Return to Cauldron Home Page

Please donate now to pay our monthly server fees:
Donate to The Cauldron
[More Info]

Community Menu
Community Home

Message Board
Board Home
Board Rules
Board Extras:
   Arcade
   Calendar
   Links

CauldronMUX [Client]
Sister Forums:
   Asatru Lore

Menu

Home
Site Info & Rules
Site Archives
Volunteers Needed
Advertise Here

Pagan Supplies
Buy Pagan Books
Buy Pagan Supplies

Books & Media
Books Home
Games Home
Music: Free | Pagan
Online Books
Pagan Book Browser
Reviews:
   Academic Books
   Divination Decks
   Fiction Books
   Pagan Books
   Speculative Books
   DVD & Videotape
Submit Review

Pagan Features
Article Library
Auctions
Chat Log Index
File Library
Humor
Lessons
Pagan Holidays
Pagan Primer
Pagan Rituals
Pagan Supplies
Pagan Youth
Polls
Reconstructionism
Spell Grimoire [Blog]
Web Resources

Pagan Living
Cauldron Cookbook
Take Political Action

Newsletter
Back Issues
Subscribe

Other Features
eCauldronMail
Greeting Cards
Syndicated Articles
World News/Opinion

Shopping
Cheap Web Hosting
Doxy's Bazaar
Witchcraft Course
Zazzle

Old Indexes
Article Index
Webcrafting Index

Network Sites
Cauldron and Candle
Cauldron's Grimoire
RetroRoleplaying
RetroRoleplaying: The Blog
Software Gadgets
The Terran Empire

Site Search
Google
Entire Web
The Cauldron

Member - Pagan Forum Alliance
Charter Member

Get Firefox! While this web site is designed to work in all major browsers, we recommend Firefox.

This site hosted on
a Linode VPS
Formerly hosted by

Why Use Dreamhost?

Site copyright
© 1998-2009
by Randall

Home > Books & Reviews > Pagan > Wiccan Spirituality Search

Order from Amazon.com
Buying books via our Amazon.com links helps support The Cauldron.
Book Review:
Wiccan Spirituality: A System of Wiccan Spirituality and Magic for the 21st Century

0953663167
Author: Kevin Saunders
Trade Paperback, 208 pages
Publisher: Green Magic
Publication date: 2002
List: US$16.95
ISBN: 0953663167
Price & More Info: Click Here


 
Kevin Saunders presents, in this book, an introduction to, and an overview of witchcraft and Wicca as they move into the 21st Century (if you accept the split between the two terms). His work has been well-received by witches and pagans in Britain and should find such acceptance here in the U.S., even though some of views may seem slightly anachronistic.

His is not a dogmatic approach. He knows the value of modifying the basics provided by Gardnerian and Alexandrian training to make them relevant to your individual needs. He quotes from "traditional" Books of Shadows, without demanding slavish adherence to the written text. His attitudes, however, are very much those in vogue amongst British Traditionalists at the time I got involved in my study of the Craft 30+ years ago: covens should be composed of approximately equal numbers of males and females; cowans (outsiders) should only be permitted at celebratory Circle, not ones working magick; and that one should advance through a degree system. Such attitudes will probably not sit well with many of today's eclectics, who may feel a total disregard for the established traditions.

Several of his attitudes have become anachronistic, but as they form part of "traditional" lore, they deserve to be passed along. As always, when it comes to determining what is "right" or "wrong", it is up to the individual to decide.

He provides lots of basic information in a format which allows it to be pieced together like building blocks to form a variety of rituals (an excellent idea for the newbie who is still unsure of his/her ability to write an effective ritual) while encouraging the reader to tinker with the wording to find what feels comfortable. Using the format he supplies will make sure that essentials are not forgotten, while the use of personal working will tailor the ritual to the individual. Unlike many "101" books, he dispenses with the archaic wording and spelling, opting for clearer understanding and ease of working.

This is not a Book of Shadows, although the information contained in it can certainly serve as a good foundation for one. He goes into enough detail on the Sabbat rituals that even a relative new-comer can feel comfortable putting one together.

The appendices are not very extensive, being simply a few Celtic gods and goddesses, some basic correspondences, and names given to the lunar months.

I do not like the bibliography format, but that is a matter of personal preference, and shouldn't weigh heavily in deciding the value of the book.

Overall, I found the book to be informative and useful, especially for those unfamiliar with the British Traditional Wicca forms. If you are looking for a good overview of the topic, this book is a good place to start.

Reviewed by Mike Gleason


Top | Home | Message Board | Site Info & Rules | Report Site Problems
Thanks to Cauldron Sponsors
(Sponsor The Cauldron!)

Cheap Web Hosting Report | Pagan & Magick Supplies
Witchcraft Course
Download Hundreds of Magic Spells