14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Darkness, Magic, and Truth, March 21, 2007
This review is from: Dreaming the Dark : Magic, Sex, and Politics (Paperback)
Enter the mysterious world of magic, sexuality, and the deepest part of yourself. This is the goal of "Dreaming the Dark" by Starhawk, author of the bestselling book "The Spiral Dance", considered essential reading in most Wiccan circles. Picking up where her other books leave off, "Dreaming the Dark" is a guide for putting one's beliefs into practice, an attempt to reach out to a world largely deprived of spiritual experience and reclaim the sacred within and fuse it with political activism.
Starhawk co-founded Reclaiming, a tradition of Witchcraft that emphasizes spirituality and political action, and a majority of the text is focus on examining structures of power. She separates power into two categories: "power over" and "power from within" and discusses how such structures have been used throughout history to suppress and control. Magic, as Starhawk defines as "the art and practice of changing consciousness at will", can be teamed with political action to cause effective change in our society and help to preserve what we hold as sacred.
For those unfamiliar with Paganism, "Dreaming the Dark" is the perfect collection of stories, chants, and bits of information that will give the reader and accurate portrayal of Pagan paradigm. Starhawk clearly examines what Witches and Pagans hold sacred, specifically Nature and how it is essential that action is taken for preservation. Beautiful and often poetic descriptions of the Goddess and rituals paint vivid picture of the triumphs and struggles of many in the Pagan movement.
"Dreaming the Dark" is not a book for the faint of heart, but it is necessary. It is challenging yet inspiring and deeply moving. For anyone interested in modern religious movement and especially those interested in politics, it is an essential read. "Dreaming the Dark" is not a book of spells, meditations, or ritual, it is an invitation, a calling to take a stand in the face of injustice and reclaim the whole of our being.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Reading, August 27, 2004
This review is from: Dreaming the Dark : Magic, Sex, and Politics (Paperback)
The writing skillfully integrates annecdotes with philosophy and there are exercises useful to any group of pagans. For Starhawk, Witchcraft and environmentalism and activism and gender awareness are natural companions; what Witch doesn't care about the earth and nature? What Witch would not know the power of the individual and of people together? How can anyone who honors the Goddess not strive to be aware of gender politics, sexism, and the power of sex? What Witch would not know the power of will, awareness, perspective? But as natural and integrated as these themes are for her, some traditional Wiccans and other pagans are very hostile about Starhawk. There is a lot for even non-pagans to learn from her, and I think every serious pagan should read her work. If it upsets you - please, ask yourself why; what exactly does she threaten? This book is dated, and the history is only as good as we (all) knew when it was first published, but if you want to understand group dynamics, if you ever wondered if Witches should be political, or environmentalist, or activist, or gender aware - read this book.
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17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DREAMING THE DARK is a self and Earth saver., September 16, 1999
By A Customer
Dreaming the Dark was the first book I was able to read as I healed from a severe traumatic depression. It was an offered hand of a friend. It was wisdom, hope, and inspiration. Starhawk offers a guide to positive action, to change. Do you want to know HOW to save the world and yourself? Read this book. It will give you the confidence to change yourself and affirms, by stories rich with technique, the attitude that you are an important factor in social change and the evolution and adaptation of the human race.
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