review
by BlackCat
At a time when "Wicca for beginners" books are about as common at bookstores as tabloids are at the supermarket, finally a fresh perspective is published. Wiccan Warrior: Walking a Spiritual Path in a Sometimes Hostile World, by Kerr Cuhulain (Llewellyn; ISBN: 1-56718-252-6) offers the reader a creative examination of Wiccan philosophy. Inspired by the archetypal image of the "warrior," the reader is encouraged to live life in an empowered, peaceful and responsible way, reminiscent of Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior.
The author, Kerr Cuhulain, is currently a police officer in Vancouver, BC, and also author of The Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca (Horned Owl; ISBN: 096960663X). His educational outreach efforts have led him to lecture all across North America.
Wiccan Warrior is divided into two sections. The first offers philosophical principles, and the second offers specific suggestions for applying those principles. Each chapter details a different aspect of the warrior archetype and how these aspects may be applied in everyday life. In the chapter "The Balanced Warrior," the reader explores the interconnectedness of life. In the chapter "The Rational Warrior," the author goes to great lengths emphasizing the need to avoid fundamentalism.
Throughout the book are many insightful quotes. The author takes concepts drawn from Eastern philosophies such as Zen Buddhism and Confucianism and expertly weaves them together with Wiccan philosophy into a cohesive whole. He draws clear correlations between the Asian martial arts and modern Wiccan ritual symbolism. This is an approach to Wiccan philosophy that seems to work well, emphasizing bravery and personal responsibility.
Kerr Cuhulain offers a welcome realism when he writes about his personal experiences from his career in law enforcement. He is not shy to point out how idealism and abstract concepts can lead to irresponsible behavior.
Kerr Cuhulain is particularly critical when, in the chapter "The Balanced Warrior," he writes, "Power isn't something that you own; it's something that you achieve. (Some Wiccans) don't like people like me questioning what they've accepted as "gospel" up to now. It threatens their illusions of personal power. Many traditions of Wicca include rules and ordains demanding secrecy in their Book of Shadows...More than once I have heard people using excuses like these to justify their inability to explain something to a novice. When you take a course at a college or university, they give you the textbooks with all the course information in them... at any time you can flip ahead through the pages to see what comes next."
He refers to some Wiccan groups that adhere to the original publications of Gerald Gardner as "old guard" and implies that such beliefs are used for personal power over others. He goes to great lengths disproving the alleged ancient origins of Wicca and demonstrates that Gardner used modern sources when writing.
In my opinion, Kerr Cuhulain fails to acknowledge the inherit validity of Gardnerian traditions. His arguments seem to be based on a false assumption that anyone who is a member of such a tradition would only be so as if they were blind to the modern origins of the teachings or susceptible to manipulation. He does approach Gardnarian writings in a respectful way and does acknowledge the benefit of Gerald Gardner's creative spirit.
I found it amusing that Kerr Cuhulain himself often quotes and refers to teachings presented in Carlos Castenada's The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaquis Way of Knowledge. Since Castenada's death, there has been much written demonstrating that, like Gardner, Castenada drew on modern sources and the creative spirit when writing.
Many useful anecdotes sprinkle the text to illustrate the concepts presented. In some ways, Kerr Cuhulain compiles wisdom from modern and ancient philosophers and puts a Wicca face on it. In so doing, he arrives at one of the most creative "for beginners" books I have read in years. The book stands as an insightful read for the seasoned practitioner as well. He lends energy to a subject not often discussed in popular magickal literature. Wiccan Warrior: Walking a Spiritual Path in a Sometimes Hostile World is a welcome addition to any spiritually conscious reader's bookshelf.
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