Customer Reviews

Dedicant: A Witch's Circle of Fire (Course of Study in the Old Religion)

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It's a pleasure to be the first to review this book on Amazon. I believe it to be one of the best introductory and informational books on the pagan circuit out there today, and the book's relatively short length packs a solid amount of Craft into an understandable and usable format for anyone willing to take the plunge into the mysteries of witchcraft as a way of life.

As one who scoffs at the current "Wicca colleges" out there circling the Internet, I began this book with a grain of salt. Even a handful. Thuri soon showed me exactly what I had been looking for, and succeeded where so many other "beginner books" have failed. The book focuses on the individual's growth as a person and an up and coming witch (one should not call him/herself a witch before undergoing studies of the craft - understandable, it's good to know what you're getting yourself into before throwing around such a title). Much of the book is focused on monthly "lessons" which allow the beginner to jump on the wheel at any point in the calender year. The lessons provide a well-thought study of witchcraft and allow the dedicant to slowly amass ritual objects and talents to be used when practicing.

It's hard to find bad things to say about this book without being nitpicky, but since I'm reviewing it I had better point out a couple things. Even said, these things are pertinent to my personal viewpoint/opinion and what I've learned on this path.

1. The year-and-a-day dedication should be taken as a guideline, not an absolute necessity and just because you've followed the lessons it does not mean you are now an initiate to the Craft. There is no such thing as self-initation. Dedication (what most of this book is geared toward), however, is completely up to the individual and Thuri does an excellent job in setting you up for that and embarking on the journey toward the initiation tier.

Initiation can only be done by either a coven (in traditional Wicca - see 2) or by the god(s) and goddess(es) themselves. To perform initiation is to ask the Divine if you are ready, and the answer could easily be a no. You'll know when you are, and it may very well take a couple more years of studying. On the flip side, if you've been studying the craft for many years you may have already amassed knowledge and experience enough for initiation before the "year and a day" laid out in this book.

2. I have problems with the word "Wicca." I originally picked up this book because it didn't have "Wicca" in the title. I understand where the author is coming from (wicca being an Old World term for witch, wise one, and the meaning "to bend" among other similar words), but that doesn't change the fact that it arose in the Gardnerian traditional covens and belongs to their tradition of practice. What you see called Wicca in bookstores is "outer court" which may or may not hold true to the practices of those original traditions. Wicca is a new religion - Witchcraft is centuries older. I do not call myself Wiccan and there is nothing wrong with that! :)

In closing, despite my personal nitpicks this book is excellent and highly reccommended. I've been studying and practicing the Craft for 12 years, and now I'm finally taking the plunge and dedicating myself to the mysteries. Blessed be!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is an amazing introduction into Withcraft/Wicca. I am an herbal apothecary/metaphysical shoppe owner and though Wicca is not my chosen path, it is the path where I began my search. I wish I had this book at my disposal then!! It is often disconcerting for me to recommend a book on magick and pagan based religions to someone at the dedicant level, because there are hundreds of books to chose from and frankly very few authors who meet the grade. Thuri Califia has done it!!! She's combined theory with practice in an easy and fun to read format. You can actually FEEL the heart and soul she put into words and there is no doubting that she has put into practice what she teaches. I absolutely love how she reiterates Star Hawks words of needing only your breath and body as your tools! So many get hung up on their magickal tools that they forget where the magick really comes from. I also appreciate that this book accommodates the solitary practioner (as well as coveners), because truly, your beliefs and faith are between you and your Gods/essess and only through that connection can a true initiation occur! I am happily anticipating the next book...... thank you, again for your passion and dedication.

I believe this if the first book that I have read on the subject that so clearly ties the tides of the year into learning the craft of the wise. I have been practicing for over 15 years and in that time have not come across a book that relates so many of the aspects of Wicca/Witchcraft in such a digestible way. I'm often asked about books by people who are just starting down this path or just want to learn more and I would definitely direct them to Thuri Calafia's book. Linking the lessons to the wheel of the year, is what I believe, allows a person to harmonize with the key components of the seasons. I also appreciate her documentation and referencing as it will help people continue their studies. Well done and I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.

Love this book! The monthly format of the wheel of the year allows you to jump in wherever you are in the calendar year. Great information and reading to help get your informed.

I have read quite a few books om Witchcraft and have to say that this is, by far, the best book I have found! I love the concept of being able to jump in at any time and have lessons relevant to that time of the year. I look forward to completing the Dedicant lessons and hope to jump up to the Initiate section after that. I am so looking forward to the publication of the second book!

Dedicant: A Witch's Circle of Fire (Course of Study in the Old Religion)This is a good beginner's book. I like the way the book has study questions, homework, pathworking exercises. This is a book I will use with my young people or any new seekers coming to our group. There are good illustrations and none of the fluff in too many 101 books. A great book for group study.

This first book in a complete course of Wiccan study tells of the Circles system, designed to harmonize with the Wheel of the Year with monthly lessons of themed stories, lore, spells and rituals. DEDICANT blends insights with exercises for reflection and introduces the Circles system, good for lone students or coven study alike. Any Wiccan student and any new age library catering to them will find this an excellent primer.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The best feature of this book is definitely how the lessons go along with the Wheel of the Year. It supports learning to study magical techiques and see the same things happening in nature at the same time. Another great thing is a good reading list and scedule for reading the books.

I read this book as suggested, in a year and a day. At first I was a bit disappointed when I found out that there are no other books in this series though the book says so. But then at the end of the book I realised I wouldn't have gone further to the following courses, not at least in a very long time. I'm not the right kind of person to get initiated to Thuri Calafia's Circles system. But the book was still very valuable for me and I learned a lot.

I also read The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development (Penczak Temple Series) at the same time with Dedicant. I think they supported each other very well.