Rating: 
Summary: Finally, specifics in a world of generalization
Review: Deb has done a great job of being very specific in an area where too many books on paganism say the same general, and often trite, things. I have been a practicing pagan for 30 years, and although my path is not hers, I can appreciate the value of what she has done. By the way, every great person I have ever heard of has been opinionated, and spoken like they are right. If they didn't think that, why write? No place for the wishy-washy here! Well done, Deb. Mary Catherine Darling
Rating: 
Summary: Little to debate, Lots of detail
Review: Deborah Lipp (aka Lippman) is x-wife of Isaac Bonewits. Earlier in her career, rumor has it that she switched from Wicca to Druidism. Well, she's back with a book detailing the process of Wiccan Ritual. I like the detail given in this book. Unlike most books and references today, it explains why things are done, not just how - a BIG plus for me. The only thing that I find it fails to do is to provide the origins of the various aspects of Wiccan Ritual (i.e. - ceremonial magick, key of solomon, Gardner, Crowley). Though some deeper meanings are given, where they came from and what they are a part of aren't. I believe learning the history of the craft is as important as learning how to practice it. It goes a long way in explaining the evolution of this practice. The one major turn off for me was her comments about Eastern Religions and what they supposedly practice. Please Deb, stick with Wicca. Another thing I did not agree with her on was the explanation of the pentacle, saying that most wiccans assign the elements to the 4 lower points of the star, while the spirit is above the 4 elements, being assigned to the top or uppermost point, and she disagrees. She believes the spirit is in the center of the 4 elements, not above it (In truth, this IS what the pentacle means, but I guess she was exposed to something different).
She goes on to explain that the spirit is the summation of the 4 elements, and as a product the total being greater than the 4 elements separately. I hate to tell her, but that is what the Vedics believe and taught, the same ones she disagrees with so heavily in a chapter before. It's also what is taught in some forms of Wicca. The one thing that I do applaud her on, she takes the time to explain Karma and corrects the common idea in use today of it being a law of reward and punishment. She does this at length and does a good job of it. She give a lot of advice based on her beliefs and a lot of tips on ritual that make sense. Its worth getting.
Rating: 
Summary: a grave disappointment
Review: Having been a big fan of Isaac Bonewits for years, I was expecting perhaps a bit too much of this book than it could deliver. Sadly, I found it trite, shallow and filled with more than a few moments where I found myself wondering what this woman's training and practice entailed. As a British Traditionalist, myself, I was more than alarmed at a few of the passages in this book. The most glaring: the reference to aligning Wicca with idolatry bothered me greatly. As one of the reviewers referenced, the use of statuary in ritual and in our homes does not mean we worship them as the Gods...I cannot begin to fathom worshipping a statue. As representations, as reminders of the beauty of this world and our Gods, treasured focal points on our altars, yes, absolutely YES! Idol worship? Never. Save your money, Grey Cat's "Deepening Witchcraft" is much better than this and covers witchcraft in a deeper, more meaningful way, especially for those interested in leadership issues within witchcraft and the challenges our faith faces.
Rating:
Summary: advanced Topics in Wiccan PRACTICE.
Review: I bought this book and Wicca 333: Advanced Topics in Wiccan Belief at the same time, and the two worked really well together. That one about the beliefs of Wiccans and why they hold them, this one about what Wiccans do. Beliefs vs Practice, Theology vs Theurgy, Thinking Vs Doing.
As a practitioner with over 20 years experience myself, this book spoke to MY needs, although I wish it came out 10 years ago or so.
Little of it was revelatory-I learned little new-but I now have a compendium I can pass out to people who want to learn more about what I do and why, a compendium better than "what Witches do" and WAY better than "when someone you love is Wiccan"
Rating: 
Summary: A logical approach, but a staunch traditionalist
Review: I found this book educational and primarily targeted to those learning the Craft. As the cover suggests it focuses primarily on the "elementals," air, water, fire, and earth from a Wiccan perspective. Deborah explains clearly why things are done the way they are, providing understanding instead of merely giving recipes or how-to instructions. I would suggest this book for novices who are working with a coven or teacher. It will help the novice to understand why the teacher does things in a particular way and not some other way, what options might be chosen instead, and how that would change the ritual. It could provide a basis for discussion of the ritual design with the teacher. It's a good "text book" if you will for a teacher to assign to her or his students. For a more experienced reader it has a broad perspective and descriptions of other ways to do the same thing that you may not have thought about in a while. She discusses the mythological difference between directions, elementals, and guardians. Why, for example, do many Wiccans limit directions to 4, leaving out up, down, center, spirit, in, out, forward, backward, or any others that some groups add? Deborah Lipp often gives more than one example of how you might do the same thing rather than just "do it this way." She explains why you might choose each version. In reviewing the book I found that she reminded me of several aspects of ritual that I had learned years ago but had not thought of recently and I enjoyed the review of principles. In part "Elements of Ritual" is similar to a lot of other beginner books of which we have seen too many over the past few years. However, Deborah Lipp's offering is one of the best of those, and is aimed at more serious students than your run of the mill "teenage witch" book. Yes, those who are focused on one particular tradition will find things to disagree with, as you will with any book written by anyone but yourself, but that's where you have a talk with your teacher or priest/ess about how your practice differs from hers. As another reviewer already said, the advanced student of the Craft might be more interested in reading Grey Cat's "Deepening Witchcraft," or some others targeted on a more advanced audience. For a beginner's textbook that includes why as well as what and gives alternatives, "Elements of Ritual" is pretty good.
Rating:
Summary: Good Wiccan Text Book
Review: I found this book educational and primarily targeted to those learning the Craft. As the cover suggests it focuses primarily on the "elementals," air, water, fire, and earth from a Wiccan perspective. Deborah explains clearly why things are done the way they are, providing understanding instead of merely giving recipes or how-to instructions. I would suggest this book for novices who are working with a coven or teacher. It will help the novice to understand why the teacher does things in a particular way and not some other way, what options might be chosen instead, and how that would change the ritual. It could provide a basis for discussion of the ritual design with the teacher. It's a good "text book" if you will for a teacher to assign to her or his students. For a more experienced reader it has a broad perspective and descriptions of other ways to do the same thing that you may not have thought about in a while. She discusses the mythological difference between directions, elementals, and guardians. Why, for example, do many Wiccans limit directions to 4, leaving out up, down, center, spirit, in, out, forward, backward, or any others that some groups add? Deborah Lipp often gives more than one example of how you might do the same thing rather than just "do it this way." She explains why you might choose each version. In reviewing the book I found that she reminded me of several aspects of ritual that I had learned years ago but had not thought of recently and I enjoyed the review of principles. In part "Elements of Ritual" is similar to a lot of other beginner books of which we have seen too many over the past few years. However, Deborah Lipp's offering is one of the best of those, and is aimed at more serious students than your run of the mill "teenage witch" book. Yes, those who are focused on one particular tradition will find things to disagree with, as you will with any book written by anyone but yourself, but that's where you have a talk with your teacher or priest/ess about how your practice differs from hers. As another reviewer already said, the advanced student of the Craft might be more interested in reading Grey Cat's "Deepening Witchcraft," or some others targeted on a more advanced audience. For a beginner's textbook that includes why as well as what and gives alternatives, "Elements of Ritual" is pretty good.
Rating:
Summary: I won't finish this book
Review: I say that because this is not one that should be put down and dismissed. This is one that I want to refer back to again. If you want more "why we do this" than "this is what to do" She gives a basic ritual outline and discets the why we do it using the symbolism of the elements for each step. She has definate opinions on the way things are done and why while leaving it to the reader to decided how they chose to incorporate (or not!) the information she's given.
It is written in an intelligent way, assuming that you've picked up at least one beginner book or that you've done/attended at least one ritual. Even if you haven't don't let that shy you away from this book! It is a breath of fresh air and helped me bring more meaning to my own rituals.
Rating:
Summary: Wiccan Mentor in a Book
Review: Inevitably, when one studies any area of interest, one accumulates a library of books and other references along the way. After decades of study and practice, I have seen a lot of trash written about Wicca, so finding a well written, useful reference book like this one is a delightfully pleasant surprise. As the title suggests, this book dissects and discusses common Wiccan ritual practices in relation to the four Elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). What is particularly nice about this book (as opposed to the average BoS) is that it explains WHY things are done a certain way. (Why do we make offerings to the gods? Why use incense and water to cleanse the circle before casting? Why ground and center before beginning a ritual? etc.) It's kind of like a Wiccan mentor in book form. FWIW, I do not agree with everything Ms. Lipp has to say about Wiccan ritual, or a number of practices she recommends, but that does not make this book a bad reference in the slightest. Her reasons and rationale are well thought-out and expressed, her explanations are reasonable, and her opinions are declared as such. She also includes anecdotes from her own experiences as an HPS, plus examples of chants and invocations in both formal and informal styles that can be used as is or adapted to suit your individual needs and/or preferences. I would highly recommend this book for those who are new to witchcraft, or to any kind of magickal practice, as a teaching reference or even as the focal point for a discussion group because it addresses nearly every aspect of Wiccan ritual. It is a "food for thought" reference, stimulating more questions than it answers for those who are introspective, and answering questions that are commonly glossed over in Wiccan publications. Bright Blessings!
Rating:
Summary: A logical approach, but a staunch traditionalist
Review: Like any book on Wicca, this one has its good and bad points. The good points: Lipp takes every step of the ritual and breaks it down for you into four logical categories. She describes the why, the how, and the what, all with plain terms that are easy to understand. She takes great pains to explain why things are done in her tradition and why she feels that they are logical. The bad points: Lipp is a staunch traditionalist, and has the shortsighted view that her was is the only way something should be done. Ecclectics and non-Gardnerian/Alexandrian practitioners should go into this book with an attitude that they will not be bullied by Lipp into giving up any practices that fall outside of her views. Take Lipp's *suggestions* with a grain of salt, remember that you are ultimately your own best spiritual teacher, and you will weather this book well. Lipp has much to teach, but also much to learn.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Most wicca books tell you *what* - this books reminds you of *why* (the whys of tools, symbols, procedures, etc), corresponding each action and object in a ritual with each element (not just the one element a tool "belongs" to, but all four for each item/action). It's a very thoughtful and deep book, and I've really loved reading it. It's even been a bit of a wake-up call for me in certain areas of my life: it's really easy to forget the depth and meaning behind even "mundane" things, easy to take them for granted and cease to think about them deeply in day-to-day life. This book has made me remember; and has also enriched my ritual life. This is the kind of book wiccans that I know personally are looking for when they say they're sick of reading all the "101" books out there. If you're looking for more than a how-to, if you're looking for depth and advanced study - add this to your library!
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