Wicca: The Old Religion In the New Millennium [Paperback]

Vivianne Crowley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1996

At last, a really thorough and authoritative exposition of present day coven witchcraft...--Quest

Editorial Reviews

Review

Endorsements: 'This book is an excellent introduction to the modern practices and beliefs of the revived Craft and can be thoroughly recommended.' PREDICTION 'At last, a really thorough and authoritative exposition of present day coven witchcraft' QUEST

From the Publisher

Explains "the way of the witch,'' the path to self-discovery, showing how Wicca--rapidly regaining its former popularity--has real relevance in today's world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 257 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd.; Revised edition (January 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0722532717
• ISBN-13: 978-0722532713
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Few I've Bothered to Read Twice, April 2, 2001

By 

Elderbear (Loma Linda, Aztlan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wicca: The Old Religion In the New Millennium (Paperback)

I have more books on the Craft than any sane person would keep. The useless ones I get rid of. This is one of the few I've actually read more than once. It contains quality material and makes an excellent first or second book for somebody new to the Craft.

Vivianne takes Wiccan tradition seriously, and doesn't cheapen it by making wild & unsubstantiated claims. She introduces her own material and names it as such. This book is complete. Rituals, directions, poems & liturgy. Everything you need but a coven, a calling and a connecttion to the Goddess.

Not only does this book describe Wiccan practice, but it describes it in sociological, historical, and psychological context, too. It is an example of applied Jungian theory. She uses the psychology of Carl Jung to explain the sense behind magic and Craft rituals. She bats around phrases like "Our Gods are the archetypal forces which inhabit the collective unconscious." To the question of "Are the forms of the Gods 'real'?" she answers first with a quote of Jung "they are images of contents which for the most part transcend consciousness." and then adds "what lies beyond the images is a divine reality ... true experessions of the nature of the divine translated into human terms."

This book contains a great deal of Craft practice, along with solid, original thought. Index, footnotes, a bibliography and a glossary round it out. A magnificent effort--more than earns its five stars! Every Witch ought to have read this book at least once!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars easily one of the better and most informative books on Wicca, July 29, 2000

By 

J. K. Kelley "literary mercenary" (Eastern WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicca: The Old Religion In the New Millennium (Paperback)

I first read this some time ago when investigating Wicca. I still think it's one of the most candid and accessible reads for the newcomer to the topic. Given the number of not-so-good, me-too books out there on the topic that we saw published in the 90s, it stands out even more.

Its strengths are a matter-of-fact style, a balanced and pretty unbiased portrayal that doesn't try to make a political statement, and the large volume of information it offers. It is a sophisticated book that talks a lot about history, about initiatory experience, and about perceptions of divinity. The only flaw I can readily find is that it is a bit dry; just as its cover doesn't look like Tinker Bell, neither is the style. I can hardly mark Crowley down for this, but it's worth mentioning because it could affect the reader's interest.

Will appeal most strongly to the serious seeker with mature tastes in reading who is looking to be informed rather than entertained.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended-- even for non-Wiccans, November 18, 2001

By 

Jeffrey "Marvelous Marvelite" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicca: The Old Religion In the New Millennium (Paperback)

In a word, this is the best book I have read on "New Age" sprituality. Despite its title, the book is not limited to discussions of Wicca-- rather, it extends its very intelligent discussion of Western paganism in general, and even touches briefly on some elements of eastern religion. I am not Wiccan-- rather, I am a kind of amorphous pagan, with spirtuality but no fixed beliefs and no formalized rituals. When I read a book about spirituality, I tend to accept some ideas and throw out others. Most "New Age" books never seem to answer my favorite question: "*Why*". Instead, they seem to favor unquestioning memorization and rituals, which I despise. Ms. Crowley's book goes farther than any other book I have read to explain the "Why" and "What" of neo-paganism. It offers a brief history of Wicca, which is interesting-- but it really starts to shine when it discusses things like the male and female aspects of spirituality. She brings a refreshing Jungian approach to the discussion, too, which makes the material much more accessible for someone who has not bought into any particular named religion. Too often New Age books assume that the reader believes as the writer does, but Ms. Crowley does not make that mistake.

I would recommaned this book for *anyone* interested in learning about Wicca, pagan spirtuality, or even their own beliefs-- be they Christian, Jewish, Wiccan, Druid, Asatru, or floaties like me. The points raised are good and well-made, which makes the book a joy to read. Thumbs and big toes up!