Wicca Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners, Family and Friends [Paperback]

Bryan Lankford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Demystified | Publication Date: March 10, 2005

Wicca Demystified is a clear guide through one of the most talked-about and fastest-growing religious movements in the world. With Wicca’s rapid rise has come a torrent of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and untruths about Wiccan beliefs and practices. Longtime Wiccan high priest Bryan Lankford explains the history, beliefs, and practices of Wicca in a context everyone can understand. Among the topics he covers are why Wiccans worship a goddess as well as a god; how Wiccans celebrate holidays; the Wiccan view of death, birth, and the nature of deity; right and wrong from a Wiccan perspective; witch stereotypes and nasty rumors about Wiccans; the Wiccan sacred text; and much more. Wicca Demystified goes beyond the simple mechanics of Wiccan worship to provide a glimpse into the heart and soul of the religion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BRYAN LANKFORD is a leading Wiccan practitioner in the Dallas pagan community. He lectures extensively about Wicca at colleges, universities, and private functions throughout Texas, particularly in interfaith contexts. He is interviewed frequently by the media and has been a guest on both secular and religious radio programs, answering questions about Wicca. He lives in Mesquite, Texas, with his wife and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569243808
• ISBN-13: 978-1569243800
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #973,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chuck Peart, May 31, 2005

By 

George Peart (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicca Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners, Family and Friends (Paperback)

What a book! Finally! It is stated that this book is not a Wicca 101 book and they could not have been more correct. It is 1000 times better than a Wicca 101 book. This book not only explains this religion to our friends and family but it also explains what this religion is to those investigating it as a possible religion of their own. I have read many books on Wicca and they explain what the holidays are, who the Goddess and God are and how to do a ritual. Wicca Demystified tells us the "why's" behind the practical application, it tells us the ramifications of our actions and much, much more. Any new student should read this book first. Wicca Demystified will clear up many misunderstandings of the Wiccan religion. Way to go Bryan.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the truth about Wicca sets you, family AND friends free, June 27, 2005

By 

Robin Orlowski "political activist" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicca Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners, Family and Friends (Paperback)

This book eschews commercialized versions of Wicca to deliver frank and truthful information to the audiences needing it the most. It is useful for individuals who are investigating Wicca as a religion, but it is especially helpful for the potentially confused (and scared) friends and family.

An avalanche of stereotypes and misinformation in this society about what Wicca is and who Wiccans are subsequently leaves the friends and families of the practitioners in a bind. They might want to be supportive, but those family members and friends do not necessarily know where to turn for affirming information. Despite Wicca being recognized as a religion (by institutions such as the United States military!) accurate information about Wicca remains to find.

The tone of this book is open-minded, Lankford is able to empathize with his readers own path. He is an advanced witch but does not forget that potential readers and readers are entering with a dearth of information about this religion. Pulling rank on them would have been easy but he is instead empathetic to their own journey towards acceptance of friends, family, and themselves.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book for those who want to know about Wicca, April 13, 2005

By 

Samantha Jackson (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wicca Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners, Family and Friends (Paperback)

Oh my, this is the book about Wicca that I've been waiting for. I have been Wiccan for twenty years and I have needed this book for at least the last fifteen. Finally, I have a book that I would be willing to hand to my mother or co-workers without having to apologize for some of the things it says. This book gives you an honest look at what Wicca is and why people choose to be Wiccan without trying to convert you or make you run screaming. For Christians this book gives you an insight into the Wiccan world, helping you understand why someone would choose to be Wiccan, while letting you interpret the information for yourself and draw your own conclusions. For Wiccans this book is the best resource I've found for helping others understand our beliefs. It gives a great description of all the basic Wiccan beliefs and misconceptions as well as delving into the types of questions people ask us about our religion.

I didn't agree with everything in this book but Mr. Lankford went out of his way to tell people he doesn't expect everyone to agree with everything he says. However, the things I disagreed with challenged me to examine my own beliefs, deepening my own connection to spirit. It's like your having a conversation with the author where he seems to say, "This is how I see the world, now how do you see it."

This is the best and most helpful Wiccan book that I have seen in years. It is insightful, humorous and fun to read. I bought this book on my way home from work and thought I would read the introduction at bedtime, but when I looked up again it was 2:00 in the morning. Not only do you need this book, you will want several copies so you can loan it to friends or donate a copy to the library.