Rating: 
Summary: A Stunning and Challenging Examination of Wiccan Thought
Review: A WICCAN BIBLE is a book that will challenge and inspire, as well as educate. Overflowing with solid information, insight and experience, this guide to Wiccan belief and cosmology examines the various stages of life a Wiccan will live through, yet does so in a way that challenges just how that life will be lived.The author successfully uses his own experiences and wisdom to open up the deeper realms of Wiccan life to those who may have only before scratched the surface. Yes, the basics are all here - the Rede, the sacred days, working with familiars, finding your tribe, choosing a Lord or Lady to emulate. But this book goes way beyond basics and may even push a button or two as it forces the reader to really go deep into the heart, spirit and soul of truly living the Wiccan life. Not a book for the flighty newbie into pop-Wicca, or the life-long witch who thinks he/she knows it all already, this is a book only the most daring and courageous Wiccans will benefit from...bigtime.
MARIE JONES, BookIdeas.com., Book Crazy Radio - Books for the Spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Clarifying the Essence of Wicca
Review: A WICCAN BIBLE provides readers with a means to fully appreciate the many sacred aspects of Wicca. All eight Wiccan solar holidays, or Sabbats, are described in detail, as are the principles of Wiccan belief. Author A.J. Drew weaves ancient myths and stories together with modern science, giving A WICCAN BIBLE a feeling of being simultaneously old and new. Never before has a Wiccan book presented such a crystal-clear overview of the religion that it can provide readers with sufficient information and inspiration to immediately begin practicing the Wiccan faith. I love the way A WICCAN BIBLE provides questions that help readers decide for themselves whether or not this religion is best suited for them, while never pushing religious dogma or routine. Wicca, after all, is a very personal religion. I especially enjoyed the way Drew discusses the importance of knowing the difference between kith and kin for both our human and animal companions, since much confusion can be avoided when we recognize the importance of those we share our energy with every day. We can appreciate the energies of those we live with every day differently than the way we work with the energies of those we love who do not live with us, such as spirits and animal totems. A WICCAN BIBLE ought to be required reading for anyone seeking a better understanding of Wicca, as well as all those Wiccans who would appreciate seeing one person's very thorough personal interpretation of the Wiccan faith. -- Cynthia Sue Larson
author of AURA ADVANTAGE: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success
Rating: 
Summary: The Tradition of A. J. Drew
Review: A. J. Drew starts in his introduction by stating the following: "You will note that the title of this book begins with the word A. This is because I in no way consider this The Bible. It belongs to me; I wrote it, gave it to someone to share it with you. They didn't think it would be a very popular book if we called it A. J. Drew's Wiccan Bible, so they shortened my name a bit and just called it A Wiccan Bible."
Yes, it did make me smile, but I think I would have gone with "A. J. Drew's Grimoire" or "A. J. Drew's Book of Shadows" because this book is more akin to the Wiccan version of a teaching book than a Bible.
Yes, he did lay out his 'Bible' in books, and yes, there is his version of Creation, Exodus, and other such chapters that make it resemble a 'Bible'. However, the content is strictly Wicca according to A. J. Drew, and it should not be confused with any other path.
A. J. shares with us his researches and his conclusions based on this research. It includes his famous "Rants" on different topics and provides some insights and some head scratches. It has some very complete concordances, some of the most extensive I've seen, and he covers a very wide range of topics: from Ritual, numbers, rites of passage, holidays, his specific path to the studying for Degrees. There is the unmistaken mark of A.J. in this book.
Make no mistake; this IS A. J. Drew's path. This is not everyone's Wicca, nor is it meant to be. Which is why I thought Grimoire or Book of Shadow would be more appropriate. Grimoire and Book of Shadow suggest a specific personal Tradition and A. J. has presented his idea of his family or Coven Tradition.
A. J has presented us with food for thought as well. His food will stir up controversy, discussion and even brew-ha-ha from many different corners of Wicca. There are going to be those who bash this book and there will be those who will praise it.
Personally, I found some material I skipped over after the initial introduction as it was not speaking to me. That does not mean it is wrong, it just means I did not seem to think it was for me. There is also some good material here for discussion and debate and I read it and gave it much thought. There is nothing here that I agree with, nor disagree with. How can I make a judgment on what another holds as a Truth for them. It may not be my truth but it is valid for the person who holds it as truth.
Which is what all these books are about... personal truths. For each reader will find something that will speak to them and cause them to think, rethink or consider the possibility. It does not mean that the reader will change their own personal truth! That is not what these books are about. These books are about 'food for thought' and not 'my way is the only right way'. And any author who states that should be run away from as quickly as possible.
If you are looking for a contemplative work and the view point of yet another person who has found his way along his own spiritual path, this book is for you. A. J. focuses on balance, provides us with some very in-depth correspondence lists and some entertaining rants. There are pearls of wisdom mixed in with the seaweed that are worth searching for. A good choice for those who are open minded and willing to explore other paths. boudica
Rating:
Summary: An amazing book by an amazing author.
Review: First off, let me say that A.J.'s book Wicca for Men is one of the reasons that I call myself a wiccan. After studying Wicca for some time that book was the icing on the cake. That said, 'A Wiccan Bible' was like a second helping of that "cake". If your looking for a book full of hokey, half-truths about Wicca. This isn't the book for you. This book is a perfect book for anyone who wants to study what Wicca should be about. The inclusion of the customs and holiday's of our well recorded pagan cousins, the Greeks and Romans was simply smart, and just made sense, which is something lacking by alot of our celtocentric wiccan authors. I've read books, they've helped me understand my faith. This authors books help me understand my heart. I enthusiastically await future works by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Blah Blah
Review: I found this book to be informative if you have never read any other wiccan book before, but I feel that the author rambles on and on and on. The book could have been half as thick if the author really wanted to talk straight and get the point across to the reader. I feel that this book jumped all around and stopped on certain things that had no meat to the content. Please buy this book if you want to be lost.
Rating:
Summary: Blah Blah
Review: If you are looking for a spell book -
This isn't for you.
If you are looking for a bible -
This isn't for you.
If you are looking for someone to worship -
This isn't for you. But if you are looking for a book who will challenge you, inform you and become a reference you will always refer to this is the one. I don't agree with everything AJ says, but I don't need to. He provides his research, thoughts, feelings and beliefs for you to study and make your own decisions about. Even with the exchange rate this is well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing book by an amazing author.
Review: Mr. Drew is the only pagan author who seems to have the uncanny ability to make me cry, laugh and cheer while reading his books. Reading this book reminded me of those early days in New York. It reminds me of when I could turn on the radio to hear Marian Weinstein (our lovely `Giggle Witch') or stop at the Magical Child (back when it was called the Warlock Shop) for coffee and conversation with Horrible Herman (Herman Slater). It is the type of book that Leo Martello would have brought to Central Park for our summer picnic discussions. With A Wiccan Bible in print, Drew has assured his place in the hearts and libraries of many Wiccans, especially those of us who remember the days when our authors had a sense of humor and Horrible Herman wasn't nearly as horrible. If I had to sum up what I feel in a sentence, that sentence would be; `This book tells me that Mr. Drew is one of us'. Now I have to figure out just who he is. He sounds like one of the crowd from West Islip, New York as far back as the late 60's or maybe early 70's, but I don't remember the name. If I had to take a guess, I might guess he is Marion Weinstein's boy but I don't think she ever had children. This book was a great deal more than I thought it would be. As one who has been actively and publicly Wiccan for many years, it was nice to see meaning returning, in printed form, to my religion. Most books tell the uninitiated where to put their feet. This book tells the reader why to put their feet there. Actually, it says nothing about feet but you get the idea. I would not recommend this to anyone who is new to the craft. It is far too advanced for the beginner. But for someone who has been active for a time, it is wondrous. I about fainted when I saw mention of the lustral bath. Now there is a vital part of Wiccan ritual that most books skip. It was refreshing to find an author who reminded us that this is his Wicca, rather than claiming that this is Wicca. I particularly liked the hint of this in the title; A Wiccan Bible and the authors note that a "bible" is a collection of sacred texts and that this is his collection; hence the `a'. It could have better been titled `A Wiccan's Bible' but as it is, the title is much better than A Witches Bible Complete by the Farrars due to the incompleteness of any book on the subject or The Good Witches Bible by the Frosts due to the word "the" in the title. This book will be sure to please any Wiccan who is not stuck in a eurocentric mindset. Although I am sure racists wont like the idea that Wicca has developed into a world religion, I think the majority of open minded Wiccans will not only love it, they will benefit greatly from reading it. They will also benefit from one of the most inclusive listing of gods and goddesses that I have seen to date. I do not always agree with this author, but it is joyous to find a book that says something which might cause me to disagree. Most books seem to rehash the same old material. It is hard to argue with a book that tells the reader an athame is usually double edged. Instead of rehashing the basics, Drew. Surprising, in most cases I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing. The only bad thing I could say about this book is that it reveals secrets, which were once reserved for initiates only. Many others and myself feel that these secrets are best kept out of the hands of the uninitiated and those without a formal teacher. I have not allowed this concern to influence my rating because this issue is addressed within its pages and Mr. Drew does give very good argument as to why such secrets should be made available in times as critical as the ones in which we live. Blessed be Mr. Drew and may you too live free!
Rating:
Summary: Did Marian Weinstein and Herman Slater have a boy?
Review: Mr. Drew is the only pagan author who seems to have the uncanny ability to make me cry, laugh and cheer while reading his books. Reading this book reminded me of those early days in New York. It reminds me of when I could turn on the radio to hear Marian Weinstein (our lovely 'Giggle Witch') or stop at the Magical Child (back when it was called the Warlock Shop) for coffee and conversation with Horrible Herman (Herman Slater). It is the type of book that Leo Martello would have brought to Central Park for our summer picnic discussions. With A Wiccan Bible in print, Drew has assured his place in the hearts and libraries of many Wiccans, especially those of us who remember the days when our authors had a sense of humor and Horrible Herman wasn't nearly as horrible. If I had to sum up what I feel in a sentence, that sentence would be; 'This book tells me that Mr. Drew is one of us'. Now I have to figure out just who he is. He sounds like one of the crowd from West Islip, New York as far back as the late 60's or maybe early 70's, but I don't remember the name. If I had to take a guess, I might guess he is Marion Weinstein's boy but I don't think she ever had children. This book was a great deal more than I thought it would be. As one who has been actively and publicly Wiccan for many years, it was nice to see meaning returning, in printed form, to my religion. Most books tell the uninitiated where to put their feet. This book tells the reader why to put their feet there. Actually, it says nothing about feet but you get the idea. I would not recommend this to anyone who is new to the craft. It is far too advanced for the beginner. But for someone who has been active for a time, it is wondrous. I about fainted when I saw mention of the lustral bath. Now there is a vital part of Wiccan ritual that most books skip. It was refreshing to find an author who reminded us that this is his Wicca, rather than claiming that this is Wicca. I particularly liked the hint of this in the title; A Wiccan Bible and the authors note that a "bible" is a collection of sacred texts and that this is his collection; hence the 'a'. It could have better been titled 'A Wiccan's Bible' but as it is, the title is much better than A Witches Bible Complete by the Farrars due to the incompleteness of any book on the subject or The Good Witches Bible by the Frosts due to the word "the" in the title. This book will be sure to please any Wiccan who is not stuck in a eurocentric mindset. Although I am sure racists wont like the idea that Wicca has developed into a world religion, I think the majority of open minded Wiccans will not only love it, they will benefit greatly from reading it. They will also benefit from one of the most inclusive listing of gods and goddesses that I have seen to date. I do not always agree with this author, but it is joyous to find a book that says something which might cause me to disagree. Most books seem to rehash the same old material. It is hard to argue with a book that tells the reader an athame is usually double edged. Instead of rehashing the basics, Drew. Surprising, in most cases I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing. The only bad thing I could say about this book is that it reveals secrets, which were once reserved for initiates only. Many others and myself feel that these secrets are best kept out of the hands of the uninitiated and those without a formal teacher. I have not allowed this concern to influence my rating because this issue is addressed within its pages and Mr. Drew does give very good argument as to why such secrets should be made available in times as critical as the ones in which we live. Blessed be Mr. Drew and may you too live free!
Rating: 
Summary: Wicca isn't a Religious Smorgasbord...
Review: Pardon me if I expect a book on Wicca to be about Wicca, especially if it is pretentious enough to call itself a bible and organize it's chapters into books. It is poorly organized and tries to cover too much. Such things as Hellenic, Roman and Hindu Festivals have nothing to do with modern Wicca. Things like these are just out of place in the book, as is the author's political views. The author's tendancy to loose focus on his subject makes this a total waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading if you are searching.
Review: This book is a must read even if you are not a wiccan or pagan. It portrays the feelings and true meaning of being Wiccan. A.J. stresses the point that this is only HIS oppinion and that EVERYONE should decide on their own if they agree. This is one of the few books that I have read that does not try to sway the reader to one point or another. It confirms that everyone has a right to their own decisions and beliefs. Highly suggested reading for anyone researching religions and want an accurate view of Wicca.
| 
