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.
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“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“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
Imprint: HarperSanFrancisco; ISBN: 0062516841
