Starhawk’s City of Refuge

“How can we create the new world — the non-hierarchical, socially just, ecologically balanced and beautifully diverse world we long for — unless we can first imagine it?”

Watch the whole reading & event right here!

Starhawk, the San Francisco-based global permaculturist, activist, witch and author – launched her 2nd book, City of Refuge, here in Victoria, BC on April 29th, 2016.

We were honoured to get to host the global book launch for this second of her futuristic novels. A full room of Starhawk fans were in attendance and many more tuned in from across North America via the Stream of Consciousness livestream.
 

 
City of Refuge, a sequel of sorts to her first novel, The Fifth Sacred Thing, continues the author’s vision of the world that began to emerge in that first novel. The City of Refuge story attempts to answer the question, “What would it look like if we won?” and through her personal narrative and short passage readings from the book, Starhawk painted, for the audience, a vivid picture of the core principles she believes in for the future of humanity.
 

“When I have answers,” she says, “I write non-fiction.”

 
Starhawk’s ‘speculative fiction’ novel, City of Refuge, follows the struggles and the victories of the peaceful warriors from Califa as they construct a new haven in a parched and war-torn land. Can magic, healing and love overcome the violence of a cruel and despotic regime?
 

 
Starhawk’s lively presentation makes us believe that it can — and gives us some new ideas and tools to take on the deep work required in our own very current world circumstances, to spark discussion on shifting cynicism and despair into empowerment and engagement. “We live in dire circumstances right now, and the choices we make will affect the world for generations to come,” she says. “Realism is a luxury we can’t afford right now – I believe we need hope and vision.”

Starhawk’s teachings, encompassed in her new novel, City of Refuge – offer both of those in large quantities. In case you don’t believe me, check out the vide from the event as a teaser for the book itself – and then, if you’re moved to do so, buy the book today and support her continued deep work in the world.

A handful of shots from our evening together!: