This video, The Mysteries, expands greatly on the deeper spiritual beliefs associated with the Craft and speaks of the importance of myth as a basis for ritual and spiritual development.
I am consistently amazed at how evolved the philosophies of these witches are from some of their earlier writings
We do not refer to ourselves as any tradition, says Janet Farrar. There has been too much bickering in the community as to what way is the right way. We just call ourselves witches, and you don t even have to do that.
Janet Farrar is an engaging speaker. She lectures on several subjects in this video as in the last, such as coven structure and degree systems, the Great Rite, the burning times and witch persecution today, as well as speaking on the effort required to truly live the Craft lifestyle. She has an uncanny ability to end her talks with a driving point that each time would leave me excited and motivated and moved.
Gavin Bone goes into interesting detail on the origins of the Book of Shadows and some history of Gerald Gardner. We are given some glimpses of their own Book of Shadows. Gavin further emphasizes the idea that, for the Craft to grow, what is irrelevant should be taken out and new ideas allowed to come in.
The editing of this video is a bit choppy, like the last, and I would like to see that polished up. But there are evocative mood segments that show Janet walking about in moonlight, while Stewart recites some of the common core myths relevant to the Craft, telling us of the Goddess descent into the underworld. The images and the words, coupled with my own knowledge of the tales, left me greatly moved.
This video is also a bit shorter than the first, at about 60 minutes, which allows for one to absorb the information more comfortably.
Finally, they share with us a Drawing Down of the Moon ritual and Five-fold Kiss, which left me bursting, because the love and the energy are there, even in just watching this video. I thought to myself, This is so beautiful, and I felt pride that Craft rituals are so beautiful and so interpersonally affirming.
I highly recommend this video. The use of the video medium to bring these great teachers into your own home is a remarkable option we can enjoy in our times. I look forward with great interest to the following videos in the series.
The video is by So This Films, available at Celtic Marketplace for $24.95 plus $3.50 shipping, on the Web at http://www.sothisfilms.com or write Celtic Market Place, P.O. Box 729, Pismo Beach, CA 93448; fax (805) 474-1414.
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