Cat's Books

A Gem for Pagans & Non-Pagans alike

While both Witchcraft-focused and American, this little gem of an anthology may well be of interest to those just finding their feet in paganism of all stripes anywhere in the world, being a selection of very honest and heartfelt mini-tales of how fifty very different individuals found their way to pagan spirituality in very different circumstances.

Yes, some of the tales could easily be marked as ‘fluffy’ (the movie ‘The Craft’ gets an inevitable mention!), but to disregard the book as such is misunderstanding its purpose. Each story IS very different. Each person is unique, and in several cases very brave in telling their story. It’s not all ‘I wanted to be a witch in college so bought myself a ton of black clothes and silver jewellery’. Some participants are teenagers – and tell of the problems they have had being ‘out’ as pagan in very traditionl Christian environments. Some are mature adults, parents from ‘Muggle’ families. Some are dealing with issues of life and death. Some just try to explain what it’s like coming to understand the joy they feel from standing outside to watch the sun rise.

This book contributes by telling the myriad different ways that finding your faith inspires, and fuels lives in a positive way. It isn’t ‘enlightenment’, it’s living truthfully and honestly, with all the mistakes and pitfalls along the way – and picking yourself up to keep going. It’s easy to dip in and out of, to witness different perspectives but also to remind us that we were all beginners once. And I’m sure Muggle friends and family would get something out of it too, if only an understanding of the wondrous variety there is out there!

Not just for Wiccans, a valuable text for pastoral pagans

Kevin M Gardner appears to be working virtually alone, fulfilling a valuable need in the Pagan community. He has written several books now that go far beyond the usual ‘Wicca 101′ shelf, delving instead into the pastoral needs of those acting publicly as clergy within the Wiccan and Pagan community.

While a lot of pagan literature insists that we are all our own priests and priestesses, that is admittedly only good so far as we are ministering only to ourselves. When the time comes to strap on the big robes and get into the community, it’s a very different scenario. This is where Mr Gardner’s books come in.

Although to my mind it is unlikely that any of us would be an effective priest ‘out there’ in the world without having some specialist contacts, Elders or other teachers to call on, this book does not claim to act as substitute. It is a ‘Guide’, a helping hand when the pressure to fulfil a role becomes too great, especially for those taking their first steps into the public eye. There are many similar books of support for the Pastoral community of other faiths, but while Druidry encourages independence, sometimes you need a bit of backup to be reassured that others have trod this ground before and survived!

Although the perspective here is (obviously) Wiccan, the advice is sound and heartfelt: LISTEN to your community, understand the value of patience, learn what is needed to truly heal. Some in fact reminded me of Granny Weatherwax’s advice in Terry Pratchett’s marvellous novels – the practical foundation beneath the cosmic wand-waving.

If you’re out there doing it, I commend you for your bravery. But you could do a lot worse than taking this brick along as part of your own foundation.

Not just Wiccan, useful rites and myths to work with

As with his other work, Kevin M Gardner has provided another ‘Advanced Wicca’ manual for those stepping into the shoes of pagan clergy.

While obviously Wicca focused (particularly in the rituals), this pocket-sized book provides a good deal of food for thought for other publicly-practising pagans. The Rites of Passage are sound and inspiring, the meditation and deity work is solid.

But where the book shone for me is the work with mythology, taking various legends and probing deeper – a technique that is perhaps not-too-surprisingly powerful, taking ancient but long-lived archetypes to teach us what universal wisdoms they hold. I imagine these would make for some memorial rites, inspiring the priest to move further and deeper into a story (with private Grove or seasonal public work) on a basis familiar to most (if not all) of their audience.

Do not be put off by the ‘Wiccan’ focus (nor the slightly uneven editing – a hazard of many small publishers!). Take the ideas and be inspired as the authors leads you further down a path that is not the easiest… but he certainly makes a good guide.