Casting the Circle: A Woman's Book of Ritual

If you have never participated in a cirle ritual. This book is full of info on what to expect.

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.

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.

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.