Writing this book has been more difficult than anything I have ever undertaken before. I have been sustained, encouraged, advised, criticized, babied, helped, and lovingly harassed in this undertaking by a number of groups and individuals, whom I would like to acknowledge:
My coven, Raving; sister covens Holy Terrors and Wind Hags; the Reclaiming Collective; and the Matrix Affinity Group are all part of what appears in these pages, as are the Social Change Trainers Core Group, the Abalone Alliance, The Livermore Action Group, and the Santa Rita Jailbirds.
The women’s movement and the pagan community are the ground in which this book grew.
David Kubrin introduced me to the historical material I have used in this book, and he reviewed Appendix A “The Burning Times: Notes on a Crucial Period of History.” Lauren Liebling inspired the title, and helped me shape the language in which the book is written, Kevyn Lutton stimulated my awareness of many political issues, especially those involving community. Bonnie Barnett transcribed the music and helped me to free my own voice. Liz Walker and Eric Bear introduced me to nonviolence training.
This is also my Master’s Thesis in the Feminist Therapy Program at Antioch University West, and I wish to thank my advisers, Ani Mander and Susan Holbrook. Ideas expressed here were first formulated in courses taught by Barbara Blasdell, Gene Alexander, Lauree Moss, Tom Parsons, Terry Keeney, Susan Campbell and Toni Maher.
My editor, Marie Cantlon, has been a staunch friend as well as a great help in shaping the manuscript and clarifying the ideas presented. I have been very fortunate to be able to work with her and to have had the encouragement I have consistently received from everyone at Beacon Press.
Mary Watson, the copyeditor, fought her way valiantly and sensitively through a thicket of semicolons and, I hope, kept her sanity.
Rose May Dance not only accompanied me in many of the adventures recorded here, she typed the manuscript, a feat that tested even her highly developed psychic powers. She also held my hand at crucial moments. It is possible that this book could have been written without her—but it certainly wouldn’t have been completed by its deadline.
Ed, my husband, keeps me fed and laughing. He helped on the research for the chapter, “Sex and Politics.” Among his many talents is being a great dancer. Without him, life—and this book—would be a lot duller.
And of course there are many others not mentioned here by name. To all of you—thanks.