Customer Reviews

The Wiccan Way: Magical Spirituality for the Solitary Pagan

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The UK version is called the Hedge Witch's Way, which I think is a much more appropriate title for this book, and Rae Beth's version of magic. It is not 'Wicca' as an American audience might understand it, but at the very root, nature based religion. That caveat aside, this is a wonderful and gentle text for really deepening one's bond with divinity. She doesn't offer the usual love spells and magical correspondences--you can find them almost anywhere, probably on line at this point. What she does offer is a system of contemplation in service of harmony. Her meditations and prayers really resonated with me--they may not with everyone. I've always been a tad uncomfortable about the Wicca 101 "and now you pick a pantheon!" thing, and her version, which uses just the Goddess and God, spoke very deeply to me. This book almost singlehandedly revived my faith in authors of witchcraft books--that it's not all teen-witch, sexy sorceress nonsense, but a serious *religion*.

I have been studying, living, practicing the Craft since 1996. Cerimonial(spelling?) ritual has never been my thing, the Hedge Witch's Way is far more in sink with flowing energy the way I enjoy and find effective in ritual practice/spell work and experencing the spiritual side of the craft. The renaming of the book for USA public creates confusion, the title should have been left the original. Just because this is not heavy on formal rituals does not mean it does not work or is not real witchcraft. If you actually check her research and sorces you will find a wealth of inspiration and information. The best thing about this book is that it is so diferent than the tipical 101 book in that it really shares ideas that are not in every other book on the market. IT does have alot of the basics like the sabbats and such, but it gives more. Anyway give some of the ideas and methods a try before you judge. Peaceful Shadows, Cloe

This Book seriously re-invents the regressive image of wiccan wicthcraft, as a novice to the field I found the simple concept of the world tree or the 'tree of life' allowed me to engage with the idea of prayer and worldly other beings far easier then I ever initially thought was possible.
Who we're praying to gave me the opportunity to investigate the idea that it is not just one being we ask for guidence but an array of magical consultants who we may ask for help, for me a self confessed beginner I found the chapters of prayer in different areas in life helpful and gave me a sense of control that as another being on this planet I am no longer alone.thank you Rae Beth for your kind help.

I like how the author explain certain rites and prayers, including the explanations of why things are done. Of course, like any book on the subject, not everything "clicked" wtih me but it certainly represents the Path I've chosen to follow.

Ok. I don't normally preach negativity ... certainly not about people's beliefs. I fear I must make an exception in this case.

If you are thinking about buying this book ... please, please, please look elsewhere.

Ms. Beth's gobbledeegook includes such great things such as Faerie Realms, winged mermaids, wildwood mystics, great elfs and 'space' familiars (yes, 'space' familiars ... meaning spirits who come from other planets to help you.)

This book reads like a Mad Magazine parody of Wicca. She makes assertions that certain things are true and follows it up with ... well, nothing.

While her system of wildwood mysticism is certainly not negative or dangerous, I question its foundations, which seem to be based in the material contained in a Dungeons & Dragons DM guide.

There are plenty of other books out there that will give a more reasonable approach to Wicca. Don't think for one minute that this lady presents Wicca in any traditional sense.

I thought Silver Ravenwolf was kinda bad. This lady should write for "Charmed."

Now close this page and keep looking. You'll appreciate not buying this one. If you're still interested in it, try your library. Save your money.

//Figinn@verizon.net