Wicca Demystified: A Guide for Practitioners, Family and Friends (Paperback)

by Bryan Lankford (Author) "The best place to start with any explanation is at the beginning, and the beginning of Wicca dates far back into antiquity..." (more)
Key Phrases: word witch, solitary practitioner, ritual area, Wiccan Rede, United States, Catholic Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What is Wicca? How is it practiced? What do Wiccans worship?

Wicca is one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the world, yet with its rise has come a torrent of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and untruths about what Wiccans do and believe. Wicca Demystified alleviates all confusion by offering a clear guide for everyone curious about this much talked-about religion—whether you are considering becoming Wiccan or a family member, friend, or colleague of someone who is Wiccan. Wiccan High Priest Bryan Lankford explains the background, beliefs, and practices of Wicca in two accessible sections—one focusing on a basic understanding and one full of answers to deeper questions. The comprehensive topics he covers include:

• Why Wiccans worship a Goddess as well as a God

• Witch stereotypes and nasty rumors about Wiccans

• Wiccan holidays and how they are celebrated

• The roles of nature and magick within the Wiccan faith

• How Wiccans view birth, death, and the meaning of life

• Ethics from a Wiccan perspective

Wicca Demystified goes beyond the simple mechanics of Wiccan worship to provide a glimpse into the heart and soul of the religion.

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: Da Capo Press (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569243808
• ISBN-13: 978-1569243800
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #878,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 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)

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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, June 1, 2005

By	Monica Granath (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bryan Lankford has given us a gem. "Wicca Demystified" is a well-written, insightful and very reader-friendly book. It explains the religion of Wicca in a very down-to-earth and straightforward manner minus all the hype and sensationalism all too often present in many books on the subject. This is a book I would be proud to give my friends and family who wanted to understand what Wicca is all about.