{{for multi|the book by Starhawk|The Spiral Dance|the band|Spiral Dance (band)}} The '''spiral dance''', also called the '''grapevine dance''' and the '''weaver’s dance''', is a traditional group dance practiced in Neopaganism in the United States, especially in feminist Wicca and the associated "Reclaiming" movement. It is designed to emphasize "community and rebirth", and is also used "to raise power in a ritual".<ref name="auto">{{cite book |last= Starhawk |title= The Spiral Dance |publisher= HarperCollins |edition= 20th anniversary |year= 1999 |page= [https://archive.org/details/spiraldancerebir00star_0/page/258 258] |isbn= 0-06-251632-9 }}</ref>
==History== The spiral dance is a central ritual dance to Reclaiming Witches. The first spiral dance was performed in Berkeley, CA, and was performed in a ritual intended to meld art, music, and politics as well as to celebrate the publication of ''The Spiral Dance'' by Starhawk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reclaimingquarterly.org/web/spiraldance/spiral4.html|title=The Spiral Dance - History and Traditions|website=www.reclaimingquarterly.org}}</ref> It turned into a yearly ritual, although a large portion of the politics were removed for later versions of the ritual and it currently exists as a Samhain celebration to honor the dead and celebrate rebirth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reclaiming.org/rituals/samhain.html |title=Reclaiming's 20th Spiral Dance |website=www.reclaiming.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000301150137/http://www.reclaiming.org/rituals/samhain.html |archive-date=2000-03-01}} </ref>
==Performance== The spiral dance usually involves a drumming group and a chant or song in addition to the dancers. All members present hold hands and follow a leader in a counter-clockwise motion using a grapevine step. As the leader comes near closing the circle, he or she whips around and begins moving clockwise while facing the rest of the dancers. By continuing this formation, every dancer in the line will eventually be face to face with every other dancer.<ref>{{cite book |last= Starhawk |title= The Spiral Dance |publisher= HarperCollins |edition= 20th anniversary |year= 1999 |page= [https://archive.org/details/spiraldancerebir00star_0/page/203 203] |isbn= 0-06-251632-9 }}</ref>
In some close-knit circles, where people are comfortable with the idea, a kiss is given to each person at the moment they pass each other in the dance.<ref name="auto"/> In some cases kissing may be discouraged during large or public rituals, due to disruptions of the rhythm of the dance.<ref>{{cite book |last= Starhawk |title= The Spiral Dance |publisher= HarperCollins |edition= 20th anniversary |year= 1999 |page= [https://archive.org/details/spiraldancerebir00star_0/page/278 278] |isbn= 0-06-251632-9 }}</ref>
==In popular culture==
The 1990s adventure game ''Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood'' depicts Maid Marian as a forest priestess whose duties include, among other things, a one-person spiral dance.
==See also== * Reclaiming (Neopaganism) * ''The Spiral Dance'', 1979 book
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.reclaiming.org/rituals/samhain.html The official Spiral Dance web page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215164711/http://www.reclaiming.org/rituals/samhain.html |date=2013-12-15 }}
{{Contemporary witchcraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spiral Dance}} Category:Group dances Category:Modern pagan beliefs and practices Category:Wicca in the United States Category:Wiccan feminism Category:Reclaiming (Neopaganism) Category:Modern pagan culture dance