Melisa M. (hedgewitch) reviewed on 9/4/2005 + 113 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

This book is of great historical importance, having been among the very first books about neopagan religions and goddess worship. It is interesting to see Starhawk's comments ten and twenty years after the original publication. However, it is important to note that the Goddess Movement is not the same thing as Witchcraft or Wicca; it is feminism turned into religion -- valid and powerful and useful, but NOT any trad but its own. But as long as you understand that you won't learn anything about Wicca or Witchcraft from this book, that should be no problem: it's packed with information and has been instrumental in the formation of many women-only Goddess Movement covens Unfortunately Starhawk's grasp of history, as judged by what she puts in her books, is ... odd. She has admitted that the history she has been repeating for many years does not represent reality, but says she believes myths as history are useful. I disagree quite strongly, which is the primary reason for my low rating of this book. There's much of value in it, but it is absolutely essential that you distrust any history retold in it, and research any historical or anthropological "facts," because most of them are egregiously in error.

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