Customer Reviews

Women and Spirituality - 3-tape set [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
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When one thinks 'Holocaust', one is inevitably thinking of the 20th century massacre of Jews in Europe. As unspeakably horrible as it was, it wasn't the only one of its kind in Europe.

Earlier centuries saw thousands of women systematically murdered for their simple, unadvertised, beliefs in the Old Ways, a beautiful pagan religious view that judges no one and seeks no vengeance. THE BURNING TIMES is a beautiful account of women who were marched to their deaths for perceived blasphemy and witchcraft; GODDESS REMEMBERED is a somewhat thorough explanation of the religion and its history and practices today--it could be more thorough, but the filmmakers did go to the trouble of shooting on location in several instances.

This trilogy is wonderful because it's not preachy, but informative instead. I'm not necessarily a follower of this particular religion (or any religion) but I still enjoy this series as history. Other books may be necessary to learn about the tenants of the religion itself, and it may well be worthwhile to indulge in a worship meant to be so celebratory of women.

I've been watching this trilogy in my collection over and over for about 8 years. Oddly enough, I lent it to a friend whose house then later burned in a fire! And so now I am reordering them, plus a copy for a friend's birthday. I noticed that it's release date is 1999, so I'm assuming it has been repackaged or remastered. Don't be fooled! The original release dates for these videos are 1989, 1990 and 1993. They are produced by the Film Board of Canada, who also bring you an interesting fictional documentary called "Rain Without Thunder." These are a must see for women interested in pursuing alternative spirituality. The music and dance segments are mesmerizing. The statistics quoted in "Burning Times" about witch burning are mind-boggling.

An excellent 3-part series defining and describing The Old Ways, Witchcraft and Paganism. A wonderful set to own. Great for group viewing (Women's clubs, Covens, Study Groups, high school or college classes, parents groups) and follow-up discussions as well. The audio quality in the second video -only- is a little funky in places. But still an A+ grade.

This boxed set is a joy to watch I have done so about 3 or 4 times already and have only owned it for about a month. All three tapes have a charm of their own...focusing on different aspects of the women's spirituality movement and it's relevance to our past, present and future. Plus if you are a Loreena McKennitt fan, you HAVE to own this boxed set! She *takes* you to these places and makes you FEEL.....just fabulous!

Our public tv station shows this series once or twice a year and every since the first time I saw it, I was completely awe struck. The beautiful visuals and music strike such deep emotional chords within me that I find myself reminded of all of the things that I take for granted. I am a Pagan woman but I find that one need not be Pagan or female in order to understand and fall in love with this series. I would recommend watching this alone for the first time, without distraction, so that you can fully enjoy, absorb, and digest these beautiful series on Goddess Spirituality.

I can not find too many words for the feelings that watching this set invoked in me. Too often closed eyes means a closed heart. With this set, you come to open your eyes and your heart. The plight of women-one overlooked so often by those in the "religious" community-is shown here with great care and love by the makers. A must see for all women, of all walks.

I have never taken the time to write a review but this video set demanded that I tell all, that this video is amazing. It is an incredible journey into the past which helps to bring understand to modern beliefs and culture. It helps to break the still existent ignorance about women and their connection with whichcraft.

Videos were just as described in sales legend. They arived in new plastic boxes rather than the original case but were well marked with the titles.

...I thought it might be time to add my review, here. Like others have said here, it is amazing. I don't consider myself a "Witch", but a "New Ager", and I embrace the Goddess energy, as well as the God energy. The focus of this program is in no way the bashing of men, but the empowering of women. Women's power doesn't mean "power over" anyone. The planet truly needs women of today to embrace their powers of intuition, healing, compassion, and also to act on what we know to be true for ourselves and those we love.....including our Mother Earth. This trilogy, I believe, helps to educate women..... Yet, beyond the educational part, the music and images of the film, the speakers, the information, bring up something that is True in women. Our Power of Love. At least for me, who watches this film once or twice a year, it brings up a deep welling of love for who I REALLY am. Blessings!

Women's Spirituality - The Burning Times, is the first video in a trilogy produced by the Film Board of Canada (with Full Circle and Goddess Remembered). It is a major work both in its evocative artistry and in its scrupulous historical authenticity. The visuals are striking, and include numerous period engravings and other art, beautifully utilized in well-timed sequences.

This is a painful video to watch, for its horrifyingly accurate documentation of the witch-trials; yet it is the best presentation I have found of this important information. We need to understand how terribly wrong gender-war can be, so that we can begin to heal our woman-man relationships. Watch this video, and its fine sequels, with supportive groups of women, and with the men who mean the most in your life. This is important!