The Second Circle: Tools for a [Paperback]

Venecia Rauls (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Are you...

* Past being a beginning Pagan, but don't know where to go next?

* Feeling stuck or frustrated?

* Between stages -- your novice period behind you and your next adventure still ahead?

* Facing a spiritual barrier that you can't seem to push past?

* Ready to get moving and advance?!

Sound familiar? It does to me -- I used to feel the same way.

For others in the situation that I was in, I wrote The Second Circle as a kind of roadmap to the next level. I've distilled my own experience into basic areas of study that can help other Pagans who don't know how to proceed. My goal was to create a framework for thinking and acting as an advanced student of the mysteries -- sharing tools and techniques, not dogma.

"We're all just travelers on the road. And the road is infinite. The journey is the important part. And if the road goes on forever, then, by definition, we are already halfway there (and by the same token, only halfway there)." -- The Second Circle

About the Author

Venecia Rauls was born in 1972 in Lakenheath England to an American father and German mother. She grew up bilingual, speaking both German and English, and holds dual US/UK citizenship. Her family moved to Southern New Mexico in 1977. Always a bit unusual, she became interested in Witchcraft and the occult at a very young age. Her first word was Mond - German for moon, and her favorite game as a child was playing "witch" and casting spells around the neighborhood. She began officially practicing her own brand of Witchcraft at the age of thirteen.

After graduating from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, she embarked on a career in technical publications. To date, she has written over two-dozen hardware and software guides for various IT firms in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Colorado. In addition, she has written essays on pagan and mundane topics as well as mystical / ritual poetry.

Venecia has been a practicing Pagan for 19 years. Her path is eclectic, incorporating elements of Traditional Witchcraft, Wicca, Ceremonial Magic, and Eastern philosophies. Primarily solitary, she considers herself a traditional kitchen Witch and believes in incorporating her spirituality and everyday life into an integrated whole.

She has a broad range of interests including fiber arts (knitting, spinning, sewing), kite flying, hiking, camping, the art of green tea, Feng Shui, and anything else that strikes her fancy. In addition she is a voracious reader of both fiction and non-fiction. She dislikes irresponsible people and writing narcissistic brief biographies in the third person.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806525592
• ISBN-13: 978-0806525594
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! Yes! Yes!, April 2, 2004

By 

Kelly (Fantasy Literature) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Second Circle: Tools for a (Paperback)

Do you feel like there's nothing left on the New Age shelf that can challenge you? Are your favorite pagan books not "pagan books" at all, but mythology and history books? Are you wondering what sort of role you'd like to play in the pagan community?

Venecia Rauls says she wrote this book because she wants to save other advancing pagans the aggravation that comes from thinking they're all alone out there. She does this so wonderfully that I wish I'd had this book two years ago. Reading this book was like reading the story of the past few years of my own life--and as much as the "treasure hunt" for challenging material has helped me grow, it was validating to find that others were on the same search.

This book covers where to find books that aid your path in places other than the New Age/Metaphysical shelf; ideas for gaining a rapport with Nature; one of the most thoughtful chapters I've ever read about how to get closer to your deities; and an examination of different "specializations" one can choose. I saw myself in the "Scribe" archetype; could you be a "Bard" or a "Healer"?

You're not going to find spells or rituals here, but if you've been a pagan for a few years and want to know how to keep yourself on your toes, don't hesitate to buy this book. It will be a challenging guide--and a sympathetic friend--on your continuing journey.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Step Above the Rest, May 13, 2004

By 

David Miller (Watertown, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Circle: Tools for a (Paperback)

A gem standing out among the vast collection of generic books on Wicca and Paganism.

The Second Circle is perfect for anyone who is past the basics and ready to move on to new and more advanced teachings. Even if you are already experienced, this book will still provide you with new ways to look at Pagan practices and plenty of things to consider as you advance further along your chosen path.

Unlike other advanced books that are often too specialized or may only contain one or two chapters of new and useful information. The Second Circle offers suggestions and techniques to search out your own information and expand your knowledge base. There are great exercises designed to make the reader think about the basics in creative ways and explore new ways of thinking that broaden your understanding of Magic and Religion.

Venecia Rauls write about advanced subjects such as forming a deeper relationship with your chosen deities, getting down to earth and working with nature, and exploring ways to help bring magic into your everyday life.

This book also includes tips and ideas to help the reader get the more from what they have already learned as a beginner, giving advice and guidance to the advancing Pagan as they try to find a path that fulfills their spiritual needs and goals.

This is not a simple step by step instruction manual. The Second Circle is a book about learning to explore Paganism on your own, as well as taking the steps needed to expand and refine your beliefs and practices.

It's a must read for any serious Pagan.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Move beyond Wicca 101, October 27, 2005

By 

W. Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second Circle: Tools for a (Paperback)

You've read a lot of books. You have all the basics down. You pick up more books because you are thirsting for more knowledge only to be disappointed by repetition of more basics on how to be a witch. Never fear, there is a book out there that picks up where the `Wicca 101' books stop.

With a gentle yet firm touch, Ms. Rauls takes the beginner beyond the basics into real sufficiency. She shows the novice witch, the one with a basic understanding of the Pagan Path, how to become more proficient at their spirituality. Through her knowledgeable tutorage, a seeker learns that there is more to being a Pagan than owning a few spell books and candles. In fact, the student moves beyond the need for spell books and becomes, in the author's words, a journeyman or apprentice moving toward mastery.

This book moves the reader past basic principles, building on what you have already learned. It guides the reader into expanding knowledge of the worlds within, without and even beyond. Through a simple four-step process laid out in each chapter, the beginner moves forward by reading, thinking, questioning and finally doing.

There are more places to find spiritual knowledge than the metaphysical section at your local bookstore. Ms. Rauls encourages exploration beyond what you already know into new avenues of study. She states that the occult knowledge really isn't as hidden as we are lead to believe we just have to learn how to see beyond our assumptions and ingrained behaviors to achieve mastery of our chosen Paths.

I enjoyed this book, but found little of it useful for me personally. I do recommend it for the person who has moved beyond their newbie status and wants more than the basics so many books seem to be reiterating over and over again. This book is a fresh look and really is what it claims to be - tools for the advancing Pagan.

W. Lyon Martin Author/Illustrator of "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child"