Modern Paganism Book Review: Drawing Down the Moon

 NOTE:  This book review is not in its final form.  It will undergo several revisions before it's "submission" worthy. 

     Drawing Down the Moon was the first book I ever read on Paganism in 2004 and I’ve read it three more times in the intervening nine years.  I came away from each reading with an entirely new perspective than the one I had started with, and I chalk that up to not only my growth as a person, but the  trajectory my own journey has taken as I’ve spent the past several years searching for a place under that big Pagan umbrella to call home.    

     Ms. Adler begins with an overview of Paganism, how different Pagans come to walk their particular path, and how they personalize the definition to fit their experiences and worldview:

`“Like most Neo-pagans, I never converted in the accepted sense—I never

adopted any new beliefs.  I simply accepted, reaffirmed, and extended a very

old experience.  I allowed certain kinds of feelings and ways of being back

into my life.”  Margot Adler

      It makes sense that Ms. Adler spends a hefty portion of the book detailing the rise of the Wiccan Revival in the United States since Wicca/Witchcraft had become so widely visible and popular and remains so even to this day.  It opened the door so that other Pagan religions could flourish and share some of that same spotlight.  I was happy to be reminded that people in the 1970’s were beginning to take a great deal of the previous scholarly research with a grain of salt…this certainly isn’t a recent phenomena.    That some of this shaky research wasn’t discarded as wishful thinking back then but instead dragged along for the ride through the past four decades, certainly gives us a great deal of extra baggage to sort through. 

      One of the biggest complaints from more modern readers is that the book is outdated—first published in 1979 with updated revisions in 1986 and again in 1997.  So many groups and publications mentioned have long ago disappeared from the Pagan radar—but that doesn’t mean their existence didn’t leave a trace—an echo that reverberates even in today’s Pagan culture.  However, if we claim to be so invested in learning more about what our ancestors believed and how they practiced centuries ago, why would we even consider dismissing our most recent histories?  All of it is relevant to who we are today.   History involves events from 400 hundred years ago, 50 years ago, even last week.  It’s how traditions are born, grow, and evolve.  It helps us discern what to take with us as we move forward, and what we need to leave behind.  

          This book provides a snapshot of a particular moment in time and was never meant to be a “how to” manual.  It provides us with the rare opportunity to experience Paganism in its infancy--a time that must have been brimming over with excitement, experimentation, and creativity.  The book DOES NOT require another update—it would totally change the tone and spirit of the original.  If anything, I would love to see Margot Adler publish Drawing  Down the Moon:  Volume II.  It would be a great companion to the original. 

      My only real complaint is the excessive time devoted to the Church of All Worlds and not enough to other religions.  I admit that I found myself zoning out during this lengthy chapter.  Perhaps I’m biased, but ADF certainly warranted many more pages to telling its story than what was afforded them, especially since it was included in the revised editions.  I believe ADF would be worthy of an entire chapter this time around.  

     

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