Dancing with Dragons: Invoke Their Ageless Wisdom & Power

by D.J. Conway

Why do all cultures, distant and diverse, have similar tales of dragons? Universal wisdom confirms dragons have interacted with people since time immemorial―they call to us, pique our curiosity, and arouse our fears. These mystical beasts are real and their power, their influence, and especially their magick can be captured. Building upon rituals and drawing on their energy, learn to befriend these inspirational creatures and become partners with them on a spiritual journey. Move with them, learn from them, dance in perfect human/dragon syncopation.
"A unique, one-of-a-kind tome and a welcome addition to the growing body of metaphysical lore."― Midwest Book Review "A personal devotion and an academic work of the highest order."― The Dragon Chronicle (UK) "Dragon-lovers everywhere will like this book."― Prediction

Genres: Paganism, Witchcraft, Dragons, Magic, Occult, Nonfiction, New Age

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

A native of the Pacific Northwest, author D.J. Conway has studied the occult fields for over 35 years. Her quest for knowledge has covered every aspect of Paganism and Wicca to New Age and Eastern philosophies; plus history, the magical arts, philosophy, customs, mythologies and folklore. In 1998, she was voted Best Wiccan and New Age author by Silver Chalice, a Pagan magazine.

She lives a rather quiet life, with most of her time spent researching and writing.

Reviews

[Axel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of my first books given to me from my sensei. I read the book over and over again religiously. I didn't put it down for weeks, memorized every detail. I followed it to the letter...

I found that, for the most part, this book is full of garbage and truly useless for the long term. It's not a terrible place to start, but you must take everything Conaway says with a grain of salt. A self-proclaimed 'expert' on everything from Herbology, to Nordic Mythology, to Dragons, a lot of her 'facts' seem more like they were pulled from a Dungeons 'n Dragons handbook than an ritual I've heard of.

If you want to read this book, borrow it from a friend, read it a few times, then toss it out. With Dragon Magick, you're better off winging it with all your heart in it. The best advancement you can make spiritually are the discoveries you make on your own!

[Isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nonsense, you don't need all this faff to communicate with Dragons

[Natascha Eschweiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helped me through a pretty tough time of my life, so reading through it again after more than ten years felt both refreshing and familiar.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I'm not into wiccan rituals. The best part of the book is the artwork and appendices

[MoonMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a tough read.

I don't mean that the book itself is hard to understand. It's more that this book was a heavy trial to get through, and took me some time to finish it.

I had been warned against reading this book, although that's the reason I picked it up. My mind sort of just recognized the title and I picked it up used at a store, and later was told that it was only mentioned as something to avoid.

The stigma surrounding this book isn't just localized to a particular group or people though. It seems this book has a bad reputation in various circles of those who have heard of it.

I hope to at least make clear, the book itself feels poorly written. However, I'm also coming from a background of having at least some experience with the occult and perhaps paganism in a sense. Reading the book, I can see how it might be useful to people that are entirely new to the subject. I don't believe the book should be taken verbatim, however. I believe it's more to be taken "between the lines", and it's only an introduction to various subjects.

Another plus for this book is that it has metaphysical meanings of various rocks, herbs, and other components at the back of the book, from the author's interpretation.

In all, I can see why it has such a backlash and negative few among various people. I wouldn't recommend the book for someone else, unfortunately. If you happen to find a copy used, on the cheap, I'd say get it just to find out for yourself. I don't think word of mouth has done it justice, but at the same time I just don't encourage anyone to seek it out, sadly.

[Conure Hermary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light on Magic, a seriously anti-christian slant and questionable facts- I wouldn't consider this a serious book on dragons. As for fun, light reading and neat spells to call on what appears to be DJ Conway's personal form of Magic, it is an interesting read. It's a good starting point for creating your own Dragon Tradition.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book on working with dragons in the spiritual sense. A good book for a beginner, like me, but I think it would also be good for someone who has worked with them for a longer time. As of yet I haven't read one book by D.J.Conway I didn't like, and this is no different.

[John Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered Lynx the green dragon.

[Ulvhud · Rating 1 out of 5]

L'unico pregio di questo libro: essere uno dei pochi testi disponibili sulla magia draconica.
Di impostazione fortemente Wiccan (non di persé un male), manca di introduzioni a mio avviso fondamentali per non ricadere nello stereotipo del pagano che fa cose con esseri immaginari. Infatti, non approfondisce a dovere gli aspetti storici e soprattutto mitologici dell'iconografia del drago, e quindi del perché possa essere un valido percorso. Basato quasi unicamente su esperienze personali, mi sento di non consigliare questo libro, se non nell'occasione in cui venga trovato molto scontato o regalato. Non credo esistano brutti libri, da tutti si può sempre imparare qualcosa - ma questo mi ha lasciato un forte senso di delusione.

[Ashlie McDiarmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book if you are looking to start tapping into some rituals and energy work that involves dragons. I likes the book was written light and easy to understand. I will say that I didn't like how the rituals seemed so step by step in order to get the full potential. I understand that a lot of ritual books are like this, but my ritual work is a little more organic and less following a recipe. I haven't tried any of these rituals but when I do I will be more organic.

[Crescent Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book was okay, the vast majority was taken up with physical descriptions of the different kinds of dragons and what work each type of dragon does. I liked knowing all of this but had hoped for far more. The one good aspect of the book is that the last chapter has a very good ritual one can do.

[Nemnem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting and full of knowledge and mystic. The rituals left me unnerved, and skeptic but I wonder if I’m just not ready to work with dragons on that level yet due to past programming. Very well written and in depth. I enjoyed the information in the back with the candle colors, timing and other details like herbs and oils.

[Pseudonym Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. There was good information in here, particularly when the author discussed known dragon lore. However, her viewpoints are VERY Wiccan and there was a lot that I scoffed at or made a "wtf" face over. We have had different experiences in life and that's okay.

[Floris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of conways dragon books because they're wiccan based and even after reading them I didn't feel like I'd learned anything. Her only source is herself and the material was very inaccessible to me

[Heather Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a pretty good book on the metaphysics of Dragons. wonderful for anyone who is new to working with them. it explains all types very well and has a number of rituals to use as well. overall, good book. would recommend.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting beginner style book on dragon magick.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would rate 2.5 if I could, and only because the first half, with the types of dragons and such, was really interesting. *shrugs*

[Lauren Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and informative

As the title suggests, brilliant and informative. The structure of the book ensures excitement for some new knowledge just over the page. Fantastic

[Leah Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I read this book and I found it intriguing. Interesting and different from anything that I have ever read. Unique.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and definitely one to keep on your shelves.

[TnzSkull]

GUYZZ THIS IS IMPORTANT DO ANY OF U HAVE THE HOUR GLASS PICTURE IN THE BOOK??? PLZZ SEND ME AT @TnzSkull9

[River · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Although a product of the time the knowledge within is still good. D.I Conway made the first steps into modern dracomancy

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with tips on how to identify which types of dragons and how to work with them. I like how the information is conveyed easily in short chapters as well.

[NStorm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Wicca oriented

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny in parts, but if you are a serious witch like me you'd steer clear of it - I was recommended this book by an artist friend who found it whimsical. Also, I found some of the things in the book as discriminatory, also dangerously misleading! I could communicate with dragons before reading this book and only picked the book up to sate curiosity about the authors experiences - which I believe to be zero! Also from my experiences dragons hate to be summoned, they do not easily adopt 'others' nor lend their powers just because they like you, sorry, but they just don't! You most definitely do not want to hold any kind of representation of ANY weapon whilst being around them and they abhor bad manners such as pointing!

[Terra Bosart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and interesting and a realistic approach to dragons, this book contains a great deal of specifics on connections between dragons and stones, spices, and hours of the day. A good starter for contacting dragons, but more of a text book for beginner magic. I did learn from it a tad, but I have adored dragons my whole life anyways.

[Heather Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging and fairly well written, but I wanted more.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland, lacking in magic, not terribly helpful to me - although it came highly recommended by a dragon expert I trust.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was possibly a story till I opened the book up when it was delivered. who knew it was a spell book? I didt.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very wonderful book. Lots of background/history, also good pointers and tips on some spells.