The Spiral Dance brought about the beginning of
my education. Late in 1979, huddled in an over-stuffed wing chair, one high-intensity study lamp shining over my shoulder,
the rest of my college dorm room in shadows, structure and context came to broaden my instinctive impulses. Dogeared
and taped together, this is probably my most beloved book. The Twelve Wild Swans and The
Pagan Book of Living and Dying are just two more necessary contributions Starhawk has made to the education of modern
adult wiccans. For families with children, I recommend Circle Round. Written as a teaching
guide for parents and guardians with notes and references, Circle Round is both playful and authentic with songs
and skill building exercises that children of all ages will find fun and meaningful.
Z Budapest brought Diana to me. Her familial roots
in Eastern European Craft, feminist sensibility, and activist fire all meld to bring potent teaching. Another
primal work.
Two more in the realm of feminist, earth-based spirituality.
I think of Marion as one of our Fore Mothers, instrumental in identifying the language of spirituality and debunking
the witch-bashing so prevalent in the 1970's and 80's.
Though I love both Rites of Passage and Lady
of the Night, they are now out of print. There are used copies available. I recommend them because they show
two different ways of building meaningful rituals. The Campanellis have written several other great books, as has Edain
McCoy. Their training and understanding of the symbologies and the power of archetypes are solid. A
Year of Moons, Seasons of Trees is also out of print. If you are drawn to work with the Celtic tree calendar (it
is a really good idea to have the basics of this system under your belt anyway), this is a great source of principals, charts
and again, ritual structure.
