The Pagan Activist

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Passages:  Handfasting  A Pagan Guide to Commitment Rituals 

by  Rev. Dr. Kendra Vaugh Hovey    © 2007 

Provenance Press (an imprint of Adams Media  www.adamsmedia.com)

ISBN 978-1-59869-447-2  

243 pages 

Paperback 

$10.95 (U.S.) 

$13.95 (Canada

 

I had some questions about this book starting on page one, where the author states categorically “Understanding handfasting requires that we understand to concept of marriage in Scotland starting from pre-Biblical time.  It was necessary then for any who was to marry to have the consent of their parents…Often young children would declare their love for one another, or be betrothed by their parents, with an agreement to marry in the future.  This was considered a legal contract between the two and would prevent either of them from marrying anyone else.”  Now, had she changed one simple word in that paragraph, I wouldn’t have had any dispute with it.  Had she said “pre-Christian,” rather than “pre-Biblical”, it would not have set off alarm bells in my mind.

 

Nor being a scholar of Scottish history, I would have appreciated a little background on how that statement could be proven.  I don’t dispute to concept of betrothal between families, but I do question that belief that childhood declarations could override familial plans.  I don’t deny the possibility I would simply like some amplification.

 

When she begins discussing the deity forms appropriate for invocation in a handfasting situation I have another, minor, quibble.  Especially when dealing with less familiar deity names (like Aztec names) a basic, phonetic, pronunciation guide would be a nice addition.  Some names can be tongue-twisters and it is common courtesy to address an individual, or deity, with something they can recognize as being their name or title.  Some languages have different inflections and stressors which can make a vast difference in the meaning.  Even in English, the presence or absence of a “silent letter” can make a big difference (“hop” or “hope” – both have the same pronounced letters, but very different meanings).

 

Lest you think this is going to be a negative review, let me assure that such is not the case.  The above instances (and a few dropped letters [“you” for “your” for example]) are all I could point out as shortcomings.

 

I do admire Reverend Hovey’s ability to remind people of the obvious (if you aren’t sure about the orientation of your altar, use a compass to determine directions) which can be so frequently overlooked. More authors need to remind folks that there is no shame in needing to verify something by mundane means.

 

I am sure that some readers will object to her admonition not to mix pantheons.  That choice has become commonplace in the eclectic community, but there are good reasons for staying with one pantheon.  Of course, if you have devoted your life to studying comparative mythologies you might be able to get away with mixing and matching; most of us have not done so, and so we are safer in not doing so.

 

She offers advice on dealing with conflicts caused by concealing your Paganism as many do.  This advice will be rejected out of hand by many for reasons which she deals with while offering her advice.  But you need to seriously consider what she offers if you are one of the many who are still in the “broom closet”.

 

As I read through this book I was pleased by the amount of detail the author managed to incorporate without overwhelming the reader.  This topic lends itself to the extremes – everything must be “just so” or anything goes.  She walks the middle-line and, if I weren’t already handfasted and married, I would be looking forward to the prospect after reading this book.  She offers helpful suggestions, and useful alternatives, while stressing the practicality and common-sense in her approach (don’t spend yourself into debt to get handfasted/married).

 

If you are anticipating a handfasting in your future, or if you hope to officiate at handfastings, this book will be an invaluable resource.  Additionally, if you have family members who are not Pagan and want to know more about what a handfasting is or isn’t and what they can expect, this book will help you answer their questions and put their minds at ease.

 

By all means, buy this book.  Share it with your loved one(s).  It will be money well spent, I guarantee.

 

 

Passages:  Handfasting  A Pagan Guide to Commitment Rituals    =  ZZZZ

 

 

Kink Magic  Sex Beyond Vanilla 

by  Taylor Ellwood & Lupa  © 2007 

Megalithica Books  (an imprint of Immanion Press  http://www.immanion-press.com)  ISBN 978-1-905713-11-0  

229 Pages including Appendices, Bibliography and Index  

Paperback 

$21.99  (U.S.)

 

I am obligated to admit that my love life is decidedly vanilla, and hence I have no personal familiarity with the kink scene.  In a way, that makes me an ideal individual to review this book.  If the information can be conveyed in a clear, non-threatening manner to a complete novice, that is the mark of a well-written book.  This is such a book.

 

There will be those individuals who will be put off by the mere title of this book. Either the word “kink” or the phrase “sex magic” will convince them that this is a pornographic book.  It most assuredly is no.  It is not concerned with what goes where.  It is concerned with how to use non-traditional energy sources to achieve magical ends.  If you want pornography, graphic illustrations and that style of thing, fire up your web browser and net surf your brains out.  If you want to explore the potentials in the use of sex for magical purposes, this is an important book for you.

 

Like all of the works I have seen from this publisher, this is a book aimed at a specific audience with limited appeal to the general population.  For this reason their works often get overlooked, and that is too bad.  They produce thought-provoking, well-written books which deserve to be better known.

 

If you have an interest in some of the more esoteric aspects of magick and related topics (Og(h)am, Otherkin, etc.) you would be doing yourself a favor by checking out their website and supporting this company by purchasing some of their books.  The quality is far superior to what I have come to expect from small publishers; the topics are thought-provoking; and the prices are reasonable.  If you need more incentive to purchase their work I can’t help you, but those are more than enough for me.

 

A lot of time and space is dedicated to the safety aspects of both magic and kink – a subject which is all too often neglected in books on either topic.  This is NOT a “101” book, in spites of its insistence on covering the basics.  This is simply a matter of making sure that everyone is on the same page.

 

Although I, personally, am not a fan of the gender neutral pronoun “hir” I can understand its use in this case to offset the common misperceptions about dominance/submission in a kink setting.  Every time I saw it, it reminded me that all is not necessarily as my early cultural conditioning may have led me to expect.  It kept me on my toes, and that was a good thing.

 

If either of these topics (magic or kink) interests you (especially if both do) this book is a wonderful addition to your library.  It accomplishes what it sets out to do, which is to show how kink can be used to enhance magical workings.  Is it necessary to combine them?  No, but for some individuals it can enhance their experiences.

  

Kink Magic - Sex Beyond Vanilla =  ZZZZ

 

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Crafting Wiccan Traditions 

by  Raven Grimassi 

©  2008 Llewellyn         

EAN 978-0-7387-1108-9  

288 pages  Includes appendices, Recommended Reading, Bibliography and Index

Paperback       

$15.95 (U.S.)  

$18.50 (Canada)

 

In the preface to this work Raven sets out the differences between the Wicca of the 1950s through the late ‘70s, and the Wicca which has become the “norm” in the past quarter century.  As one of the older generation of Witches I don’t happen to like those differences, even as I acknowledge their existence.  I also don’t like the loss of those “traditional teachings” which have disappeared with the advent of personal training by book and Internet.

 

 

The idea of crafting a personal “tradition” seems a bit egotistical to me.  Crafting a personal path is certainly viable but (in my opinion) it takes far more than one individual to forge a tradition, and that doesn’t count the fact that a tradition should, again in my opinion, exhibit a certain level of stability and continuity over a period of time measured in years.

 

Raven Grimassi and I came to the Craft in the same time frame (late 1960s; early ‘70s).  Does that mean I agree with all of his ideas and statements?  Not by any means.  Although we share many commonalities, there are significant differences in our training and experiences.  Still, I can understand his mind-set to a significant degree.

 

He carefully looks at both sides of the “traditional” and the “modern” perceptions.  Although he clearly favors the traditional orientation (reflecting his own initial experiences), he does a good job propounding both views.  While many modern eclectics will, undoubtedly, claim that he is too conservative in his approach, many traditionalists will claim he is too liberal.

 

Chapter Nine, which is devoted to the basic correspondences, is one of the most concise listings I have seen in many years.  It does not go into detail regarding why the correspondences exist, nor does it convey the impression that these correspondences are set in stone, but nonetheless it provides an excellent basis for the beginning magick worker.

 

Whether or not a system created by an individual using the information in this book would be sustainable or not would, in my opinion, be contingent on the determination of the individual(s) involved.  The author certainly provides all the basic tools and necessary information.  He removes a lot of the pseudo-mystery so commonplace in other books without downplaying the fat that certain things CANNOT be explained, but must be experienced.

 

Some readers may be offended by an approach they feel is disrespectful of established traditions (i.e., YOU decide which realms the deities will affect, in what manner), but in reality we all do this (although it may happen on a subconscious level).  Raven simply brings the decision-making to a conscious level and forces the reader to consider his motivations.

 

The last third of this book is composed of appendices composed of some of the “classic” myths, sample rituals (both group and solitary), and very basic glossary (there are much more extensive glossaries available both in other books and on-line).  A thorough reading of these appendices will be invaluable to the novice as they have much to offer.

 

Crafting Wiccan Traditions  =  ZZZZ

 

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Fire Child : The Life & Magic of Maxine Sanders 'Witch Queen' 

by Maxine Sanders

© 2008 

ISBN 978-1-869928-780       

309 pages       

$26.51 (U.S.)

 

I have been waiting for this book to be written for years, if not decades.  As I have said in previous reviews, we need more autobiographies (as well as biographies) concerning those people who helped to bring our religion out of the broom closet.  We already had Gerald Gardner: Witch and King of the Witches as well as several books relating the life and works of George Pickingill, Doreen Valiente, Sybil Leek, and more modern practitioners such as Fiona Horne.  The internet has made it easy to find out about individuals’ actions.  Their motivations, however, may not be so easily determined.

 

One of the things I enjoyed about this book was Maxine’s lack of pretension.  Far too many Elders in the Craft had, seemingly, flawless introductions to our religion, and smooth sailing throughout their careers.  Not so with Maxine.  She honestly recounts the bumps in the road and reveals the hidden warts.  It may give hope to the next generation of witches to realize that snafus and bad decisions can be overcome with minimal bad effect in the long run.

 

Reading the accounts of the early days of public Craft brought back memories.  Not that I was involved – I wasn’t.  She and Alex were in England and I was just beginning my studies in Michigan and Illinois.  Still, I knew of some of the individuals involved – Gardnerians, American Alexandrians, and the Process Church of the Final Judgment, among others.  The constant sensational “news” stories, the blurring lines between Witchcraft, magic and the occult all had to be dealt with on a regular basis.  It was refreshing to hear that the Elders at the time had to deal with the same day-to-day realities.

 

On a totally mundane level, I was disappointed with the quality of the editing.  There were numerous sentence fragments which made to work appear disjointed.  Allowances must be made, I am sure, since Maxine is not a professional writer.  I say that with all love and sincerity since I have been an Alexandrian initiate for more than three decades.  I am grateful for her sharing of her memories and, while reading, felt as if I were sitting down and having a pleasant chat over an afternoon cup of tea.

 

I am sure that this book will appeal to the many Alexandrian initiates.  I hope it appeals equally to those who simply want to know about how the Craft was seen and practiced in the days before the explosion of Craft “traditions” and the easy availability of information via the internet.

 

There are lessons to be learned from Maxine’s writing, some so simple that they are often forgotten in training since “everyone knows” them, and some much more profound.  Even more important, in my opinion, is her admonition that the best way to become a teacher is the experience with the heights (the exhilaration of a successful ritual) and the depths (when Murphy’s Law looks like the writings of a hopeless optimist) of magical workings

 

Fire Child : The Life & Magic of Maxine Sanders 'Witch Queen'  =  ZZZ

 

Neopagan Rites 

by  Isaac Bonewits 

© 2007   

Llewellyn Worldwide 

ISBN 0-7387-1199-7             

264 pages       

Paperback       

$15.95 (U.S.)   $18.50 (Canada)

 

One of the things I have always admired about Isaac Bonewits is his ability to make complex subjects comprehensible to the average person without “dumbing down” the topics.  He takes the time to explain his terminology before beginning and then proceeds to explain his position and/or beliefs in 3easy to understand, logical steps.  This is not to say that his ideas are simplistic; they most certainly are not; nor are they necessarily non-controversial, in fact they are almost always thought provoking, if not debate inspiring.

 

I will confess, here and now, that I haven’t read a lot of Isaac’s literary output (only Real Magic and The Pagan Man), but I have followed many of the debates his work has inspired, as well as being familiar with some of his work on the subject of Druidic research.  I also had the pleasure of meeting him and attending a ritual he created many years ago at a Pagan gathering in the Midwest.  I haven’t always agreed with him, but I have learned from him.

 

Isaac is sure to offend some readers by his no-nonsense approach to magic (i.e., “I suggest not doing magic or bothering deities with requests until after you’ve tried all other ethical means to solve your problem.” [page 152]) Italics in the original.  Given his many years of experience in the magical field I can only suggest that, should you be relatively new to the work, give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

If you are leading a group, or if you plant to lead a group, or if you are involved in a group, or even if you are a solitary practitioner who is interested in effective rituals, you NEED to add this book to your library.  More importantly, you NEED to read this book and to work with the concepts contained within it.  Far too many individuals pay far too little attention to the “nuts and bolts” of good ritual.  Don’t be among that number.  You owe it to yourself to benefit from the ideas contained within the covers of this book.

 

So what if you don’t agree with everything Isaac says?  You can still benefit from what he provides.

 

Neopagan Rites =  ZZZZ

 

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Magic of the Celtic Otherworld 

by  Steve Blasmires  © 2007 

Llewellyn Worldwide 

ISBN  978-0-7387-0657-3  

327 Pages  Paperback       

$17.95 (U.S.)  $20.95 (Canada

 

I got this book because my daughter was enthusiastic about the bit she read while browsing at a local bookstore.  I wasn’t sure about it for a couple of reasons:  First, I didn’t recognize the author’s name and second, it seems that everybody is writing books about their interpretations of the Celtic culture.  So I approached it with caution.

 

One thing which impressed me early on in this book was the sincere manner in which the author approached the subject.  There are numerous “fluffy” books on the market about Celtic Magic, and there are many “serious” (i.e., “This is the way it is and you must do exactly this.”) books available.  In this case the author lays out some foundations, provides sources for further personal research and offers some common sense advice, and then says, basically, “The rest is up to you.”

 

It was a pleasure for me to read his warnings about contacting some of the more primal deities of the Celtic pantheon.  Far too many Pagans today assume that “good” or “beneficial” deities may be safely contacted by anyone without learning the culture and lore associated with them.  That can be like assuming that since electricity can heat and light our homes, it is safe to embrace without taking precautions.  You can get seriously hurt in either case.

 

More primitive, less civilized entities may have very different concepts of acceptable behavior.  If you have ever experienced (even second hand) possession (such as in a Santeria or Vodun ceremony) you may have been surprised by the behavior exhibited by the possessing entities.  It is perfectly acceptable to them, even if your sensibilities are offended.

 

This book is intended as an introductory work on the subject of the Celtic Otherworld.  It is, therefore, fairly basic.  It does give a broad outline of beliefs, festivals, and word pronunciations as well as a simple glossary.  I found it to be a useful, easy to understand and informative book.  If you are interested in Celtic culture and beliefs, this is a good book to start with.  The bibliography and discography provide further inspirations and are a valuable addition, even if they are short.

 

Magic of the Celtic Otherworld   =  ZZZZ

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If you are looking for a gift for the Pagan or Witch on your shopping list I would recommend one of the following books:

 

 

Non-Fiction:

 

When Someone You Love is Wiccan – Carl McColman

 

The Well-Read Witch – Carl McColman

 

The Witch Book – Raymond Buckland

 

Triumph of the Moon – Ronald Hutton

 

A Witch Like Me – Sirona Knight

 

Wicca Demystified – Brian Lankford

 

Raising Witches – Ashleen O’Gaea

 

Chasing the Rainbow – Tish Owen

 

 

Fiction:

 

All Acts of Pleasure – M.R. Sellars

 

Crone’s Moon – M.R. Sellars

 

Harm None– M.R. Sellars

 

Law of Three, The – M.R. Sellars

 

Love Is The Bond – M.R. Sellars

 

Never Burn a Witch – M.R. Sellars

 

Perfect Trust – M.R. Sellars

 

Magickal Bookshop – Kala Trobe

 

Magick in the West End – Kala Trobe

 

 

Childrens's:

 

ABC Book of Shadows - Katie Lydon Olivares with Artwork by April Choi

 

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Sacred Land:  Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political and Environmental Change 

by  Clea Danaan © 2007 

Llewellyn Worldwide      

ISBN 978-0-7387-1146-1  

280 pages       

Paperback       

$15.95 (U.S.)  

$17.50 (Canada)                                                         

 

I’m sure there are hundreds of books on gardening holistically.  And I know that there are scads of books on meditations.  And, once in a while, you can get a “two fer” (combining both of these topics).  This book however goes beyond that and adds Goddess information as well as information about individuals who have made a difference in our natural world through their interactions.  These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and locations, but they all have something to share.

 

I freely admit that I am not a gardener.  It has never been a topic which appealed to me.  That has, however, never diminished my appreciation for those individuals who devote their time and energy to increasing the biodiversity of out world.  Whether it is growing native foodstuffs or ornamental flowers or simply reducing the use of chemical for fertilizers and pesticides, these individuals have my deepest admiration.

 

This was one of those unexpected little gems that show up in my mailbox from time to time.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not, but put it into my review pile.  I’m glad I did.  Ms. Danaan offers a wide range of suggestions for improving our natural world without spending a fortune along the way.

 

If gardening (either in your yard, in a community setting, or in a window box) appeals to you, this book will offer you a wealth of ideas.  If you want to learn a bit more about the feminine deities which are associated with the subject, you will find things items here to inspire you.

 

This strikes me as being a perfect Yule gift for your favorite Pagan gardener.  They can sit back during the snowy months and use the ideas contained in this book to plan next year’s efforts.

 

Sacred Land:  Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political and Environmental Change   =  ZZZZ

 

 

Ogham:  Weaving Word Wisdom 

by  Erynn Rowan Laurie  © 

Megalithic Books (an imprint of Immanion Press) 

ISBN 978-1-905713-0-2-8 

310 pages 

Paperback       

$21.99 (U.S.)

www.immanion-press.com

 

I must admit that I requested this book for review because I have only a passing acquaintance with the subject matter.  I have reviewed dozens of books on Wicca/Witchcraft, Paganism, magick, Tarot, etc., all of which I am reasonably well-read on (as well as having personal experience to call upon).   Every once in a while I like to find a subject I can approach as a novice reader, so I can see if the hypothetical average reader can make sense of what is being written.

 

On page 36 the author makes a statement which should, in my opinion, be branded in the hearts and minds of every “eclectic” Pagan:  “That said, these things [local spirits and personal ancestors(my insertion)] must be done with the utmost respect for the local people and traditions, and not stolen, twisted, and used without instruction or permission.”  Far too many eclectics seem to feel that if it comes from a Pagan culture it is useable by any Pagan, anywhere, even without an understanding of the parent culture.  Ms. Laurie recognizes that such behavior is inappropriate, and for that, I applaud her.

 

I also applaud her candor in stating that she has melded traditional, verified knowledge with personal inspiration to fill in gaps.  Such honesty should be commonplace, but is all too frequently lacking.  She offers a foundation upon which the reader can build his/her own practice.

 

Ms. Laurie’s perspective on working with spirits and deities is a refreshingly different approach – no invoking, no summoning; no threatening, only relating to and working with the entities involved.  One shouldn’t use other people, so why should we use other non-corporeal beings?  Common courtesy and respect are the hallmarks of her approach.  These are standards anyone can aspire to and live by.

 

While some readers might find the constant use of Gaelic for common terms disconcerting, it serves a most useful purpose.  The constant exposure to these terms begins the inculcation which is necessary to make Ogam an effective part of daily life.

 

Although Ms. Laurie disclaims the title of scholar she, in my opinion, epitomizes the best of the scholarly approach to a subject.  She has a deep personal knowledge augmented by the ability to find outside source when needed.  In this way, she manages to convey information without overwhelming anyone.  She enters into a discourse as opposed to a lecture, and is all the more appealing for doing so.

 

Ms. Laurie’s approach to spirituality is sure to offend people.  On the one hand she sees the value of cultural heritage (as opposed to heritage based on a racial identity), which will offend many who have the attitude that, for example, only people whose ancestors came from Celtic lands can worship Celtic deities and work with Celtic spirits.  On the other hand she firmly believes that if you are willing to study the originating culture you can integrate a non-cultural heritage into your own workings.  This will offend those who feel that all love goddesses, for example, are the same so it doesn’t what name you use.  The offensive part is the bit about studying, since many see spirituality as a “Chinese menu” (take 1 from column “A” and 3 from column “B”, and it doesn’t matter what you actually KNOW about your choices).

 

And then there’s the bit about working to unite the community rather than splitting off and doing your own thing.  How radical can she be?

 

Ms. Laurie perceives each ogam as having components relating to the three realms that composed the Celtic view of the universe – Land, Sea, and Sky.  The ogams are not merely an alphabet, they are a mnemonic device similar to (but very different from) the Kabbalah.

 

Each ogam is associated not only with a tree, with which most are familiar, but with an entire host of birds, animals, colors and sounds.  Ms. Laurie explains these associations, giving traditional attributions, more modern understandings, and her own personal usages – being careful to distinguish each source.

 

Without a doubt, in my opinion, this is a very thorough, well-thought out book.  While it is not an easy-to-read, fluffy work, it is not so authoritarian as to frighten away the novice.  The reader needs to pay attention while reading to get the most from this book, and may need to go back and read over some sections, but will find himself more than amply repaid for the effort.

 

Although Ogam is not a major interest for me, this book has found a spot on my reference shelf, as it should.  There are facts to learn, insights to be gleaned, and images to ponder.

 

The author continually reminds the reader that the use of ogam is an intensely personal experience and that it is up to the individual to work with, and create, a personal system of correspondences.  She also stresses the need to take your time and to make the ogam an integral part of your working.  Don’t rush things.  Remember that it took many years to develop the traditional relationships and correspondences in the traditional culture.  Modifications caused by new lands and cultures will not occur immediately.  Experiment and play with new ideas to see what develops for you.

 

If you have the slightest interest in Celtic studies, divination, or any of several other topics, this book is well worth the price.

 

Ogham:  Weaving Word Wisdom   =  ZZZZ

 

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Utterly Wicked 

by  Dorothy Morrison 

© 2007 WillowTree Press 

ISBN  0-9794533-1-3    

193 pages (tentative)        

Price not determined yet

 

What a delightfully honest approach Ms. Morrison takes in this book.  “This is not a book” as she clearly states in the introduction, “for those who believe that life can be lived without ever harming anyone.  This is not a book for those who are overly concerned with Karma, the Threefold Law, and the Golden Rule.  Nor is it a book for the squeamish, the straight-laced, or the easily offended.”  I think that pretty much sets the tone of the book.

 

This book is guaranteed to offend a large segment of the Pagan population, and that is before they even open the cover.  It will be attractive to a smaller number solely based on the title.  It really isn’t aimed at either of those two segments.  It is aimed at those Pagans who are willing to accept responsibility for their actions; those who are willing to realize that sometimes others cause their problems, but sometimes they are the cause themselves; and those who are willing to acknowledge the difference.

 

While I, personally, am not really fond of dealing with entities and divinities with which you are not fully familiar, I recognize that I am in a minority in this position.  This I, personally, would not recommend making invocations and offerings to the Orisha Oya, as Ms. Morrison recommends, until you have a deep understanding of her, I recognize that as a personal bias.  So long as you deal with her respectfully, as the author stress, you SHOULD be all right.  Just be aware that Oya’s energy tends to be more primal than many people are used to.

 

As I, personally, subscribe to the idea that cursing and curing are opposite sides of the same coin, I have no problems with this particular book.  And since I fully endorse taking charge of one’s life and owning one’s actions, I truly believe that sometimes one must stand up for one’s self and decide that enough is enough.

 

Her hexes and curses are easily do-able.  She doesn’t include any obscure, hard-to-find ingredients.  Plus I like the fact that she includes instructions for breaking and undoing your hex if (hard as it may be to believe) you discover that you made a mistake in identifying your target.

 

Her take on sending negative energy back to its source is one of the most common sense approaches I have ever seen, and gave me one of those “d’oh” moments.

 

This is an “Advanced Reader Copy”, so the pagination and price have not been established.  It is due for publication in October of this year.  Regardless of the cost, this book belongs in your library.  No, I take that back.  It belongs on your end table, bedside table, or wherever you are likely to see it often.  You don’t want to have to hunt for this book when you need it.

 

Utterly Wicked =  ZZZZ

 

Triumph of the Sea Gods, The 

by  Steven Sora    

© 2007  Destiny Books 

ISBN 1-59477-145-x  

288 pages Paperback       

$18.95 (U.S.)            $23.95 (Canada)

 

If you are one of those individuals who believe that mythology = make believe; if you think that Atlantis never existed; if you honestly think you need academic degrees to understand history, you will NOT want to read this book.  On the other hand, if you are open-minded enough to entertain alternate possibilities to explain history, I think you will enjoy this book.

 

This isn’t a book about Atlantis, except in a tangential way.  It is the story of the civilizations of the Celts and their predecessors; the Phoenicians; and the effect they had on classical cultures such as Egypt and Greece.  It contains a great deal of speculation, but that is to be expected.  The cultures involved were pre-literate in nature and have thus left only physical clues with no cultural commentary to explain them.

 

This is a story of the eventual replacement of a Goddess worshipping culture by a patriarchal culture.  Although this author, like many others, equates Goddess worship with peaceful existence, that is merely hypothesis.  Moreover, it is irrelevant in the larger scheme of things.

 

The use of the phrase “Atlantean culture” refers to the culture of the settlements on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, as well as the major islands – Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, etc., rather than to the hypothetical Atlantis.

 

Mr. Sora makes much of similarly spelled words from various cultures, and I am not sure that such associations hold up in all cases.  Fortunately, his case is not built exclusively on such perceived similarities.  He cites solid archeological work to bolster his assertions.

 

Although, as I said earlier, I wasn’t impressed by the alleged linguistic evidence, I was impressed by the fact that Mr. Sora made an effort to show viable alternatives to traditional interpretations of Homer’s works.  I’m not sure I agree with all of them, but they definitely opened my eyes to other possibilities.  Although speculative in nature, it is at least possible, even if not accepted as probable.  I am glad to add this book to my library.

 

Triumph of the Sea Gods = ZZZ 

 

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The Old Power Returns 

by  Morven Westfield  © 2007 

Harvest Shadows 

ISBN  0-9741740-7-5  

309 pages  Paperback                   

$15.95 (U.S.) 

$21.95 (Canada)

 

This sequel to Darksome Thirst has been a long time coming.  (Darksome Thirst came out in 2003), and I have been looking forward to reading it all that time.  It isn’t often that you find an author who can make a juxtaposition of vampires, a witch’s coven, and the computer world of the 1980s seem believable.  Morven does that.

 

Although I came into the Craft in the mid-‘70s, and thus a few years before the setting of this story, I can easily relate to the attitudes and experiences of Morven’s characters – from meeting real witches to whether to let fellow employees at my job know about my involvement with the Craft.

 

To add to that, I know these people.  Oh, not the names, but the personalities and circumstances.  In fact, in many ways, I wonder if Morven and I may have briefly crossed paths long ago.  I’m fairly sure we didn’t, but perhaps we knew the same people at different times.  Or, more likely, the characters are drawn from the same sub-culture which was so prevalent at that time – college students, young professionals, and the occasional social misfit.

 

There is no doubt the characters are thoroughly believable (okay, maybe not the vampires [totally]).  You could walk down the street in any New England (or Midwestern or West Coast) city and see their kin, even today.  These are not stereotypes, these are people.

 

The witches aren’t perfect.  They over- ( and under-) react to some things.  They find themselves victims of their own beliefs and doubts.  The non-witches are just like the average person on the street (okay, once again, not the vampires).  The settings are thoroughly believable, if not necessarily familiar.  Although this is a work of fiction, it isn’t escapist fiction.  With the exception of the existence of physical vampires this book, and its predecessor, require no great stretch of the imagination.

 

Morven has said that she plans more books in this series and I, for one, look forward with eager anticipation for each subsequent volume.  While there are lots of occult-themed novels being produced nowadays, there are far too few being written by writers who know their subjects as well as Morven does.

 

Although I would not go so far as to say that this book will hold up as well as Dracula has, I can say that it is as well-written and as suspenseful as that work.

 

I freely admit to being susceptible to a good story about witches, as well as about vampires, and combining the two into one well-told story is a good way to feed my addiction.

 

My one complaint about Morven as a writer is that she suffers from a severe case of procrastination.  It took her almost 2½ years to write this volume and, while I understand about life getting in the way of writing, I hope it doesn’t take as long for the next volume.

 

On the other hand, I had no need to re-read Darksome Thirst to refresh my memory of the characters.  They were, and are, memorable enough to be brought back to the forefront of memory with only a few lines of the author’s talented pen (or more likely her computer keyboard).

 

Obviously, there are threads left dangling at the end of this story – how else could the series continue?  There are a few, unexpected twists near the end.  There are also some unresolved conflicts and relationships among the characters.

 

I will end this review with a heart-felt recommendation that you get a copy of this book and with a heart-felt plea to Morven – please don’t keep us waiting so long for the next installment in this wonderful series.

 

&n