands responsibility."), and a sense of honor and self-respect are seen as essential, healthy and positive.

Sexuality "as a direct expression of the life force," is considered "numinous and sacred."

Strict hierarchies are discouraged or eliminated, and men are encouraged to know and develop themselves as completely and inclusively as possible. Nature is cherished for both its beauty and its bounty.

Starhawk would have been better off promoting the included information as inspired by rather than descending from the various matriarchal and witch "traditions" and mythologies she names. The book's extended exercises on creating sacred spaces, trance, magical symbols, invocations, and rituals will be extremely helpful to anyone approaching this particular brand of witchcraft for the first time.

An interesting look at wicca and neopaganism, with some advice. Despite her superhero name, this is not full of crazy talk and weirdness. It is worth a read of you are interested in that movement, and want to discover what makes them tick, even if you have no interest in being a religious practictioner, or having a religion at all.

Spiral Dance was the first book on Paganism that I read back in 1994 and if I could only own one book on Paganism this would be it. The Tree of Life grounding meditation and the Salt Water Cleansing meditation are part of my regular practice. Starhawk blends theory and practice, myth, ritual and practical application in a seamless tapestry. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seriously interested in learning about or practicing Paganism.