Starhawk's
Writings
The
Twelve Wild Swans
The
Twelve Wild Swans: A Journey Into Magic,
Healing and Action, by Starhawk
and Hilary Valentine
Notes from Starhawk: "This
is a resource book for Pagans, circles,
and teachers. It compiles much material
developed by many people in the Reclaiming
Community over the last two decades. Its
structure follows that of one of our Witch
Camps. We use the fairy tale of "The
Twelve Wild Swans" as our theme story,
and divide it into seven parts. Each section
is another step on an initiatory journey,
and for each we provide basic magical training,
inner work on personal healing, and outer
work to heal and change the world. You can
work through the book chapter by chapter,
or choose one path and follow it through,
or simply use the exercises and meditations
that call to you. And if you're in one of
the circles that has devolved into a group
where you eat and talk and can't quite get
around to doing magic (yes, I've been in
them too!) and are looking for ideas, this
book could keep you occupied for years!"
Continuing the lessons and deepening the
knowledge first set out in the bestseller
The Spiral Dance, here is the first
guide that works for both basic and advanced
magical training. Authors Starhawk and Hilary
Valentine transform a fairy tale about twelve
wild swans into a set of instructions for
an initiatory journey into the world
of Witchcraft, providing a remarkable roadmap
describing three distinct paths into magic,
healing, and action. "The practice
of magic rests on the power of the word,"
says Starhawk. For circles, covens, and
groups, this volume is the power of the
word at work -- a sourcebook that instructs
and inspires on many levels, from the craft
of magical training, to inner spiritual
development, to outer work in the greater
world.
To Order: please support independent bookstores -- you should try 100Fires.com, rather than going to one of the corporate mega-stores. Click on the banner below for The Twelve Wild Swans:
"Starhawk's magic is the ultimate realism for our times. No teacher
better combines the inner and the outer paths to creating a sustainable
future. She shows how the journey to personal wholeness and the steps
to social revolution are indivisible, one reinforcing the other. This
marvelous book, majestic in its sweep and tender in its details, will
become a well-thumbed manual, indispensable to staying sane and effective
in this time of crisis." -- Joanna Macy, author
of Coming Back to Life
"Just as The Spiral Dance became
the handbook for pagan social activism,
so The Twelve Wild Swans is destined to
become the training manual for pagan philosophical
thought. Weaving pagan philosophy with practical
advice,
Starhawk in The Twelve Wild Swans offers
an insightful look into the maturing beliefs
and practices of modern neo-pagans. The
Twelve Wild Swans has something for beginning
seekers and seasoned pagans alike. It is
one of
those books that you will turn to again
and again, and each time you will discover
something new. Leave a spot on your library
shelf right next to The Spiral Dance for
this one!" --Wren Walker,
Witches' Voice
"Engagingly written...should be wildly
and deservedly popular with neo-pagan readers
and other seekers." --Library Journal
"Starhawk has done so much for the
goddess movement it's hard to think of how
she could top previous contributions, but
with The Twelve Wild Swans
she has taken the Reclaiming Tradition to
new heights -- with creativity, wisdom,
and experience as a guiding beacon to follow.
Built on a solid foundation of looking within,
manifesting without, and truly living the
magick, Starhawk takes us on a bardic journey
to rediscover, reclaim, and revive what
has been lost or set aside -- in ourselves,
our world, and our magick, and then reminds
us to honor and celebrate that awakening."
--
Patricia Telesco, author
of Magick Made Easy
Imprint: HarperSanFrancisco; ISBN: 0062516841
Read a review of The Twelve Wild Swans by Georgie Dennison, first published in Reclaiming Quarterly, Winter 2001
"In our depth is our connection to the sacred; it lies within us like a
blossom waiting to unfold embracing the sun. Within these covers are keys to manifesting our intention of the sacred into the unfolding of our
lives." -- Julia Butterfly Hill, activist and author of The Legacy of Luna
"The long-awaited and much-anticipated Reclaiming workbook is here, and worth every page. This is a treasure. The ore is an old folk tale, mined for its basic magical Elements, refined with deep personal work, and set as brilliant stones in shining precious metals for the World to see, admire, pick up, enjoy, wear, and use. The wealth that has arisen from the work, insights and creativity of many women and men all over the country that has contributed to what has emerged as Reclaiming tradition Witchcraft fills me with gratitude for our unique and diverse community." -- M. Macha NightMare, co-author of The Pagan Book of Living and Dying
"Continuing the important work begun by The Spiral Dance, The Twelve Wild Swans is a treasure trove of wisdom and techniques destined to become a classic of Wiccan literature. Beautifully written, it is an invaluable
guide to the Reclaiming Tradition of spiritual transformation and
empowerment, and an inspiring reminder that there is far more to magic than potions!"
-- Phyllis Curott, Wiccan Priestess, attorney and author of Book of
Shadows: A Modern Woman's Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess
"Starhawk's done it again! With The Twelve Wild Swans we can heal ourselves and our planet. This in-depth guide to Goddess practices helps us reclaim our power and wisdom, and gain profound self-fulfillment." --Francesca De
Grandis, author of Be a Goddess!
"The Twelve Wild Swans is an important work built upon the strong
foundations of personal experience. It is well written, highly practical
and is sure to become another classic text." --Raven Grimassi, author of The Wiccan Mysteries
