Customer Reviews

The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a book that will make you think about your practice as a pagan. Are your rituals consistent with themselves? Are your rituals consistent with the goals you are trying to accomplish? Are your rituals consistent with your beliefs about the universe? Are you worshipping your deity as She or He would want to be worshipped? Really wonderful and thought-provoking questions. If you're willing to give them deep consideration, your practice will change for the better, I guarantee it. And exploring the different pieces of ritual using an elemental focus (covering theological, mythological, psychological, and practical aspects for each) was a truly inspired approach.

The book uses the word "Wiccan" rather than "pagan" in the title, and I think that's appropriate. The focus of the book is very Wiccan. Pagans who, like me, are not Wiccan, may find themselves a bit frustrated by Lipp's emphasis on polarity and hierarchy. The ritual examples given are mostly led by a High Priestess and High Priest, with polarity-symbolic role assignments for other ritual participants. Lipp does write that you don't have to use polarity if it's not an emphasis for you, but it still remains a strong focus in the book. (I was especially disappointed that when she explained that [some] pagans often use the union of God and Goddess as a metaphor for love rather than a symbol of polarity, she didn't follow her explanation with an example of how a single-sex...oriented coven would do things, but still stuck to a traditional model with a High Priestess and High Priest.)

Lipp also seems to feel strongly that there is a "right way" and a "wrong way" to do things. She tells you why she thinks her ways are correct, and the reasons are usually good, but nonetheless, this approach doesn't fit very well with the pagan idea of tolerance for many paths. I feel that it's the only serious downside of the book. For example, she writes that the "correct" order of circle casting is to cast the circle, then purify it (so you have something to purify), then consecrate it (so that we bring the sacred into what has been cleansed.) That's one theory. The theory that I use, which I would suggest is equally valid, is that you purify and consecrate your space _before_ casting a circle, so that the circle has a cleansed and holy place to come into existence. I'm not saying that my way is better or even that Lipp should have written about it, and it's just one example. However, in my opinion the book would have benefited from an exploration of the rationales of more varied approaches to magickal practice, both in terms of completeness and interest factor.

To sum up, I enjoyed the book a lot, but I would have enjoyed it more if it had had more breadth. I would have enjoyed reading about perspectives from some other traditions, Wiccan or not. The concepts in this book could be applied a lot more broadly than they were. Nonetheless, it's a very thoughtful and serious offering that pagans wishing to deepen their understanding of ritual should consider reading. Perhaps this marks an upswing in Lwellyn titles?

Inevitably, when one studies any area of interest, one accumulates a library of books and other references along the way. After decades of study and practice, I have seen a lot of trash written about Wicca, so finding a well written, useful reference book like this one is a delightfully pleasant surprise.

As the title suggests, this book dissects and discusses common Wiccan ritual practices in relation to the four Elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). What is particularly nice about this book (as opposed to the average BoS) is that it explains WHY things are done a certain way. (Why do we make offerings to the gods? Why use incense and water to cleanse the circle before casting? Why ground and center before beginning a ritual? etc.) It's kind of like a Wiccan mentor in book form.

FWIW, I do not agree with everything Ms. Lipp has to say about Wiccan ritual, or a number of practices she recommends, but that does not make this book a bad reference in the slightest. Her reasons and rationale are well thought-out and expressed, her explanations are reasonable, and her opinions are declared as such. She also includes anecdotes from her own experiences as an HPS, plus examples of chants and invocations in both formal and informal styles that can be used as is or adapted to suit your individual needs and/or preferences.

I would highly recommend this book for those who are new to witchcraft, or to any kind of magickal practice, as a teaching reference or even as the focal point for a discussion group because it addresses nearly every aspect of Wiccan ritual. It is a "food for thought" reference, stimulating more questions than it answers for those who are introspective, and answering questions that are commonly glossed over in Wiccan publications.

Bright Blessings!

The Elements of Ritual is a great buddy to Wicca primers. It's about freaking time the elements and know-how have been explained. She goes through the four elements and spirit, why they are what they are, why we use them, and how we can use them effectively in life. She also explains why rituals are set up the way they are, etc. At first, it looks like another primer, but it isn't; where most Wicca books explain ritual and the elements in 1 or 2 pages, The Elements goes through a thorough examination that brings about a complete and total understanding of one of the most important systems of magick. And yes, the four elements + spirit can be found in magickal traditions other than Wicca.

Now, on to what I don't like. In this book, Deborah Lipp is *horribly* narrow-minded. She falls under the trap of the one-way-only attitude. The first example I spotted was found at the bottom of page 35: "... I have seen covens using four candles (appropriately colored) to represent the four elements. This strikes me as silly, lazy, and uncreative. Water should represent Water, not something fiery. This is a case of people forgetting the meaning behind the symbol."
How *insulting*. Not only insulting, but childish, and short-sighted. The author seems to overlook the fact that candles are lights. They LIGHT the four elements, they don't FIRE them. Candles are traditional, and easy to see in the dark. I don't think anyone wants to be tripping over bowls of water in the west when it's totally dark. Also, it's immature to nitpick over ritual details, and make a big deal over them. Calling people lazy, uncreative, and silly, just because they do things differently. She seems to have lost a bit of her focus on magick. She tries in the next paragraph to backpedal, but that doesn't change her childish insulting. Grow up.
On page 38, she talks about idols. "You'll still have to choose *one* way to represent them [the Gods] on your altar - otherwise your altar will be hopelessly crowded, and your ritual hopelessly confused." Mrs. Lipp, the Gods aren't confined to ONE method of representation, and the practitioner / worshipper doesn't need to be confined to ONE method of representing them. Altars don't have to be prim and proper - the Gods aren't so petty as to care little about the practitioner's habits of cleanliness. The state of the altar doesn't mysteriously doom or redeem a ritual - it's all in the user, not a piece of furniture. An altar is only as hopeless as the useer deems it to be. The same goes for the ritual.
Pg. 39: "Idols aren't gods, but for the duration of the ritual, they become gods, and they retain a bit of that essence the rest of the time. In ritual, we act as if the idol is in fact the deity, just as we act as if the picture or lock of hair is the person in a magical spell."
Has Mrs. Lipp become confused? First of all, idols do NOT become Gods - the Gods are all about us, and in EVERYTHING. We are the manifestation of the Gods, so her statement is pointless and redundant. Secondly, we don't worship art pieces; we worship the divine around and within. Thirdly, a lock of hair / picture of someone is a LINK, a CONNECTION to the subject. Visualizing an object becoming something / someone else is likened to shape-shifting or magickal cloning.
Mrs. Lipp also compares religions numerous times throughout the book. It's subtle, but it's there. At the end of page 47, she compares the good and evil concepts of Christianity to the polarity system of Wicca. After touching on good and evil, she quickly follows up with "Wicca, however, embraces nature and natural cycles in all her permutations...". Comparing religions is nothing more than poking the bleeding wound, so to speak. There are many, MANY Christians who are also lovers of nature. Pagans aren't the only ones in the world. And, the Christian concept of good and evil is also a polarity; it's not wrong, and it's as valid a concept as the Wiccan polarity of male and female. The only difference is, the polarities of Wicca and Christianity don't agree with each other. But that doesn't mean they're wrong.

This is only the surface. I'm not trying to nit-pick, but I want readers to be aware of the good and the bad contained therein. People tend to believe less of the bad, until they're pointed out - which is what I have tried to do.

The book isn't bad. It's very useful, and philosophically extensive. This book IS worth reading, it IS worth spending $16.95. The Elements of Ritual does its job well, and goes further - it delivers tips and techniques that are invaluable. The "Emergency Ritual Toolkit" is ingenious, something my idiotic self would have never thought of: a box full of spare ritual supplies, in case you're in the circle and forget to grab the lighter from the kitchen, or if a candle accidentally gets snapped in two. The arrangement of the books sticks to its elemental theme; each chapter is ordered into sections of Earth (How is this done, what are variations of doing something, what are the practical considerations, etc.), Air (explains the topic, the ideas behind it, and so forth), Water (the mythology behind the topic, metaphors, emotional impact, etc.), and Fire (What is the mystical meaning of blah blah blah, how are the Gods involved, meditation, etc.

It seems as if I've torn the value of the book to shreds, but it really is worth a look. Just remember to think about what you're reading; many people don't do that anymore.

I found this book educational and primarily targeted to those learning the Craft. As the cover suggests it focuses primarily on the "elementals," air, water, fire, and earth from a Wiccan perspective. Deborah explains clearly why things are done the way they are, providing understanding instead of merely giving recipes or how-to instructions. I would suggest this book for novices who are working with a coven or teacher. It will help the novice to understand why the teacher does things in a particular way and not some other way, what options might be chosen instead, and how that would change the ritual. It could provide a basis for discussion of the ritual design with the teacher. It's a good "text book" if you will for a teacher to assign to her or his students. For a more experienced reader it has a broad perspective and descriptions of other ways to do the same thing that you may not have thought about in a while.

She discusses the mythological difference between directions, elementals, and guardians. Why, for example, do many Wiccans limit directions to 4, leaving out up, down, center, spirit, in, out, forward, backward, or any others that some groups add? Deborah Lipp often gives more than one example of how you might do the same thing rather than just "do it this way." She explains why you might choose each version. In reviewing the book I found that she reminded me of several aspects of ritual that I had learned years ago but had not thought of recently and I enjoyed the review of principles.

In part "Elements of Ritual" is similar to a lot of other beginner books of which we have seen too many over the past few years. However, Deborah Lipp's offering is one of the best of those, and is aimed at more serious students than your run of the mill "teenage witch" book. Yes, those who are focused on one particular tradition will find things to disagree with, as you will with any book written by anyone but yourself, but that's where you have a talk with your teacher or priest/ess about how your practice differs from hers.

As another reviewer already said, the advanced student of the Craft might be more interested in reading Grey Cat's "Deepening Witchcraft," or some others targeted on a more advanced audience. For a beginner's textbook that includes why as well as what and gives alternatives, "Elements of Ritual" is pretty good.

I say that because this is not one that should be put down and dismissed. This is one that I want to refer back to again. If you want more "why we do this" than "this is what to do" She gives a basic ritual outline and discets the why we do it using the symbolism of the elements for each step. She has definate opinions on the way things are done and why while leaving it to the reader to decided how they chose to incorporate (or not!) the information she's given.
It is written in an intelligent way, assuming that you've picked up at least one beginner book or that you've done/attended at least one ritual. Even if you haven't don't let that shy you away from this book! It is a breath of fresh air and helped me bring more meaning to my own rituals.

The cover of this book seems to indicate that _The Elements of Ritual_ is merely a book about the four elements--air, earth, fire, and water--but it turns out to be so much more. The author uses the four elements in a metaphorical way, analyzing what goes on during each part of a Wiccan ritual from the practical point of view (earth), the intellectual (air), the mystical (fire), and the mythological and emotional (water). She dissects the entire ritual, from the pre-ritual preparations to the closing of the circle, from these four points of view. For example, when she gets to the part where the gods are invoked, she talks about gods--what are they anyway?--from all four angles. It's very interesting stuff, and makes a lot of sense.

She uses her analysis to form opinions about some of the controversies in the Wiccan community. Wiccans are forever arguing about things like when the Cakes and Wine should be done--mid-ritual? afterward for grounding? Lipp has definite opinions about how things should be done, and while you don't have to agree with everything she says, at least it's refreshing to see someone actually say "This is the way to do it" so that you can *choose* to agree or disagree, rather than floundering about in a sea of "do whatever you want" books that leave everybody confused. All of her opinions are backed up by sound arguments. I wish I'd had this book several years ago, when I was just getting into the Craft. With all those contradictory books on the market, how does one know whether one is picking up bad ritual habits that at best waste energy, and at worst anger the gods? I'm glad to see someone take stands and back them up.

This is being touted as an intermediate book. I think that's true, in that most Wiccans who've been around a while could still learn something from this book. I know I did. However, don't let that scare you off if you're a beginner! This insightful guide might help you make sense of some of the more confusing books out there. I'd love it if everyone who wrote about Wicca had opinions as considered as Lipp's.

Since I've been outed as the author's former husband by another reviewer here, I feel free to speak out on her behalf. Deborah Lipp (*never* Lippman, by the way) is one of the smartest, most passionate, spiritually deep priestesses I have had the honor to work beside. Oh she's opinionated all right (something I've "never" been accused of myself), but her opinions are based on years of experience and experimentation, more than a decade of it with myself and our joint students.

Her knowledge of magic, Hinduism, and other Pagan belief systems is thoroughly solid and she brings that knowledge to her writing. She is both a Wiccan and a Druid (as are many Neopagans, including myself), so she knows a great deal about how to do (and not do) public rituals as well as private ones. 90% of what she says will resonate loudly with the British Traditionalist Wiccans on the conservative side of the orthodox-eclectic spectrum of Wiccan practice and belief, yet even those dedicated to the liberal side would do well to get and study this book. While it's true that you "can" do almost anything in ritual, that is precisely why so many rituals are just so very awful so very often.

"The Elements of Ritual" should be the second or third (good) book a new Wiccan gets about ritual, and will reward the lifelong practitioner with many "aha!" moments. Have your study group get multiple copies and you'll be set for a year of exciting arguments and self-discoveries. I know I got years of them from her! (G)

With so many beginner books on the market, there is a dire need for a book that goes deeper into the theory, theology, and magick of Wiccan ritual. The Elemets of Ritual by Deborah Lipp is that book, taking you deeply into each phase of ritual. This is not a beginner's Wicca 101. This is Wicca 202, advanced training by an experienced High Priestess.

'The Elemets of Ritual' begins by explaining the elements and their qualities and associations. The remainder of the book is divided into six chapters, by the ritual sequence. Each individual step is also divided by it's elemental quality. From beginning to end, Lipp gives great advice about what to do and what to avoid. She gives at least three examples for each step in ritual, so that the reader may eventually be able to write his or her own rituals.

Lipp also gives an interesting and thought provking disscussion on the gods. She describes Their importance in Wiccan, so They must be the center of every ritual. She uses the "Honored Guests Metaphor" to describe how to act and worship in the presence of the gods. She gives her own ritual sequence, based around the gods. Unlike most books, Lipp actually gives gives structure to Wiccan ritual.

'Elements of Ritual' is the first of it's kind becuase Lipp actually tells you the WHY of ritual. Many books tell you how to cast a circle, this book tells you why. Many books give you the ritual for Cakes and Wine, this book tells you when, why, and how. In addition, this book gives you valuble information nessecery to proform a truly effective ritual.

The author truly knows her subject well, as seen in her writing. In addition to the other great material, Lipp gives meditaions to create a deeper and more profound ritual experience. Out of all the books I've read on Wicca, 'The Elements of Ritual' has to be one of my favorites. 'The Elements of Ritual' completely outshined all of my expectaions. Buy it or regret it later.

I bought this book and Wicca 333: Advanced Topics in Wiccan Belief at the same time, and the two worked really well together. That one about the beliefs of Wiccans and why they hold them, this one about what Wiccans do. Beliefs vs Practice, Theology vs Theurgy, Thinking Vs Doing.
As a practitioner with over 20 years experience myself, this book spoke to MY needs, although I wish it came out 10 years ago or so.
Little of it was revelatory-I learned little new-but I now have a compendium I can pass out to people who want to learn more about what I do and why, a compendium better than "what Witches do" and WAY better than "when someone you love is Wiccan"

With all of the Wicca 101 and spell books out there, it's nice to read a book that doesn't just cover the basics, actually explains the why's and doesn't resemble a cookbook.
Deborah Lipp, in addition to publishing under a name that can be taken seriously, not only gives a more detailed description of the typical ritual formate, but gives the why?'s and explains the steps and how they relate to different aspects of a person's faith, the air, or intellectual, the water, or emotional, the earth, or practical, and the fire, or mystical. If you have a serious interest in Wicca or rituals, this book is for you. If you are looking to get revenge on your ex or make a certain cute member of the opposite sex fall in love with you, don't let this book slow you down on your quest.