The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting and Other Womanly Arts ... Complete In One Volume [Paperback]

Zsuzsanna Budapest (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Wingbow Pr; New edition edition (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914728679
• ISBN-13: 978-0914728672
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Holy Mother of books on womyn's spirituality--must-have, August 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting and Other Womanly Arts ... Complete In One Volume (Paperback)

This book is definitely one of the classics when you're talking Goddess spirituality--the fiercely intelligent, fiercely sensual and always feisty Zsuzsanna Budapest's book isn't just a spellbook for today's feminist witch--it's a passionate manifesto for change of all kinds in the world, on all levels. From the political impact of what we eat to the emotional impact of patriarchy, Z leaves few if any stones unturned in her uncompromising, highly principled book. The historical passages detailing the Burning Times (the Inquisition) and their continuing influence on womyn's religion and freedom are particularly moving--also potentially agitating if one's ingrained prejudices are not left aside by the reader in exchange for an open mind. Hypocrites, fence-sitters and apologists will have a particularly hard time--Z Budapest minces no words and makes no apologies for her radical blend of passion, intellect and principle. With the exception of the aforementioned readers, spiritually searching feminist womyn (and men) everywhere will find this book a deeply moving and beautiful clarion call to justice, peace, and spiritual fulfillment in our world, for all.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Educational & Spiritual Read, September 3, 2000

By 

Duffy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting and Other Womanly Arts ... Complete In One Volume (Paperback)

The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries is an essential read for all pagans, feminists and (dare I say) all spiritual women. This book is not about re-instating a matriarchy or tearing down patriarchy; it is about women's spirituality, and its relationship with politics and lifestyle. It educates the reader as to the reality of patriarchal and paternalistic society in which we live, and how it oppresses both women and men, spiritually and politically. It discusses matriarchal societies to a limited extent, but Z doesn't advocate women taking over - rather it's about restoring a balance of respect & equality between the sexes, particularly at the spiritual level.

There is a lot of invaluable information on Dianic witchcraft and spells, including everyday magick, along with sabbat rituals, divination methods and an interesting section on how vegetarian theories and politics relate to witchcraft and the feminine aspect. There's plenty of information on Goddesses and how the patriarchal religions distorted old myths, as well as the Gods, to serve their own needs. There are also several beautiful Rites Of Passage for men and women that you don't often come across. Z's personal life stories are an equally valuable read.

I highly recommend this book to pagans or anyone interested in learning about the pagan path, particularly as it relates to the feminine and Goddess aspects of witchcraft and wicca. It is a very interesting, intriguing and - most importantly - an educational read, whether or not you ultimately agree with Z's Dianic perspective. Indispensible, though perhaps not a beginners book. Beginners should check out Cunningham, Jennifer Hunter or Fiona Horne (Fiona's books are particularly useful for beginners in the southern hemisphere). This book - along with Starhawk's Spiral Dance - are indispensible resources on the Goddess aspects of paganism.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't pull any punches, April 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting and Other Womanly Arts ... Complete In One Volume (Paperback)

I think this book is a much neglected gem of the Pagan movement. Dianism (Feminist, Goddess-ony Wicca) has been declining steadily due to lack of good books written on the subject. This book, one of the first of its kind to speak exclusively to women, is still the reigning champion of the Dianic movement.

The book is star studded with some of the most talented Pagan authors of our time, including Starhawk. Spells, herbs, incenses, and colors are all discussed as in the standard Wicca 101 format. The book also offers a unique perspective on Pagan holidays, a different calendar from homogeneous Wheel of the Year literature featured in most books.

Be warned, this book is riddled with historical inaccuracies, if you're a history buff and those sorts of things bug you, you may want to look elsewhere. If you take what is written with a grain of salt, as a "mythic history" and not literal truth, you should weather this well. Also, the book doesn't pull any punches, it can be vicious in its attacks on patriarchy and oppresive culture. Finally, the book will discuss the principle of a "righteous hex", if that really goes against your morals you may want to skip that chapter.

This book was really designed with the Feminist spirit in mind, intended to get women in touch with their own Divinity through their own perceptions. If you are looking for a more balanced non-feminist approach, try anything written by Scott Cunningham.