46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Alternative System of Witchery As Opposed to Wicca, November 17, 2008
This review is from: Sorgitzak: Old Forest Craft (Paperback)
In these recent years, anyone who has an opinion is able to write, sell and publish what they will about Wicca and this sort of thing has both helped but more often than not hindered Wicca's true growth potential. Why? You get a LOT of poor quality material with very little that is good (let alone useful!)
Here is an alternative to Gardnerian &/or Cunningham inspired Wicca: Sorgitzak.
Ms. Cummer has shed some light on her forays into the murky realm of old world Witchery that few have the intestinal fortitude to venture into. You won't find redes, ethics lectures nor laws but rather good old fashioned common sense written in a style that is reminiscent of how one would learn form a friend.
She gives you everything from a first person perspective so that you get a sense of being there with her as she unveils this beautiful journey to you. Her section on Guided Meditations is filled with some very good and useful suggestions for Inner Workings. What's so special about this? She not only has rites for women but also for men! It's a very RARE thing to offer a balanced perspective instead of Goddess only material.
There's no 'Bibliography' for none is needed. Why? She's not relying on any mainstream Sheeple authors to fill in blanks for her but rather this is a book that has lore she's won thru hard work, perspiration and good old fashioned persistence from the Spirits, Gods and Fey.
Much of the work is 'directly inspired' by the Gods (some like to call that channeled information) and that is much to her credit. Few are the practitioners worth their salt who can venture to the lands of the Shining Ones and come back with knowledge. Most Metaphysical authors usually just end up as parrots, parroting other parrots. Not so here.
The sections I enjoyed the most was 'Beyond the Boundary of the Circle" beginning on page 154 & finishing on page 163, then I enjoyed the section "For the Men to Journey to the Overworld" on pages 188-192. How rare a thing for a woman to write a book on Witchcraft to include a section (regardless of how short or long it is) for men? You don't find that in the mainstream Sheeple books.
When we get to the section entitled, "Beyond the Earth" beginning on page 216, we begin to "Dare" as the ritual forces you to look beyond your own silly internal world of worry, doubt, fears, aches, pains, and general nonsense of life to the world of the Gods, the Fey, the Shining Ones. This is a dangerous rite (in my opinion) only because it starts to open doors that for some are better left closed. Meaning if you want to pretend to be a Witch with your kitchen witchery and 'anything goes' approach, then you're welcome to do so; BUT if you desire to truly peer into the what the Shining Ones are, have and offer, then this ritual will help you break down those doors! Now when you read this, you may ignorantly say, "Gee Moloch, that's not such a big deal" but that's what it's supposed to appear as. The rite is deceptively simple yet effective in its application. Ms. Cummer is to be applauded for her simplicity yet effective use of ritual and chant.
Two other sections I enjoyed are "Glamourie" and "Connecting to the Fey" and the author gives you much food for thought as to how you should approach the subjects. The former is one that she sheds a new light upon by getting you to rethink what you know about Glamours and how they work. I found her attitude and her charm reasonably effective. In the latter, she starts you off by telling you about a true story regarding a fog and then she gives you a charm to help you acknowledge the Fey. Notice I did not say 'summon' the Fey (because that's foolish and stupid) but rather how to acknowledge them and by the universal laws of Hospitality and Politeness, they will come to acknowledge you as well.
I love this book. It's succinct, charming (no pun intended) and has a nice style to it, it also includes an Index for fast look up! (Are you listening, mainstream Sheeple publisher?) All in all I give this one five out of five stars. I highly recommend you buy a copy and read it. She is truly a gifted Witch who has a powerful connection to the Old Gods, Fey and Spirits. Learn from her.
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved it!, April 27, 2008
This review is from: Sorgitzak: Old Forest Craft (Paperback)
Veronica Cummer has written an amazing book. Sorgitzak: Old Forest Craft is definitely a page turner, it's such a refreshing break from the "same `ol" Craft books that I've been reading for so long. Sorgitzak is an awakening call; it aids in stirring the blood with ancient energies that now begin to yawn and awaken once again. She has brought me a more meaningful and deeper understanding of the craft, which I've practiced for many years now. Not every book is for everyone but this book is for me and I will treasure it as a spiritual gift. Thank you.
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32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Old Gods are returning!, March 17, 2008
This review is from: Sorgitzak: Old Forest Craft (Paperback)
This book is unlike any I've read about Craft. It is deep, rich, and it is definitely not a beginner book. Much of the information is channelled directly from the Gods or the Fae, and it is refreshing to find a book where you hear directly from Them. There is a great deal of philosophy, theology, and wisdom in these pages. There are also rites that can be used with this pantheon, so it is practical, as well as thought-provoking.
If you are dissatisfied with the many superficial books on modern witchcraft/Wicca, you will welcome this book! It is not a book you can race through, as it really makes you think! Ms. Cummer does not mince words, and there is a lot in this book to be contemplated, worked through, and experienced! I plan on re-reading it, as I'm sure I'll get as much out of a second read as I did from the first.
As a practitioner and teacher of Craft for many years, I am always looking for more advanced books that push the boundaries. This is one of the few I have found that is personally challenging.
I look forward to future books from this author!
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