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Publisher's Summary

Almost 40 years since its original publication, Drawing Down the Moon continues to be the only detailed history of the burgeoning but still widely misunderstood 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. In this revised edition, Adler takes a fascinating and honest look at the religious experiences, beliefs, and lifestyles of modern America's Pagan groups.

©1986 Margot Adler (P)2018 Tantor

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What listeners say about Drawing Down the Moon

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    3 out of 5 stars

Long in some parts and not long enough in others.

Overall I enjoyed the book. it felt like a decent overveiw of Pagans in North America. The only problems I found, was that the Feminist Wicca section felt very long compaired to others and the Druid section felt lacling as I don't recall any mention of OBOD.

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  • Jessie S.
  • 2018-07-28

Very informative, very dense!

I hope that someone takes up Adler's role after her passing to continue to provide updated, thorough information.

11 people found this helpful

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  • Michelle Welker
  • 2018-05-30

hard to get through but worth it.

this book should be 9n every m9dern witches book list. difficult but necessary to understand the struggles and misconceptions witches have faced so that we have the freedoms we have now.

19 people found this helpful

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  • T. James
  • 2019-10-11

Great book - not so great narrator.

This was one of the first books I read on Wicca and is, in my opinion, one of the best books written on the subject. I truly wish this narrator didn't narrate so many magical books. She often develops a tone of superiority- not sure if it's accidental or not, but it's off putting and distracts from the beauty of the book.

So - if you are studying, definitely get this as a written work. The audio version doesn't do it justice.

7 people found this helpful

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  • Tiffany
  • 2018-11-25

A must read

I struggled through the paperback book for several chapters before downloading the audiobook. I am so glad I did it was a much more enjoyable experience reading this book.

6 people found this helpful

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  • Nicole Hinkley
  • 2018-09-27

Addictive and eye opening!

I have struggled most of my life to put into words what I believe, and how to understand who and what I am. This book has opened my eyes to those mysteries I have long been searching for.

5 people found this helpful

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  • Waterfall
  • 2020-09-12

Important history lesson but missing elements

I loved learning about the history but it was a little bit of a struggle to finish because it's so long. So I had to let myself take breaks from listening. I've realized it's definitely more of a book to have a hardcopy of instead of an audio book. I also wish there was a new update for it with the new recent wave of witchcraft and paganism. I also noticed this primarily focused on predominantly white European American informational sources and lacked any perspective from people of color. As a neopagan person of color who practices witchcraft I was disappointed by this. Overall, I still believe this book holds important history but it only tells the story from one perspective.

4 people found this helpful

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  • K.W.
  • 2020-09-02

In-depth, honest, eye-opening

This book needs to be required reading for anyone in alternative religions/spirituality while living within the Western mainstream. It focuses on contemporary Paganism with incredible historical context. I came to this as an indigenous person from a traditional path, so my experience is similar in some ways and different in others. I nodded at the times the author mentioned quotes or thoughts from native peoples. Now I can articulate why I feel a friendliness toward Paganism (before reading this, it was just a feeling) and why, at times, Paganism doesn't touch me the way my native tradition does. This book did help me understand where I might fit in all this as a native who feels very strongly about my native ways and to have more compassion for modern pagans, heathens, witches, druids, and other like-minded practitioners. <3

Also, I really liked the narrator. She was easy to listen to, has perfect diction (sign of a pro), has a natural rate of speech, and lovely intonation.

4 people found this helpful

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  • Coleen
  • 2020-02-21

Fascinating historic and personal analysis

I read a lot of "witchy books" and didn't have any preconceived notions about this book when I read it. A friend had highly recommended it to me but I work in a publishing company so people are always HIGHLY recommending books to me LOL. I was so so so impressed with this book. Margot Adler took an academic/historical approach to researching various areas of Paganism, Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidism, etc. However, this book also reads as a memoir because she starts out really looking at this from a detached, non-believer academic standpoint but then begins participating in rituals (to various both positive and negative results). As she learns more, she gets drawn in and it changes her life by the end. She meets and interviews all different kinds of people with various believe systems throughout the book and the only time that she's ever slightly judgemental at all is when she can tell someone is full of shit and moreso using "ritual" as a power grab and not for spiritual enlightenment. She puts herself into situations in this book that make her uncomfortable, that give her spiritual awakenings, that make her (and therefore you) LOL. She really takes you on a ride. For a book written 40ish years ago, it's still highly relevant. After I read the book, I researched anything I could about Margot Adler because I wanted to go see her speak or contrive some way to meet her. Alas, she has passed away. Still, I'm so glad that she left this book behind for us all to read. Even if you're not interested in BECOMING a Pagan, Witch, Wiccan, Druid, etc, this book is just a fascinating look into people who march to the beat of their own drummer and the ways that they have a positive influence on her life. Super cool and highly recommend!

3 people found this helpful

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  • Jessica Graves
  • 2019-02-19

Amazing

This was very informative and helped to clarify some aspects of the pagan movement. I will be purchasing this book for my physical collection!

2 people found this helpful

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  • McKinley Fraser
  • 2019-11-01

A great book for your spirit journey

New insights and questions form from every word Margot Adler writes and Pam Ward brings it to life.

1 person found this helpful