Customer Reviews

The Sacred Round: A Witch's Guide to Magical Practice

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It is very rare in the current market that an author will follow the first book with anything other than a rehash of the first, and this book is one of those rareties.

This book builds upon its inspirational predecessor (In The Circle), introducing new concepts to the reader whilst furthering the ideas presented in the first guide. This book clearly demonstrates that Elen has both the knowledge of her chosen subjects & the ability to present it in an easy to understand manner. She also seems to be able to finish off all of this by writing in a beautifully inspiring manner, in which an hour of reading can seem like minutes! It is quite clear from the outset that this author has actually put some thought into her book.

This book covers many areas, including the elementsm, chakras, meditation, visualisation, the moon, festivals, sacred space, ritual, magic & divination. However, there are three chapters that really stand out in all of this.

The first is the chapter on the elements. I don't know how many times I've despaired at the complete lack of information that is conveyed on this topic, but this book has answered that prayer. The elements are discussed one by one (including Spirit), relating the physical qualities to their esoteric symbolism and giving plenty of ideas that will help an alignment with these powerful forces.

The second is the chapter on the chakras. I must admit I already had an understanding of the chakras as I work with them a lot & have studied them profusely. However, the one thing that sets this apart from other information is the way that Elen has clearly thought about the way they fit in with witchcraft and our beliefs, not merely trying to jam an eastern concept into a western belief system.

The last section of special mention is that on the festivals & the moon. Although these are covered in the first book, here they are expanded upon, clearly demonstrating the ways in which both the moon phases & the festivals can be worked with to enable personal development, as well as the ways in which they can be utilised in magic.

Elen has also avoided the pitfall of so many authors who attempt to write guides on this spiritual path, in that in no way does it become a dull lifeless technical textbook. Throughout this book Elen manages to weave information and exercises together in a poetic, almost lyrical, fashion. The result of this are down to earth ways by which one can fit the craft into daily life, and the most vital part, the inspiration that drives you to stop reading about it & start doing it.

This is an excellent sequel to In the Circle, but it goes into more depth with rituals, magic, divination and the festivals, and adds more in depth information about the chakras, meditation and the elements, witchcraft and paganism. I think the book was produced in an authorative and ethical manner, as well as being beautifully written in an easy read and poetical style. I would recommend it to newbies and the experienced equally, there is something for both. The book stands along classics such as Cunningham, Kate West and Silver Raven Wolfe.

Truly an excellent working magical manual with everything you need to get set up and started, or to deepen your practise if you are a seasoned witch.

If you are wondering what to read after Scott Cunningham's Wicca and living Wicca then this would be a good buy. Like Cunningham, Ellen Hawke manages to fit in a remarkable amount of material in a surprisingly small space (the book is around 180 pages)and her writing style is clear and to the point which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. At the same time, her style is also enthusiastic and imaginative and I found myself completely absorbed by the material and finished it in just a couple of sessions.
The book covers everything you would expect - from the festivals, importance of meeon phases, setting up a sacred space, the tools, correspondences, the elements, chakra work, visualisation and more. There are numerous practical examples associated with almost all of the topics, which are easy to follow, ethical and safe to use. If you are near the start of your path on the craft of the wise then you will gain a great deal by trying out the exercises here. If like me, you are a bit further along, then this book is excellent as a reference work (because it is so clearly laid out)for things like correspondences. This is Ellen Hawke's second book, and the quality of the first has been maintained here. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Over the years I have attempted to use various books for prayer and meditation (Wicca and non-wicca). I found THE SACRED ROUND one of the more inspirational, and exactly what I need at this time. Following a busy workday and a 2-way commute, at the end of the day I need a respite. Lately, I've taken an hour to sit quietly, burn incense, mediate, and read material designed to quieten my overwrought soul. The past few weeks, I've been using THE SACRED ROUND and have felt rested, restored and renewed. What more can one ask.

THE SACRED ROUND is not as comprehensive as Scott Cunningham's books for solitaries (which are excellent) and is not a comprehensive historical review of Wicca and it's works (such as DRAWING DOWN THE MOON by Margo Adler). Hawke's book is simple and straightforward and focuses on tools one can use for daily practice.

Although Hawke describes rituals that involve more than one person, I think one person can use them. What is visualization if I cannot use it to imagine a ritual. Imagination is about conjuring up an image and exploring every facet of it. A really good exercise Hawke suggests involves creating an inner space where you can take yourself to 'get away from it all'. My intuitive self understands this suggestion and I am able to be elsewhere when I need to--as in the days when I used to "daydream" in school and transport myself out the classroom window and into a grassy field nearby.

In addition to material describing of various rituals associated with 'Western' lunar and solar holidays, she has included Eastern material including Chakra work.

Elen Hawke is a wonderful writer. Her work truly shines with inspiring and thoughtful prose. She is clearly an elder in the craft and writes with genuine wisdom.

My favorite chapters are:

Chakra Work - which is brilliant
Meditations and Visualisations - clear and non-fluffy
The Moon - the core work of my own practice

In response to another review, I think the simplicity and clarity of her rituals adapts beautifully to solitary work. I have been practicing solitary for many years, and find her approach suits me well. It is refreshing and intelligent. I recommend all her books.

Bright Blessings!

Despite the negertive comments from the last review, this is a great book. I found all aspects helpful and productive. The chapter on the elements was particularly useful, but really all sections of the book are excellent. One of the best descriptions of the chakras, and the exercises work a treat. All beautifuly written and the pictures are stunning. I found the rituals easy to adapt for solitary work and had no trouble with the visualisation, but what works for some doesn't work for other people and you have to be prepared to put in some effort with any magikal work. One of the hardest things is to write a good follow up book but Ellen Hawk has done this here.

This was the follow up to In The Circle. Much of is is covered in the first volume. This is more than a "how to be a witch". This title has great information on chakra work and meditation techniques. Ms Hawke has one slight misconception about Buddhism.
Buddhist honor the world as well. They consider human life precious and literally wait to enter liberation until all others are free from suffering. This is fine. I have been practicing Tibetan Buddhism as well as western witchcraft for the past several years

These paths are really rather similar for the most part. As Westerners, we need to be aware of where we come from. Witchcraft is the best place to start. Maybe a few more generations will evolve a Western school of Buddhism that combines the paths.
This is not meant to be a debate on the philosophy schools. Meditation is great for Westerners. At this point in the game, a good lesson in non-violence could be learned.

Magic with good intentions cannot hurt anyone. This is where many of my comrades fall into a major debate. Reflection and calm abiding meditation do great. It makes one a great Visualizer/Spell Caster as an added bonus.

The book is a must have for all witches here in the States. I recommend all of Elen Hawke's titles with high regard.

Elen Hawke has brought us a little closer to our enamorment of nature in The Sacred Round. Meant to be a companion to her first book, In the Circle, Ms. Hawke continues in her tradition of beautiful and meaningful teachings to bring you to the next level of understanding.

Beginning The Sacred Round, Ms. Hawke conveys a magical enchantment in her love and honor of the craft, transporting the reader along a journey in their own space and time.

The Sacred Round takes the reader through many topics of the craft. This is not the basic lessons for beginners, but the next step, to start building the fundamentals to your own magickal foundation. The chapters are captivating with wonderful examples using a graceful style and intertwining many spells, rituals, meditations, divinations plus so much more. Each page turned gives an encouragement to turn to the next in anticipation of more to come.

It takes a magickal tool to bring a student to this level of enthusiasm. The Sacred Round does just this.

M. L. Benton, Publisher, Echoed Voices Magazine
Copyright © February 2002

Every sacred path has stages and layers of practice that require more commitment and reveal deeper facets and truths. In this book for intermediate to advanced practitioners, British Craft Elder and Pagan Federation member Hawke (In the Circle) provides adherents of earth religions with concrete, specific ways to go beyond initial observations of the seasonal year. Through various formulas, especially detailed ceremony descriptions, Hawke gently and even poetically sets the stage for worship. In her preface to Samhain (October 31 to November 1), for example, she writes: "Rivers run engorged through desolate banks, and the streams are slowed by the delicate tracery of ice as frost breathes across the landscape." First and foremost a practical guide, however, this easy-to-use book shows readers how to deepen their practice in chapters devoted to the elements, chakras, meditation and visualization, moon phases, seasonal festivals, magic and divination. Liturgies include lists for tools, supplies and offerings; ritual language; and adaptations suitable for group, duet or solo practice. Like all serious Wiccan materials, Hawke's book is careful to delineate spiritual pitfalls that arise from seeking to assert one's will over another's, even for presumed good, but especially for harm. In her thinking, practitioners follow the ancient teachings of witchcraft not just for personal or group edification, but also "for spiritual growth, for shared joy, and to give something back to the world in which we live." (Jan.) Forecast: As Wicca continues to thrive in the United States and Britain, there's a growing need for books that transcend the introductory level. This well-written manual is poised for modest success, and could be a strong backlist title. (...)

Not my favorite, but still a good read. I kept it, and I will return books I don't like or agree with. Doesn't really go into ritual magic, if you're looking for that, still very informative.