Study this book with Z in the Holy Book - Leadership & Priestess Training at the Dianic University.
The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries is a seminal text that contains invaluable information on Dianic witchcraft and spells, including everyday magick, sabbat rituals, and divination methods; a section on how vegetarian theories and politics relate to witchcraft and the feminine aspect; and a good deal of information on goddesses and how the patriarchal religions distorted old myths to serve their own needs. There are several unique and beautiful Rites of Passage for women and men that you don't often find, and Budapest's personal life stories are an equally valuable read, from her escape across the mountains from Communist Hungary to her fight for women's religious freedom upon moving to America.
* This reprint features a new introduction by Z. Budapest, in addition to essays by luminaries such as Starhawk and Merlin Stone.
* Author is an internationally acclaimed Priestess with a vibrant workshop schedule in the U.S. and Europe, including California Institute for Integral Studies.
What others are saying about The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries
I am on my third copy of The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries. I read and refer and meditate on what is inside, they keep falling to pieces. Every time I read this book, I find something new or at the very least, a different perspective of what I had read there before. ~ Laese
I do own The Holy Book and it is indeed sacred to me. I have read it cover to cover several times and often consult it when doing my Priestess oriented works. Z as well as the other sisters are very much an
inspiration to me. ~ Hazel
I first read it when I was 18 or 19 years old (I'm 40 now) and I felt joy! I was just finding the Goddess, and the Holy Book was a wonderful, spectacular guide, companion and comfort for me, and still is. I felt privileged and very lucky to have the profound wisdom of our ancient Goddess tradition available to me - right there in my hands! It had a deep, life-altering impact on me - Z.'s books helped me to know that the Goddess is alive and it was She I had been longing and searching for.
What parts are my favorites? I love the Goddess of Ten Thousand Names tour of herstory with the fantastic photos (I have vol. 1 from 1986 and Part. 2 from 1980, and I'm going to buy a new copy of the Holy Book from the WSF online store) and Signs and Symbols; The Slothwoman as Ancient Magician; when Z. talks about her mother, Masika, so moving; and I love the way Z. writes - so warm and personal - like an intimate conversation; Herstory and Concepts of Women's Spirituality; of course the Politics of Wimmin's Religion that includes the Manifesto; I love Masika's sculptures, so much.
Since I first bought the Holy Books (they were waiting for me in a used bookstore), I've moved thousands of miles around the country, between the East and West Coast many times, and the Midwest, sometimes with just a suitcase but I've always kept my beloved Holy Books with me. I thank Goddess for our great, magnificent Priestess Z. Budapest. ~ Janet
I have all of Z's books and cherish them. The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries is like my "bible" so to speak. I found that book by chance in 2000 when a friend was getting rid of a "pile of old books" she didn't want anymore. This book was in the pile but strangely, she claimed she didnt' know about it and that it wasn't hers. In any case, I kept it and thank Goddess I did. It changed my life. I have been a witch for many, many years but I was in a very difficult and abusive marriage and mother of 5 young daughters. I felt trapped and pretty low...I went through the whole "battered wife syndrome" that many don't understand unless they've been there, it's hard to get out of. So for all of my "witchyness", it couldn't help me---but I started reading that book and things began to "click" and I began to change. Long story short, The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries inpsired me to reconnect with my soul with the Goddess and once I was able to reconnect my soul with Hers, I found strength, power, a deep understanding and wisdom about myself as a woman, about where I come from. With that new found strength, power and wisdom, I was able to divorce my ex husband, protect my 5 daughters and move on with my life. I have become indeed a very strong woman over the years, a powerful warrior priestess and I have Z to thank for that.
I keep that book close,The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.. it is like I said, "my bible"...I continue to draw from it inspiration, strength, understanding, knowledge and I continually draw closer to the Goddess. This book as well as all Z's books and Women's Spirituality has given me so much to pass on to my own 5 daughters as well as other women.
Grandmother Time and Summoning the Fates are my other favorites. The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries is a must read though for any woman, especially those interested in Feminist Witchcraft. ~ Aura
My Holy Book of Women's Mysteries is paged through often ... maybe to check The Year and a Day Calendar, look for one of Z's spells, or just to reread and enjoy. I sometimes feel that the Self Blessing was written just for me, to remind me that I'm not powerless in this patriarchal society. It does "serve as a celebration and reinforcement of the Divine within me" (Z's words). My favorite part of the book changes (as times & situations change). As I'm quickly approaching the second return of Saturn in my life.... I've just reread the Croning Ritual. ~ Laurie
Yes....Even today some 20 + years later, I still keep some of Z's Book by my nightstand where I refer to them regularly. That is a testament to the timelessness of her wisdom and the impactfulness of her brilliant books for me.
I came across Grandmother of Time, Grandmother Moon and the Holy Book of Women's Mysteries many, many Moons ago and disgested them back then, yet I continue to refer to them through out the years. Even buying new editions to see if any new note have been added. One of the reasons why I don't lend out my books is because I write tooooo many personal journalistic thoughts in them as I read them and each time I read them I DO get a new perspective.
How can you not read her books??? Z has so many ... pick any and you will be blessed with her wisdom and insight. The Holy Book of Mysteries however really is a type of woman's bible, and in my home it is treated and revered as such. ~ Brook
