Wild Witchcraft: A Guide to Natural, Herbal and Earth Magic

Rating:
Summary: Filled with information for the solitary witch......
Review: Marion Green, author of `A WITCH ALONE' has written another wonderful book for solitaries. Green practices "WILD WITCHCRAFT' in the UK and she suggests that all the coven inductions in the world will not make you a witch if you don't understand the basis of magic, which is nothing less than the wild world. Over the years Green has developed a good deal of expertise in the areas of folklore and magic, both grounded in the natural world. I like her works because rather than merely relate "fairy tales" and magical gimmickry, she interweaves folk tales and folk practices that reflect the practical ways our ancestors related with the ground of their being, the Earth. Like her Witch Alone, this book is crammed with useful information.

Green's narrative shows us that understanding the world around you begins with appreciating the balance of the solar and lunar cycles that govern the natural world (if those phenomena aren't magical what is??). And, what have humans done to affect this balance? (Two Indian scientists writing in a prestigious journal a few years ago suggested that Global Warming could be a factor leading to a Tsunami - think of how the ice caps weight the top and bottom of the globe remembering all the while that the Earth's surface is made up of tectonic plates that slip and slide and cause quakes and tidal waves. What happens if the weight of these polar caps changes?)

Once upon a time, there was a world not ruled by the clock or the calendar. Those devices were introduced to regulate and control people. We moderns are far removed from our natural roots and it's rhythms. The introduction of space-time `regulations' leads to ailments generated by living in an artificial world, such as seasonal affective disorders (too little natural and too much artificial light, not enough natural vitamins?), chronic fatigue ("daylight savings", long work hours and stressful commutes, noise pollution), and depression (consumption of overly refined sugars, bad fats, inorganic ingredients doctored with chemicals to "improve" taste).

Green suggests that if we dig a little deeper and recover the practices and rituals associated with the `seasons' of the year which reflect the earth's natural rhythms, as well as practice a little old-fashioned common sense, we would better understand our role in the wild world. We could begin by reconnecting with the underlying pagan meanings associated with holidays and see that they represent celebrations of natural world, and continue by finding ways to be "Green".

If you want to be an effective and vibrant witch and not simply a wannabee, get this book. You need to discover wild witchcraft to practice magic!!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't find a flaw....except one...
Review: This book has to be the best one I've read since "A Witch Alone." I love the way she places emphasis upon the natural world and the simplicity of life should be. Her techniques are well formed as well.

The only disagreements I have with her is her insistance upon finding a teacher or someone to help you in your practice. Witches of old usually did not have a teacher unless it was their families. I think that being solitary and finding things out for yourself is the most important thing in a Witch's life. Experimenting by yourself is also part of the developmental stages. Making mistakes is very important. And... another thing, this author seems to have an obsession with Crowley, which is fine. He had beautiful poetry and some very valid points, but she quotes him almost every chapter. This got on my nerves a bit.

Other than that, the book is perfect.

Rating:
Summary: Stay where you are
Review: Where "A Witch Alone" was a gentle push in the direction of a new freedom in earth-based belief, and "Natural Witchcraft" was a hearty shove to accept responsibility for and development of a personal practice, "Wild Witchcraft" in my opinion, was an inappropriate scolding and a slap-down of anyone who doesn't approach his or her work in the same way as Ms. Green.

The prologue of the book addresses why she feels disinclined to write more "advanced" instructions (or even concepts) around witch-practice. Those reasons are of course valid from her point of view and though I disagree with some of them, she is entitled to withhold her knowledge for her own reasons. My question then, is why publish another volume of basic information that she has covered more fully and more compassionately in her many other books? If "advanced" working in witchcraft is so dangerous (in her opinion) then I suppose she feels justified in protecting us from our own potentials and making that decision for us.

This book surprisingly seemed much more dogmatic, opinionated and intolerant of others' beliefs than her other works: a different tone, several rants, and chapter introductions quoting exclusively Aleister Crowley. Mr. Crowley was not known for being a conservationist, or a "hedge witch" or even a natural witch, but a ceremonial magician. Yes, he wrote some nature-themed materials, but why, if Ms. Green is so vehement about not following the teachings of "supposed high priests or priestesses" would she include these quotes?

Every chapter contained information, a little suggestion, an admonition and a scold. She seems to say that you should learn about your own personal beliefs about nature and that after spending years of searching and practice and examination, you'll believe as she does; if you don't come to that conclusion, then you've probably done something wrong or that you don't have the spiritual strength.

There is no true wild witchcraft in this book, nor is it "A Guide to Natural, Herbal and Earth Magic" as its title claims; it is yet again another preparation (for those Celticly inclined) to learn a greater connection to nature. Fine. It is for those readers who have worked with the teachings from her other books, and who wish to continue to work at their current level of development without growth, without branching out into a deeper realm of witchcraft.

Rating:
Summary: Stay where you are
Review: Where "A Witch Alone" was a gentle push in the direction of a new freedom in earth-based belief, and "Natural Witchcraft" was a hearty shove to accept responsibility for and development of a personal practice, "Wild Witchcraft" in my opinion, was an inappropriate scolding and a slap-down of anyone who doesn't approach his or her work in the same way as Ms. Green.

The prologue of the book addresses why she feels disinclined to write more "advanced" instructions (or even concepts) around witch-practice. Those reasons are of course valid from her point of view and though I disagree with some of them, she is entitled to withhold her knowledge for her own reasons. My question then, is why publish another volume of basic information that she has covered more fully and more compassionately in her many other books? If "advanced" working in witchcraft is so dangerous (in her opinion) then I suppose she feels justified in protecting us from our own potentials and making that decision for us.

This book surprisingly seemed much more dogmatic, opinionated and intolerant of others' beliefs than her other works: a different tone, several rants, and chapter introductions quoting exclusively Aleister Crowley. Mr. Crowley was not known for being a conservationist, or a "hedge witch" or even a natural witch, but a ceremonial magician. Yes, he wrote some nature-themed materials, but why, if Ms. Green is so vehement about not following the teachings of "supposed high priests or priestesses" would she include these quotes?

Every chapter contained information, a little suggestion, an admonition and a scold. She seems to say that you should learn about your own personal beliefs about nature and that after spending years of searching and practice and examination, you'll believe as she does; if you don't come to that conclusion, then you've probably done something wrong or that you don't have the spiritual strength.

There is no true wild witchcraft in this book, nor is it "A Guide to Natural, Herbal and Earth Magic" as its title claims; it is yet again another preparation (for those Celticly inclined) to learn a greater connection to nature. Fine. It is for those readers who have worked with the teachings from her other books, and who wish to continue to work at their current level of development without growth, without branching out into a deeper realm of witchcraft.