Customer Reviews

The Crooked Path Journal Issue 1

5 star:		(2)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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I think that readers should be aware that this is a magazine style publication and not really a paperback book as advertised. I wasn't aware of that when I ordered this item, and was disappointed when I opened the package. I felt a bit deceived. Also the magazine is very slim, and because of this I feel it's quite over-priced.

But, all that aside, in fairness I must say that the material is very interesting and is a worthwhile read. The magazine contains a variety of articles claiming to reflect traditional witchcraft. It was refreshing not to see yet another rehash of the same old thing.

Some of the articles in this magazine do appear to reveal elements of traditional witchcraft. The use of the skull and the inclusion of ancestral spirits is one example. The only weakeness in the articles is when a contributing author offers his or her personal opinion (as opposed to simply presenting older teachings). I found this to be hit and miss, particularly when addressing family traditions. But other than a few debatable positions in this regard, the articles appear to be generally sound.

There are many magazines, books, and websites that cover Wiccan varieties of witchcraft, but precious few for traditional or non-Wiccan witchcraft. "The Crooked Path: A Journal of the Nameless Art" has done a good job helping fix that problem with this promising first issue of their new periodical.

It's not a theoretical magazine, although there is theory presented in the pages, but clearly produced by practitioners for practitioners. And with authors like Ann Finnin, Peter Paddon, R. J. Thompson, Radomir Ristic, and Raven Womack readers are sure to find a wealth of valuable information to absorb.

I look forward to upcoming issues and highly recommend "The Crooked Path Journal" to everyone, traditional or not, who is interested in modern witchcraft.

A nice but slender volume that mainly hints around at what the authors say is `traditional witchcraft'. From my 20 odd years following and studying a pagan path as both solitary, BTW, covneleader and the like it appears to be nothing more then modern Wicca with allot of name changes. Most of the information is simply a rehash of light ideas that Mr. Paddon talks about on his podcast, so if you have heard that then there really is nothing new here for you. There are ideas but no real practical substance to what to actually DO. An article deliciously and pulpish-ly called "Tapping the Bone" tells you that his groups work with ancestors.....and that's about it. Don't look for any actual working info here, but there are some fun and nifty ideas to put to use at Halloween.

There is an air of smugness to the work that can get a little irritating about several pieces. Mr. Paddon at one point in his broadcasts has spoken of the fact that Modern Wicca is just some guy's ideas dressed up in a cloak of fake history and that that modern wiccans should just say `Hey I got this idea while meditation let's see if it works' as opposed to saying that they got it from some ancient source, but he gets his tradition by meditating on his ancestors so that MUST be better. Soooo it's really a `hey I got this great idea while meditating lets see if it works' dressed up in a cloak of ancestor-hood on it and that makes it more valid then your path. It's like that older brother talking down at you saying "but if you still want to follow YOUR path that's fine but MINE came from my ancestors."

That's not to say that there is nothing of value here, but just take it as one would any modern author, with a pound of salt. If you like the ideas and more D&D gaming terminology then my all means use them, but don't think that you are reclaiming a lost tradition by doing it. It's simply modern wicca with different terms.

One of the best pagan journals around. I hope there are many more issues to come!!
Some minor editing problems, but all in all an excellent read.