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Magical Bride:  Craft an Interfaith Wedding for a Goddess 

by  Clea Danaan  © 2009 

Wyrdwood Publications 

eISBN:  WYRDWOOD-0017                 

e-Book 

194 pages               

$6.99 (U.S.)

 

 

As a member of the Craft, and as a reviewer, I have read a lot of information on how to create a handfasting and/or an interfaith ceremony.  Almost all of them have concentrated on the symbols involved and the writing and performance of the ceremony itself.  It would be fair to say that I expected more of the same from this book.  I WAS WRONG.

 

That’s not to say that this type of information isn’t included, because it certainly is.  It’s just that this offering is AT LEAST as concerned with the nuts and bolts of a wedding – finding appropriate (for the individual) attire , setting budgets, locating the ideal site for the ceremony, and all the rest of the details that will make or break your memories of this wonderful day.

 

By the time I was half-way through the book I had only encountered a few pages on the meanings of colors, stones and metals.  And most of that was couched in thoroughly mundane terms.  This truly is a book which is appropriate for the bride- or groom-to-be at every level of Craft knowledge, from merely supporting you new spouse in their path to full-blown initiate.

 

Clea provides some very basic information on deities associated with marriage and family life scattered throughout the book.  Each box of information is kept short and very general.  Again, the idea is to be appealing to the widest possible readership.

 

This book is aimed at real world brides and grooms.  Amongst the best advice she gives is to be organized (even though she admits to her own shortcomings as time grew short for her own ceremony) in your planning and to remember to have fun and be realistic (i.e., keep you expenses to a reasonable level.  There is no reason to start a new life deeply in debt).

 

It is about making your guests comfortable as they share your big day.  Your dear Aunt Martha and Uncle Tom may be good Methodists, but there are ways to help them appreciate why you chose THAT particular candle color, or why you chose a song including names from Greek mythology without compromising your own beliefs.  By the same token, your coven-mates need not feel they have been forced to endure something which causes shivers.  You can be inclusive and accommodating without compromise if you follow some of the suggestions put forth in this book.

 

If you have a wedding, handfasting, or commitment ceremony of any kind coming up, this inexpensive little offering is well worth the price.  In fact, it is worth far more than its price, if only for the common sense reminders contained within it.

 

Magical Bride:  Craft an Interfaith Wedding for a Goddess ~ ZZZZ 

 

 

 

Mastering the Art of Ritual Magick  Book 1:  Foundation  

by  Frater Barrabbas  ©  2008 

Immanion Press 

ISBN:  978-1905713202   

Paperback 

204 pages             

$21.99 (U.S.)

 

Ordinarily, I don’t read other reviewers’ comments before I start reading a book, but the author alerted me to a review which had panned this book, so I took a look to see what had caused the dislike.  The gist of the comments amounted to the fact that this book was confusing.  While this may have been true, it is somewhat expected for two reasons.  First, this is a book of Ritual Magick, which is slightly different from the more common Ceremonial Magick.  Second, this is NOT a “101” book, but is designed for intermediate (at least semi-experienced) practitioners, so it makes certain assumptions.

 

Perhaps that reviewer’s confusion arose from the fact that she was expecting a basic exposition of Ritual Magick, since the book is the foundation of a trilogy.  Since Frater Barrabbas assumes a working knowledge of Ritual Magick to begin with he begins in the “deep end of the pool.”  This is most certainly not a beginner’s work.  If you are a novice you will be confused.  You might want to buy this series and put it aside until you are ready for it.

 

Another potential problem regarding the other reviewer (in my opinion) is her youth.  She is not yet out of her twenties and may (potentially) not have enough magickal and life experience under her belt.  To an extent, this is evident since she dismisses Frater Barrabbass’ non-amplification of statements without realizing that they were more fully covered in his previous work (The Disciple’s Guide to Ritual Magick).  He consistently refers readers to this earlier work, and to attempt to understand the current work without having read it is like trying to understand advanced college courses without having covered the prerequisite material.

 

Although I am not a practicing magician on the level of Frater Barrabbas (I have not dedicated the requisite time or energy necessary to work at that level), I have enough exposure to those kinds of workings to recognize the essential truths of his work.  While the reviewer referenced earlier found reason to disagree with almost every aspect of this work, having had more exposure to magickal workings (I have been working low level magick longer than she has been in this incarnation), I recognize that disagreement about technique and attitude does not invalidate the workings of others.  Like the previous reviewer, I don’t entirely agree with Frater Barrabbas.  Unlike her, I took the time to read his earlier work and thus had a basis to understand his positions.

 

Keying off the title of this series (“mastering the Art of Ritual Magick”), I would not expect this to be a beginner’s book, since mastery of a subject does not come at the start of one’s studies.  This is obviously intended as an intermediate series of works, designed to prepare the reader (and encourage them) for further independent, unguided studies and practices.

 

Expectations can color one’s perceptions.  If you tackle a subject expecting to find a simple answer, it is easy to be confused.  Conversely, if you expect deeply profound insight, you may miss simply stated truths.  Go into this book only if you have clearly defined your own expectations and be prepared to give it more than one reading.  Do your preparation (Read The Disciple’s Guide to Ritual Magick), and your homework, and you can expect to gain new insights and benefits from your magickal workings; attempt it unprepared and unwilling to work at it, and you will come away (at best) confused and/or disappointed.

 

Mastering the Art of Ritual Magick  Book 1:  Foundation     ~ ZZZZZ 

 

 

 

Living Temple of Witchcraft, The  Volume 2 

by  Christopher Penczak  © 2009 

Llewellyn 

ISBN:  978-0-7387-1478-3        

480 pages     

Paperback    

$23.95 (U.S.)  

$27.95 (Canada)

 

I reviewed the CD Companion set to this book recently and found it to be, as is usual with Christopher’s work, excellent.  It was, as I noted then, not a substitute for this book however.  There is so much more to the training which he offers, outside of the meditations and other verbal exercises.

 

This book is the final entry in a series of books which has, potentially, exposed the reader to a variety of ways of viewing Witchcraft.  It, and its companion, is designed to help the reader function as a High Priest/ess (as much as any printed source can).  There is no substitute for experience, but these books help to explore some of the depths which are so seldom explored in most books on the market.

 

As noted previously, Christopher and I come from very different backgrounds (both magickal and mundane), so we don’t always see eye to eye.  While our perceptions may vary, our goals are very similar – to help everyone (including ourselves) to be the best individual possible.

 

This volume, the final one in his “Temple of Witchcraft” series is less about a different approach to the religion and more about the function of a High Priest/ess and culminates in a ritual sealing the commitment of the individual to fulfill that function.  It is meant to be used in conjunction with the previously issued Volume 1.

 

He walks you through a variety of experiences which will help you to expand your perceptions of the actions of divinity in your life; the relationships between astrological signs and divinity; and how these things relate to your actual life and relationships to others.

 

Although any of the six books in the series can be studied as a “stand alone.” You would derive more benefit from reading and experiencing all of them.  The CD Companion sets are also a worthwhile addition to your library.  The entire series is designed to provide an overview of Christopher’s five degree system of Witchcraft training.

 

This volume exposes the reader to twelve astrological/archetypal god-forms and shows some unexpected correlations.  It also addresses a number of “real world” issues which are often ignored (or at best, downplayed) by other writers, including the place of children in our religion, interfaith communications, the use of psychoactive materials, and other topics.

 

Christopher has always attempted to make his material both understandable and useful, and he has once again succeeded.  This final volume in his series succeeds in going well beyond the basics, without leaving the reader confused.  His writing is crisp and clear, his focus sharp, and he has the potential to be one of this generation’s pivotal writers.  This book (and indeed, the entire series) deserves to be in your bookcase.

 

Living Temple of Witchcraft, The  Volume 2  ~ ZZZZZ

 

 

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Forest Song:  Little Mother 

by  Vila Spiderhawk  © 2009 

Vanilla Heart Publications 

ISBN:  978-1-935407-47-4              

314 pages               

Paperback             

$15.95 (U.S.)

 

 

This is a continuation of the story begun in Forest Song:  Finding Home, and you really need to read that book to be up to speed at the start of this book (which is also available as an ebook at www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com  and as a kindle edition book available on Amazon.

 

This story teeters on the edge of reality.  The background is Europe immediately preceding and during the rise of Nazi Germany.  Much of the action revolves around saving members of the Jewish community from their impending destruction.

 

This is not, however, by any stretch of the imagination, an action-filled novel.  Ms. Spiderhawk uses her considerable talents to create a world which allows the reader to absorb the wisdom she imparts in the same way the heroine does – by experiencing it in life, not by being “taught” it.

 

We get to see Judy begin the process of maturing from a dependent young child living with her teacher to creating her own home and finding a lover.  She confronts her own shortcomings and learns to stand up for herself.  I suspect that we will see at least one more book in the series, as Judy confronts the impending changes in her life – her assumption of the role of forest mother, her teacher’s assumption of “grandmother” of the forest, and the arrival of the Nazis in Poland.

 

I look forward to the continuation of Judy’s story, and eagerly await the next installment.

 

Forest Song:  Little Mother  ~ ZZZZ

 

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The Dark Mage 

by Ciaran Corby  © 2009      

ISBN  978-0-9823251-3-1 

www.mysticmoonpress.com    

196 pages  

ebook            

$5.99 (U.S.)

 

This is a fantasy novel by one my (rapidly becoming) favorite authors.  In the past, I wasn’t a big fan of ebooks, but I have overcome this dislike.  (Okay, mostly overcome it…I still prefer the feel of a book in hand as opposed to a book on s disc or hard-drive.)

 

I was a little conflicted when I started reading this book.  Some of the character motivations, and some of the dialogue seemed juvenile (bordering on infantile in a couple of instances) to be believable.  But I was willing to hold that conflict in check and give the author a chance to makes changes and show character growth.

 

This story shares a few characters with an earlier one of Ciarin’s (Soulbreaker, which I reviewed last year), although it is not a sequel to that story.  It is set in a magical city and in the land of fairie, and features a few well-known characters from fairy-lore such as Oberon and Maeb, and shows some novel approaches to life in their realm.

 

The questions I had about motivations and dialogue worked themselves out the further along in the  book I read.  As the central characters became more aware of their own inner reality (Kerberos has a lot to learn about himself) and their own relationships to each other and the fairie realm (Seana finds an unexpected side to herself) they overcome the initial awkwardness which troubled me at the beginning of the story.

 

If I had one complain to make about this book, it would have nothing to do with the book.  About the time it arrived I found myself with a series of time-consuming, unplanned, real world interruptions, and I wasn’t able to just sit back and enjoy the book in only a couple of sittings.  It caught my interest and carried me off to the land of fairie.  I begrudged every moment I had to spend away from it.

 

Over the years, as readers of my reviews have discovered, I have been relentless in my disapproval of what has been, in my opinion, a consistent laxness in editing in the publishing world.  It still bothers me (especially in works by larger, “mainstream,” publishers), but I have come to accept the fact that most writers and publishers rely on spell-checking programs to do their corrections.  Thus, when I find minor glitches I may note them in passing but that is about it.  Major problems get noted and commented upon.  I am happy to say that I found no such problems with this book.

 

There is at least one more book with some of the same shared characters coming out (The Phoenix Mage) in the near future.  I am looking forward to seeing it, and I recommend that you check back with www.mysticmoonpress.com frequently so you can get it as soon as it is available.

 

 

The Dark Mage   ~ ZZZZ

 

 

 

The Real Witches’ Book of Spells and Rituals 

by  Kate West  © 2009 

Llewellyn 

ISBN:  978-0-7387-1511-7    

304 pages             

Paperback              

$21.95 (U.S.)         

$25.50 (Canada)

 

I need to point out that, while this is the first publication of this book by Llewellyn, this book saw print originally in 2003 (by Harper Element) and thus some of the contact information and such in the back of the book may need updating.  Take a few minutes to check things out.

 

I find myself saying this every time I review, or discuss, and of Kate West’s books, but it bears repeating:  The “Real” in the title does not imply that this is the only way to “do it.”  It implies that this is the way witches in the “real” world (with families, work outside the home, social obligations beyond the coven, school, errands, etc.) deal with things in the opinion of the author.  Your way of dealing with issues may, and probably will, vary.  Ms. West simply provides one option.

 

Unlike many “Wicca 101” books (of which this is definitely one) which focus most heavily on the arcane aspects of how and when to do magick, this book emphasizes the why and when – with the primary emphasis on the WHY.  As well as the usual suggestions for attracting new people into your life, and finding work (especially relevant in today’s economy) there are suggestions for improving communications with family members, improving your memory, and other day-to-day topics often overlooked in other books.

 

Perhaps the single most surprising sections of the book occur on pages 149 through 152 where Kate gives advice on coming out of the broom closet (she doesn’t recommend it) and ways of keeping your personal beliefs hidden from public notice.

 

Like the majority of “basic,” “101” books this one contains a large variety of sample rituals which are designed to stimulate the reader to modify them and create their own personal variations.  With these, however there is an emphasis on practicality – not only creating and dismissing sacred space but physically preparing before and cleaning up afterwards.

 

I thoroughly enjoy Kate West’s writing.  Every single book is a source of inspiration and completely enjoyable reading.  If you haven’t read any of her other books, this is an excellent place to start.  If you have read others by her, you will still want to add this one to your collection.

 

 

The Real Witches’ Book of Spells and Rituals  ~ ZZZZZ

 

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The Mouse in the Viking’s Beard 
by  R. Phillip Prince  © 2009 
Wyrdwood Publications 
eISBN:  Wyrdwood-0013                      
30 pages                                
PDF         
$4.99 
www.wyrdwoodpublications.com

Over the years many bedtime stories have been told to little ones, in cultures as diverse as Hawaiian and Greek; Mayan and Japanese; Bantu and Norse.  This is one of the latter.  It is not an ancient story – you won’t find it amongst the sagas or Eddas; nor is it a profound story.  It is a simple tale which contains a multitude of morals in its few pages.

It contains images which are familiar to everyone – the lovable old braggart, the bedraggled mouse, and the raging storm – which make it easy for little ones to relate to it.  It gives opportunities for children to stretch their imaginations trying to picture the surroundings related during the course of the story.

In many ways it reminds me of stories I used to tell my children when they were young, and which hold some of my fondest memories of raising them.

Personally, I would recommend printing this little gem out to make it easier to tell (no sense dragging your laptop to the bedside.  There aren’t any illustrations (except for the cover pages), but this may inspire you to have your child draw some.

This was a fun story.  I have no hesitation at all in recommending it.  Check out their website for more offerings.

The Mouse in the Viking’s Beard  ~ ZZZZ

The Sphinx Mystery 
by  Robert Temple with Olivia Temple  © 2009 
Inner Tradition 
ISBN:  978-1-59477-271-9          
565 pages             
Paperback             
$24.95 (U.S.)         
$27.95 (   Canada)

At one time, decades ago, I was attracted to the mysteries surrounding the ancient land of Egypt as are many people even today.  I was even more strongly attracted by the “mysteries” written about by individuals as disparate as Sir E.A. Wallis Budge and Edgar Cayce.  Throughout these writings ran the image and speculations on the subject of, the Sphinx.  Unfortunately most of these speculations were backed up by nothing except personal opinion.  Professor (visiting professor of the history and science of philosophy at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, member of Royal Historical Society and others) Temple’s book, on the other hand, contains support for his conjectures.

Although moderately technical (there really is no way to avoid it on a subject this complex), it is eminently readable and fairly easily understood.  Chapter Seven:  The Sphinx and the Giza Plan is the one spot most likely to lose readers due to the complex mathematical and spatial relationships being discussed.  Fortunately there are profuse illustrations throughout the book which help to illuminate the topics under discussion in the text.  More photos, and some in color, will soon be available at www.sphinxmystery.info

There are no grand conspiracy theories here, although there is a certain amount of disdain for the behavior of some Egyptologists and explorers.  The mainstay of the conspiracy theorists – that there is a hidden chamber proving the existence of Atlantis (or our origin among the stars, or any other pet belief) - is discussed in realistic detail; as is the theory of rain erosion of the Sphinx.  Both of these topics are treated as realistic topics and not dismissed out of hand.

The final 92 pages before the notes comprise Accounts of the Sphinx from Roman Times to 1817 as well as translations of various papers relating to expeditions during the 19th century as well as drawings made during an investigation of the Sphinx in 1992.

This is a thoroughly readable account of the reality of the Sphinx.  There is no unfounded speculation although some deductions are made and conclusions drawn which will be at variance with both the scientific consensus and New Age beliefs.  Professor makes no attempt to placate either side of the debate.  He simply lays out his conclusions and allows the reader to decide whether they agree or not.

The Sphinx Mystery ~ ZZZZ

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Seeker’s Guide to Learning Wicca to the First Degree in the Northern Hemisphere 

by  Amethyst Treleven 

© 2008 

Oak and Mistletoe Australia               

ISBN:  978-0-9805818-2-9  

204 pages   

Paperback        

$19.95

 

 

This is the first of two reviews of this book, since it has been published in two separate editions – One for the Northern Hemisphere and one for the Southern Hemisphere.  The only differences in the books are in the introduction and in Chapter Four – The Wheel of the Year.  So pick the applicable book review and jump in.  I admit it; I’m a hemisphere-ist.  This was actually the second version of this book, but since I live in the U.S., I naturally grabbed it first.

 

This book, like most “101” (or introductory) books is full of information which is extremely basic, and which has been published dozens, if not hundreds of times already.  .  It does not conform to any of the oath-bound traditions, being the training manual of the Community Church of Inclusive Wicca Incorporated.  It is designed as eight monthly lessons and may be used in conjunction with on-line resources at www.oakandmistletoe.com.au  and the reader is strongly encouraged to avail themselves of these additional resources.

 

Ms. Trelevan and I, although starting from similar origins (Alexandrian) must agree to disagree on some things (why does that NOT surprise me?).  We have undergone differing experiences in our lives and have brought out own perceptions to the practice of Wicca.  But that agreement to disagree is at the very heart of this tradition.  It accepts that if something is true for an individual, no one else has the right to assert that it is false.

 

Most “101” books are set up to be read over the course of a year’s time.  This one is divided into eight sections which provide a subtle connection with a frequently overlooked sacredness of that number.  It is a number which occurs frequently in the “British Traditional Wicca” teachings (the 8 Sabbats, the 8 tools, the Eightfold Paths of Enlightenment) but which is not associated with the religion in the average person’s mind.

 

“The Wheel of the Year” comprises the fourth Lessons and covers 35 pages.  In that short span it provides a very well thought-out presentation which gives the student all the basics, including a sample ritual for each Sabbat, without being overwhelming.  Each Sabbat is explained in terms of seasonal and mythological relevancy in general terms.  Popular traditions are then discussed.  And this is followed by a short sample ritual.  Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable discussions of the topic I have read in a very long time. It is lively, interesting and informative.

Although it is quite common to hear complaints about the sheer number of “101” books being published nowadays, and especially about the vast amount of repetition they contain, every once in a while a really useful book in this line makes it into print.  This book (and its Southern Hemisphere counterpart) is one such book.  Of course it is very basic, that is its purpose.  Certainly it contains information available elsewhere.  Where it excels is in the personalization and motivational aspects.  It comes across, in my opinion, as more like a friend sharing their knowledge than as a teacher lecturing students; more of a one-on-one kind of experience.  Will it appeal to everyone?  Probably not, but with its blend of “traditional” methods, eclectic sources and friendly tone it is easily one of the few beginner books I enthusiastically recommend.

 

And for those of you, like my daughter and I, who have trouble wrapping your mind around the differences inherent in living in the opposite hemisphere, this pair of books makes it much easier.

 

I don’t necessarily agree with everything Amethyst says, but such disagreements are a matter of personal experience and interpretations, and in no way affect the utility of this book, or the presentation of the system in use by the Inclusive Wicca tradition.  The basic knowledge and guidance are there.  If you want a good starter book, or if you want to know more about this tradition, get this book.

 

 

Seeker’s Guide to Learning Wicca to the First Degree in the Northern Hemisphere ~ ZZZZZ 

 

 

 

 

Seeker’s Guide to Learning Wicca to the First Degree in the Southern Hemisphere 

by  Amethyst Treleven 

© 2008     

Oak and Mistletoe Australia               

ISBN:  978-0-9805818-1-2  

208 pages 

Paperback          

$19.95

 

This is the second of two reviews of this book, since it has been published in two separate editions – One for the Northern Hemisphere and one for the Southern Hemisphere.  The only differences in the books are in the introduction and in Chapter Four – The Wheel of the Year.  So pick the applicable book review and jump in.

 

This book, like most “101” (or introductory) books is full of information which is extremely basic, and which has been published dozens, if not hundreds of times already.  .  It does not conform to any of the oath-bound traditions, being the training manual of the Community Church of Inclusive Wicca Incorporated.  It is designed as eight monthly lessons and may be used in conjunction with on-line resources at www.oakandmistletoe.com.au (and the reader is strongly encouraged to avail themselves of these additional resources.

 

Ms. Trelevan  and I, although starting from similar origins (Alexandrian) must agree to disagree on some things (why does that NOT surprise me?).  We have undergone differing experiences in our lives and have brought out own perceptions to the practice of Wicca.  But that agreement to disagree is at the very heart of this tradition.  It accepts that if something is true for an individual, no one else has the right to assert that it is false.

 

Most “101” books are set up to be read over the course of a year’s time.  This one is divided into eight sections which provide a subtle connection with a frequently overlooked sacredness of that number.  It is a number which occurs frequently in the “British Traditional Wicca” teachings (the 8 Sabbats, the 8 tools, the Eightfold Paths of Enlightenment) but which is not associated with the religion in the average person’s mind.

 

“The Wheel of the Year” comprises the fourth Lessons and covers 35 pages.  In that short span it provides a very well thought-out presentation which gives the student all the basics, including a sample ritual for each Sabbat, without being overwhelming.  Each Sabbat is explained in terms of seasonal and mythological relevancy in general terms.  Popular traditions are then discussed.  And this is followed by a short sample ritual.  Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable discussions of the topic I have read in a very long time. It is lively, interesting and informative.

 

Although it is quite common to hear complaints about the sheer number of “101” books being published nowadays, and especially about the vast amount of repetition they contain, every once in a while a really useful book in this line makes it into print.  This book (and its Southern Hemisphere counterpart) is one such book.  Of course it is very basic, that is its purpose.  Certainly it contains information available elsewhere.  Where it excels is in the personalization and motivational aspects.  It comes across, in my opinion, as more like a friend sharing their knowledge than as a teacher lecturing students; more of a one-on-one kind of experience.  Will it appeal to everyone?  Probably not, but with its blend of “traditional” methods, eclectic sources and friendly tone it is easily one of the few beginner books I enthusiastically recommend.

 

And for those of you, like my daughter and I, who have trouble wrapping your mind around the differences inherent in living in the opposite hemisphere, this pair of books makes it much easier.  As a Northern Hemisphere practitioner I had as much trouble connecting with the concepts of working “down under” as those practitioners may have experienced with concepts from up here.  Amethyst made it easy for me to finally wrap my mind around those ideas.  She also brought forth an idea which is seldom discussed in either hemisphere – the fact that not all locations have four distinct seasons.  Some areas have more, some have fewer.  Some comedians say that California has three seasons – fire, rain, and mudslide; Michigan has two – winter and bad ski conditions, and parts of the Southern U.S. add hurricane to other four seasons.  On a serious note, however, some areas do not share the same timing as the British Isles, nor the same clear-cut distinctions between them.

 

I don’t necessarily agree with everything Amethyst says, but such disagreements are a matter of personal experience and interpretations, and in no way affect the utility of this book, or the presentation of the system in use by the Inclusive Wicca tradition.  The basic knowledge and guidance are there.  If you want a good starter book, or if you want to know more about this tradition, get this book.

 

 

Seeker’s Guide to Learning Wicca to the First Degree in the Southern Hemisphere ~ ZZZZZ

 

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The Morning of the Magicians 

by  Louis Pawels & Jacques Bergier 

© 2009 

Destiny 

ISBN:  978-1-59477-231-1           

480 pages               

Paperback             

$18.95 (U.S.)

 

I must say at the outset that I was a bit disappointed with this reissue of a classic in the field of “Ancient Mysteries.”  It was first published in France in 1960, and I was hoping that there would have been some revisions and updating done.  This was not the case.  It is a simple reissue of the original English translation.

 

This does not mean that it lacks value.  There are obvious incongruities in this book, viewed through the lens of past events.  Given the progress (???) that has been made in nearly half a century – politically, scientifically and culturally – there are obviously dated references which some younger readers may not understand.  At the time this work was produced the Cold War was in full swing, the “Summer of Love” was unimagined and nuclear energy was only a dream (although nuclear weapons were already a nightmare).

 

Much of the information in this book is severely dated, as is to be expected after nearly half a century, but by the same token, much of it is still relevant.  It follows in the footsteps of Charles Fort (Book of the Damned) and lays the ground work for Douglas Kenyon’s “Forbidden” series of books (Forbidden History, Forbidden Religion, and Forbidden Science) which draw attention to those events, beliefs, and phenomena which are routinely dismissed by “the authorities” as being mere anomalies, and therefore unimportant.

 

As an example of how our knowledge has expanded, the authors write concerning a secret Order unknown to the specialists – The Golden Dawn.  They say that the Golden Dawn had one member (Florence Farr), while we now know that there were others (Dion Fortune, Anne Horniman, and Moina Mathers among others).

 

On the other side of the coin, they write from personal experience when dealing with the horrors of the Second World War, and the apparent motivations of some of the major players.  This lends a sense of, if not urgency, validity to their observations.

 

Their speculations regarding man’s progress were perhaps a bit optimistic (or maybe we just aren’t aware of some of the research which has been undertaken and which continues within undisclosed locations).  Their stated purpose in making these speculations public was to encourage research, and I am sure that many of their lines of investigation have been pursued, even if the “man on the street” isn’t aware of such investigations.

 

While I was hoping for more current data, this is a book which I recommend for two very important reasons.  First, because it brings to the attention of the average reader information which has probably not bee seen before.  And, second, because it is sure to inspire at least some readers to go further, and learn more about the anomalies in our world and how they affect the world in which we live.

 

 

The Morning of the Magicians  ~ ZZZZ

 

 

Oblivious: The Misadventures of Harry and Mummy. Vol. 1 

by  Mat Robinson 

© 2008 

Wyrdwood Publications 

eISBN: Wyrdwood-2007       

82 pages       

pdf      

$6.99 (U.S.)           

www.wyrdwoodpublications.com

 

This is a quirky little book with vaguely Pagan references scattered through its 82 pages.  It concerns an extremely young child (Harry) and his mother (Mummy).  Mummy is, apparently, a superspy while Harry is…oblivious.  He is apparently fixated on his own pleasures (and bodily functions), and occasionally manages to interfere with Mummy’s plans.

 

Is it something I would go looking for?  Probably not, which is why I am glad I heard about this fun little read.  I would have missed a light-hearted romp through the world of an extremely unusual youngster.

 

Each of these short stories is told in a quick-paced style with few pretensions.  They are intended to provide a quick smile with an even quicker chuckle.  In other words, they are simply fun to read.  Don’t look for more.  Purchase this book to give yourself an excuse to relax and laugh.  It is well worth the price.

 

Oblivious: The Misadventures of Harry and Mummy. Vol. 1 ~ ZZZ

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Shew Stone 

by  Aeron Medbh-Mara   © 1999     

Flying Witch Publications 

1-900433-04-4  55 pages         

$5.49  (U.S.)

 

It is amazing how much thought, inspiration, and guidance can be put into a well-written, short booklet.  This booklet is filled with the considerations of an experienced priestess (albeit one who stands outside of the mainstream traditions).  She creates new terms (“faction” for a blend of fact and fiction, for example) which makes reading this book a real pleasure.

 

I freely admit to being surprised by some of the author’s statements; not that they were “wrong” or controversial, but simply because they caused me to look at things in an entirely different light.  As an example, “everyone knows” that rules of hospitality require that a visitor be offered refreshment, yet those same “rules” require that the visitor accept, lest they convey the message that they don’t trust the host to treat them honorably.

 

Agree with her presentation or not, this book is well worth the price.

 

Shew Stone  ~ ZZZZ

 

 

Pierced by the Light 

by  Rig Svenson  © 1998     

Flying Witch Publications 

1-900433-13-3  

119 pages       

$10.49  (U.S.)

 

Even though runes and Teutonic worship are not my strong suit, I was pleased to receive this book for review for several reasons.  The first reason is that I am always looking to expand my base of knowledge and it has been quite a while since I have looked at Northern beliefs.  The second reason is, perhaps, more important.  After years, if not decades, of New Age “reinterpretations” of Northern beliefs and practices I enjoyed a more traditionally focused presentation.

 

In a refreshing bit of humility and honesty the author is not hesitant to use a couple of phrases with a fair degree of regularity.  The first is “We don’t know if…” and the second is “In my opinion…” (or some variant of it).  Here is an author offering his opinions and beliefs as just that and not as some kind of revelation to be accepted.  This is quite refreshing.

 

A significant amount of space is devoted to the phonetics involved in runic understanding.  This is kept as simplified as possible, but is still a fairly complicated section.  The fact that runes developed in several linguistic regions is a complicating factor, but don’t allow yourself to become discouraged.  Stick with it and you will be rewarded.

 

There are some statements made by the author that I, on a personal level, disagree with, but since they are presented as his opinions, my disagreement is irrelevant.  The only solid objection I have to this work is one I have noted numerous times before and which occurs in the work of many authors and publishers, and that is the incidence of inadequate proof-reading.  There are a lot of missing words, none of which present a major problem in regards to understanding.  That is, as I freely admit, a personal dislike of mine, and one which seems to jump off the page at me.

 

I am not conversant enough with the Northern traditions to know haw close to mainstream thought this book is, but I found it to be very thought provoking.  The phonetics is extensive and detailed, but don’t skip over them.  His interpretations of rune magic made a great deal of sense to me.

 

If Northern traditions, runes, or any of the associated topics interest you, I think you should add this book to your collection.

 

Pierced by the Light   ~ ZZZZ

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Everyday Witch A to Z 

by Deborah Blake  © 2008

Llewellyn 

ISBN  978-0-7387-1275-8    

263 pages       

Paperback           

$17.95 (U.S.)   

$20.95 (Canada)

 

A wonderful compendium of wit, wisdom, and whimsy; that’s what this book is.  Arranged alphabetically (kind of), it is easy to use and needs only minor introductions to explain a few points – like that “Onyx” is Deborah Blake and “Magic” is her feline familiar.

 

This was a fun book to read, even though I could nit pick a few items.  That’s what it would take though, nit picking.  Unlike many of the books I have read and reviewed in the past few years there were no glaring errors to jump up and scream at me.

 

It is not as comprehensive as it might have been, but fortunately it was a lot more fun than it could have been.  There are a few places where I flat out disagree with what Ms. Blake has written, but that may be a result of too many years of kicking around primarily with Elders and not enough time with newbies.

 

I have to say that she succeeded in her goal which was to entertain as well as to educate.  Newcomers will learn a lot of things; old timers will chuckle and remember what it felt like to be a newcomer.

 

Plan to add this book to your library.  And while you’re at it, plan to give a copy or two to friends for Yule.

 

 

Everyday Witch A to Z ~ ZZZZ

 

Queste  (Septimus Heap Book #4) 

by Angie Sage  © 2008    

Katherine Tegen Books 

ISBN: 978-0-06-088207-5 

596 pages  

Hardcover       

$17.99 (U.S.)

 

Once again into the (almost) familiar world of Septimus Heap; former member of the Young Army (Boy 412); magic user and reluctant adventurer.  He reminds me, as I have noted in previous reviews, of Skeeve – hero of the “Myth” series by Robert Asprin.  Ms. Sage’s style conjures up the same slightly warped view of the magical world, and the same sense of caring about the characters she has called to life.

 

Septimus is a bit slow putting in an appearance in this fourth volume of his story, but that’s all right.  There is plenty of entertainment while you wait.

 

The usual cast of characters is called upon – Marcia Overstrand (ExtraOrdinary Wizard),

 

Jenna (Septimus’ foster sister and Princess-designate), Simon Heap (Septimus’ brother, and former Darke Magician), Stanley (messenger rat), Spit Fyre (dragon) and all the rest.  Each of them contributes to the advancement of the story, and to Septimus’ growth from an uncertain youth into a more mature Apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard.

 

The story is told quickly and cleanly and, unlike many in the magickal genre, does not rely on strange names (okay, I’ll grant I don’t l know many folks named Silas or Morwenna, but at least it isn’t some obscure name in an Elvish dialect) to set the tone.  Ms. Sage does that with very clear descriptions of places and people.  The universe she has created is one which the reader feels must exist, perhaps just beyond that next hill, or around the next bend in the river.

 

Obviously, there is more to come in this series.  Septimus has barely begun his training as an Apprentice - he is, after all, only 12 years old, and has at least another four or five years to go.  There are questions to be answered about Simon (another of Septimus’ brothers) and his wife Lucy, Merrin Meredith (once mistakenly believed to be Septimus), and assorted other characters.

 

I enjoy getting books from publishers to review.  Once in a while, however, for some reason I just can’t connect with a publisher.  Then I have to resort to (gasp!) spending some of my very limited available cash.  Such is the case with the Septimus Heap series.  I have purchased all the books in this series from a book club I belong to (hey, I never said I would pay RETAIL), and I intend to make sure I don’t miss any future volumes.

 

This is a good series for those who enjoy magical-themed series.  There are no secrets, no invocations, nothing but pure enjoyment.  It works well for the mid-teen and up age group, but even adults can enjoy it.  Pick up a copy and see what you think about it.  Then find copies of the earlier volumes and enjoy them as well.

 

 

Queste ~ ZZZ

 

 

 

Dedicant:  A Witch’s Circle of Fire 

by Thuri Calafia  © 2008

Llewellyn 

ISBN  978-0-7387-1528-1  

359 pages           

Paperback       

$19.95 (U.S.)

 

Here we go with another “101” book.  It is the first step in a four level training program for eclectic students.  Personally, I am not a big fan of eclectic training since, in my experience, “eclectic” often translates to “It’s kind of Pagan, so I can use it without really understanding it or its origins.”  Having said that I must admit to a personal bias which may show through at various points.

 

On page 5 Thuria makes the statement “…we modern Wiccans feel the call of these tides.”  I disagree with this statement because I feel it lacks clarity.  I would say that everyone feels the call, modern Wiccans merely feel it stronger and are more conscious of it.

 

I do not necessarily share her perspective of identifying all indigenous cultural religions as witchcraft (I’m sorry, but an Egyptian witch just doesn’t fly in my book; now, an Egyptian Pagan is another thing entirely).

 

There is much to like in this book.  Unlike a lot of basic works, the author doesn’t begin it by giving examples of ritual behavior and planning.  She begins the work by discussing your responsibility – to yourself, your family, your group, your community and our planet.  This is a pleasant change.

 

As you can see from the preceding paragraphs, this book is not going to please everyone.  There are items to agree with and things to disagree with.  The most important thing about this author’s work is that it makes the reader think.

 

Before I even reached the first seasonal ritual, even before discussion of the circle, I encountered a section which should be foremost in all “101” books but seldom is – “Witchy Etiquette.”  The first two items should be reinforced periodically throughout an individual’s training”  “Don’t touch other’s stuff without permission” and “Never assume people know less than you do just because you’ve never met them before.”  One suggestion I might add is “Never assume chronological age equals Craft experience.”

 

Throughout the preliminary sections of this book the idea of non-exclusivity is stressed by example as well as by statements.  For instance, when referring to circle casting, the use of the athame is mentioned, as is the use of wand, fingers, and even the white-handled knife.  This helps to reinforce the concept that there is no one, right way to do things.

 

The meat of this book, Part Two, is composed of monthly lessons.  It is designed so that a prospective student can start it any time and includes a certain amount of redundancy to provide for that.

 

One item which I especially liked was the inclusion of ethical questions at various points.  They contain enough gray areas to challenge the student.  The author provides her take on them, but stresses that there are no “right” answers.  Quite often these types of topics are not addressed in beginner’s books.

 

Assuming that the author is capable of carrying through this level of commitment and education (and of that I have very little doubt) I would not hesitate to recommend this entire series of books for the solitary eclectic student.  If you are looking for an excellent beginner’s work, this is the book you want.

 

 

Dedicant:  A Witch’s Circle of Fire   ~ ZZZZZ

 

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The Pagan Anthology of Short Fiction   

© 2008 Llewellyn 

ISBN  978-0-7387-1269-7          

228 pages       

Paperback           

$18.95 (U.S.)  

$21.95 (Canada)

 

 

For years I bemoaned the lack of Pagan-friendly fiction written by authors who had, at the very least, an understanding of out ways.  I discovered that I have been looking in the wrong places.  The major publishing houses had no references to go by, so their offerings were mediocre at best.

 

Then I began looking to some of the smaller, vanity press-style publishers.  I found some good things there, but it was definitely hit or miss.  There had been occasional short fiction published in some of the journals being put out, but again it was very hit or miss thing.

 

Now Llewellyn (one of the largest metaphysical publishers in the U.S. [at least]) has stepped up to the plate.  In conjunction with PanGaia magazine they have brought a collection of short fiction to the wider public.

 

If you enjoy short stories (and who doesn’t?), this is a good collection for you.  There is a wide variety of styles contained herein – everything from sci-fi to historical fantasy.  There is, quite literally, something here for everyone.  There are even a few stories which simply beg for continuations, or expansions into novellas at the very least.

 

Pick up a copy of this book and enjoy the stories.

 

The Pagan Anthology of Short Fiction ~ ZZZZ

 

 

 

The Enemy Within:  2,000 Years of Witch-Hunting in the Western World 

by  John Demos  © 2008   

Viking Press           

ISBN:  978-0-670019991   

336 pages   

Hardcover 

$25.95 (U.S.)

 

Within the past several decade several histories of Witchcraft, and the persecution of Witches, have made their way to publishers large and small.  Their authors have ranged from far-removed academics to those intimately involved in the subject, and their approaches have varied from dryly historical to vocally anecdotal.  This current offering may be unique in its presentation.  It is a synthesis of much which has been previously written, aimed at the general reading public, written by a scholar known for his historical work.  He has not, however, limited himself to the dusty past, but brings it up-to-date by including details from some modern “witch hunts” (both literal and figurative).

 

This is not a book about witchcraft, but about witch hunting.  It is not written by a witch but by a researcher.  It encompasses several broad time frames from the medieval to the modern day.

 

Professor Demos brings a historian’s eye and discipline to the table where he adds in a novelist’s ability to tell a story.  This is a compelling combination and one which makes this book a pleasure and joy to read.  The subject matter may be appalling, but the writing makes up for it.

 

There is information contained herein which I haven’t encountered before primarily because it has been restricted, I suspect, to more scholarly works which I have not read.  This resulted in the expansion of my understanding, even after decades of reading.

 

Professor Demos shows the similarities, and differences between modern day “witch hunts” such as the McCarthy “Red Scare,” child abuse scandals (Fells, Acres gets quite a bit of coverage, as it should), and anti-Masonic feelings.

 

Personally, I found this book to be both very informative and easy to read.  I strongly recommend it if you have any interest in the subject of witch hunting.  It is NOT gory and contains no scenes of graphic violence, as that is not Professor Demos’ intention.  He looks at the underlying motivations and perceptions which led to both the beginning and ending of the various types of hunts in Europe and North America.

 

The Enemy Within:  2,000 Years of Witch-Hunting in the Western World  ~ ZZZZZ

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The Magician

by Michael Scott  © 2008 

Knopf 

ISBN:  978-085733585  

256 pages  

Hardcover 

$16.99  (U.S.)

 

Once again we enter the world of Josh and Sophie Newman (fraternal twins) and the immortal Nicholas and Perenelle (Nick and Perry) Flamel.  If all you want is a good fantasy read for the teen in your life, this is an excellent choice (as it its predecessor The Alchemyst).  It is, however, much more than that.  Mr. Scott has done his research.  As a result, this series of books (with 4 more to come over the next four years) is populated with characters from throughout worldwide history and legend.. It is set in locales both familiar and exotic.

 

In The Alchemyst we met Dr. John Dee, the Witch of Endor, a Celtic warrior woman named Scathach, and the Dark Elders among others.  This time we add Niccolo Machiavelle and the Morrigan to the cast of characters.

 

Younger readers may be unfamiliar with these names, but adults will recognize them as some of the most mysterious characters, surrounded by unanswered questions, in the history of the world.

 

You might think that humans who are. For practical purposes, immortal would stick together.  After all, how many can there be in the human population?  But such is not the case.  There are three distinct groups within the immortal population and the twins have found themselves having to learn the differences and make very adult decisions about which group(s) to align themselves with.

 

In addition, Josh must deal with his own issues of jealousy and trust in the beginning of this book, Sophie must learn to control powers which should be slowly assimilated in a matter of mere days.  On top of those, minor, things they must also deal with absent parents, attacks by creatures from various mythologies of the world, and any number of “normal” teenage concerns.  Josh has his powers awakened, the twins avoid death in various forms, and the story continues.

 

For those who have bemoaned the last of the Harry Potter books, this series looks like a good bet to be the next “great thing” in young adult fantasy literature.

 

The Magician =  ZZZZ

 

 

 

Beyond the Burning Times:  A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue 

by  Gus diZerega and Philip Johnson 

© 2008 

Lion Hudson            

ISBN 978-0 7459 52727        

208 pages        

$17.89

 

This book is going to make everyone uncomfortable, and that is a good thing.  It will force both Pagans and Christians to confront what they think they “know” about the other side of the debate.  Neither side is composed entirely of “virtuous” or “nasty” individuals.

 

Gus diZerega (a Third Degree Gardnerian, with a Ph.D. in Political Theory) and Philip Johnson (a liberal Christian) engage in a give-and-take dialogue on topics ranging from the nature of spirituality to nature, and on to Paganism, Christianity and the Culture Wars. There is an abundance of courtesy evident throughout this book.  The dialogue shows that it is possible to be on opposite sides of this divide and still remain civil while considering the other side’s position.

 

Of course, Mr. Johnson’s positions do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of all Christians, just as Dr. diZerega’s do not represent all Pagans (or even all Witches).  Regardless, these two gentlemen show the best of their respective belief systems.

 

It is impossible to read this text without encountering ideas that force you to look at your own beliefs.  Whether that confrontation leads you to change your thinking is irrelevant.  The examination is the important aspect.  This book should be read by every Elder (Pagan and Christian), every Priest (ditto), Priestess and Minister.

 

I hope, and expect, that it will lead to some interesting discussions at inter-faith gatherings.  Such discussions should lead to better understanding and more tolerance among members of such groups

 

Beyond the Burning Times:  A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue  =  ZZZZZ

 

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Forest Song – Finding Home 

by  Vila Spiderhawk       ©       

Vanilla Heart Publishing 

ISBN  978-0-9814739-8-7   

399 pages  

$15.99 (U.S.)

 

This is the second book I have read by this author.  The first was Hidden Passages, which was a collection of short stories.  This one is a full length novel, which allows for greater character development.

 

This book is a treat.  It has so many facets it is dazzling.  It is a fascinating story of a young girl’s encounters with life.  It is a novel set in the recent past.  It teaches basic magical concepts and beliefs.  On top of all that it is an enjoyable book which is fun to read.

 

It is, I suspect (and hope) the prelude to a series of books which will allow us to experience Judy’s journey from a gawky pre-teen running away from an over-controlling family through her years to the start of her life as woman, and on to her crone-hood.  There is much to tell if this book is any indication.

 

Ms. SpiderHawk knows how to tell a story.  It will appeal to a wide range of readers, ranging in age from young adult through senior citizen; from those looking for a fun story to members of the Pagan community looking for a way to pass along some basic knowledge in a painless way.

 

I cannot recommend this author’s work strongly enough.  Vanilla Heart Publishing is also becoming a favorite publisher.

 

Forest Song – Finding Home =  ZZZZ

 

 

Hidden Passages – Tales to Honor the Crones 

by  Vila SpiderHawk  ©  2007   

Vanilla Heart Publishing        

ISBN  978-0-97965445-6-5         

262 pages       

$15.99 (U.S.)

 

The subtitle of this book, “Tales to Honor the Crones”, gave me a false impression.  A collection of stories about crones should be about the end of life, but these stories are full of life.  They are vivid, arresting, and entertaining.

 

Oh, there is death and loss, but there are also children scrambling up trees.  There is somber reflection but there is also joyful discovery and anticipation.  There is the certainty of lives running their allotted course as well as the wonder of new life burgeoning forth.

 

Like life itself, you never know what to expect.  Vila SpiderHawk is much more than an entertaining author.  In her stories there are lessons to be learned (gently) and things to contemplate.  There are moments to laugh, and times to wonder.

 

The only problem I had with this book was that it was too easy to read.  I had promised myself that I would relax and enjoy this book over a week’s time.  That didn’t happen.  I started reading and found that I couldn’t put it down.  I finished it off in a mere two days, and found myself wanting more.

 

Pick this book up, and you may find yourself wishing for more as I did.  Somehow, I suspect that we have not heard the last from Ms. SpiderHawk – in fact, I know we haven’t as I have her next book sitting at my bedside as I write this.  I sincerely hope that she has more to offer us.  Her books are educational on several levels, and entertaining on at least as many levels.

 

Hidden Passages – Tales to Honor the Crones =  ZZZZ

 

 

The Heretic's Guide to Thelema 

by Gerald del Campo © 2008 

Immanion Press    

ISBN  978-1-905713-18-9           

438 pages       

Paperback       

$22.99 (U.S.)

 

Thelema?  Isn’t that about the writings and magickal workings of Aleister Crowley?  Didn’t he use drugs and sex magick?  Wasn’t he called “the evilest man in the world”?  What relevance can that have in today’s society?  Kind of, yes, yes, and you’d be surprised.  But that isn’t all Thelema is.  Actually, I should say that it is not primarily what Thelema is, any more than the writings of any prophet.  All of the above statements and questions are representative of the common perception of Thelema.  And we all know how accurate common perceptions are (cough, cough).

 

I am not a practicing Thelemite (or any form of Thelemite for that matter) which makes me the target audience for this book since this a “101” book, but with a difference.  Most “beginner” books simply rehash what has been written before (often dozens if not hundreds of times).  This book is designed to introduce the entire concept of Thelema and its associated magick from a personal viewpoint.

 

Naturally, there are recaps of standard magickal fare – including certain rituals and invocations – but in the first part of the book the emphasis is on personal experience as opposed to theory.  Perseverance is stressed since the magickal world, unlike modern Western society, is based on the long-term.  There are no short cuts in this work.

 

 The first two books in this three book compilation (New Aeon Magick and New Aeon English Qaballah) have been previously published (1994 and 2001, respectively), and they raised various controversies at the times of their publication.  The third book (Ethics of Thelema) has never before been published and offers a look at the author’s view of the relationship of Thelema, as he understands and practices it, to the larger world.

 

Although I call this a “101” book, it is not for the casual dabbler.  As with any book devoted to magickal working as opposed to magickal theory it is heavy on experiential goals, and requires some serious effort to put into practice.

 

One of the primary purposes of this book, if not the primary purpose, is to cause the reader to question everything.  This makes it a difficult book for the average reader.  It is also dangerous to the status quo since it encourages challenges to commonly accepted viewpoints.

 

This book (or, actually, theses books) is not about Thelema as a whole, but rather about the author’s personal understanding of it.  As such, it is intended to encourage contemplation leading to action.  Contemplation is the starting point; action is the journey; and self-knowledge is the destination.

 

If you know nothing about Thelema, and want to, this book is for you.  If you are a practicing Thelemite, this book may shock you into re-examining your thoughts.  In either case, it is a worthwhile addition to your library.

  

The Heretic's Guide to Thelema  =  ZZZZZ

 

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Way of the Druid 

by  Graeme K. Talboys  © 2005     

O Books   http://www.obooks.com/

ISBN  978-1-905247231 272 pages         

Paperback           

$29.95 (U.S.)

There are two things this book is NOT and one that it is (appropriate given the use of triads in Celtic learning)).  It is not a scholarly work, full of arcane references and dense footnotes.  It is not a lightweight, fluffy treatment of the Druids as an autonomous phenomenon.  It is an extremely readable, well-integrated presentation of Druidic functions as a part of overall Celtic culture.

Before the author, himself a Druid for more than three decades, even begins to tackle the subject of the book, he takes the time to explain (in broad, general terms) Celtic society.  He also makes it clear that most of what we “know” about it is from second-hand sources in many cases.  A thorough grounding in the Celtic view of the world is impossible at this point, due to a lack of first-hand sources to give us that understanding.  The best we can hope for is an approximation based on what we can tease out of history, folk-lore and mythology.

I am sure that many modern-day Druids will be offended by parts of this book.  While acknowledging that there was no one “Celtic” culture the author makes statements which could be taken to mean that “all Druids” share certain beliefs, traits, and attitudes.  He also makes it clear that “Druids” as a separate class of Celtic society did not exist.  BY and large, Druids were integral members of their clans and tribes, and were expected to work in the fields, be a blacksmith, or fill any other function which needed doing, in addition to the roles as genealogist, law-givers, healer, or whatever their specialty was as a Druid.

This is, without a doubt, the most informative book I have read on Druids in many years.  It is not the be all and end all on the subject.  There are many other books available on the subject, but most of them tend to be at one or another end of the spectrum when it comes to approaches – they are either intensely dense scholarly works, or fluffy “white light” treatments.  This one steers a middle course, and thus may be even more valuable because of that.

Way of the Druid  =  ZZZZ

Seekers Guide to Harry Potter 

by  Dr. Geo Trevarthen  © 2008         

O Books http://www.obooks.com/

ISBN  978-1-84694-093-4    

261 pages       

Paperback       

$24.95 (U.S.)

 

What’s this –another book about Harry Potter?  Well, yes and no.  Although it draws its inspiration from Ms. Rowling’s stories of a certain young wizard, it is an open-minded exploration of the symbolism and meaning (intended or otherwise) contained in those writings.

Is Dr. Trevarthen a Pagan?  Probably.  Is she magically trained?  Obviously, if only from her presentation of the functions fulfilled in a magic ritual and her understanding of magical symbolism.  From comments in the book, it would appear that she does come from a family involved in various forms of magic, but that is incidental to the philosophical discussions contained in this book.

I must warn you that if you are a Potter fan, but haven’t finished the books yet, do not read this book yet.  Dr. Trevarthen discusses topics and themes as well as specific incidents from all seven books, including a large number of “spoilers” for those who haven’t reached the end yet.

She brings together themes from various religions and magical traditions, and thoughts from the Bible to Joseph Campbell.  Her goal appears to be simply to show how JK Rowling can bring out the best in everyone and inspire greatness in everyone.

If you have ever felt that the Harry Potter books speak to you, and you feel like there may be more to them than “just” a good story, this book will explain why you have those feelings.  As Dr. Trevarthen says, if you read the books one right after the other, it is more like reading one continuous book than a series.

There are themes of alchemy which run from beginning to end – in the names of some of the characters, in the appearance of dragons and phoenix, as well as in the experiences of Harry, Ron and Hermione.  While the vast majority of readers may well be unaware of these influences, they will have an effect regardless.  For those who are “in the know” the effects will be even more pronounced.

This is a book which deserves to be on your book shelf.  Even more importantly, it deserves to be studied and integrated into your world-view.

Seekers Guide to Harry Potter   =  ZZZZZ

Aidan’s First Full Moon Circle 

by  W. Lyon Martin   © 2008  

Magical Child Books    http://magicalchildbooks.com/

ISBN  978-0979683442                     

32 pages         

Hardbound      

$16.95 (U.S.)  

This is going to be a short review, simply because the book itself is very short.  Ms. Martin has created a book which fulfills multiple purposes in spite of the shortness of the story.  She has captured, in easily understandable form, the feelings that everyone – child or adult – has when they finally celebrate a ritual withy more than just their family.

The illustrations are soft and pretty.  Little ones will enjoy looking at them as they read this story.

As well as learning a few simple ritual terms and actions there is a simple mystery.  Seamus the squirrel needs to find his acorns in order to survive the winter.  There are different numbers of them in each picture and they will inspire those too young to read on their own to find them. 

The story is simple but the lessons are important – accept responsibility, take help if you need it, open yourself to new experiences, and act responsibly.  This is a wonderful introduction to group workings and interactions.

Aidan’s First Full Moon Circle  =  ZZZZZ

Watchers 

by  W. Lyon Martin  © 2008          

Magical Child Books    http://magicalchildbooks.com/

ISBN  978-0979683459                     

32 pages           

Hardbound      

$16.95 (U.S.)   

Lyon Martin met a lady who shared a poem she learned from her grandmother.  That poem inspired this book.

Thomas is being stalked by monsters at night.  He can’t see them, but he can see their eyes in the dark.  A plan is made to catch them.  A trap is set – and triggered.  Then the “monsters” are revealed as…Nope, I’m not telling.  You need to get this book and share it with your little ones.  It is a positive approach to childhood anxieties, as well as a fun story.

The illustrations, although some of them are dark (hey, it’s bedtime and lights out) are not in the least threatening, and because of their softness and depth of detail, will entertain your child almost as much as the story itself.

I highly recommend this book, as well as others by the same author.  Her books are fun, the bindings are library reinforced (so they will hold up for the long run), and are printed on recycled paper.

Watchers   =  ZZZZZ

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Liber Malorum  Children of the Apple 

by  Sean Scullion  © 2008 

PagAnarchy Press

ISBN  97809557984-0-5 

523 pages 

Paperback $27.21 (U.S.) 

This is a compilation work.  There are twenty three authors and over 70 contributions.  I’m sure it will be difficult for some people to read, since it is a true Discordian book.  And, of course, Discordians are notoriously difficult to pigeon-hole.

In the finest tradition of Discordian writing these stories of fiction raise the question “What is truth?”  If you have no exposure to Discordianism the appearance of excerpts from The Principia Discordia and The Illuminatus Trilogy will both extremely helpful and thoroughly confusing.

There are themes throughout this book and tendrils which snake from one story to another.  As you read you will likely become aware of these themes and linkages.  I said some because, unless you are experienced in the field of non-rational (un-sane) thinking, you will undoubtedly miss at least a few the first time around.  Please pay close attention to what I am saying – “un-sane” is not the same as “insane,” non-rational does not mean insane either.

Many, if not most, people in today’s Western society are totally locked into a concrete, rationalistic view of the world.  There are occasional flashes which make it into public consciousness (have you seen the movie “23”?).  Those who do see the chaos which is the foundation of order are often judged to be “out of touch with reality” at the very least.

I do need to issue a warning.  There is a small (very small) amount of sexual content in this book.  I would not recommend it for pre-teen children – but then because of the Discordian content I would make the same recommendation.

Liber Malorum  Children of the Apple  =  ZZZZZ

The Real Witches’ Handbook 

by Kate West  © 2008 

Llewellyn Worldwide  

ISBN  0-978-0-7387-1375-5 

198 pages 

Paperback $15.95 (U.S.)   $15.50 (Canada)

How do you react to title like this one – The Real Witches Handbook?  Does it sound pretentious to you?  How dare Ms. West insinuate that hers’ is the REAL way to do it?  Actually, that isn’t what she is insinuating at all.  What she is saying is that this is a book for those Witches who live in real world – the world with fulltime jobs, families to raise, and bills to pay; the world where a temporary altar is far more likely than a permanent, dedicated one; and the one where you don’t have the luxury of spare time and money for elaborate rituals.

If you are looking for elaborate rituals accompanied by deeply profound thoughts, you will likely be disappointed with this book.  The rituals are designed for the solitary practitioner who is not inclined to ceremonial observances.  They represent decades of involvement in various forms of the Craft, and the realization (too often lost on the newbie) that intent is far more important than form and format.  A Sabbat may be celebrated as movingly by a walk through the countryside as by a formal ritual.

The thoughts and wisdom expressed by Ms. West are really quite profound, no matter that they are homey and “common place.”  Far too many people today assume that “everyone knows” certain “common sense” things, and thus fail to pass that information along to their students.  I have lost track, over the decades of my Craft involvement, with the number of “aha” moments when something has suddenly crystallized for me and a companion has said “I thought everybody knew that.”  Everyone has different life experiences, so don’t hesitate to look for the obvious answers, and don’t over-think things.

I can find points to disagree with (“…magick, making changes by force of will.”), but find far more to agree with.  In the above example, I would probably change “force” to “use,” since “force” seems to indicate one can cause change simply by brute strength.  On the other hand, I fully agree that “…self-initiation, or more correctly, self-dedication” is a good description of the individual’s decision when dealing with the newbie who has no formal coven training.

While not necessarily a great book, this is without a doubt a well-written book and it definitely deserves to be on the short list of books which should be available to loan to inquirers and those who care about the seekers.

The Real Witches’ Handbook  =  ZZZZ

The Real Witches’ Craft 

by Kate West  © 2008 

Llewellyn Worldwide 

ISBN  0-978-0-7387-1374-8   

288 pages 

Paperback $18.95 (U.S.)   $21.95 (Canada)

While this is, in essence, a “Wicca 101” book, it also contains a lot of information that the typical “101” book doesn’t.  It is an expansion of The Real Witches’ Handbook (see my previous review), and it gives a great deal more substance to work with.  There are plenty of practical exercises (ones where you can actually judge your success rate).  There is also a lot of encouragement to persevere.  Our Western society appears fixated on quick solutions, but it takes practice and determination to learn a new skill.  Ms. West reminds the reader frequently of that fact.

As I have mentioned previously, Ms. West’s use of “The Real Witches’…” if the title of her books does not indicate that they are the “only” or “right” ways to do something, simply that they are the way people who live in the real world of crying babies, overdue bills, and homes to clean accomplish things.  These books are written for the “average” magick-worker (all of you ceremonial magicians, public “look at me” Witches, and teens trying to upset your parents will find this information either boring, useless, or incomprehensible).

This book, according to a statement made by Ms. West (on page 180) “…is intended for Witches who have already been practicing a while…” and as such tends to skim over some topics.  But even that skimming does not make this a light-weight book.  There are plenty of ideas, and more than a little guidance along the way.  Although she points out the path and calls attention to some of the pitfalls along the way, she does not coddle the reader.  She sets targets and goals, and suggests ways to get there, then gives the reader a pat (or is it a shove?) on the back and says “Get on with it!”

I’ve always been impressed by the writing style of Ms. West.  She makes it seem as if you are sitting across the table from a friend and talking about things that interest you.  She sets a tone which is relaxed and positive.  It is not lightweight or “fluffy” in any way.  Her attitude is predominantly upbeat, although she does deal with the darker aspects of magickal workings, without dwelling upon them or making seem more common-place than they are.  She covers them as the unusual things they are, without being dismissive of the fact that they do, in fact, occur once in a while.

The Real Witches’ Craft  =  ZZZZ

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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.

 

 The Old Power Returns  = ZZZZ

 

 

 

Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess 

by  Kathy Jones  © 2006 

Green Magic 

ISBN 0-9552908-1-3              

530 pages       

Paperback       

$29.95 (U.S.)

 

As a general rule, I try to steer away from books which are EXTREMELY radical, as I feel that the “average” reader may have difficulty relating to such concepts and the “average reader” in my intended audience.  Many strongly feminist works fall into this category (witness the use of “herstory” for “history” and other unconventional terms in the introduction).  HOWEVER, what the author of this book has to say is so relevant, and so important, that I put aside my own personal bias and submerged myself in what she had to say.

 

Ms. Jones’ use of the feminine form of words to include the masculine (“priest” as included in “priestess,” and “God” as included in “Goddess” being two examples) takes a bit of getting used to for more conservative readers, but is quite logical.  It also avoids the common usage of “priest/ess” and “God/dess” by stressing the inclusiveness of these concepts.

 

From the point of view of this author one of the unique things about the Lady of Avalon, whom she names Avallonia or Nolava, is that there are no pictorial representations of her.  As well, there are no myths or legends specifically connected to her.  Her name is unrecorded, as are her attributes.  This permits each of her followers to experience her in their own, unique way.  Ms. Jones does explain how SHE perceives this Lady, but accepts the fact that her vision may well be unique.

 

Ms. Jones ties the Nine Morgens (sisters associated with the isle of Avalon) with a cross-cultural selection of feminine principles (Valkeries, Furies, faeries, dakinis, etc.).  Personally, I find this a bit unsettling as each of these principles has its own characteristics which are not necessarily shared by the others.

 

Admittedly, this is not a topic to which I am personally drawn (although perhaps the arrival of this book is an indication that I should look deeper into the topic), and therefore was not something which immediately caught my attention and drew me in.  I did find it kind of slow going in the beginning.  Still, I resolved to give it a fair hearing

 

The exploration of the Lady of Avalon, and the experience of becoming one of her servants must be approached via the imagination since there is no documentation, no paintings or carvings, no songs or myths or legends to serve as a template.  Ms. Jones and her compatriots are creating (rather than re-creating) a way of life which has been missing from our world for a very long time.

 

Although the Isle of Avalon is mythical its physical presence in our world has, for a very long time, been embodied in the physical location of Glastonbury.  There are many sacred sites in the vicinity, representing various mythic cycles, both Pagan and Christian.  The presence of these sites is capable of stirring up emotions, and revealing insights for many people, of various religions and philosophical backgrounds.  Each individual receives their appropriate revelations in terms they can understand and relate to.

 

Ms. Jones is an excellent story teller.  Her “Creation Herstory of the Isle of Avalon” is fascinating and compelling.

 

This book is not one to be approached lightly or in an off-hand manner.  You need to be able to devote some time and energy to this book.  Such devotion, however, will be more than amply repaid.

 

Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess    = ZZZZ

 

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Wicca for One  

by  Raymond Buckland  ©  2004 

Citadel Press 

ISBN 0-80652554-9 

277 pages  includes appendices 

Paperback                   

$14.95

 

Raymond Buckland is one of the most prominent Witches in America today.  He helped to bring Witchcraft (specifically Gardnerian Witchcraft) to the attention of Americans.  He shows, in the first chapter of this book, that Solitary Witchcraft is not a new phenomenon.  It has an ancient lineage and is, actually, the dominant form of Witchcraft through recorded (and probably pre-recorded) history.

 

He does seem to vacillate between the “this is traditional” and “there is no right or wrong” poles, throughout the book.  For example, while listing the tools he frequently asserts that, as a Solitary, there are no restrictions on tools, and in the next paragraph he says there are specific reasons for doing things in particular ways.

 

This book is, of course, the essence of a “Wicca 101” book.  As such, it suffers from the common complaints of rehashing things that “everyone knows.”  It benefits, however from having been written by a man who has witnessed the evolution of the Craft in America.  Thus when some of his statements vary from currently accepted norms; you can see what “everyone USED to know.”

 

Naturally, the author provides ritual outlines, formats, and invocations to inspire the individual creation which is such a necessary part of Solitary work.  And he is sure to offend a number of readers by his attitudes regarding karma, when to use magick, and other topics, but as a long time practitioner all I can say is “Get over it.”  Contrary to what many newer practitioners think, this is the way wee were trained.

 

Also, his injunction against spontaneous magick is sure to irritate many members of the “instant gratification” generation of Witches.  It takes time, focus, energy, and preparation to work effective magick.  None of this “toss a few things together, mumble a charm and wait for things to happen” for this author.

 

In spite of the fact that he is writing for the modern, Solitary Witch, his old-time, traditional, coven training shows through from time to time, and is especially visible to those trained with the same methods.  Although some may downplay these techniques, they have the advantage of years of use behind them.  Why reinvent the wheel when it isn’t necessary?

 

This book is like a shopping mall – there is something for everyone.  There is, obviously, a wealth of basic information on the religious aspects of Wicca.  To that are added sections on magick, both general and specific forms as well as basic methods of divination.  And there are appendices which provide basic information on stones and herbs, as well as a short glossary.  While it makes no pretence of being a Book of Shadows, it provides a working basis for beginning your own such book.

 

If you are thinking about becoming a Witch and, for whatever reason, do not think that joining a Coven is for you, this is the book you want to start your journey with.  It is comprehensive without being intimidating.  And, it has the added advantage that the author has decades of experience and is highly respected for his knowledge and ability to communicate it to others.

 

Wicca for One  = ZZZZ1/2

 

Circle, Coven & Grove

by Deborah Blake  © 2007 

Llewellyn Worldwide 

ISBN 0-7387-1033-4      

253 pages     Paperback       

$14.95 (U.S.)        $16.50 (Canada)             

 

This book is definitely a “101” book.  It is designed to provide basic ideas and structure for a year’s worth of rituals.  However, unlike many books of basics, this one supplies ideas for New and Full Moons attuned to each month.

 

Of course, the author makes sure to state early that the reader is not bound by the ideas contained in the book.  As she points out, she has presented to concept of a “rebirthing” ritual as appropriate for an April Full Moon, but if you feel the need for such a ritual at some other time of the year it may be used whenever you need it.

 

She provides some basics of Wiccan philosophy and history and, very importantly in my opinion, some basics of Circle etiquette.  She claims that this chapter “may well be the most important chapter” in the book.  I agree fully with that statement.  It is nice that she provides some correspondences and some definitions and all the rest, BUT Circle etiquette is the lubrication which allows individuals and groups to work together smoothly.  Although Wicca is a highly individualistic religion, it is necessary to share come commonalities, and Circle etiquette IS such a commonality

 

Some of the ritual instructions are a little strange to me, but that is a function of the fact that I was trained in a lineaged tradition and she is Eclectic.  I have no doubt that her directions and instructions will work and be effective.  She stresses the importance of listening to your inner voice to decide what is right for you and your group.

 

Perhaps my one major objection to the way this book is set up is Ms. Blake’s assumption that, in any given month, the New Moon will ALWAYS precede the Full Moon.  That isn’t always a valid assumption; as we all know (for example, this month started with a Full Moon).  While some experienced practitioners can make adjustments easily, newcomers might find this disconcerting.

 

The sample invocations and meditations she provides are doubtlessly effective.  They give a variety of ideas to work with and can certainly provide some needed inspiration for developing your own ideas

 

 

Circle, Coven & Grove  = ZZZ

 

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My First Little Workbook of Wicca 

by  Rev. Velvet Reith 

© 2007

Full Circle/Willow Tree Press   

ISBN 0-9794533-0-5  

193 pages       

Paperback       

$16.95 (U.S.)

 

This book was a real surprise to me for a couple of reasons.  First, I wasn’t expecting it (I wasn’t even aware it had been published).  Second, most children’s books on the topic of Paganism I have seen have been exclusively Pagan oriented – everything in them has been Pagan-related.  This book not only provides a typical Pagan A-B-C, each letter is accompanied by an illustration to color and a page of lined paper to practice printing the letters, as well as the word.  This is really thoughtful for those parents who have not run out to pick up a pack of paper for their little ones to use.

 

Then there are sections on colors and numbers.  All of them are intended to be used by children without the necessity of a great deal of parental involvement.  They are intended to let children work at their own pace.

 

Moving beyond these basic concepts there are pages devoted to activities, such as sequential recognition, size comparison, which one doesn’t belong, and some pages devoted to developing individual imagination and creativity, as well as a couple of mazes.

 

Then the concepts become more specifically Pagan – associations with pentagrams and directions.  There are some interactive goodies for children and parents to share.  There are also some “adapted” songs and prayers to give them a sense of order and belonging, which is always (in my opinion) a good thing.

 

There are some basic attributions (days, planets, and items associated with them as well as astral colors, before moving on to alphabet and number cards which are designed to be removed (perforating these pages might have been an idea to facilitate their removal) and glued to card stock.  Some suggestions are provided for games and other uses of the cards.

 

Finally there are a few more pages of lined paper and a copy of the cover graphic which can be colored.

 

This is one of the nicest, most useful books for pre-schoolers that I have seen in a long time.  The only way that it could have been improved, in my opinion, would have been for it to be spiral bound to make it easier to lay flat, or to perforate all the pages, so Mom or Dad could run extra copies easily.

 

Sure it’s a little pricey, but aren’t your children or grandchildren worth a few extra dollars?  This is a wonderful gift which will more than pay for itself with the gentle, non-dogmatic approach to introducing children to Pagan concepts.  I highly recommend it to all Pagan parents and grandparents.

 

My First Little Workbook of Wicca  = ZZZZZ

 

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Chasing the  Rainbow 

by Tish Owen  © 2007 

WillowTree Press  ISBN 0-9678221-5-7  

192  pages Paperback           

$14.95 (U.S.)

 

Okay, how many of you have ever attended a Pagan festival?  Okay, how many of those have felt “I could do a better job of running a festival?”  Want to bet?  Do you think these things grow organically?  Just plant the seed of an idea and it will all come together.  Sure it will…and if you believe that I have some ocean-front property in Arizona I want to unload.

 

I started reading this book and was immediately transported to some of the festivals I attended years ago, during the infancy of the festival movement.  Admittedly, it has been years since I have been able to attend, but I definitely could sympathize with some of the events she related.

 

My first experience of festival attendance was an over-nighter in the Midwest and everything went perfectly (except for the biker gang that wanted to have a “witch hunt”).  We managed to survive that encounter without any bloodshed and only a few hangovers in the morning.

 

Tish offers plenty of suggestions and personal experiences to illustrate the joys, and sorrows, of running a festival.  She writes in a friendly, easy to understand style.  This book is one that has needed writing for quite a while.  I am gratified that it has finally made its way into print.  No, I don’t plan to run a festival, but I really feel that the festival-going Pagan community needs to know what goes into make a festival happen.

 

Of course, there are some things at any festival that you will not be happy with.  Maybe this will inspire you to offer constructive suggestions, and perhaps even cause you to volunteer your time and experience to make the next festival more enjoyable for all.

 

After reading this book you will, I hope, have more understanding of what the festival organizers have gone through in order to attract you, your friends, and all those VIPs to the festival.  And you will, I sincerely hope, take the time to express your appreciation to those individuals.

 

Chasing the Rainbow  = ZZZZZ

 

~

 

And Banish With Laughter 

by  Soror Diotima  © 2006    

Konton Publishing           

ISBN  4903462056           

267 pages  Paperback      

$20.99 (U.S.)  

 

Please understand from the very beginning that Diotima is, among many other things, a chaos magician and that (simple) fact colors her perceptions and her presentations.  If you are one of those individuals who have a craving for the logical and “scientific” approach to things, you may find this book difficult to appreciate.

 

Diotima strives, how successfully is for the reader to determine, to make one THINK.  She isn’t interested, as far as I can tell, in readers thinking like her; she just wants them thinking.  And, since most folks don’t do that too often, it may be a novel experience for many.

 

In spite of the image the title may conjure up, this is not a particularly humorous book.  It is a provoking book.  Its intent is to provoke thought, which it does quite nicely, in my opinion.  Along the way it may, depending upon your personal understanding (or “take”) of the various topics under discussion, also provoke outrage, indignation, and/or confusion.  This is not, necessarily, a bad thing.

 

This is a collection of essays with only a couple of connections throughout.  The most obvious connection is, of course, the authorship.  A corollary to that is the mindset of the author (i.e., being a Chaos magician).  But as you read these short essays you mind find other connections.  I say “may” because some readers will see such connections (whether they exist in “reality” is a moot point) and some won’t.

 

As I add books to my library I try (how successfully is open to debate) to place them in categories (e.g., Wicca, magick, fiction, non-fiction, reference, etc.).  Some books, and this is one, are harder to place.  I finally ended up placing it in my “philosophy” sections, although it doesn’t fit neatly into any one category.

 

If you want to stretch your mind, or if you want to look at things from other folks’ perspectives, this book will start you on that path (or help you continue along the way).  This book is not ONLY for reading.  It is for discussing – with friends, with coven-mates, and with your own individuality.

 

And Banish With Laughter  = ZZZZ

 

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Wiccan Wisdomkeepers 

 

by  Sally Griffyn © 2002 

Weiser Books ISBN 1-57863-257-9       

144 pages   

Paperback   

$24.95 (U.S.)

 

Sometimes I wonder how I manage to miss books for as long as I do.  For years I have been bemoaning the scarcity of books devoted to the people of Witchcraft instead of just the basic “nuts and bolts” (the “101” books).  This book has been on the market for years and I just discovered it.

 

The Introduction to this book gives some of the basics people should know to have a basic understanding of our religion.  The rest of the book, however, is more in the nature (if you’ll pardon the pun” of short biographies/philosophies of a dozen different Witches running the gamut from Doreen Valiente to Patricia Kennealy Morrison.  Some of them are household names in the Pagan community and some are lesser-known individuals.

 

In every case, the individuals are careful to make clear that they are NOT trying to indicate how others should see the Craft, or how they SHOULD practice.  What they are conveying is how they, as individuals, see and practice THEIR Craft.

 

It was a real pleasure to read the thoughts of the individuals contained here.  I was already familiar with some of those philosophies, but I found myself learning a great deal.  It is a good chance for people to learn how others think about the Craft.

 

Wiccan Wisdomkeepers = ZZZZ

 

~ 

 

A Witch’s Grimoire

 

by  Judy Ann Nock © 2005 

Adams Media ISBN  1-59337-407-0        

256 pages   

Paperback    

$12.95 (U.S.)    $17.95 (Canada)

 

The subtitle of this book is “Create Your Own Book of Shadows”.  As such, it offers potentially invaluable assistance to those who do not have the benefit of coven-based training.  It’s not like this information isn’t available elsewhere.  It certainly is.  But this book offers the advantage of collecting it all in one place.

 

I don’t agree with everything the author says, because of different life experiences.  In fact, on page 1 she makes a statement which I find difficult to agree with:  “Most often, today’s grimoire is handwritten by individuals for their own personal use.”  Not in my experience.  Today’s grimoires are usually printed out from computer files, not handwritten.  That is the sort of disagreement I have with this book – not with the material, but with the presentation

 

The author provides lots of room for masking notes, if you are one of those individuals who can bring themselves to write in a book (I can’t, but that is a personal bias).  She also provides plenty of formats for creating your own forms for recording rituals and such.

 

I have to say that, for some reason, I found it difficult to “get into” this book.  I’m not sure if that was a function of the author’s style (I kind of doubt that), my own lack of interest in yet ANOTHER “101” book (possible), or the early onset of warm humid weather in our region (also a distinct possibility).  So, while I can’t give this a whole-hearted recommendation, I can say that it well-written, easy to use, and contains an abundance of useful information in one, easy to access place.

 

For an individual just starting down this path, or for one who has not felt the need previously to keep a Book of Shadows, this book will provide valuable guidance.  I’m sure there are other books which offer such guidance, but this is first one I have seen which is devoted exclusively to the subject.

 

She does offer some input on topics which typically fall outside of the “101” books, such as channeling and aspecting.  And I have a few minor qualms with including such topics in a basic book.  Channeling and aspecting, while not inherently dangerous, do provide opportunities for those with insecurities to invite problems into their lives.  While it isn’t necessary to be in a coven to work with these topics, the presence of a mentor is a real plus.

 

She includes some basic reference lists of candle colors, herbs, Goddess forms, etc.  These are intended to be a starting point and are by no means extensive or all-encompassing.  Any of these topics can easily fill a book (or more) on their own.  The examples are all commonplace, but they do give a good start.

 

A Witch's Grimoire = ZZZ

 

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