Customer Reviews

West Country Wicca: A Journal of the Old Religion

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't really care if the things in Rhiannon Ryall's book are accurate, or if they're not. All I know is I enjoyed the book and got quite a bit out of it. I'm now in the middle of my second reading of the book and it is a real pleasure. Her writing style has been criticized by some reviewers but, frankly,
it's quite pleasing and relaxed. It's the writing style of someone who is more comfortable talking to people than writing to them. If you wish to make comparisons, you might say the style of Wicca she describes in comparison to modern day, over
elaborate Wicca, is the same as the difference between an old fashioned country Baptist church and the over elaborate Catholic church. In religions of all types there is the simple, direct communion with your god contrasting with the overbearing pomp and flash who's main objective is to be seen and heard by others. I'll take the simple and direct every time. I like "West Country Wicca". It's a good book and a worthwhile read, no matter which direction your path takes.

I am of Welsh descent and have been a practicing witch since I was 10 years old,I will be 48 next month!Believe me when I say this lady knows what she is talking about!This is a must have book for anyone who is interested "The Craft",adepts as well as beginners.It is so refreshing to know that there are a few of us that still retain the knowledge of the old ways!There are so many variations and corruptions going on that this is the one true book that I have ever read on the subject.Rhiannon puts it simply and frankly just as it should be told and taught.It is a natural thing,and it is also simple."The Craft" is not a stage show.There is no reason to make it all complicated and formal, as if one where acting out a play rather than a way of life!This is the the way of the Cymry or so I was taught.Hazzah!Rhiannon!

I've only had this book for about 2 weeks and I've read it 4 times. Ryall gives a personal account on what the Old Religion was like before the tidal wave of neo-pagan books and traditions. She tells of a "tradition" that is simple, earthy and "tongue in cheek". Don't be thrown off by the word simple, the people of the old country were too busy with farming and community to worry with scholarly persuits and elaborate wiccan tools and ritual, this is still a very BEAUTIFULL way of celebrating the earth and the God and Goddess. I am basically a kitchen witch that follows the religion of witchcraft and have found no need for elaborate ceremonial magic, or supplies. So I was delighted to find information on common household herbs and spices to use in magick as well as folklore and many recipes and beautifully simplistic rituals.

While many newer books on the Craft seem to focus on spells and potions,this book tells about the Craft as it was taught before Gerald Gardener ever wrote his books.Ryall writes like she is simply talking to an old friend.Warm and inviting this is my favourite book on the Craft and has been since I bought it many years ago.I recommend this to anyone interested in the Craft.

There is not a shred of historical authenticity to this book. The well-known bits and pieces of folklore in the book from the West Country that ARE authentic have nothing to do with any secret "witch" religion. I think that Rhiannon Ryall probably tossed them in to make the other information (that she clearly fabricated) seem more legitimate.

Her "old craft" invocations and ceremonies are extremely new-agey, cheesy, pink and fluffy. This is not from the Old West Country. Bad rhymes, lack of meter or structure, the same old tired "secrecy" oaths and ludicrous claims of a very large and organized underground craft-religion in England, and the OBVIOUS Gardnerian loan material all make this one of the least serious books I've ever seen on the craft.

Without a doubt, some of the recipes and such may be real, but old wives' recipes from Somerset and Devon are not a "secret witchcraft" that we need yet ANOTHER book about, making silly authenticity claims, to give itself a validity and marketability that it does not deserve.

I belong to a Traditional West Country Crafter group. I can promise you that not a single word of this so-called "pre-gardnerian" tradition that Ms. Ryall claims she was taught is from anywhere else but the West Country in her own imagination.

One of my personal favorites, this book is easy to read and full of homespun information. Howevre the information does need to be sifted through, as it appears Ryall has blended some modern Neo-Paganism in with her Family training in this book. Good points: Easy to read, yet informative at many levels, provides a viewpoint not often found in many books on Wicca. Negative points: Needs to be looked at with a close eye to discern what is the older craft and what is newer additions, may bore advanced audiences who are familiar with British Craft practices.

Much like the other reviews I do have to say that Rhiannon personalizes the book and writes it as that of a good conversation. This resource is equipped with a wonderful array that helps the reader get "into the scene" of the ways of the Old Religion. Though many may mistake this as an instructional source, that is not it's intent. Rather, it is a summary and introduction into a way of life as seen through the eyes of one who had experienced the Old Ways before the modernization of Wicca as we now have it. She gives the reader many good ideas as to how to keep it simple and meaningful at the same time and moves away from the ceremonially ritualistic approach that we find within the Gardenarian tradition. Her suggestions and way of life seem to reference much of the Green Tradition..."kitchen witchery" if you will. This is one of the first books I bought and I am glad I still own it as an essential part of my library. Good material and good references make this one of my favorites. A definite resource to a library and highly recommended to all levels of study.

Some reviewers state West Country Wicca is fictional, some say it's true: There's actually no way of knowing what went on in the writers town. You can't prove one way or the other.

I liked the book, though. I think it could be useful for a lot of people who are tired of some of the overly cerimonial aspects of Wicca. This book contains simple and down to earth rituals and ideas. This book can offer something positive that people can constructivly use. Isn't that what matters?

Ryall writes in an entertaining voice, like your old Witch grandmother sitting you down by the fire to tell you about how it was in the Old Country when she was a girl. A warm and friendly presence, a rustic and straightforward system. The problem is that her claims to historical accuracy simply are unfounded - there is no evidence that anything like what she described ever existed. She repeats the old myth about widespread illiteracy and ancient secret tradition to excuse the lack of historical documentation of the Wiccan tradition in the area - an area that had been intensively documented by local folklorists and amateur historians for hundreds of years!

The system is evocative (though the human sacrifices are a bit much). After 19 years as a Witch, I am not convinced that there was a consistent Pagan tradition in England (or Wales) prior to Gardner. Perhaps I read too much history - I want evidence, not just a pleasant style.

After reading so many wonderful reviews, I was looking so forward to reading this book, especially as I have ancestors that come from the West Country. This book was a grave disappointment. The author's style called "chatty" by some is quite disorganized, jumping from subject to subject and never staying long enough to really delve into the depths.
The sections on ritual and festival were really nothing new despite the author's claims of pre-Gardenerian tradition. I was quite disappointed.
The chapters titles "Items of Interest" does have some nice folk traditions/history described. Likewise the chapters on Folk recipies and remedies are also interesting.
Overall there is nothing in this book (for the most part) that you can't find for free on the internet.