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Title: Progressive Witchcraft: Spirituality, Mysteries, and Training in Modern Wicca by Janet Farrar, Gavin Bone ISBN: 1-56414-719-3 Publisher: New Page Books Pub. Date: January, 2004 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.07 (15 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: And now for something completely different...
Comment: Offered here by 'Janet and Gavin' is an insider's look at the progression of Wicca over the past 50 years and a glimpse into their private workings and teachings and some visions of where Wicca will be headed from here on forward.
The first part of the book deals with their view of how Wicca as a religion was founded, became established as it is today, how it has evolved and how it related directly to the Farrar's as they saw it.
The next part of the book discusses the evolution of the religion of Wicca, the constant process of change and maturity. There is much discussion of the discovery process of Gavin Bone on his path and of Janet's progression along her own.
There is the process of teaching the Wiccan path by their own group, discussion of the mysteries and their experiences and their validation process. Ethics, comparative religion discussions, different aspects of the Wiccan path such as the spiritual planes, magic and witchcraft, reincarnation; all are discussed in connection with personal experiences and the process of Wicca to constantly change to meet the spiritual needs of the individual.
This book is not just a discussion of the personal experiences of Janet and Gavin, however, but offers a view into how they taught their path in the past, and how they teach now. The example of the evolution of the 'degree' system into a system of dedication to Deity and discovery of the various aspects of the Triple Goddess was interesting in that it is not confined to their particular path alone, but has been in use in other Traditions as well. There are many points discussed that were once engraved in stone that now have been re-etched to allow for a much broader and deeper personal meaning.
This is revolutionary thought for two people who have stood for Traditional Witchcraft in the past. But if you follow their thought processes, and examine the reasoning behind what they are doing, you see that they are following a natural progression of maturing within the religion, and not a complete diversion or a deterioration of the original inspired idea.
There are points that will cause some to balk. There is material that some hard core traditionalists will find hard to swallow. There are points that I personally did not agree with, but that is to be expected. No two people see the same thing or agree upon the same ideas. For example, Janet's statement regarding the 'King or Queen' of the witches "What replaced it was not one, but multiple leaders who have surfaced within the community. ...Instead of one, there are now many leaders of the movement to reestablish witchcraft - mostly, but not exclusively, authors." And they go on to name those who they feel deserve the title. Personally, I feel this is not the case in many instances, but that it is a perceived notion rather than actual fact. There are many leaders of communities I've met here that have never written a book, have no intention to, and yet strive for the best for the communities they work in. They work quietly, and would go mostly unnoticed except for the people within their communities who noticed them well and acknowledge them as leaders. Not everyone sees authors as leaders.
For teachers, there are many ideas in this book that are presented as food for thought to broaden the mindset of any group. There are many good ideas; there are many new concepts and approaches to group construction, group working and individual development here that make it a book worth having.
As in all things, this is a book from the perspective of Jane and Gavin and will not be suitable or accepted by all. Because of the nature of the material, the excellent examples of personal revelation and experience, and the knowledge base from which much of the material flows, it does stretch the mind a bit. There are one or two blatant errors. But it steps beyond the usual 101 material and progresses to the next level, taking the basics we have learned, and taught, and challenges them and moves them along the natural chain of evolution.
An excellent volume to have in any library and one which will give you material to chew on, contemplate and even... consider.
Rating: 3
Summary: Disappointing Result from alleged "experts"
Comment: I purchased this book out of curiousity having recently met Janet and Gavin (and being a fan of previous works) as well as having been trained by Dave Rankine and Ariadne Rainbird (authors of "Magick without Peers") and therefore experienced to their version of progressive Witchcraft, I would honestly prefer the latter.
Farrar/Bone confirmed a number of concepts/ideas that myself and a few others had been saying for years (a good point), and as to "revelations" about the history of Wicca, Ronald Hutton in his "Triumph of the Moon" is recommended for its indepth and well researched content which is not bias.
The personal problems I had with this book include the somewhat dismissal and distracting attempt of "wit" throughout the book, as well as what appeared to be an over-riding emphasis on the Norse tradition (their previous books weren't this bias). Also as an initiate of the Alexandrian Wiccan tradition I was immensely disappointed with the ongoing negativity and lack of respect directed towards Janet's initial teacher - Alex Sanders. Maybe she should learn to "heal" her wounds from their previous joint effort, "The Healing Craft".
One significant error is found on page 186 with respect to the Southern Hemisphere where, according to Farrar/Bone the Sun rises in the West - obviously they need a course in basic astronomy because our "Southern" Sun still and always has risen in the East and sets in the West as per the Northern Hemisphere. Having travelled at least once to Australia and NZ prior to this book, I would have expected they, of all people, would have got this aspect right. Due to the lack of quality Craft books available for us "Southerners" I find this error almost unexcusable from "the world's leading experts on the subject of modern witchcraft ..." to quote their blurb on the backcover.
In summary, I basically found nothing new nor workable in this book. Rankine/Rainbird's book on "progressive witchcraft" was based on a course they produced incorporating various magickal techniques which don't normally fall within traditional Wicca and therefore is fresh, exciting and workable - the Farrar/Bone effort comes nowhere near this standard.
I would agree that the Farrar/Bone book is overall "interesting", but unfortunately it does not come close to expectations and there are a number of better written, better informed books available.
Rating: 3
Summary: Good book but I like the Big Blue better
Comment: I wanted to give this great book four stars, but he just can not top his previously published Big Blue Book. If you are new to Wicca, read this book but read Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft first. Mr. Buckland knows what he is talking about. Thank you Mr. Buckland for all your hard work in making Wica a valid religion. We won't forget you.
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Title: The Veil's Edge: Exploring the Boundaries of Magic by Willow Polson, M. Macha Nightmare ISBN: 0806523522 Publisher: Citadel Trade Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition by Dianne Sylvan ISBN: 0738703486 Publisher: Llewellyn Publications Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Healing Craft: Healing Practices for Witches and Pagans by Janet Farrar, Stewart Farrar, Gavin Bone, Janet & Stewart Farrar ISBN: 0919345182 Publisher: Phoenix Publishing, Inc. Pub. Date: 01 August, 1999 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Advanced Witchcraft: Go Deeper, Reach Further, Fly Higher by Edain McCoy ISBN: 0738705136 Publisher: Llewellyn Publications Pub. Date: March, 2004 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi ISBN: 0738703389 Publisher: Llewellyn Publications Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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