Dianic Wicca is a branch of modern Wicca that focuses specifically on the worship and veneration of the Divine Feminine. It places a strong emphasis on the Goddess and seeks to empower women in their spiritual practice. For those interested in exploring Dianic Wicca, there are several resources available. Books on Dianic Wicca provide a wealth of knowledge and guidance. "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk is often recommended as a foundational text for Wiccans of all traditions, including Dianic. It covers various aspects of Wicca, including the Goddess and the practice of magic.
Alternative religions attract great public, academic and government interest in our apparently post-Christian society. Yet how did all the'alternatives'develop, what are their beliefs and practices and how significant is their impact in terms of the world's religions and society? This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the major forms of alternative religions: Cults, Sects, New Religious Movements, the New Age, Fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, Ethnic Religions and Quasi-religions. Stephen Hunt presents sociological insights into the rise of alternative religions, their beliefs and practices, their impact, who joins them, and how they are being classified and could be re-classified in the future. Public and legal controversies surrounding some alternative religions, such as the so-called'dangerous cults', are also explored. This book offers students insights into contemporary themes such as secularisation, post-modernity, links between religion, healing and and changes in our global culture.
It has been observed that the traditions, philosophies and beliefs that enjoy historical longevity are not those that remain static and unchanging, but rather those that evolve and adapt to meet the needs of different or changing societies. Although the majority of Pagans in the United States have abandoned the tradition of practicing in groups, little is known about these individuals or their way of practice.
It covers various aspects of Wicca, including the Goddess and the practice of magic. Another popular book is "Women's Rites, Women's Mysteries" by Ruth Barrett, which specifically focuses on Dianic Wicca. There are also online resources and websites dedicated to Dianic Wicca.
The Feminist Book of Lights & Shadows (1976)
The practice of witchcraft regained its momentum during the 1970s Women's Feminist Movement. Before then, the use of witchcraft was done in private, and ultimately, there were little to no media coverage on profound witch activities in America other than the retelling of the Salem Witch Trials in late 17th century.
Zsuzsanna Emese Mokcsay, better known by her alias Z Budapest, is a Hungarian born hereditary witch. She gained the status from her mother who was a psychic and sculptor. Her mother's work mainly focused on the Roman Goddess Diana, who is known for being the goddess of the hunt, moon, and underworld. Budapest immigrated to Chicago in 1959. When her husband went on vacation with their two sons and his mistress in 1970, she knew that living as a housewife would not satisfy her. So, she took a trip to southern California and remained there, where she discovered her newfound religion.
Influenced by the traditions of Wicca (contemporary Paganism) and Budapest's maternal lineage, Dianic Wicca was born. Dianic Wicca incorporates Goddess-centered cosmology with feminist-focused spirituality. Similarly, it celebrates the eight annual Wiccan holidays based on the lunar cycle, called Sabbats. These celebrations serve to link the divine individual with the natural world. Budapest is best known for being the founder of the Susan B. Anthony Coven Number 1 in 1971. She gave herself the role of High Priestess within the coven, and their first official meeting was hosted inside her home and consisted of only seven women. As the coven grew to hundreds of members, Budapest expanded their meeting location to the Malibu mountaintops. The group gathered on Sunday mornings to honor the Goddess and discuss rituals for rites of passage such as naming newborns, healing from injury, finding love, etc. In addition, Dianic Wiccans practiced the use of "negative magic" by hexing and cursing men who cause harm unto women. Budapest boasted that "witches threw the best parties"; needless to say, they performed rituals that celebrated the sisterhood of their coven through food, music, poetry, drama, and psychedelics.
The spells and rituals that the group wanted to initially publish can be found here, in The Feminist Book of Lights & Shadows, along with explanations and listings of materials needed for the rituals. In 1979, the book was republished under a compilation of Budapest's other works, titled The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries. A year prior to publishing the book, Budapest was arrested for providing tarot card readings to costumers in her occult shop. This event allowed Budapest to gain nation-wide publicity, and it became a historical marker for feminists, witches, and fortunetellers. Budapest claimed herself as "the first witch to go on trial in 300 years." Her roaring coverage in the media laid the foundation for the California Supreme Court's legalization of fortunetelling in 1985.
Feminists like Budapest dedicate most of their careers to help women "liberate their souls and heal from wounds of patriarchy." However, as she considers transgender men and women as an injustice to spiritual womanhood, her 1970s feminist ideology is seen as controversial among modern witches and new-wave feminists. Today, Zsuzsanna Budapest is working on a television series called "Baba Boogie and the Berkeley Broads," where a conflicted immortal tries to find a new generation of feminists so she can die peacefully.
This 2nd edition (yellow cover) book is a rare find as it is no longer being printed.
This book can be found in Special Collections in McCain Library room 305. The library is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about this title, contact Jennifer Brannock at .
Text by Jannie Nguyen, sophomore Political Science major
**Items of the Month featured in 2023 and part of 2024 will be the work of Southern Miss students who took HON 303, a seminar held in Fall 2022 focusing on archives and special collections.
Notes
Apel, Thomas. "Diana." Mythopedia, April 15, 2022. https://mythopedia.com/topics/diana (Accessed 3 October 2022)
Budapest, Zsuzsanna Emese, et al. The Feminist Book of Lights and Shadows. Feminist Wicca, 1976.
Netburn, Deborah. "This Feminist Witch Introduced California to Goddess Worship." Sep. 18, 2021, Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-18/this-feminist-witch-introducedcalifornia-to-goddess-worship (Accessed 3 October 2022)
White, Ethan Doyle. "Wicca." Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wicca. (Accessed 3 October 2022)
Wigington, Patti. "Dianic Wicca." Learn Religions, Sep. 9, 2021, https://www.learnreligions.com/what-isdianic-wicca-2562908 (Accessed 2 October 2022)
Young, Katherine. Her Voice, Her Faith: Women Speak on World Religions. Routledge, 2002: 243-279, EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohostcom.lynx.lib.usm.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=421181&site=ehost-live (Accessed 2 October 2022)
- Comments
- Policies
- Giving
- Friends of University Libraries
- Campus Safety
- Notice of Nondiscrimination
- Sexual Assault/Title IX
- Web Accessibility
Folklore is one of the earliest journals in the field of folkloristics, first published as The Folk-Lore Record in 1878.
Folklore publishes ethnographical and analytical essays on vernacular culture worldwide, specializing in traditional narrative, language, music, song, dance, drama, foodways, medicine, arts and crafts, popular religion, and belief. It reviews current studies in a wide range of adjacent disciplines including anthropology, cultural studies, ethnology, history, literature, and religion.
Folklore prides itself on its special mix of reviews, analysis, ethnography, and debate; its combination of European and North American approaches to the study of folklore; and its coverage not only of the materials and processes of folklore, but also of the history, methods, and theory of folkloristics.
The Susan B. Anthony Coven Number One website, run by Zsuzsanna Budapest, one of the founding mothers of Dianic Wicca, offers information about the tradition, rituals, and events. The Temple of Diana is another online resource that provides articles, rituals, and teachings related to Dianic Wicca. For those who prefer in-person learning, there are workshops, conferences, and gatherings focused on Dianic Wicca. These events often feature experienced Dianic practitioners who guide participants through rituals, provide teachings, and facilitate discussions. Dianic Wicca also has a presence on social media platforms. Facebook groups and pages dedicated to Dianic Wicca allow individuals to connect, ask questions, and share experiences with like-minded practitioners. It is important to note that Dianic Wicca, like any spiritual tradition, has different branches and interpretations. Some Dianic Wiccan groups are open to all self-identified women, while others are exclusive to cisgender women. It is advisable to research and find resources that align with one's personal beliefs and values. Overall, there are ample resources available for those interested in exploring Dianic Wicca. From books and online platforms to in-person events, individuals can find the guidance and support they need to deepen their understanding and practice of this empowering and Goddess-focused spiritual path..
Reviews for "Exploring Sacred Herbs: Botanicals in Dianic Spellcraft"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was looking for some reliable resources on Dianic Wicca but unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. It seemed more like a summary rather than a comprehensive guide. I was hoping for more in-depth analysis and guidance, but this book fell short. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is serious about studying Dianic Wicca.
2. Jessica - 1 star - I found the Dianic Wicca resources to be extremely biased and misleading. They heavily focused on one particular interpretation of the tradition, making it seem like the only valid approach. I was looking for a more balanced and objective resource, but this book failed to provide that. It just felt like I was reading someone's personal agenda rather than a reliable source of information. I wouldn't waste my time on this resource again.
3. Michael - 2 stars - The resources on Dianic Wicca were disappointing. They lacked clarity and were poorly organized. The explanations were confusing, and it was hard to grasp the key concepts. The language used was also overly complicated for beginners, which made it difficult for me to understand the material. Overall, I found it frustrating and not very useful for someone who is new to Dianic Wicca. I would've appreciated more straightforward and concise resources.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was excited to explore Dianic Wicca and thought these resources would be a great starting point. However, I was disappointed by the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the content. It seemed to focus exclusively on one particular perspective and didn't acknowledge the vast range of beliefs within the Dianic Wiccan community. As someone interested in understanding different viewpoints, I felt let down by this resource. I would advise others to look for more diverse and comprehensive resources on Dianic Wicca.