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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overall an excellent book, with a bad chapter on the gods...,
By a person who reads (U.S.A, EARTH) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Out Of The Shadows: Myths and Truths of Modern Wicca (Paperback)
I thought this book was great--smart, funny, with savy advice. But I had a really big problem with chapter 3, titled "Deities" and subtitled "If you read only one chapter, read this one"--which i think is unfortunate--since the rest of the book is so good, and that particular chapter is full of misinformation.The problem starts when the author describes Kali as "dancing on the body of the half-dead Krishna" (p48). Kali never dances on Krishna but on Shiva (whose name sounds like the word for corpse). She warns against working with Kali because she is "terrifying" (p48). McLelland doesn't really have an understanding of how Kali is worshipped in India and focuses on the Kali of the tantric path, as apposed to say the Kali that Ramprasad loved.McLelland also warns us against Lilith because she "destroyed her children in order to fight her battles" (p49). I could be wrong, but I believe that in Jewish folklore, it was Yaweh who kills a hundred of Lilith's demon children a day as punishment. (Lilith kills other peoples babies) She also says not invoke her if you want to keep your image as a "sexpot"--but in Jewish folklore that is exactly what Lilith is--she suduces men in their sleep.The author also has some mixed up ideas about the Celtic Deities. She Calls Brigit a form of Dana (she's not, and its actually Danu). She says the Morrigan is three goddesses "the mother goddess Ana, the mother Babd, and the crone Macha". How many crones do you know who can beat a horse in a race while she is nine months pregnant? Sources are inconsistent about what three goddess make up the Morrigu--but one thing is for sure--the Irish did not divide the goddess into maiden, mother, and crone (that was a falacy perpetrated by Robert Graves). Their triple goddesses were made up of either three maidens, three mothers or three crones. and crones could always turn into maidens. Lugh is not a sun god (but everyone makes that mistake, can't fault McLelland here), the sun is a goddess in Ireland--Grian. Also she says that Gwydion is the son of Dana and associated with the Tuatha de Dannan--he isn't he is Welsh, and a son of the goddess Don. Then she goes on to say the Lleu LLaw Gyffes is another son of Dana--he's not nor is he son of Don, he is Arianrhod's son.Well maybe you think i am nitpicking, but since McLelland warns us about getting all our information from Wiccan books--I thought I should mention that this is not the book to learn about pagan Deities. I suggest you leave the new age section and head towards the mythology section.The beginning of the chapter on Deities is actually quite good, and the rest of the book is excellent--so I recommend it highly--just take the information on the gods with a grain of salt.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable for both novice & seasoned practioner alike,
By "silverdrake" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Out Of The Shadows: Myths and Truths of Modern Wicca (Paperback)
Out of the Shadows is a fantastic foray into the hidden recesses of modern Wicca and Paganism. The author discusses not only the differences between Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism, but what to look out for when dealing with groups of all kinds. Focusing primarily on Wicca, Ms. McLelland gives practical advice on how to tell the difference between those groups who are truly dedicated to furthering the worship of the old gods, and those whose leaders are looking only to further their own egos. She also includes specific words of caution to teens exploring Wicca. One of the most interesting chapters deals with how to safeguard your wallet by learning how to tell legitimate Pagan charities and non-profit organizations (those to whom contributions are tax deductible) and those with questionable backgrounds and missions. The book is written in a no-nonsense manner, is extremely well researched, and included anecdotal accounts from her nearly 20 years of experience in the Pagan Community. Many ideas and stories taken at face value for years in modern Wicca are explored proven fact separated from unsubstantiated myth. I had always considered myself to be a well-read individual with 20 years of my own experience, but found myself continuously surprised when what I had always thought was true history was shown to have no basis in history at all. Ms. McLelland also shows a great ability to laugh at herself and her own preconceived notions, which made me feel better when dealing with my own. But if I had to choose one single theme running through this fascinating book as being most important, it would be the author's affirmation that the "truth" about Wicca's past and origins is of secondary importance to it's ability to connect its followers to the old gods through Divine Mystery. And when all is said and done, isn't *that* what is truly important?
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Realistic Look At The Modern Movement.....,
By
This review is from: Out Of The Shadows: Myths and Truths of Modern Wicca (Paperback)
I'll admit I'm a bit disenchanted with most of the books I find on Wicca. I'm very skeptical that once again, I'll hear the same information rehashed with slightly different wording. Sound familiar?So when I sat down to read this book, I found myself pleasantly surprised! McLelland does an excellent job of being honest about the strengths and truths of the modern craft movement in the US. I feel that perhaps a little more nationwide focus would have helped, but she's from Salem and it's one of those witchy hot spots, so I can understand her focus on it. I like the fact that she does bring up the stereotypes, with but with a slightly different twist. We're not talking about point hats and black cloaks here-this is sexual predators posing as High Priests and egotistical High Priestesses that she's talking about. Granted, most of us have met someone who fits one of those descriptions. One reviewer here states that we don't need to talk about those things, again. I disagree! Of course we need to talk about them! They are out there, and people need to know. If you've lived in small town "x" all of your life and never connected with anyone who claims to be a HPS of 20 years with a successful coven under her belt....then that's going to sound amazing and interesting to you. And I'd hate to see you end up scrubbing that woman's floors in return for her "magickal knowledge" because you didn't know better. I've seen it happen within my own circle, so I know those people are out there. And besides, isn't knowledge the best defense? There is some very solid information in this book, both for the beginner and the more advanced Pagan. As someone who runs the only public circle in my hometown, her tips on meeting with the media (what to say and what not to wear!) were wonderful. There is some great information on how to safeguard your wallet by learning how to tell legitimate Pagan charities and non-profit organizations (those to whom contributions are tax deductible) and those with questionable backgrounds and missions. Then of course, the things that mark you as a beginner. I had to smile at those, because they are very common amongst the persons who come to my circle. I've heard them all (and was guilty of a few myself in my starting days)! I loved the fact that McLelland was not afraid to clean out her own broom closet about certain things, like witch wars. We've had taken part in things like that when we really should have minded our own business. Big props to her for being so honest about it! This book is filled with anecdotes about McLelland's years in the Pagan community, and that makes it very easy to read. You feel a connection with her as you learn about the mistakes she'd made (while reliving some of your own, perhaps?). This is one of the best books I've found recently. It's a no frills, honest look at the modern Pagan movement. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know a little more than what the correspondences for the color magenta are, and the new way to cast a circle. Bravo to Ms. McLelland for what has become one of my most recommended reads and references!
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