This book should be required reading for any liturgist no matter what their religious tradition. It contains a LOT of practical advice about planning and preparation. I ran across several “well duh” moments while reading it. For example, going to the site of an outdoor ritual before it starts to clear the site of anything that might cause someone to stumble or trip. While anyone who performs or holds rituals outdoors regularly would know this, someone just starting out might not. Or thinking about the type of movement needed to reach a larger audience vs. a smaller one (the larger the group, the larger the movements!).
Some readers may balk at Bonewits’ comparison of ceremonial rites with dramatic performance, but there are many similarities when it comes to movement, vocalization, use of music, etc. If it makes your liturgy more effective, why not think about it? Others may not agree with his theology or his theories. However, you don’t have to agree with his theology or his theories in order to learn from his book. In fact, looking at where you disagree and examining why could help you clarify your own theology and theories.
While most of Bonewits’ advice is aimed at liturgists for larger groups, there is plenty of information for those of us who work with smaller groups.
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