Drawing down the Moon : Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America

by Adler, Margot

• ISBN13: 9780143038191
• ISBN10: 0143038192
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-03
• Publisher: Penguin Books

Summary

The only detailed history of a little-known and widely misunderstood movement, Drawing Down the Moon provides a fascinating look at the religious experiences, beliefs, and lifestyles of the Neo-Pagan subculture. Margot Adler attended ritual gatherings and interviewed a diverse, colourful gallery of people across the United States, people who find inspiration in ancient deities, nature, myth, even science fiction. Contrary to stereotype, what Adler discovered was neither cults nor odd sects, but religious groups that are nonauthoritarian in spirit and share the belief that there is no one path to divinity. This edition of Drawing Down the Moon includes a completely updated and expanded resource guide that details several hundred related journals, festivals, newsletters and groups.

Author Biography

Margot Adler has been a well-known correspondent with National Public Radio for more than 25 years, where her pieces frequently air on All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Table of Contents

Preface to the New Edition	ix
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xvii
A Note on Names and Language	xviii
Background
Paganism and Prejudice	3	(10)
A Religion Without Converts	13	(9)
The Pagan World View	22	(17)
Witches
The Wiccan Revival	39	(51)
The Craft Today	90	(50)
Interview with a Modern Witch	140	(16)
Magic and Ritual	156	(22)
Women, Feminism, and the Craft	178	(65)
Other Neo-Pagans
Religions from the Past---The Pagan Reconstructionists	243	(57)
A Religion from the Future---The Church of All Worlds	300	(35)
Religions of Paradox and Play	335	(20)
Radical Faeries and the Growth of Men's Spirituality	355	(20)
The Material Plane
Living on the Earth	375	(82)
Epilogue	457	(4)
Appendix I: Scholars, Writers, Journalists, and the Occult	461	(21)
Appendix II: Rituals	482	(9)
Appendix III: Resources	491	(109)
Notes	600	(23)
Bibliography	623	(8)
Index	631