Customer Reviews

The Path Of The Green Man: Gay Men, Wicca and Living a Magical Life

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I looked forward to thsi book as Michael Thomas Ford is a great writer and because I am interested in Wicca. He really focuses on the spiritual side rather than the ritualistic side that most authors lean toward. If you are looking for how to call a circle, elememntal guides, etc look elsewhere. Here he is more concerned with conecting with the divine and nature, reminding the reader that Wicca is a religion about living and love.

The gay male slant was also a bonus as we gay men really don't have much of a spiritual home to call our own in Wicca. Most books focus on the feminine side and women, here The God is figured promenently.

Some have complained this is nothing more than a Wicca 101 book. I feel that it instead is a great read for the jaded Wiccan who may have amassed thousands of dollars in tools and trinkets and wondering why no matter how slavishly they follow each ritual and spell still wonder why their life hasn't changed for the better. Wicca comes from the heart, not the wallet.

Travel the path of the Green Man if you dare, Silver Raven Wolf won't be there to hold your hand through the icky parts of life, but you'll be better for it.

As a Wiccan Priest and a gay man, I found this book to be insightful, witty and a pleasure to read. The journey of the Green Men through the Wheel of the Year was inspired. Even the review of Wicca 101 was fresh. I connected with the author on so many levels, I only wish I could have been part of his original Green Men group. Michael Thomas Ford and the "Path of the Green Man" is a keeper, where has that man been all my life?

I was pleasantly surprised at this book, which is targeted for gay men interested in pagan/wiccan spirituality. Using personal experience, the author very nicely introduces the reader to the subject and offers practical suggestions and basic information. I personally plan on using this book as my main resource as I explore my spiritual nature. I highly recommend The Path of the Green Man to all who may be in the least bit curious.

Now, being somewhat new to Wicca as well as a gay man, I nearly jumped out of my boots when I found this book. I was eager to read it, but sad to say I was unable to bring myself to finish it. In the end, this book was mainly a Wicca 101 directed at the gay man. What's more, it does deliver an excessive amount of bashing at Traditionalist and Reconstructionist Wiccans/Pagans, which left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. That being said, it's interesting to see Ford's ecclectic outlook, and most of what he writes is just because of who he is - he tells you what he feels, how it is, without the sugar-coating.
Now some of the redeeming values. Each chapter gives a story about the "Myth of the Green Man." These stories tell of the first Green Man, and his journey with the Celtic gods and goddesses through the Wheel of the Year, and in my opinion these stories are sheer poetry, something of great value for the Sabbats. Second, he provides various activities for the Sabbats, so if you're planning a Sabbat party, please take a look. He also gives a great deal of common sense ideas about a Pagan life, such as not getting caught up in buying up fancy Pagan items and just working with your finances.
This book is okay for the gay man who's completely new to Wicca, provided they continue to read other Wiccan/Pagan texts. To those who are more experienced, it's not really that necessary of a read. Still, there are better books that a gay man can start with, such as Christopher Penczak's Sons of the Goddess/Gay Witchcraft or Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practicioner.

I bought this book trying to be a little more non-judgemental with the Wiccan trival that is out there. I've been dissappointed with the few "Gay" Wiccan oriented books that have made it to bookstores. I've scanned them on the book shelves but never bought any because they all seem to be just Wicca 101 rehash trying to have a gay bent. This one is the same. It seems no one understands the gay spirit or at least is afraid to take the first step. These books needs to stop trying to put a gay cloak over "straight" spirituality. The gay spirit is unique and needs to be explored on its own turf.

Why I gave this book 3 stars is for the pathworking chapters. I liked those and will use them.

Orpheus (descending)

This is one of my favorite books. I have read it many times and enjoy it more and more every time. I like how relate-able this book is, you can sit down read it and you feel like you've done something, you've gone on a journey. I try to take the time to read myself one of these stories on each of the sabbats. This book gave me a direction to go on that I felt good and comfortable with. I highly recommend it!

I've collected many books on Paganism and Wicca over the past nine years, but this is the only one I have read that mirrors my personal feelings and beliefs; it's almost like the author was reading my mind while he was writing it. Michael Thomas Ford has written a wonderful book dealing with gay mens' spirituality, and I would recommend it to any Witch or Pagan. It currently resides on my Favorites bookshelf, and travels with me wherever I go.

In a surprising but welcome departure from his fiction writing (which I also like, and why I decided to check out this book), Michael Thomas Ford explores paganism and spiritualism with great depth as well as delightful candor. Highly recommended -- I plan to read it a second time.

I just finished reading this book. I was looking for a deeper exploration of the myths and lore about the Celtic deity known as the Green Man, and this isn't it. Nevertheless, as a book about Wicca as a gay spiritual path, it is definitely worth reading. While I don't agree with everything Michael Thomas Ford has written here (like all Pagan spiritual paths, Wicca is first and foremost a personal path) my disagreement is more of emphasis rather than general direction. Unlike the Eclectic Wiccan spirituality which Ford ably presents here, my personal spirituality is entirely Celtic not only in the deities I honor and pray to, but in the images I invoke in rituals.

Rehashed, warmed-over pop Wicca with an unappealing separatist slant. Went straight into my resale pile.