The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan

Rating:
Summary: Misleading title
Review: Contrary to the other reviews, I was very disappointed in this book. From her own web site Venecia states that she has been a Pagan for some 19 years (which is longer than me) but if this is the case, why couldn't I find anything but the obvious in this book?

Reading other texts apart from Pagan ones (such as Hawkings, Joseph Campbell and Jung), recycling and treating the land with respect, using the Magickal Pyramid, writing your own rituals etc etc was all part of my BASIC training - however Venecia considers this to be "advanced" workings???

Maybe these techniques might be considered "advanced" to the eclectics or those who haven't been exposed to a more structured training pattern, but I am stumped to understand why they would be the necessary tools to master in order to become as "Master" Pagan.

For those who haven't been taught such techniques, then yes, I would say that this book is a very good read - however the title is misleading and the material, in my opinion, extremely lacking in substance for someone claiming to have 19 years experience.

Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: I bought this book based almost exclusively on the the rave reviews it received here at Amazon and on the fact that it claimed to be a book for the advancing pagan.

For whatever reason, and perhaps this is a misunderstanding on my part, I thought this book was going to be about spiritual development. In other words, rather than a book that was going to teach me more about divination and what books to read, I was expecting a book that would discuss spiritual unfolding, and the ways we deepen our relationship to the sacred, and the ways we manifest the sacred in the ways we live. I had expected it to be something that said, "Now that you're past the basics (of knowing how and what to do) let's talk about the why and the where and address some of the difficulties you may face along the way."

In that respect, then, I was disappointed. The book is, in a lot of ways, the culmination of information and dragged-out debates one can find at any quasi-intelligent pagan message board or mailing list. This book suffers the same problem so many other books in the genre face--a basic lack of spirituality, a basic lack of an understanding of faith, and a lack of focus on the individual as a spiritual being and not just as a *pagan* operating under the traps of *paganism*. I think pagans would be better served by understanding how to enrich and deepen their spiritual selves as non-Abrahamic followers than being told where to go study and what to go study next. Any intelligent person with a minimum of research skills can figure that out.

It wasn't a bad book, hence the three stars. It just fell so far short of what I had hoped it to be. I ended up keeping it for about three days and then I gave it to a friend, a newish pagan, who I thought could use the direction the book offered.

Rating:
Summary: Just what I was looking for!
Review: I have been studying "The Craft" for some time now and I have read all the books for the "beginner" and was looking for a book that would take me to the next level. Well, here it is! Venecia puts it all together with real life experiences. At the end of each chapter there are exercises that take you through what you have learned in that chapter. She puts a "real life" spin on the subjects and makes you go beyond the mere text of the book.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to go beyond the "beginners" stage of learning this wonderful way of life.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing!
Review: I love this book! I have not read the entire thing yet...but, I am passed half way. It is a refreshing change from most Pagan books. If Venecia writes another boook....I will be buying it!

Rating:
Summary: The first real book on practicing magic
Review: I love this book, I just finished it and already I plan to read it again. Being a practicing pagan myself, I feel that most books out there fall flat. It seems that everyone comes up with a nice cover and interesting title. But the meat of the books are pretty much all the same. In the Second Circle Venecia Rauls encourages you to think for yourself, to expand your mind. She give the craft a sense of dignity as well, by taking honest thought into what she is writing. From my experience studing magic is about learning and growing with your mind, body and soul. This book helps you along in that process. I wish that I could thank Mrs Venecia Rauls in person because, this book has helped me keep my faith.

Rating:
Summary: Helpful
Review: Mostly, I just want to write a note of thanks to the author for writing this book. I really do believe that she herself is advancing and sharing from her own growth, not just putting out good but untested ideas. I appreciate her acknowledging some of the pitfalls we land in as we are advancing. The chapter on Specialization was the first one I went to and again, I felt she was writing from experience. She is a sensitive and compassionate writer and I feel not only encouraged along the path, but also challenged in specific ways. I've been experiencing a very stagnant time in my spirituality and I found many keys throughout her book that can help me move forward. She suggests ways to really grow a spirit-filled life. Many books suggest techniques to bring your spirituality into your daily life (ie:morning/evening prayers, etc), but Rauls inspires me to develop the mindset of a spiritual life: without loosing touch with reality.
Her book is broad in it's reach so it's tough to guess what it might do for you, but for for me, it's been the best spiritual shot in the arm that I've had in a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Shows you the way to move past "beginner"
Review: The author asked me to review this book, and I was very favorably impressed.

The author first discusses how you know when you're ready to progress, the apprentice/journeyman/master system as a model for the pagan community. Then she systematically explores the steps that are needed to move from one level to the next. In her final chapters, she discusses how to choose your focus or focci.

My favorite three sections were the chapter on how to find advanced pagan books (her approach closely mirrors my own), the chapter on new ways of thinking, and the final chapter on how to choose your focus.

As a pagan, Rauls is somewhat conservative in what she suggests, and there aren't a lot of brand-new ideas to be found. Also, I think the book is lacking a chapter that truly focuses on mastery, rather than the journeyman/woman level, as well as ideas of "where to go when you're past the scope of this book." This is why I gave it four stars instead of five.

This is a must for pagans who are ready not to be beginners anymore! Those who have already moved to an advanced level will be familiar with much of what Rauls discusses, but I found that it made explicit a number of ideas that had been germinating intuitively in my consciousness. There are also some interesting metaphors, tips, and book suggestions you won't want to miss. Definitely the latest in a new trend towards serious advanced pagan books. Publishers and authors, keep them coming!

Rating:
Summary: Pushing past the norm
Review: There are countless books out there on paganism. Usually it's a case of, "Been there, read that." For a pagan who first began studying Wicca and paganism at age 18 (over 21 years ago), finding a book that makes one sit up and take notice can be an exercise in futility.

Venecia Rauls has succeeded in infusing new life into a genre that had become predictable, stale and frustrating. Sometimes the most profound epiphanies are down-to-earth and RIGHT there to find if you just use your common sense and think for yourself in creative and innovative ways. Rauls assists the reader in doing just that.

Rauls encourages you to use her book as a jumping-off point into further exploration for the advancing pagan. Her book provides you with the tools, exercises and mindset for continuing on your path with a new and fresh attitude toward your journey.

This book should be on every pagan's shelf, hands down.

Rating:
Summary: How many circles are there?
Review: This book is pretty good. The book is said to be directed to everyone who feels that they need something more then the "beginning pagan books". It had a lot of interesting bits here and there but there is a lot of lecturing. The first few chapters probably annoyed me and ruined some of the amazing content of the rest of the book. It seemed to suggest that you need to read harder books, and differant types of books. This set the tone that if you weren't already constantly reading hard books and only needed to feel validated for the hard work which seemed to equals an advanced pagan according to the book you have a lot to look forward to on your way be advanced. This book though could have been an extention of a beginning pagan book.



Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful and Well Thought Out
Review: This book was not what I was expecting, but I was very pleasantly surprised. This is not a "how to do witchcraft" book by any means, and thankfully so. The book focuses more on alternative ways of finding information and incorporating the lessons and beliefs one holds true into a easily accessible religion that is right for the individual. Very highly recommended for those already steady in their "how to's".