Rating: 
Summary: NECESSARY FOR A WITCH'S LIBRARY
Review: Since this book continued to come up within other books I have been reading, I considered it something to have in my collection. A thorough text and I appreciate her background info on the Goddess, yet some of the chapters and information within were hard for me to get through. Nothing against the author, but this wasn't as easy to read as works by Cunningham, Starhawk and Hunter. But isn't part of the Path all about the continuing of learning to be the best Witch one can be? Although stumbling sometimes on my read, I feel I have given a gift to myself by reading this book. Blessed Be!
Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Introduction; Provokes Your Own Thoughts
Review: I've read the first edition of Spiral Dance, and it is without a doubt _the_ book to recommend to anyone interested in learning more about Wicca and Pagans. I did have some problems with what I considered the emphasis on the Goddess and feminism in the original edition - despite being a feminist myself, but more than likely because I am male. I have not read the revised edition so I do not know if these issues were addressed. But remember that for many people - men and women both - Wicca is what they turned to when they were confused or confounded by Christianity and its patriarchal point of view. It is no wonder, then, that the earliest and best books on the subject emphasize the Goddess over the God, since for many people Wicca represents freedom from patriarchy. To this day, I still reference this book before most Sabbats and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn what Wicca is all about. It is up to the readers - as it is to all of us - to find the balance between God and Goddess in what we read, what we believe, and how we live.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: An excellent guide for beginner's in wicca and Goddess worship. Starhawk's writing is measured and easy to understand; she gives background content as well as descriptions of rituals and feativals.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book for beginners and beyond
Review: An excellent introduction to Wicca and magickal use as well. Most books on Wicca just have a few rituals, info on the holidays, and some spells, without really giving you any of the religious aspect of Wicca or the actual techniques of manipulating energy in magick. Starhawk gives basic exercises to help you become proficient in magick, as well as talking about the religion, myths, rituals, and philosophy of a religion that values men and women *equally.*
I don't think her work is too feminist or feminazi for men. She mentions that some of her coveners were men and does not recommend a Goddess-only or woman-only type of worship. I think it has something for everybody, and is quite usable for groups or solitaries. Obviously it does put men and women at least on an equal footing, but then so do most Wiccan trads.
If you want to go beyond the typical spellbook/cookbook type stuff, would like to actually be challenged to think some, and get something a little more like a religion, try this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book, if your a Women
Review: The book is definitly well worth the buy for the information, and rituals in it...But if you are a male, or even a non-feminist I would stay away...The book is mainly geared towards WOMENs Spirituality, and focuses mainly on that throughout the book
Rating:
Summary: Very good.
Review: I really enjoyed this book the first time it was published. The second printing was very interesting because we got to see how much Starhawk evolved as a spiritual being
Rating:
Summary: The best money I ever spent!
Review: This was THE book for me. I had no idea of
Wicca/Witchcraft. This book was excellent! I never
regretted spending the $$ to have it forever!
Anyhow, it's of the Feminist, Faery way in it's
stories and her beliefs. But great for the
beginner to the Wise. Helpful index and glossary!
(australia speaking)
Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful
Review: This book is very helpful to the beginner; it contains many exercises for strengthening your abilities and understanding Wicca. Its tone is a bit feministic, so if you do not like the idea of women in power you might not like it. (But if you don't like the idea of women in power you're in the wrong religion to begin with!
Rating:
Summary: A good book for beginners on this path
Review: This is a good starter book, for those intersted in the "ancient ways" and the "old religion". If you have read more than a few books on this subject already, you should probably look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Great....
Review: 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.
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