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Product Description
Modern Wicca is a vibrant, uplifting nature religion practiced by hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. But wearing "witchy" jewelry and casting a few spells does not make one a witch, for Wicca is a lifestyle and those who walk its path have solemnly dedicated themselves to the service of the Goddess and God.
Wiccan Beliefs and Practices was written for the solitary witch or non-traditional small coven. Written by a Wiccan High Priest and retired aerospace engineer, Wiccan Beliefs & Practices includes crucial information not found in other introductory Wiccan books, including:
• Ethics of a Witch, including the Code of Chivalry
• How to write and develop your own spells and rituals;
• The physically-challenged Witch
• Out of the broom closet: is it right for you?
• Know your rights: the legal protection of Wicca as a
legitimate religion
Author Gary Cantrell speaks from personal experience with Wiccans of all ages and degrees of physical ability, bringing you an earnest examination of modern Wiccan beliefs and a practical guide to the Craft of the Wise.
In the following excerpt, the author explains why he chose to "come out of the broom closet."
I elected to reveal my practice of witchcraft publicly simply because I personally feel that the time for intentionally hiding ourselves has come to an end. We are practitioners of a kind, gentle, and peace-loving religion. We are not the bloodthirsty or depraved, orgiastic fanatics all too often portrayed by the entertainment and news media. The general public has been misled about witchcraft for over a thousand years, and now with our numbers reaching an all-time high, possibly in excess of one million people worldwide, we need to stand up and set that record straight.
We are out there by the hundreds upon hundreds of thousands. We are in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. We are law enforcement officers, engineers, builders, doctors, and farmers. We are a legally recognized religion under the protection of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and our isolation from the rest of the religious community should and must come to an end. With the phenomenal growth of witchcraft since the 1970s and with the free and easy interchange of information afforded to us by things like the Internet, that time will come to pass and it will happen soon. It may be happening now.
Amazon.com Review
Those who are just starting out in the craft may find this how-to book on Wiccan rituals, spells, and tools useful. Gary Cantrell, author of Out of the Broom Closet?, is the first to admit that this book is geared for beginners and may be redundant for long-time practitioners. That said, Cantrell has done a masterful job of defining the roots of Wicca and helping readers establish their own approach to a diverse and ancient craft. For instance, some may be drawn to the more nature-oriented Celtic traditions, while others may be attracted to the more feminist Dianic approach. He also offers a strong chapter on ethics and purpose, debunking the depraved devil-worshipping, blood-sacrificing, black-magic stereotypes attached to witches. Mostly, Cantrell emphasizes how to get started (suggesting essential tools, such as altar cloths and candles), techniques for purifying an area, and how to conduct an assortment of rites and spells. "The art of working a spell, or casting a spell, or making magick is serious work," he cautions. "It is not something that can be approached lightly, casually, or flippantly ... You will be bending and shaping energies that will, without question, have an impact on the world around you...." Passages such as this one prove Cantrell to be a responsible narrator, someone who is dedicated to offering accurate knowledge while also encouraging newcomers to carefully monitor their Wiccan ethics and intentions. A welcome addition to the voices of Wiccan wisdom.
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