Let It Begin Now

Starhawk

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 1992)
• Original Release Date: October 31, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reclaiming
• ASIN: B00005O6ES
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,183 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Spirits

2. Lyke-Wake Dirge

3. The Guardian Song

4. No End to the Circle (Goddess Invocation)

5. Honor to the Untamed God

6. The God Song

7. Set Sail

8. The Gates

9. Let It Begin Now

10. No End to the Circle (Devocation)

11. Demeter’s Song

Editorial Reviews

Craig McLaughlin, Reclaiming Newsletter, Samhain 1992

In a culture suffering from a serious dearth of high-quality recorded Pagan music, this recording is cause for celebration.

Product Description

In 1979, Reclaiming held the first public Spiral Dance ritual, to celebrate Samhain (Halloween), and the publication of Starhawk's book, "The Spiral Dance." Since then, the Spiral Dance ritual has steadily evolved, most profoundly by the inclusion of beautiful original music. The music marks the key points of the ritual and this 1992 recording conveys the flow of the ritual. These songs and chants from Reclaiming's Spiral Dance ritual are played in a variety of musical styles, from a capella to full choral arrangements with complex instrumentals.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like "Godspell" for Pagans, November 16, 2001

By	bethtexas (United States) - See all my reviews

This album makes me think of Godspell, but for Pagans. Do you know that play? Godspell is a musical that's sort of a celebration of Christianity and Christian values.

Well, this album is like the Godspell for pagans. It's like a musical play, in which each singer takes on a different "role" and together, they present a loose story based on pagan beliefs and values.

Some of the singers are absolutely fabulous. The a capella opening chant praying to the four elements in a time of trial is a beautiful intro to the album. It's followed by a group chant about generosity toward friends in Wiccan terms. That's a very haunting piece that really sticks in your head when it's over. Then a beautiful male vocalist sings praise to a couple of male gods. And then the highlight of the album, no doubt is the theme "Let it Begin Now" which is an extra long-playing song in which all the characters take part and sing a verse. There's some improv, there's some contageous chanting. The song just goes and on, freely and wildly. And it is wonderful!

I would definitely recommend this album if you collect music related to one of the older European religions (pre-Christian). I would also recommend it if you enjoy musical plays, because it sounds like the soundtrack to a play, with all the characters singing different parts.

You certainly can enjoy this album no matter what religion you are. There's some very good singing and song writing.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Music from every Witches' favorite holiday..., May 31, 2005

By	Storm Faerywolf (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews

The music presented in 'Let It Begin Now' is rich and real, relying less on theatrics and production and more on *feeling*, theology, creativity, and spirit. It's subtitle, 'Music from the Spiral Dance' lets us know a little bit about what we might expect; the Spiral Dance being the name of the annual Samhain (Halloween) celebration that is offered every year by Starhawk and the Reclaiming community that honors the processes of death and renewal. Included are mournful dirges, and well as uplifting pieces that remind us of the continuing cycle of life. ("The old years' fruit comes to your hand... it's the seed of the year that's to begin...")

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great pagan music, February 27, 2004

By	The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews

I had an old warn out cassette of this music and I'm glad to see that it's now available in CD format. The sound quality is much better than the old cassette. The style is what one might call "pagan folk." Some of the singers have great voices, and the arrangements are well done. I'm always disappointed when it comes to the end of the songs.