Casting the Circle: A Woman's Book of Ritual (Paperback)

by Diane Stein (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Learn how to create a sacred space and use ritual for empowerment in everyday life, with this classic from Diane Stein.

About the Author
DIANE STEIN is a popular and acclaimed healer and the best-selling author of Essential Reiki and 25 other books in the fields of metaphysical healing, women's spirituality, and alternative health. She lives and teaches in Florida.

THE AUTHOR SCOOP

Read any good books lately?
My favorite reading is science fiction, there are new good books coming out every day.  Look at Sharon Shinn, Tamora Pierce, Ann Bishop, and so many more talented women fiction writers.

If you had to boil your book's message down to one sentence, what would it be?
Serve the Light, trust the Light, make a difference in the world with who you are and what you do.

What are you working on now?
I prefer to keep future books a secret until they are finished.  No one will know until the manuscript is mailed in.

Do you eat your vegetables?
I have been a vegetarian since 1983.  I do eat my vegetables.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Wonder Woman, of course.

How long did it take you to write this book? 
I have been working with herbs for over 35 years, so you could say it took that long to write it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895944111
• ISBN-13: 978-0895944115
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #500,972 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a useful reference, November 7, 2000

By	Kirsten M. Houseknecht "[e-mail]" (philadelphia, pa USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This would be a useful reference to add to your bookshelf. The author makes many claims without listing any source material, and I could certainly wish for more information on some of her historical statements ("women invented...") but I fortunately did not buy the book as a history reference for civilization.

This book is a useful reference for Dianic, or feminyst Wicca. It nicely summarizes the (less extreme) views of Dianic Wicca, concentrating on the Goddess alone, but without neccesarily denigrating the male principle (or reader). It covers the history of the Dianic/feminyst Wicca movement, and introduces the reader to many of the primary writers and philosophies that form the core of these beliefs.

The rituals are moving, with real grace and power, and the entire book is clear and well written. The information is presented clearly to the beginner, without looking down on the more experienced practicioner. Her poetry is beautiful, and even if you prefer a more balanced or dualistic approach to Wicca, you will find much of value and use in this book. If you find yourself drawn to the Goddess, rather than to the God, you will find most of these rituals ready for your use; if not I still think that much of the poetry and power of the rituals can be used in a more gender balanced form.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction for goddess spirituality groups, February 20, 1998

By	Rebecca Scarborough "rebscar" (Red Bank, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Diane Stein is a leading thinker in the Goddess Spirituality movement, and in this book, gives a good, short overview of Goddess ritual. She also de-mystifies the antecedents of the modern Wiccan traditions. This book should be in the library of any Goddess follower as a starting point for planning rituals.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book on Dianic Wicce, June 23, 2006

By	Morgaine Swann, H.Ps. "Morgan" (Eastern KY United States) - See all my reviews

I can't believe some of the reviews here. Diane Stein is a Dianic Witch. That's a woman-only tradition and we are usually well versed in Herstory, which is an entire field of study separate from the lies your teachers tell you. She needn't cite evidence of the ancient matriarchies because we've all read them. That isn't what this book is about. There are other sources - Elizabeth Gould Davis, Barbara G. Walker, Marija Gimbutas to name a few - for that.

Nor is the goal of this book to include men, or make them feel comfortable. We've had 6,000 years of that, thanks very much. This is about US. The Goddess tradition is by women and for women. We don't do artificial patriarchal binaries, we don't do polarities, black and white, good vs. evil - that's called Judeo-Christianity - also not what this book is about.

If you want to learn to practice gynocentric Wicce, this is your book. You don't have to be a lesbian, but you do have to be comfortable with them. If you want cotton-candy, New Age-y Wicca you can share with your boyfriend, move on. This book is not for you, and it doesn't pretend to be.

Real Witches only, please. This is hardcore woman power and it's glorious. Highly recommended for Daughters of the Goddess.