Rating: 
Summary: A good book on women, the Goddess and covencraft
Review: What I like about the book is that it's from a tradition that doesn't get much play in beginner witchcraft literature. It's faery or feri as opposed to faerie witchcraft. It's a well-written book, unassuming in attitude and language;and has great exercises that doesn't get bogged down in metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. Perfect for beginner witches and feminists alike. Plus, you can read bits of it depending on where you're at in your magical growth. So it's a book you'll refer to for years. Lastly, it's a good book if you want to start a study group or coven, but the exercises for the most part can be used by solitaries.
Rating: 
Summary: good rating with some reservations
Review: i gave this book 4 stars for two reasons--its meditation and visualization exercises, and its impact on wicca awareness. my main gripe is her lack of scholarship regarding the history of witches (although she does admit this in her notes). i also found that the format of her notes, for the 10 year and 20 year anniversary editions of the book, was more work to wade through than worth the effort. some of her notes were personal asides that, while potentially interesting, weren't worth stopping mid-paragraph and flipping to two different chapters in the back of the book! i would recommend reading this in conjunction with the other 1979 classic, Adler's Drawing Down the Moon, which has better research oriented information and gives a wider view of pagan traditions in the U.S.
Rating:
Summary: only read half of this great book.....
Review: and i cant wait 2 finish it it is a really good book so she may b a lil sexist but its not that much but what i can say is i do know y her book is still going strong it is one of the most comprehensive handbook on wicca u will ever find it may not b ure cup of tea but it was sure mine and for any1 like me AMUST READ
Rating: 
Summary: Spiral Dance Junk
Review: I would have given this a zero rating but it wasn't an option I could select. I could NOT get past her ridiculous communistic/socialistic views to even read the book. I was disgusted by her introduction. I returned this [book] because I don't wish to support someone who is a Socialist or a Communist. I have read many other books concerning witch craft and this one should not be purchased in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Great resource not as equal as should be
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The book for the serious student fo the Old Religion
Review: I love this book. I keep having to replace it because I give it to people I know who want to learn about the Craft! It has enough information to get anyone started, without overwhelming the reader. The Tree of Life grounding exercise has become standard use for many different covens I have met across the country. The book is admittedly biased, focusing on the Goddess and feminine, but does not leave the role of the God out. The 20th Anniversary Edition includes endnotes by the author reflecting on the evolution of the Craft and herself over the past ten and twenty years. Arguably one of the best books available about the Old Religion available today. Good for newbies or elders.
Rating:
Summary: Poetic and Practical
Review: This book is a wonderful entry into the realm of the Goddess at any level, whether you're just beginning your Goddess growth, or secure in your Goddess strength but just looking to bask in Her beauty. I actually don't consider it to be sexist, because yes it acknowledges differences between men and women, but we are different, if we weren't, what would be the attraction? In her 20th anniversary edition she addresses the issue as well. I enjoy this book thoroughly every time I read it. Any time you're just looking for some peace, its nice to have it around. Also the rituals don't require a run to the store for the right color candle or herb, they are simple in supplies, and rely on the poetic words and feelings instead. It's a must-read for women of the Goddess in my humble opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Philosophy book
Review: This book will change the way you view religion and spirituality entirely. It's not the most clear and concise, however.
Rating:
Summary: Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance"
Review: As has been noted before, the historical information in this book is often badly flawed. As a researcher who has translated a number of the documents relating to Joan of Arc's life, I would merely like to point out what generations of other scholars have already pointed out: the documents contain numerous quotes from Joan which indicate beyond a doubt what her religion was. Even the transcript of her trial admits that she identified Jesus Christ as, quote, "the King of Heaven, son of Saint Mary" (see the letter entered into the record under Article XXII of the first set), despite claims made by a few popular authors alleging that she never defined who her "King of Heaven" was. Her other surviving letters are even more explicit: one of these, dated July 17, 1429, contains the phrase "King Jesus, the King of Heaven"; one dated two weeks earlier makes another reference to "King Jesus"; still another, dated March 23, 1430, threatens to lead a crusading army against a group called the Hussites unless they return to orthodox Catholicism, which she describes as, quote, "the original Light", thereby removing any doubt as to her religion. It could also be noted that even the tribunal which convicted her dropped the witchcraft charges before the final set of 12 articles were drawn up, leaving nothing but a few vague accusations of heresy.
These are the sources which have always been used by professional historians, along with the transcript of the posthumous appeal of her case (generally referred to as the Rehabilitation Trial) in which the men who had taken part in the original trial admitted that she had been convicted out of revenge by an English-dominated tribunal rather than out of any genuine belief that she was a heretic, a point which is rather obvious even from the transcript of the original trial itself as well as from English government documents from late 1430 through mid-1431 which detail their funding of the trial. The verdict was therefore annulled on July 7, 1456, with the presiding Inquisitor describing Joan as a martyr. At any rate, historians can establish that Joan was a Catholic with the same degree of certainty as we can establish that Julius Caesar was a pagan, and it would be nice if people of all faiths respected the historical record rather than trying to appropriate people who belonged to other religions: the author of this book has plenty of ancient cultures available from which to find role models.
Rating:
Summary: Starhawk: Rebirth of Enlightenment.....
Review: Simply put,this is an excellent book. However,it is not for everyone. If you don't like to think,this is not a book for you. If you are a bigot,and will derisively dismiss the gender-equality approach as "feminist",or "womans' studies",this is not a book for you. If you want to read spiritually bankrupt books telling you how to perform any spell you want especially regardless of consequence,get away from me. Are you looking for a deeply cerebral way to the Craft? A stronger sense of enlightenment? A way to tap into the powers that have been there forever? A wonderful spiritual guide and history lesson? Well, good,I am,too. Sit down and enjoy this fantastic book that has helped so many others! Know you are not alone in your enlightenment and that there are people out there that have read this book and identified with it.
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