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Home > Books & Reviews > Pagan > Thorsons Way of Wicca Search

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Book Review:
Thorsons Way of Wicca

0007110227
Author: Vivian Crowley
Trade Paperback, 186 pages
Publisher: Thorsons
Publication date: 2001
List: US$12.95, C$17.50
ISBN: 0007110227
Price & More Info: Click Here


 

This book is one in a series of books published by Thorsons with the intent of providing an overview of a particular topic. This book, by an acknowledged authority in the field of Wicca is short enough not to be tedious; long enough not to be superficial; and thorough enough to cover all the essentials.

Although I understand the rationale behind it, I personally have a problem with her statement (on page 38): "Ideally Witches celebrate their festivals on the correct date, but there is flexibility here. If the correct day is impractical we can have our celebrations as near the date as possible." Personally, I find that there is far too much allowance for personal convenience in the Craft today. If something is inconvenient, don't make a sacrifice, just change it. One should be willing to put some effort into religious observances. Our Sabbats only come eight times a year, surely that isn't too often to make an effort for.

Like most authors on the subject of Wicca and magick, she repeats the axiom that everything we do returns to us threefold. She follows that up with the statement that the universe seeks equilibrium. Those are apparently contradictory statements - three-for-one is not equilibrium. If, however, you see three-for-one as reflecting physical, mental, and spiritual results, then the equation actually works, since magick (and indeed all actions) affect all three levels of our lives, both going out and coming back.

Throughout the book, Ms. Crowley provides thought-provoking insights not only for the inexperienced seeker but also for the more jaded "old-timers." While many of these are in a mainstream vein, some of them are quite unusual in a book which is intended to be read by those who have not committed to following the Wiccan path. Even after 30+ years of studying, experimenting, and living as a Wiccan, I found things which caused me to pause and rethink some of my positions.

Ms. Crowley takes the time to remind her readers that, although the Craft, as practiced by the majority, originated in the Northern Hemisphere (Western Europe, specifically), it is now practiced world-wide, and adaptations should be made as needed. If the reader lives in the Southern Hemisphere, dates must be transposed. If the local ecosystem differs from that normally assumed (warmer or colder, for example), seasonal images may need to be altered. If you live on the East Coast of the United States, does it make sense to change the association of the East with Air and the West with Water? These changes must be considered by the individuals involved, not by some "authority."

Reviewed by Mike Gleason


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