Home :: Books :: Religion & Spirituality  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality

Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Wicca: The Complete Craft

Wicca: The Complete Craft

List Price: $22.95
Your Price: $15.61
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 >>

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not so bad!!
Review: As a long time student and teacher of the Craft, I don't generally recommend books by this author, however I have to admit that this one is not really too bad.

This book is well organized and less fluffy than most books on modern Wicca. While it still falls into the category of "making up Wicca as you go along" books, I think it is less misleading and less filled with nonsense than the majority of popular Wiccan books.

So, strictly for beginners, I think this is an okay book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Closest Thing to a Textbook for Wicca I've Seen Yet
Review: I believe the author, D. J. Conway has gotten a bad rap given some of the material she's put out in recent years. There were only two books by this author that I really wasn't disappointed in. Moon Magick and The Ancient Shining Ones. I am glad that Wicca, The Complete Craft is another one I can add on my shelf and not feel silly about. Even if one DOES dance with dragons, it's not something that should be written about if you ask me...but then that's my opinion.

Wicca, The Complete Craft really IS comprehensive. The chapters are broken down in a formula of ascending importance. I found some of her references a bit frustrating because she doesn't list page numbers. While I found the material in this book digestible in theory and practice, I cannot in truth say if all her references are intact. That will take a bit of research on my part or on the part of any other serious practioner that doesn't want get caught in an 'oops!!' situation in quoting something that doesn't exist. Believe me, it's happened. There are no listed references for any of the stones or herbal correspondences, though most are well known enough that it no longer matters. Still, one would like to know just whom the author patronized for knowledge when SHE was learning enough to fill a book this size with. To be honest, though, I would recommend this book long before I would some of the other more popular books by authors who think ALL children should be measured by the manners, maturity, and aptitude their own children may possess. I agree with Ms. Conway that to teach teenagers magick cannot be ethical because most lack the emotional maturity to make sound decisions involving the practice of good manners let alone the practice of magick.

A good all around reference guide, but by no means the be all and end all to Wicca or Witchcraft reference. Worth the money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Raves, Raves, Raves
Review: I can't say enough about this super informative writing. Never before have I encountered all of the information that he has packed into one solid book before. It dispels myths and legends in all aspects, defines Wicca and Pagan Pantheons, and gives us new and incredible ideas to "conjure" into our own practices! It's written so it is easy to understand for those new to the subject, yet has the "Elders" of us riveted so we can't put the book down!!!! ...

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not so bad!!
Review: I have read many books on Wicca and Neo-Paganism over the past 3 years, so I am speaking from comparison. This book is very well-organized and a "pretty" looking book. It is encyclopedic in style in that things are organized by subject and if you're trying to look up a specific ritual or spell, it can be easily found, unlike many of the other books I've read on Wicca. However, I find the tone of it to be too dry and unfeeling. I can't get a clear impression about DJ Conway, nor her personal feelings about the Craft, so the book doesn't really move me. There is no humor about this book either, which leaves me feeling kind of dull. I have enjoyed her "Moon Magic" book, and use it again and again, mostly as a reference book as I'll probably use this book. Much of the information in "Wicca" can be found in other books that are written in a more amusing and interesting style.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Wicca: The Complete Craft
Review: I have read many books on Wicca and Neo-Paganism over the past 3 years, so I am speaking from comparison. This book is very well-organized and a "pretty" looking book. It is encyclopedic in style in that things are organized by subject and if you're trying to look up a specific ritual or spell, it can be easily found, unlike many of the other books I've read on Wicca. However, I find the tone of it to be too dry and unfeeling. I can't get a clear impression about DJ Conway, nor her personal feelings about the Craft, so the book doesn't really move me. There is no humor about this book either, which leaves me feeling kind of dull. I have enjoyed her "Moon Magic" book, and use it again and again, mostly as a reference book as I'll probably use this book. Much of the information in "Wicca" can be found in other books that are written in a more amusing and interesting style.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: One of the best books on Wicca today...
Review: I must admit, I've never read any other books by this author, but I found this book to be helpful on more than one occasion! Some of her ideas are somewhat off-the-mark my my eyes, but one of the true lessons of Wicca is to question everything!! :o) Excellent book.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Just as bad as her other books?
Review: I picked up a copy of this because of the number of people telling me that this was so much better than Conway's other poorly-done books. After reading it, I strongly disagree!!

Beginning in the introduction, when she incorrectly states that "the words Wicca, Witchcraft and the Craft are actually interchangeable", there is very little here that can't be found in dozens of other phoney McWicca-lite introductory texts.

Her history is based on the myth that there was once a peaceful matriarchy, and everyone worshipped "the Goddess" until evil patriarchy came along and spoiled everything. She would do well to actually read some of the accurate archeological works listed in her bibliography!

She then proceeds to confuse the term "Paganism". In spite of the way she misuses the word, "Paganism" is actually a large group of related, but highly dissimilar religious. It is not a single path "based on a specific pantheon of deities", and there are certainly more than "only a few differences between Wicca and Paganism, besides the difference in their ages". (And NO religion can be dated back to the Stone Age! NO ONE knows what beliefs existed then, what their 'religious' practices were, or even if they HAD any religious beliefs!) She also defines many Traditions within Wicca inaccurately, and shows little understanding of the history of Wicca, or the various practices that define it's many branches.

When speaking of Deities, she first states that Wicca is polytheistic, then proceeds to "explain" that all Gods are a reflection of a single God archetype, and even the Gods are subservient to the Goddess. (That's not polytheism.) She also speaks of Triple aspects of Goddess, saying that this is a universal concept, and that it has been recognized "from the beginning of religion". This is untrue. (She has quite a habit of stating historical "facts" that are contrary to the archeological evidence, without saying where she is obtaining her "information". She also frequently speaks of conclusions of how found items were used or what they signify that are very different from what the scholars who are trained to interpret such finds conclude. Especially when the archeologists determine that NO conclusions can be made from the evidence available.)

In my opinion, Ms Conway's version of "wicca" is a blend of New Age thought, Ceremonial Magic influence, and poor research. While I don't doubt that it could be used to create a viable and valid spiritual path, it bears little relation to actual Wicca. If one wishes to learn about Wicca, I would strongly suggest starting with A Witch Alone by Marian Green, then moving to books such as Gerald Gardner's recently republished classics. No, it won't be as easy as what Ms. Conway has written... but *real* Wicca cannot be condensed into a 400-page how-to manual.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Just as bad as her other books¿
Review: I picked up a copy of this because of the number of people telling me that this was so much better than Conway's other poorly-done books. After reading it, I strongly disagree!!

Beginning in the introduction, when she incorrectly states that "the words Wicca, Witchcraft and the Craft are actually interchangeable", there is very little here that can't be found in dozens of other phoney McWicca-lite introductory texts.

Her history is based on the myth that there was once a peaceful matriarchy, and everyone worshipped "the Goddess" until evil patriarchy came along and spoiled everything. She would do well to actually read some of the accurate archeological works listed in her bibliography!

She then proceeds to confuse the term "Paganism". In spite of the way she misuses the word, "Paganism" is actually a large group of related, but highly dissimilar religious. It is not a single path "based on a specific pantheon of deities", and there are certainly more than "only a few differences between Wicca and Paganism, besides the difference in their ages". (And NO religion can be dated back to the Stone Age! NO ONE knows what beliefs existed then, what their 'religious' practices were, or even if they HAD any religious beliefs!) She also defines many Traditions within Wicca inaccurately, and shows little understanding of the history of Wicca, or the various practices that define it's many branches.

When speaking of Deities, she first states that Wicca is polytheistic, then proceeds to "explain" that all Gods are a reflection of a single God archetype, and even the Gods are subservient to the Goddess. (That's not polytheism.) She also speaks of Triple aspects of Goddess, saying that this is a universal concept, and that it has been recognized "from the beginning of religion". This is untrue. (She has quite a habit of stating historical "facts" that are contrary to the archeological evidence, without saying where she is obtaining her "information". She also frequently speaks of conclusions of how found items were used or what they signify that are very different from what the scholars who are trained to interpret such finds conclude. Especially when the archeologists determine that NO conclusions can be made from the evidence available.)

In my opinion, Ms Conway's version of "wicca" is a blend of New Age thought, Ceremonial Magic influence, and poor research. While I don't doubt that it could be used to create a viable and valid spiritual path, it bears little relation to actual Wicca. If one wishes to learn about Wicca, I would strongly suggest starting with The Heart of Wicca by Ellen Cannon Reed, then moving to books such as Spiral Dance and The Twelve Wild Swans by Starhawk, and When, Why... If by Robin Wood. No, it won't be as easy as what Ms. Conway has written... but *real* Wicca cannot be condensed into a 400-page how-to manual.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great for Beginners or Pros
Review: There are so many books on Wicca & Witchcraft on the market today, at times it becomes overwehlming to try and choose which one you should buy. This particular text will assist you if you are looking for a book that first and foremost provides you with a foundation of The Craft. Ms. Conway tells you about The Wiccan Rede, as well as The Rule of Three. She provides chapters giving you the properties for herbs, oils, and stones. There are rituals for the New Moon and Full Moon, The Sabbats, a Handfasting, a Wiccaning, and many, many more. I know everyone's particular taste will vary in what they are looking for in a Wiccan book, however, this particular text is great as a catch-all reference guide to add to your collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great for Beginners or Pros
Review: There are so many books on Wicca & Witchcraft on the market today, at times it becomes overwehlming to try and choose which one you should buy. This particular text will assist you if you are looking for a book that first and foremost provides you with a foundation of The Craft. Ms. Conway tells you about The Wiccan Rede, as well as The Rule of Three. She provides chapters giving you the properties for herbs, oils, and stones. There are rituals for the New Moon and Full Moon, The Sabbats, a Handfasting, a Wiccaning, and many, many more. I know everyone's particular taste will vary in what they are looking for in a Wiccan book, however, this particular text is great as a catch-all reference guide to add to your collection.


<< 1 2 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates