Rating: 
Summary: Bravo!
Review: While I consider myself more of a Witch in the classic sense of worker of folk magic, with maybe a few Wiccan tendencies thrown in for good measure, I have experienced many of the things that Lilith McLelland has bravely spoken about in her wonderful, witty expose of the Craft. With a good heart and great sense of humor, McLelland delves into the beautiful nature of the very modern religion of Wicca, while also exposing the underbelly of those who would misuse it for their own ends, which her town of Salem (next door to my own) is full of. While I often cringe at the idea of the airing of dirty laundry, I approve here because it's done with wit and in the style of great political satire and parody. Without coming across as either bitter or resentful, McLelland just lays it all on the line and tells those coming into Wicca what to expect and what to look out for. I wish I had this type of guide 13 years ago when I first explored this often misunderstood but honorable religion. I might have avoided some of the many pitfalls and would have come away with a deeper understanding of all the beauty and richness that Wicca has to offer. Having personally experienced some of the charlatans and tattoed circus sideshow acts to creep across Salem's spiritual landscape, I can honestly say that it was still worth the journey. There is a wonderful community of magical people here, but it takes a sharp eye and an ability not to take oneself too seriously in order to find them.
Rating: 
Summary: Must read for Wiccans and other Pagans
Review: While I'm not Wiccan, I found myself nodding my head in agreement with most of the stuff in this book. She's very no-nonsense and up front about everything, and I think everyone interested in Paganism or Wicca should read this book. I even let an Asatruar borrow it, and he thought it was good as well. Some of her disenchantment with the general pagan community shines through, but she's being honest, and really, can you blame her? With the vast majority of the Wiccan books published these days being, quite honestly, grade A Tripe, and so many people claiming to be "Authentik Wytches with a Cuveen lineage dating back to 1487", I really sympathize! She's up front about the religion of Wicca, and most neopaganism in general, being mostly new, but also based on ancient concepts. And that's not a bad thing.
I liked her discussion about the backstabbing in the community (witch wars) and also legal terms. I disliked only her part about the gods, because she says that the gods of the Norse/Germanic peoples should not be worshipped by Wiccans because Asatru people honor them, and they are reconstructionists, but it's ok to use Greek, Celtic, Roman or Egyptian gods. Now, I say, what about the Greek, Celtic, Roman and Egyptian reconstructionists? If you can't take gods from one culture because of the recons., then how come it's OK to take them from another culture? To this I say: It doesn't matter, nobody has a claim on the gods, worship what you want, just don't call yourself a Heathen or a Hellenistic Recon if you're really a Wiccan (because there IS a difference!!) unless you're looking for beating. :) Other than that, the book was great.
|
