Dianic Wicca is a feminist form of the modern Pagan religion known as Wicca. This tradition focuses specifically on the worship of the Goddess and the celebration of female spirituality. Dianic Wiccans often emphasize the importance of women's autonomy and empowerment. For those interested in learning more about Dianic Wicca, there are several reference materials available. One well-known book is "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk, which provides an introduction to Wiccan beliefs and practices, including Dianic rituals. This book serves as a valuable resource for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
This book serves as a valuable resource for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Another essential reference for Dianic Wicca is "The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries" by Zsuzsanna Budapest. Budapest is a prominent figure in Dianic Wicca and provides insight into the history and teachings of the tradition.
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)
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This book delves into various aspects of female spirituality and offers guidance on how to incorporate these principles into daily life. Additionally, "The Goddess Path" by Patricia Monaghan offers a broader perspective on goddess worship in different cultures. While not specifically focused on Dianic Wicca, this book explores the richness and diversity of female deities and can provide inspiration and insights for Dianic practitioners. Online resources can also be valuable in learning about Dianic Wicca. Websites such as "Association for Research and Enlightenment" and "Dianic Wicca" offer articles, rituals, and community forums for individuals interested in this tradition. It is important to note that Dianic Wicca, like all religious practices, is diverse and encompasses a range of beliefs and practices. Therefore, it is essential to explore multiple sources and perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of this tradition. In conclusion, Dianic Wicca reference materials are available for those interested in learning more about this feminist form of Wicca. Books such as "The Spiral Dance" and "The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries" provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of Dianic Wiccans. The Goddess Path and online resources also offer additional perspectives on goddess worship and female spirituality. By exploring these resources, individuals can deepen their understanding and appreciation for Dianic Wicca..
Reviews for "The Spiral Dance: Must-Read Reference Materials for Dianic Wicca"
1. Jane - 1/5 stars - I found the "Dianic wicca reference materials" to be incredibly disappointing and not at all what I was expecting. The information provided felt flimsy and lacked depth, making it difficult to gain any real understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, I felt that the content was heavily biased and did not present a balanced perspective. Overall, I would not recommend these reference materials to anyone looking to study Dianic wicca.
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