Casting the Circle: A Women's Book of Ritual

Rating:
Summary: A good introduction for goddess spirituality groups
Review: Diane Stein is a leading thinker in the Goddess Spirituality movement, and in this book, gives a good, short overview of Goddess ritual. She also de-mystifies the antecedents of the modern Wiccan traditions. This book should be in the library of any Goddess follower as a starting point for planning rituals.

Rating:
Summary: Eh.
Review: I bought this book hoping for something new, a fresh perspective on Goddess Spirituality. I guess I got it, though it wasn't anything like what I thought. The author's statements are not shown to be backed up by any research, and her tiresome use of slashes is bugging me. She speaks often of consequence, and doesn't really explain the term as she is using it. She speaks at the reader, not to you, and she sounds like she is writing a documentary on women's lives. She makes very generalized statements that come across as if she is speaking about all women... "Women do this and that happens" "Women think this and feel such". There are no statements like "In the covens I have been involved with, this is how we did it...", there are very few like "My opinion is..". Overall, I am just not impressed. Sorry.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book
Review: This book only merited four stars instead of five from me because Ms. Stein's language is so separatist, she will probably turn off most male readers.

However, it is well worth getting past her lesbian-separatist rhetoric because the meat and bones of this book - how to cast a circle, how to do a ritual, what stones, incenses and oils to use, ritual steps - are so very useful, clear, and easy to follow. Ms. Stein doesn't leave anything out and gives step-by-step instructions. She gives examples of rituals for all occasions: holidays such as Samhain and Yule, house blessings, new baby, how to attract prosperity or love, and so on.

Aside from the tiresome "matriarchal" rhetoric (it worked my nerves, and I am a feminist!) this book is a winner. It is clear, detailed, well written and easy to follow. I would especially recommend it to beginners in wicca or pagan explorations.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book
Review: This was one of the first books I bought on women's spirituality. It has some very good rituals and explanations behind the holy days in Wiccan spirituality. Some of the author's assertions like, "The marking of time was the beginning of several other aspects of civilization, probably also originated by women," and "Before the advent of artificial light women all bled at the same time," do not seemed to be backed up by any research (at least none that she cites). Despite this, this is an excellent book to learn about structuring and planning solitary and group rituals.

Rating:
Summary: a useful reference
Review: This would be a useful reference to add to your bookshelf. The author makes many claims without listing any source material, and I could certainly wish for more information on some of her historical statements ("women invented...") but I fortunately did not buy the book as a history reference for civilization.

This book is a useful reference for Dianic, or feminyst Wicca. It nicely summarizes the (less extreme) views of Dianic Wicca, concentrating on the Goddess alone, but without neccesarily denigrating the male principle (or reader). It covers the history of the Dianic/feminyst Wicca movement, and introduces the reader to many of the primary writers and philosophies that form the core of these beliefs.

The rituals are moving, with real grace and power, and the entire book is clear and well written. The information is presented clearly to the beginner, without looking down on the more experienced practicioner. Her poetry is beautiful, and even if you prefer a more balanced or dualistic approach to Wicca, you will find much of value and use in this book. If you find yourself drawn to the Goddess, rather than to the God, you will find most of these rituals ready for your use; if not I still think that much of the poetry and power of the rituals can be used in a more gender balanced form.

Rating:
Summary: a useful reference
Review: This would be a useful reference to add to your bookshelf. The author makes many claims without listing any source material, and I could certainly wish for more information on some of her historical statements ("women invented...") but I fortunately did not buy the book as a history reference for civilization.

This book is a useful reference for Dianic, or feminyst Wicca. It nicely summarizes the (less extreme) views of Dianic Wicca, concentrating on the Goddess alone, but without neccesarily denigrating the male principle (or reader). It covers the history of the Dianic/feminyst Wicca movement, and introduces the reader to many of the primary writers and philosophies that form the core of these beliefs.

The rituals are moving, with real grace and power, and the entire book is clear and well written. The information is presented clearly to the beginner, without looking down on the more experienced practicioner. Her poetry is beautiful, and even if you prefer a more balanced or dualistic approach to Wicca, you will find much of value and use in this book. If you find yourself drawn to the Goddess, rather than to the God, you will find most of these rituals ready for your use; if not I still think that much of the poetry and power of the rituals can be used in a more gender balanced form.