This book really gave the impression of reading an NPR episode, which makes perfect sense considering Adler was a host.

At times, the book seemed to drag on a bit, but there were also some truly captivating parts within it. I had a particular affinity for Adler's reflections, as well as those and the opinions of Devlin.

I chose to read the most recent edition of "Drawing Down the Moon," and I'm very glad I did. Had I opted for a second-hand edition, it would likely have been quite outdated. This current edition enables the reader to gain an understanding of where Adler perceives the craft in 2006, in contrast to its earlier manifestations in previous editions.

I would highly recommend this as required reading. It serves as an excellent reflection of the craft and provides valuable insights into its state at a specific point in time.

Overall, despite its few drawbacks, this book offers a wealth of interesting perspectives and information that are well worth exploring.

This book is an absolute classic read for any Pagan. It offers a wealth of knowledge and insights into the Pagan beliefs, practices, and way of life.

The author has done an excellent job of presenting the information in an engaging and accessible manner, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced Pagans.

Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of Paganism or simply explore a new spiritual path, this book is highly recommended.

It will open your eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and help you connect with the divine in a more meaningful way.

So, if you are a Pagan or someone interested in Paganism, don't miss out on this wonderful book. Grab a copy today and start your journey of discovery!

This was a good overview of modern paganism, I think.

However, I am using the term modern relatively. It's true that she updated the book in the 2000s. But most of the information in the bulk of her chapters was from the seventies, with only minor updates at the end about how things were totally different now.

Given how highly this book was recommended, I feel there really needs to be something similar that is truly modern, not from decades ago. It just isn't accurate anymore.

A problem I have with some other authors I've read on this subject is that they let their own religious views cloud their judgment. They seem to think that Wicca/Witchcraft/What-have-you can do no wrong. But I like that Adler addressed the problem of exploiting native peoples and other culture's religious practices.

I was also excited that she said she'd talk about the diversity of the Pagan community. But all she did was mention Voudoun and Santeria a few times before only quoting and studying white people. This was a bummer and really only enforced the idea that people of color aren't involved. It left a sour taste in my mouth.

I'd say this work was pretty solid. It was more academic than instructional, which was what I wanted. But it still left me disappointed. I think I wanted more from this book.

Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon" is an outstanding anthropological examination of Neo-pagan religions in the United States starting from the 1970s.

It is written in an extremely captivating and accessible style. The prose is not only straightforward but also adequate to convey the complex ideas. Adler manages to maintain objectivity when analyzing different aspects of the Craft and other pagan traditions, even though she has personal involvement with them.

Moreover, she often admits the areas where the study, conclusions, or data might lack refinement. Overall, it is a remarkable work in Pagan Studies and a fascinating read. I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the subject of Neo-paganism and earth-based religions.

It provides valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and development of these religions, and offers a comprehensive understanding of this unique cultural phenomenon. Whether you are a scholar, a practitioner, or simply a curious reader, this book is sure to engage and inform you.

Although the discourse commences from America, as indicated by the title, Margot Adler presents a broad perspective that stems from diverse cultures across the globe, which ultimately reached and influenced American Pagans. I initially didn't anticipate this and was pleasantly surprised. However, it's something one should expect considering America's diverse ethnic makeup.

Personally, I believe that "Drawing Down The Moon" is a book of great interest to anyone studying the subject, whether as a practitioner, anthropologist, or both, regardless of their place of residence.

Moreover, since the author first published it in the 70s and updated it until 2006, she guides the reader in observing the phenomenon of Paganism/Witchcraft from its inception to its continuous changes and growth. Additionally, as a bonus, at least for me and likely for everyone interested in 60s/70s culture and its impact on politics, activism, etc., this book extensively details the Queer, Feminist, and Ecological movements at their beginnings and elaborates on all the ways they intertwined with Neo-Paganism, perhaps even enriching it.

By the end of the book, you'll feel much more prepared, and it will be easier to understand what and who other texts or people are referring to. Last but not least, all the knowledge you've gained will feel like the result of a long conversation with a friend. Margot Adler has a wonderful and humorous voice, even when dealing with a sometimes difficult and complex topic like this.

I was truly astounded by the remarkable level of detail and the predominantly non-judgmental tone of the reporting and writing within this book.

The author, who is affiliated with NPR, has crafted a text that, when read aloud, often bears a resemblance to an NPR story. This is not necessarily a negative or positive aspect; it is simply a matter of style.

For chaplains (the very reason I delved into it), religious studies majors, or those with a general sense of curiosity, this book serves as an incredible resource. It is replete with interviews, personal anecdotes, poll results, and a comprehensive history of various Pagan/Neo-Pagan groups in the US.

The edition I perused was the updated and revised version, which features a more contemporary list of websites and festivals. Although it is due for another update (as this particular revision was done in 2006), the fundamental information remains intact. Without a doubt, I highly recommend this book.

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON by Margot Adler is an excellent survey of the contemporary American neo-Pagan movement.

Unlike many movements that emerged in the 60s and 70s, which were often associated with drug use, the neo-Pagan movement is chaotic, creative, and playful. Its core tenets are straightforward: honor nature as it is an earth-based religion, do no harm to others, and enjoy life.

The book, like a good survey, introduces a plethora of pagan traditions. There's Wicca, the more-or-less traditional British tradition, as well as traditional Irish traditions, Druids, Afro-European traditions that combine Santeria with Egyptian philosophy, several hard-core off-the-grid earth religions, one derived from Robert Heinlein's classic science fiction novel, and several Heathen traditions that celebrate the Norse gods and aim to live the Viking Way.

The variety is indeed dizzying and at times goofy, reminiscent of the 60s. It's like attending a Dead show in the late 80s and seeing aged hippies, ecstatic, decent, creative, and open, yet somehow unformed and anachronistic.

However, Adler truly shines when she looks beyond this crazy quilt-work to make larger socio-cultural observations. For example, she notes how traditional craft practitioners, like Wiccan covens, emphasize male-female polarities and sexual fertility, which can ostracize gays and lesbians. In contrast, both feminist, all-female Dianic covens and Fairy traditions allow gay people to practice the craft.

This is an enlightening book that I first read in the 80s. After a conversation with my nephew, I learned we'd both been invited to join Wicca groups in college, which made me nostalgic. I looked the book up in my library's online system and was shocked to find an updated 2012 edition, so I checked it out.

I give it four stars, though really it's 3.5 rounded up. The book is an interesting anthropology of a fringe yet mainstream group that exists throughout America, often hidden from view.

Informative, both culturally and historically speaking, this work comes highly recommended for those engaged in researching the occult arts or occultist groups. Adler has done an outstanding job in presenting the diverse range of groups under discussion. The way he presents the information makes it easily understandable for someone like me, who had little prior knowledge about them. It is also beneficial for those who are confused by the commonly passed-down American religiocentrism regarding the occult arts and are seeking to clarify information from a reputable source. Although it is a long read, it is truly worth the effort. The detailed exploration of these groups provides valuable insights into their beliefs, practices, and historical contexts. It helps to demystify the often misunderstood world of the occult and offers a more comprehensive understanding for the reader.

I was initially skeptical of this recommendation. However, upon further examination, I discovered that it was written with a great deal of empathy and excellent in-depth reporting, while also presenting an external perspective.

Nevertheless, there is one very significant problem. In my Kindle version of the 2006 edition, on page 109, there is an instance that I believe is a report of rape, yet there is no negative comment accompanying it. This has left me completely at a loss as to how to relate to the book. Generally speaking, the author gives the impression of being empathetic and sensible. But I wonder if this report is a fantasy or a made-up story. There are quite a number of self-reported experiences in the book that seem fictional, so perhaps this one is not meant to be taken literally. However, the story is so horrifying that I truly wish this aspect had been addressed.

I am currently in a state of great confusion and upset because of this, and as a result, I am leaving the book unrated.

It's truly astonishing to think that this book was initially published a whopping 45 years ago.

While it's inevitable that some of the information it contains has become outdated over the passage of time, a significant portion of it remains highly relevant even today.

Now, more than ever before, people are actively seeking a distinct kind of spirituality.

This is a spirituality that endeavors to break free from the patriarchal concepts prevalent in the existing world religions.

It places a premium on a return to the feminine, a profound reverence for nature, and the discovery of the divine within oneself.

Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, in all their diverse manifestations, present this alternative avenue.

"Drawing Down the Moon" is an absolute must-read for anyone who has an interest in delving into the history, as well as the present and future, of the genuine essence of witchcraft.

It offers a unique perspective and valuable insights into a world that has long been shrouded in mystery and misrepresentation.

By reading this book, one can gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs, practices, and evolution of witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, and perhaps even find inspiration for one's own spiritual journey.

I'm not a spiritual individual. I read this out of intellectual curiosity. Perhaps that's the reason why I didn't love it, despite the fact that it was informative, detailed, and very well researched.

I think I had anticipated something different. This is an almost scholarly work on the pagan scene and its history, especially in the US. It's not an overview of the rituals and myths of the various religions, which is what I was actually "expecting".

I have a hunch that this would have been a far more interesting and rewarding book if I had had more interest in the religions themselves as a participant, rather than as a total outsider looking in. Nevertheless, it was still very interesting!

It's important to note that everyone's perspective and expectations can vary when it comes to reading such works. What one person may find fascinating, another may not. However, the detailed research and information presented in this book are undeniably valuable for those who have a genuine interest in the pagan scene and its history.

Even though it didn't meet my initial expectations, I can still appreciate the effort and knowledge that went into its creation. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zones and exploring new topics can lead to unexpected discoveries and a deeper understanding of different cultures and beliefs.

In conclusion, while this book may not have been a perfect fit for me, it could potentially be a great resource for others who are more inclined towards the study of paganism and its historical context.

Growing up, a member of my extended family was a practitioner of Wicca. We would accompany her to the Winter Solstice celebrations.

One day, I asked her for a book recommendation as an introduction to the religion. And this is the book she suggested. It has been sitting on my bookshelf since around 2003. That's a really long time.

Over the years, I would take it down from time to time, open it, read about 10 pages, but then get extremely bored and put it back on the shelf.

This year, as part of the reading challenge, there was a prompt where this book seemed to fit. So, I decided it was time to finally get through it.

Honestly, this book is not a good introduction at all. It is incredibly dry and boring. It's more like a poorly organized encyclopedia, which is not a good thing. I persevered with it because I felt a sense of obligation to my family member.

However, I have to say that this book is not the one to read if you want to learn about the religion. And it's definitely not a good choice to read before going to bed. It will put you right to sleep.

In conclusion, I would not recommend reading this book. Instead, you should look for a different one. Maybe just read the sections that are on a topic that interests you, but really, it's not worth it.

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023: A book published the year you were born.