A friend of my Significant Other's sister was here from Holland for a visit recently. She teaches Tarot and the like and has a burning curiosity to learn about the Craft, even though books on the subject are banned in the Netherlands. One look at Amber Wolfe's latest, Elemental Power: Celtic Faerie Craft and Druidic Magick, and off to the bookstore we went to get Kyra a copy she could take home and share with her students.
Out of all of the newer books in my library, I asked Kyra why she chose this particular volume to purchase for use in a class. She summed it up quite succinctly when she said that for her, personally, it was worth the purchase because the author packs so much information into one book (lets not forget the suitcase/poundage issue we were dealing with here). For her students, it is going to be the guide from which they will acquire a basic knowledge and be able to advance to a higher lever if they choose, by practicing the exercises listed within.
Amber has always been one of my favorite authors. The very first time I read Shadow of the Shaman, I was hooked. Her following works were also well read and received, but Elemental Power returns to the successful format of Shaman; the structure of the chapters followed by exercises at the end of each can either be used in the order in which they are presented in the book, or as stand-alone mini-courses to get yourself in touch with the selected elemental forces.
There is only one downfall to this book as far as I can see. As of late, I have noticed a bit of laziness creeping into our beloved Craft. Lots of seekers are mistaking laziness for intellectualism, i.e., one cannot just read about a topic without ever practicing at their chosen subject and still become proficient at it. If you fall into this category, stop right here. Elemental Power is chock full of exercises to bring one into accord with the chosen energy. For example, take the Earth Basic Breathing Exercise. Although the instruction is a mere two and one half pages long, the implementation of the exercise can take quite some time to master. Think about it: how many times a day do you actually think about your breathing? I found this to be a personally useful exercise since I am also a student of Yoga, of which breath is an essential part. Amber, in short, is a very smart lady. These exercises are presented in such a way that it is not a far stretch for the mind to associate these "elementally-themed exercises" with something else in your everyday life.
There are plenty of topics covered in this book. One can become more adept at embracing and utilizing the Elemental Powers discussed within in several ways. Attuning with elemental imagery, evocation of the elemental allies, archetypes., elemental attributes and so on are all discussed from a Celtic standpoint. I was particularly pleased to see Amber deal with the subject matter of the first three chapters, The Mystical Connection, Druidism and Tuatha de Danaan, rather than simply cutting to the chase as so many of today's books do. The last three chapters are wonderful by themselves, and as Kyra pointed out, an entire class could be taught just from their subject matter alone. Celtic Quest: Crafting the Keys to the Realm, Dragons of Tara: Taking Flight and The Wyrd: Earth Laws and Craft should be of interest even to those among us who have been students of the Craft of the Wise for some time.
Elemental Power: Celtic Faerie Craft and Druidic Magick comes very highly recommended from both sides of the Atlantic. And, if book sales are any indication of how much everyone seems to be enjoying this book - it took Kyra and me four bookstore stops until we finally found a copy she could call her own to take back to the Netherlands with her.
Celtic Tree Mysteries: Secrets of the Ogham
by Steve Blamires
1997 Llewellyn Publishers 278 pages Small Format $14.95 US
Appendix, Glossary, Bibliography, Discography, Journals and Societies
and ndex (whew!)
OK, I have a confession to make. This is not a topic on which I am very well versed. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I picked up a book on this subject.
Celtic Tree Mysteries: Secrets of the Ogham is a book which should be read only if one has the burning desire to become somewhat intellectual about the Ogham. The volume is divided into Three sections, the First covering exactly what the Ogham is, the tree calendar and the development of the Tree Ogham. Part Two discusses the trees themselves and the Third section is dedicated to the combinations of trees as well as those not listed.
As I went over the first section of the book, all of my teachings on the Ogham came swimming back. There is a thorough, if quite lengthy, discussion of the origin of the Ogham, the different letters, etc. By the time I made it half way through the second chapter, I realized why I was ready for bed at 6:30 p.m. This book reads like one of my old college texts. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but the style of writing is not an attention holder either. After the first section, I have to admit I just glanced at the Second which is a compilation of the trees and their attributes. The Physical, Mental and Spiritual level of each of the trees is touched upon, albeit somewhat dryly. "The ash can grow to one-hundred-thirty feet high, and is the largest tree we have encountered so far. It has smooth, greenish-gray bark, which starts to crack and open as the tree gets older. Its branches are long and widely spaced…". Yawn. (From the second section on Mental Level) "From descriptions in the legends of archeological finds, we know that the Celts preferred ash for making spear shafts, because it grows long and straight…".) Big yawn, time to make coffee.
I really shouldn't be so hard on this book. For those of you who are heavy into Ogham, this will most likely fascinate you no end. Mr. Blamires is so incredibly afraid to leave out any detail that I can picture him as I sit here: Felix Unger with a bunch of sticks. Seriously, it took me about half of this book before I realized what was wrong. My perception. Llewellyn is marketing this volume as a "You have just entered the enchanted forest of the Celtic Green World…" book instead of what it really is: a highly intellectualized discussion of an ancient alphabet/divination method. Don't expect this to be something out of the Llewellyn How To series. This is more along the lines of The Isle of Avalon: Sacred Mysteries of Arthur and Glastonbury Tor which comes out of Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom Series. Although Celtic Tree Mysteries is a part of that series as well, the cover design and back cover blurb would never lead one to believe so.
So take Celtic Tree Mysteries: Secrets of the Ogham for what it is…an intellectual discussion on nearly every aspect of the Ogham. With that in mind, I bet you will enjoy this book.
Inside a Witch's Coven
by Edain McCoy
1997 Llewellyn Publishers 206 Pages Small Format $9.95 US
Appendix, Index
Kyra is from the Netherlands. Kyra came to stay with us for two weeks here in America this past May. I knew that she had an interest in the occult. What I did not know is that in the Netherlands, we are still persecuted and books on our beloved Wicca are simply not sold.
For poor Kyra, Inside a Witch's Coven was like a drink of water to a woman dying of thirst. It must be for everyone else as well, since I had to special order a copy for her to take back to Holland. This book is the new, quintessential how-to manual for finding a Coven you are comfortable with or starting up your own. Unlike Ray Buckland's Blue, this volume does not try to instruct in the ways of the Craft, it is simply a guideline for structuring a group. For example, between the covers of Inside a Witch's Coven one will find a discussion of the reasons for working healing magick, the structure for working the spells, and the ethics surrounding such spells, but this book is not a collection of ritual. Sure, Edain gives examples of workings from her own experience. But nowhere in the book does she give a list of rituals on "how to do a healing." Get the idea?
There are 11 chapters in this volume of which there are four that should be required reading for anyone who fancies themselves even remotely interested in Witchcraft. The Sensible Way to Join or Create a Coven starts straight away with a discussion of the problems faced when working with others (sad, that there is a need to discuss the problems before the joys, is it not?). Inter-coven Networking and Witch Wars - I bet we all know a few individuals we would just love to send photocopies of this chapter to! Teaching Secrets and Secret Teachings even touches upon taking on close friends for year-and-one-day studies. Resolving Conflicts and Parting Ways - something along these lines should be pre-requisite memorization material before one can begin year and a day, and which should be a pop quiz at least twice per month in everyone's coven career.
Another positive feature of this book is the Appendix which lists various ways of Networking. Periodicals, National and International Organizations, Organizations that Foster Pagan Contacts and tips on making Techno-Contacts are all covered (gotta love the Net! That's how I found Widdershins!).
Inside a Witch's Coven is truly on target for those who are just dying for contact. If you cannot make some sort of headway into contact with those of "like mind" after reading Edain's latest, then there is something seriously wrong.
What else can I say? Buy it, study it, practice what you read. For those who want to start a coven, go for it! I know for a fact that there is a newly structured group springing up in the northern part of the Netherlands as we speak. The guidelines are here, right now, at your fingertips! And all those I know who have read the book strongly agree that if more individuals were conscious of the topics discussed within, then intelligent choices about working solitary could be made rather than forced upon a certain segment of the population.
Painless Astrology: A Simple and Fun Guide to Natal Chart Interpretation
by Rev. Paul Beyerl.
review by Ginger Parenteau
Well, all I can say is thank the Goddess for Virgos! Rev. Beyerl, self described "very Virgo'' kind of guy, has put together a charming and accessible collection of beginner astrological lore. I would certainly recommend this book for anyone new to astrology who wanted a firm foundation of basic knowledge. Paul takes the reader through the basics, step by step, and clearly explains the ins and outs of natal chart interpretation. This is the book you will find yourself going back to again and again as you get these basic skills down. A simple read through won't have you getting hundreds of dollars for readings and Paul does point out that experience is the best teacher. You will, however, have all the skills to start acquiring that experience and empowerment through understanding yourself and your world using the ancient art and science of Astrology.
If you don't find this book at your local metaphysical bookstore, order direct from The Hermit's Grove, P.O. Box 0691, Kirkland, WA, 98083-0691.
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