lanternheart's review
4.0
While Adler's book is far from recent (even a 2006 edition can seem dated in some respects), Drawing Down the Moon does offer one of the more comprehensive, journalistic, and intriguing histories and surveys of the modern witchcraft movement in the 20th and 21st centuries. Alder's training as a journalist through NPR shows in her dedication to fact and myth-busting, especially in regards to popular witchcraft and pagan myths, such as the "Burning Times" and unpacking the history of specific faiths, like Wicca.
Being a Wiccan herself, Adler's prose is most likely to get literary and personal when she speaks of her personal experience in that faith, but knowing this going in does help. I did find her perspective to generally slant Wiccan in some sections more than others, but she acknowledges this readily and an awareness allows the reader to go through her book with clear eyes.
The history at the first part of the book was the most interesting to me, followed closely by the survey of Neo-pagan movements of a variety: from the NROOGD (New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn) to more fringe groups, like the Radical Faeries, she's got a survey of most covered.
As a trans reader, it was hard not to find some sections of this book dated in regards to queerness — or downright worrisome. The generally sympathetic tone Adler takes to Dianic Wicca was concerning to me, as strains of it can read TERF-y, and I skipped most of chapter 6's interview once it became clear how much Second-Wave (and somewhat biologically essentialist) feminism the interviewee held in her beliefs. A more updated version of this book, were it possible, would hopefully include a variety of queer perspectives outside of groups like the Radical Faeries, and be more sensitive to the concerns and desires of trans readers and witches.
For a "longtime listener, first time caller" to the modern witchcraft movement, this gave me a lot to chew on both in terms of history and spirituality, and I think it's a book I'd return to in times of questioning.
Being a Wiccan herself, Adler's prose is most likely to get literary and personal when she speaks of her personal experience in that faith, but knowing this going in does help. I did find her perspective to generally slant Wiccan in some sections more than others, but she acknowledges this readily and an awareness allows the reader to go through her book with clear eyes.
The history at the first part of the book was the most interesting to me, followed closely by the survey of Neo-pagan movements of a variety: from the NROOGD (New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn) to more fringe groups, like the Radical Faeries, she's got a survey of most covered.
As a trans reader, it was hard not to find some sections of this book dated in regards to queerness — or downright worrisome. The generally sympathetic tone Adler takes to Dianic Wicca was concerning to me, as strains of it can read TERF-y, and I skipped most of chapter 6's interview once it became clear how much Second-Wave (and somewhat biologically essentialist) feminism the interviewee held in her beliefs. A more updated version of this book, were it possible, would hopefully include a variety of queer perspectives outside of groups like the Radical Faeries, and be more sensitive to the concerns and desires of trans readers and witches.
For a "longtime listener, first time caller" to the modern witchcraft movement, this gave me a lot to chew on both in terms of history and spirituality, and I think it's a book I'd return to in times of questioning.
pollincowbell's review
5.0
Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon" is a fantastic anthropological overview of Neo-pagan religions in the United States since the 1970s. Written in a very engaging and approachable fashion, the prose is simple yet sufficient. Adler is able to remain objective whilst analyzing various aspects of the Craft and other pagan traditions despite being involved with them herself. She also frequently acknowledges where the study, conclusions, or data may be lacking finesse. Overall, a monumental piece of work in Pagan Studies and a fascinating read, highly recommend to anyone with any interest in the subject of Neo-paganism and earth-based religions.
melanierichards's review
2.0
Somehow, this book is very very dry. It seems like it might be interesting as an insider to one of these traditions, but as someone who is curious about beliefs and customs, you’re not going to get much out of it…just lots of namedropping. There’s some weirdly problematic behaviors as well, some of which the author seems to call out, others which she seems to kind of tacitly endorse.
oriad313's review
4.0
I read the 2006 edition.
A situated anthropological review of white western neo pagan movements, this book is pretty thorough and the revisions help provide good context on changes in the last few decades. I would consider it a solid history of this subset of spiritual movements. This book touches on cultures that are not white and western but is far less thorough in those explorations and has some outdated language.
A situated anthropological review of white western neo pagan movements, this book is pretty thorough and the revisions help provide good context on changes in the last few decades. I would consider it a solid history of this subset of spiritual movements. This book touches on cultures that are not white and western but is far less thorough in those explorations and has some outdated language.