As if I didn't love Starhawk's work enough already, then she came out with a book exploring magic and spirituality via my all time favorite fairy tale, The Twelve Wild Swans. As I understand it, this book is designed to be a book version of the magical work involved in a Reclaiming Witchcamp. It journeys through the tale on three levels... an introductory exploration of Earth Spirituality via the elements and other basic tools and concepts, then through deep personal work (inner path), and again through the concepts in community (outer path) context. There's so much good stuff here, a great place to begin with Earth Spirituality.

Classic Starhawk. This one is a perfect blend of political activism, deep inner work, and ritual to bring yourself closer to your true, most holistic self. She centers this all around the age-old fairy tale The Twelve Swans, using this allegory to weave her message. I was impressed with the sequel to The Spiral Dance. I may have even enjoyed this one just as much.

This novel certainly delivers on its subtitle A Journey to the Realm of Magic, Healing, and Action. What struck me most about the book is the way the author uses the fairy tale of The Twelve Wild Swans (a story that was unfamiliar to me) not only as an analogy but as a learning tool into the world of magical ways. It’s a brilliant teaching strategy. The theme is about creating a conscious intent to do better in ourselves, for others, and to even make the world a better place, one step at a time.

There are plenty of exercises that use the Swans story as a metaphor for personal change and growth. So much information is presented that those who are truly interested in acquiring magical skill will likely need to read many sections at least twice, then repeatedly do the exercises. I appreciated the fact that the exercises can be done alone or in a group.

I’ve never quite read a book like this before. It’s both storytelling and workbook in seven creative, well-executed chapters. The Twelve Wild Swans is a welcome addition to any library on magic, Pagan belief, and what is naively still referred to as new-age thinking, given that the practices and beliefs have been around for millennia. Published in 2000, there is a resource list of groups supporting the revitalization of witches and Pagan ways of life. I checked a couple of websites and the links still work. There’s a large, informative community out there that’s worth further exploration after you’ve read this terrific book.

I found the myth/Wild Swans story involvement with this book largely unnecessary, but that said, this was one of my favorite books this year. Much goodness about magic, ritual, and group dynamics/functioning. I will definitely be re-reading this one.

"The mists part; the barge awaits."

This is the fully realized workbook from Starhawk's Reclaiming Tradition. Magic, healing, discovering the Self, discovering your Path, discovering Otherness.

I had been waiting for Starhawk to let forth this book since meeting her in 1990 and hearing her speak about Reclaiming.

This is a truly amazing book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore their inner selves, spirituality, and personal healing. You don't have to be Wiccan, a Witch, or even Pagan to be inspired by this book. You would need to be open to these things, but I think any open-minded, spiritual person would enjoy it.

I think the book is in particular important for and aimed towards women and female-identifying individuals. It has a feminist base, and is really a journey toward empowerment. If you follow a Traditional Wiccan Path, the different paths in this book :Elements, Inner, Outer can be recognizable as similar to most teachings for First, Second, and Third Degree in many traditions, at least, the ones I am aware of. But, it doesn't matter if you have been a Witch for 2 weeks or 40 years or aren't at all, there is something in there for you.

Starhawk and Valentine are masters of imparting wisdom but not making the reader (at least, to my experience) feel like they are being talked down to or are dullards for not knowing what they know. You get the sense they are walking beside you and always learning new things too: a true mark of a High Priestess and Elder.

The book made me long for a sisterhood in person that I could practice these with, and to take part in one of their Witchcamps! However, while the group rites suggested were ideal, the solitary suggestions made everything customizable.

I could read this book 100 times and always find something new. Highly recommended!

Margot Adler's review is better than anything I could come up with: http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/pagan...

This is a helpful guide and resource for women's groups regardless of their background or spiritual tendencies.

L

A re-reading (and re-doing). This is one of the spiritual guides I always come back to.

I liked the visual meditations and the explorations of the different selves. I was not expecting the strong activism piece but felt inspired by her call to service and her meditations surrounding it.

Great practice book in the Reclaiming Tradition. Not theory, but practice, working through the lens of a fairy tale. A bit like Witchcamp in book form.