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

by Margot Adler

Book Overview

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, colorful gallery of people across the United States, people who find inspiration in ancient deities, nature, myth, even science fiction. Contrary to stereotype, What Adler...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807032379
• ISBN13: 9780807032374
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Beacon Press (MA)
• Length: 455 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Accessible Philosophy

Such an informative and engaging read regarding the history of the Neo-Pagan movement. Margot Adler asks you to put on many different perceptual hats as she guides you through what were (at one time) the essential concepts underpinning the Neo-Pagan religion. Every chapter encouraged me to think about an assumption we collectively hold about the world, to view it in a new light, and question why it's there. Valuable not only to would-be Pagans, but to anybody with a curious mind.

Very Informative

Author did a great job of explaining various pagan beliefs and ways of worshipping, while also debunking a few common rumors.

Loving this read

A great beginner level book on paganism. A little dry but if you make it through those spots,it’s very informative.

Beautiful!

A breathtaking book that has stood the test of time! Read it. And Bless Thee! Blessed Be!

Excellent book in need of being updated

We met the author in 1978 as she was awaiting publlication of her book. We found it excellent, but already a bit dated and hoped for an update in the revision that came later. Unfortunately, the later version was only slightly different from the earlier one.The Craft has changed faster than any other religious movement, and we need a truly up-to-date revision, but we need it from Margot Adler. For her balanced and human document is the perfect contrast to the books by enemies of witchcraft who want to portray ourselves as devil-worshippers, etc. For now, the work is mainly useful in providing a history of a crucial time in the emergence of this growing religious movement. We are pleased to see attention given to our own tradition, NROOGD, in the book. It is very well written and intelligent. We highly recommend it, but again as an historical rather than a current document.