Apprentice to Power: A Wiccan Odyssey to Spiritual Awakening [Paperback]

Timothy Roderick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2000

Sharing enchanting tales, meditations, rituals, and magical techniques, neo-pagan Timothy Roderick weaves a colorful introduction to Wicca, Old Europe's earth-centered mystical tradition. Roderick shows how to build a relationship with the divine in all things and access the power of spirit in everyday life. Each chapter begins with a personal account of shamanic magic, continues with an archetypal tale illustrating a theme ("The Secret," "Initiation," "A Golden Reward"), and concludes with exercises to guide readers in their own spiritual practice. Apprentice to Power offers an accessible path toward greater fulfillment, profound change, mystical insights, and even miracles. "One of the most insightful and approachable books on the subject in years." - Patricia Monaghan, author of The Goddess Path and Meditation

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press; 1st edition (September 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580910777
• ISBN-13: 978-1580910774
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Work, October 25, 2001

By 

Chuck (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apprentice to Power: A Wiccan Odyssey to Spiritual Awakening (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, and should be on the required reading list of any contemporary Pagan mystic. Many in the Pagan community may find Mr. Roderick's approach to the Craft to be too "Eastern," but since I consider myself, for lack of a better term, a "Taoist Witch," I felt right at home with much of his philosophy. It is definitely not a "how to" book; you will need to do your "Wicca 101" work elsewhere. For those who have a firm grounding in, and are seeking something beyond, the fundamentals of Wicca, this is the book for you. The focus of the book is on living a magical life in the fullest sense of that phrase, and the exercises that are given are directed to that end, with little if any time spent on fundamentals such as Circle casting or Quarter calling. Chapter IX does detail the Sabbats as practiced in the author's Tradition, but those pages account for a very small percentage of the book, and are addressed at the end.

Because of the emphasis on the magical life, and the lack of generic "how to" material such as spell formulae and correspondence tables, the book reads more like Castenada than Ravenwolf, but again I think this its strength. At times, it even felt a little as if the author were describing Ceremonial Magic rather than Wicca, but I think this is simply because it is such a radical departure from the bulk of contemporary Wiccan books. If we agree that much of what found its way into Gardnerian Wicca came from the Western (i.e. Mediterranean) Mystery traditions, and that these in turn were heavily influenced by Eastern thought, then the overall tone of the book is quite understandable and natural.

I think the average contemporary Pagan is either going to love this book or hate it. I think it will be especially challenging to those who see Wicca as springing from the Western European experience, independent of Eastern influence. But whether you love it or hate it, I think it is a valuable read. If nothing else, I think it will cause the committed reader to look long, hard and honestly at their beliefs, practices and individual philosophy of life.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important addition to any Wiccan/Pagan library, January 11, 2001

By 

Cynthia M. Caton "minion" (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apprentice to Power: A Wiccan Odyssey to Spiritual Awakening (Paperback)

I don't usually like magic books written in the 'first person' because they can be too preachy. This book is definitely the exception. The author describes his magical training with humility and thoughtfulness. He doesn't speak in riddles and is never condescending.

This is a great book for a novice to get them started on their path. It is also a great book for an advanced pratictioner because it is easy to identify with the training that he has experienced.

A truly original book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Apprentice to Power : A Wiccan Odyssey to Spiritual Awakenin, January 10, 2001

By 

"chantillybrat" (ubiquitous) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apprentice to Power: A Wiccan Odyssey to Spiritual Awakening (Paperback)

LOVED IT! This book has a wonderful way of showing you new ways to look @ your life & the world around you. This was my introdution to pagan literature... and it's not easy to find ones on the subject that are this interesting, eye opening AND easily understandable. No mumbo-jumbo, or non-stop talk of deities & history to bog down your brain & stomp on your enthusiasm for the life-style. A more personal account of how one individuals path progressed. And some lovely, simple rituals @ the end of each chapter. I only wish Mr. Roderick would have shared more about how he found his path & teachers. * its more about the feelings involved w/ones choices & life consciousness. IF your looking for new ways of looking at life, a different perspective & some insight... this IS the book to start with!