In the Circle: Crafting the Witches' Path

Rating:
Summary: Forced to buy my own copy!
Review: After about 6 months of looking at this book at a friend's house, I finally have a copy of my own. My friend told me she didn't want any of MY ju-ju on her study book, which I could totally understand. It isn't the first great work from Elen Hawke, she also wrote "The Sacred Round," and another personal favorite I've recently discovered called "Praise to the Moon." (But that's ANOTHER review!) This book is full of great lessons, but at the same time is very comfortable. The writing makes it hard to put down, it has ritual descriptions that are full of texture. I enjoy her questions, such as "What would the Goddess look like to a rat or a snail, or a being from another galaxy? Is she separate from ourselves?" In the Circle has a chapter describing sacred land in England, you'll never find info like this from a travel agent. It makes me want to plan a month there, magical tools in hand and power of the earth at my feet. This is a great study book that even lends encouragement to those wondering why their magic doesn't always work well the first time. Elen suggests patience and persistence, and this book has knowledge that will benefit anyone practicing either alone or in a group.

Rating:
Summary: hmmm how can I describe this book in a 1000 words?
Review: After years of research, it's nice to pick up a book like this that is just a great read. You get some great ideas from it, and it is entertaining. It's a spiritual experience just to read the material presented here.

Rating:
Summary: WITCHCRAFT THAT IS ALSO GOOD LITERATURE
Review: Elen Hawke writes very well, and if this is supposed in persons who write books, is not always followed by writers of books on this subject. But very important also, she gives her message in a simple way, that far from ingenuous, has the depths of one who lives and understands what she says. "In the Circle" uses two complementary methods: Elen experiences and Helen thoughts, fruit of learning. And the two join, in an invitation to walk both paths together, by our own means. It is a very honest book to read if you are beginning in the craft and want faithful information - not too loose, not too tied to tradition. It is delighful if you are a witch: it permits you to compare experiences and gives you the joy of reading something so sensible and beautiful in the middle of all the tons of esoteric "fast-food" books that fill our libraries.

Rating:
Summary: Everything you need to know to get you started with wicca
Review: I loved this book. It gave me confidence to start doing my own rituals, It explains evrything from basics to quite advanced rituals, magic and so on. There are descriptions of the deities of wicca, the tools you need like a chalice and an athame, how to cast a circle and do seasonal rituals, or work magic with the moons phases. The author gives first hand accounts of rituals and spells, and there are a lot of useful sections like colour correspondances. I loved the chapter on sacred sites. Although anyone could use this book, it gives very clear and useful instructions for people just entering witchcraft and wicca for tyhe first time. It would also be a good guide for working as a solo witch or equally for setting up your own coven. I've read several similar books, and this is the best.but my friend who has been a witch for a long time found the book helpful as well, it's very well written and beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Thank you elen for this wonderful book. It answered questions I've had for the last year or so but couldn't find answers in other books. I specially liked the easy to follow guide to magical practice and the tools of being a witch. I liked the festivals too with the little bits at the chapter begininning telling you about her own coven and whats going on in nature right then. This is a simple to follow guide to wicca and yet it gives you something extra.

Rating:
Summary: A book that finally gets to the heart of witchcraft.
Review: There aren't many books that offer new material on witchcraft, with many authors deciding to rehash the same material, this book has broken that trend and offers not only information but the inspiration to get up and do it. I loved the easy to read style & the sharing of her own experiences of each Sabbat.

The volume of information & ideas for celebrating the Sabbats is a rare & pleasing find. This book not only passes on information about the Craft but really helps you understand the cycle of the year that is, after all, at the heart of witchcraft. The book focuses on a natural earthy based witchcraft & offers real suggestions & ideas as to what can be done to follow the path, from the ritual side to more spontaneous simple acts.

Gods & Goddesses are rarely covered in the depth that they are in this book, and sacred sites seldom, if ever. Elen has also managed to cover the subject with not only depth but also clarity, something that is again missing in many books.

If anyone is looking for a book that will give not only detailed information but also the important get up & go factor then this is definately the book. It far excels what many like to think of as the "standards", including Cunninghams, in that it is enjoyable but detailed, we've had more than enough airy fairy books & it's time more books like this were written.

Rating:
Summary: On a par with Starhawk and Scott Cunnignham
Review: This book was so beautifully written that it took me right out of myself. As a newcomer to witchcraft and wicca it was a joy to read something which not only answered all my questions, but was a pleasure to read. Here you will find information on every aspect of the craft including ritual, moon phases, magical equipment and the sacred seasonal festivals. Ellen Hawke manages to give detailed and reassuring information without talking down to the reader. The book flowed beautifully from start to finish. I particularly liked the personal approach which gave you a glimpse into the way the author works including her covens, celebrations and the way she celebrates the eight sabbats within her community as well. This book is accessible, poetic and inspiring. I look forward to her next offering.

Rating:
Summary: Covers the familiar basics with some unique touches added
Review: This graceful and well-written INTRODUCTION to the Wiccan path will serve many as a fine start. Those newcomers who may like it most: women -- especially those in the "mother" or "crone" phases of life; and Celtic witches and all others who resonate to a British countryside way of life.

However, if you already have a bookcase full of literature on the Craft, you may be wondering: is this a must-have? Is there something new here for me?

Material here that I've seen covered elsewhere many, many times includes: the eight Sabbats; the full moon and new moon esbats; a brief synopsis of Celtic and Classical gods; your altar and magical tools; and how magic works. This covers 16 out of 19 chapters.

Material here that I found unique includes descriptions of British sacred sites; a thoughtful chapter on initiation; and a valuable chapter about working with the energies of the quarter moons, which I had never read about or considered before. Further stand-outs included her lyrical descriptions of her own coven-of-four's work in her enviable, pastoral English garden. Also the start of each chapter is graced with a breathtakingly beautiful line drawing.

Friends, it's up to you whether or not you NEED this book. Those readers buying their first few Wiccan books will love it. I found less unique material here than I had hoped for, yet I enjoyed the book and plan to keep it.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully crafted.
Review: This is a book that really makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The author gets very personal, talking about her coven of four that are her best friends. There are chapters for all eight sabbats, and Elen Hawke goes into detail about how she celebrates them with her coven. There is also a chapter on working with the quarter moons, the full moon, the new moon, and also a nice section on candle magick as well as knot magick. I loved this book, it was fun to read, and I recommend it to everyone!

Blessed Be!
- Shawn aka Archanon

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This is a great and "unusual" book because the author actually has chapters on how she celebrates Sabbats and the Moons. She talks about how she and her coven of four (with her husband)
celebrate different seasons of the year. I think that was a very "spiritual" part of the book.

This is basically a "Wicca 101" book with the authors personal expiriances. A great book if you are feeling down and need some spirituality to make you smile.

Read it slowly and it will help you.