Katherine L. (secondhandmoon) reviewed on 5/23/2011 + 7 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This is a good book for those who are familiar with Wicca 101 and are looking for a bit more info about the religion as a whole, how the big Trads differ, how and why to join a coven and/or an activist group, and what U.S. law says about Wicca. However, I found the author's patronizing attitude very tiresome and distracting from her often good advice. I'm not miffed because she debunks some myths that many Wiccans hold dear; I actually appreciate her shedding light on those myths and emphasizing that it doesn't really matter whether Gerald Gardner truly discovered a surviving witch religion with direct lineage back to the paleolithic period, Wicca is a fulfilling and valid religion anyway. What bothered me was the condescending attitude she shows toward anyone who doesn't do Wicca justice in her eyes, especially those who wear a lot of black or just refuse to dress like stereotypical PTA members in order to get more respect from society. I'm sure that living in Salem, she deals with more than her fair share of insincere or ignorant wannabes that have made her understandably irritable with people playing dress-up, but geez. Someone who has published a book titled "The Salem Witches' Book of Love Spells" shouldn't be too quick to judge, in my opinion. That said, there is good information and advice here, and I'd recommend reading it at least once and bookmarking the sources in the appendix. Not everyone will be rubbed the wrong way as I was by her "humor."

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details