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[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

hi!! i don’t really know where to ask this question, but i’ve been interested in spirituality and radical feminism in a while, and i wonder how radical feminism, which is based on material reality, can be compatible with spirituality? just wondering ^^

hello, that's a fair question and something i've tried responding to before on my main blog (femmesandhoney), but personally to me spirituality includes believing in the human experience as something we choose to partake in to learn lessons, reincarnation, and all of us being a part and a reflection of the universe's energy. there is no such thing as a "female/feminine" or "male/masculine" energy within spirit, the universe has dark and light energies but to gender it is a consequence of our human condition that we view it from here on earth (gender is bullshit, but especially gendering the fucking universal energies is so stupid to me).

anyways, while i believe all of that about our spiritual existences, we are all experiencing the human experience on earth. that includes being in a male or female body and all of human history and the mistreatment and subjugation of women throughout it. these beliefs are completely compatible to me because material reality such as sex is what every single person including myself is living with on earth. there's no way to ignore the conditions of earth while we're here lol, everything has its own laws in a way. or melanie martinez once called it a "field trip" which i always thought was an apt comparison. you gotta behave and play by the rules of the field trip you signed up for lol.

i'm on earth, my energy is tied to this body until i die, and my entire experience in this lifetime is unique because i have chosen to be a women in this lifetime for whatever reason, and being a women in this world comes with a lot of good and bad equally. so, i'm a feminist in this lifetime. my material reality is not lost on me just because i believe in there being more to the universe and our existence. to ignore my reality and the conditions of women under the patriarchy is just frankily stupid, i want every women now and in the future to be better off on this planet and it's not because of any spiritual thing like i want "good karma" or something, i just think women are important and men on this planet treat us fucking terribly. my spiritual and feminist beliefs don't really bother one another for these reasons.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

If you think you might do another book I would love to read something by Starhawk.

hi love, i would love to and starhawks was the one i was most likely gonna try to do. just a bit busy with school, which seems neverending to me. ill try to do my best, i havent forgotten this blog or anything i promise!

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

You can send ur thoughts in about the book if you've finished it, sorry I was unable to produce some questions for this week my finals are a lot 😅 senior stuff is a busy time! But plz do send in or posts your opinions <3

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

May 1st/2nd—Sorry for late reminder again, it's hell (exam) week for me. Final week! Final discussion week.

Well folks, the book should be all read or mostly read by now haha and I'll write up some discussions questions tonight for everyone! I hope everyone liked the book or gained something from it whether a new perspective, new parts they want to incorporate into their own practice, or new experiences.

Love you all, talk to you later (Promise!)

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

the universe was giggling and twirling her feet

not me reading about the dianic great rite for @spirit-feminist-bookclub when Shania Twain shouts from my phone “let’s go girls!”

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

thank you SO much for answering my ask ❤️❤️❤️❤️

np sorry i couldn't be more helpful

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

This is gonna sound very silly but are there any books on belief in a higher power that isn’t of a major religion? I’ve always felt that there’s something greater than us, but all of the omni- stuff (like omnipotent) never made sense to me. Like I don’t necessarily believe that the higher power is “more powerful” than us as humans or even animals but rather we all move another state of being—this state not being “better” or “worse” (so no heaven or hell.) Even though I don’t plan on having kids, the fact that women can can bear children like stupidly links to the existence of a something out there for me. The fact that we can draw atoms and put them together to create life is insane to me. Sorry this was so rant-y, and thanks for all the stuff you’ve already posted ❤️

hi love, i'm not that well-read on spiritual books which is also one of the reasons i made this book club lol. i want to branch out into more witchy and spiritual books in general. i agree with the annoyance of talking to people who are religious who always claim that there's always a "higher, more powerful" power out there who has like "created us" or controls the universe. the universe to me is the highest power, but we are all a part of the universe and a reflection of it on earth. how are we more powerful than ourselves? just seems silly to me. and yeah the creation of life and the cycle of life is a beautiful,magical thing. i'm not sure what counts as a "major religion" to you, but you could definitely just try reading different books on dif cultures spirituality and beliefs and see what clicks for you and feels the most "true" to you. pagan and eclectic spirituality is a very wide net, so yeah, go poke around it.

your general statements remind me of when my grandfather was going through a phase after my grandmother passed away and was really into finding peace through other beliefs that weren't just "she's in heaven" that catholicism says. he needed a more like sustainable understanding of the cycle of life and death, so he read a lot of interesting stuff from celtic mythology and spirituality if that's somewhere you'd wanna start. i don't remember the specific books he read, this was like seven years ago sadly. but i think you could try finding books about that sort of theme and see where it leads you.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

April 24th/25th (sorry for late posting!)—Final reading week!

Hi friends, sorry for the late post I was in classes all day and forgot to post the reminder on Monday, but yes this is the final week of reading and then next week is the final chance to post or share your thoughts about the book!

Reading from the calender below!

For book readers, read Ch. 6 "Prophecy: Tarot, Runes, Astrology, Dreams, Reincarnation, Automatic Writing, Fortune Telling" pg. 182-200. OPTIONAL: If your copy includes "The Politics of Food", "Shamanism Throughout Herstory", "Masika's book of Life" or "The Goddess of the Ten Thousand Names" you are welcome to read whichever interests you and come to share and discuss anything you've read.

For PDF readers, read Ch. 4 "The Skills of Prophecy" pg. 120-133

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Okay gyns, here were my general thoughts of the chapters:

I definitely found aspects of the historical retellings a bit farfetched at times, but it was difficult to tell in others because Z doesn't cite anything lol. There were times I could definitely see that happening given the struggles during the transition from matriarchal to patriarchal cultures, but some of her framing of these events probably isn't perfect, but do make for good brain fodder to think about how much was changed during this transition and how female spirituality was surely affected.

Some of the rituals I found myself most interested in were the self realization one for me personally, but also ones that highlight the female body, such as ones for menstruation or the croning ritual to celebrate older women. I love seeing how there's rituals and respect and appreciation for women in all stages of life, something sorely missing from modern day.

I personally am also drawn to the celebratory things of pagan worship, so I really enjoyed reading about the different Sabbats. I honestly wasn't aware of Candlemas as a pagan thing so that was interesting how both groups utilize the day in very different ways.

One of my favorite quotes from Z in this chapter was on 136, "in the patriarchal social system, 'women's intuition'is derided, and we are taught to act and feel what is 'socially acceptable' rather than acting on our own, geninue feelings." I think this is a great example of one of the main themes of Z's book and female spirituality overall. Women in modern day having to reconnect w themselves and their spirituality, but there it's an extremely tough challenge for most women thanks to the centuries of repression and modern things like technology that keeps women's focused on stuff that doesn't heal them.

Also i'll share my own thoughts at the end of the week, this week is just hectic for me but i'll get my own post out there soon :D

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Yeah it was a bit funny reading this and seeing her refer to Wicca as like an ancient tradition when most practioners today would never say that (who've done their research at least). You can definitely see a bias in Z's writing, but it doesn't really impact her meaning or understanding.

They do make it clear, though at least to me, that despite lots of ritualistic ways of doing things, Z wants the individual to make the rituals and experiences their own. I appreciated that, since I think so many witches or practioners just don't have that coven focused practice to do things so "by the book" as you say. It's quite sad though how little female spirituality is practiced or seeked out in mass like it was decades ago, in parts to find teachers and mentors, in parts to find community.

I'm still catching up and excited to engage with your amazing discussion questions, but thought I would throw another one out there, even for women who aren't reading the book. Chapter 1 focuses a lot on rites and rituals and "how to cast a circle" and that sort of stuff. I have no experience doing magic with other people, other than getting guidance at a store. For those of you who have done magic with a group: what was your experience like?

yeah I would love to know more people's experiences with group/coven style witchcraft since it's not at all what i practice or do, but it seemed to be possibly more popular back when Z was writing. there's definitely a generational difference in how we're practicing and that comes with its own pros and cons. like i'm sure practicing by yourself gives you a lot of free reign with your practice, but there's definitely elements of how we as a society especially women are so...lonely nowadays? and while spirituality can be very fulfilling, there are definitely times where i would love to participate in group rituals with others and feel that collective energy and what it brings to the table.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

I really loved a lot of affirmations and I honestly wished she included more! I love affirmations and prayers to start and end my day and I wish she had more for those aspects, but I would have never thought about affirmations for going to a party or signing papers, those were unique to me

Two Dianic Affirmations from The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries (reading for @spirit-feminist-bookclub and you can too!) that I want to share:

When cooking:

It is not just dinner that I cook but I cook the universal cauldron of change.  I am part of all women who do this every day and I cook my own nurturance.  I am nourished by my creations.  I am Goddess of the cauldron.  And I cook Health.

When visiting friends:

May friends and foes be gentle with my love.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

My Dianic/Female Centered witch reading list (will update as I get more)!

The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries by Z. Budapest (because obviously)

The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler

Who Cooked the Last Supper? by Rosalind Miles

The Skeptical Feminist by Barbara G. Walker

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries by Ruth Barrett

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk

Moon Time by Lucy H. Pearce

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English

Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

WomanRunes by Starhawk and Molly Remer

Whole and Holy: A Goddess Devotional by Molly Remer

You are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza

The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Kuile

Feel free to leave some recommendations! I really like hearing especially about non-pagan books that influenced your practice (like the last two listed here were for me)!

Blessed be! 🌙💫✨

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

I'm still catching up and excited to engage with your amazing discussion questions, but thought I would throw another one out there, even for women who aren't reading the book. Chapter 1 focuses a lot on rites and rituals and "how to cast a circle" and that sort of stuff. I have no experience doing magic with other people, other than getting guidance at a store. For those of you who have done magic with a group: what was your experience like?

yeah I would love to know more people's experiences with group/coven style witchcraft since it's not at all what i practice or do, but it seemed to be possibly more popular back when Z was writing. there's definitely a generational difference in how we're practicing and that comes with its own pros and cons. like i'm sure practicing by yourself gives you a lot of free reign with your practice, but there's definitely elements of how we as a society especially women are so...lonely nowadays? and while spirituality can be very fulfilling, there are definitely times where i would love to participate in group rituals with others and feel that collective energy and what it brings to the table.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Also i'll share my own thoughts at the end of the week, this week is just hectic for me but i'll get my own post out there soon :D

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

I think I will create a discord for discussions/for this book club since I think some of yall who might be following along or want to share opinions are shy or it's odd to engage w discussions on tumblr with people amongst anon. If you're interested in that shift (this blog will stay up for updates/announcements that will also be shared in the discord) please lmk

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Hi! I was thinking of joining the book club. I was wondering... is there an specific current of thought that is expected of members? I identify with the ideals of intersectional feminism, and don't feel comfortable with some of the ideas of currents of radical feminism, specially regarding gender and queer theory... So would it be okay that I join?

Hi, I don't mind, your interpretations of the book are yours, this isn't a radical feminist book club, but a spiritual book club for radfems/rad aligned or feminist women who aren't afraid of talking about spirituality with any of us lol. None of the books I have in mind for this book club are traditional radical feminist texts or anything like that, so that's why it's just a spiritual bookclub for feminist women. We're all just bringing our own feminist lenses to the table and most of the books authors were feminist or engage with feminist critical theory in some way.

Some of the books in mind for this group are starhawk's the spiral dance (most likely next), woman spirit rising by carol p christ and judith plaskov, and women who run with the wolves by clarissa pinkola estés. You are completely free to browse over the summaries and see what else these women have written or said to get a feel of the types of books we're going to hopefully go through. They're not all radical feminist leaders or movers, but just influencial feminist historians, theologists, witches, etc.

[spirit-feminist-bookclub]

Oh I love this!! I dont have time to catch up but I'll definitely be joining next month :) -radstarfem

I think if you glanced through the PDF version of the book, you'd be surprised by how much you could actually probably read to join us before the month ends lol! There's a lot of detailed explanations of rituals/festivals that readers (and myself) skip or skim over if they don't personally interest you, which is what takes up a lot of the individual chapters haha. So it's actually not as much reading as you'd think for this book.

But yay I'm so excited that you are interested in joining for our next read! I haven't decided fully on the book, and next month is a bit odd because I actually don't have either of my other books with me at the moment to even begin creating a calendar, so if I get around to it for May, it would most likely be late May into June, so no stressing yet about it lol.