Rating: 
Summary: easily one of the better and most informative books on Wicca
Review: I first read this some time ago when investigating Wicca. I still think it's one of the most candid and accessible reads for the newcomer to the topic. Given the number of not-so-good, me-too books out there on the topic that we saw published in the 90s, it stands out even more.Its strengths are a matter-of-fact style, a balanced and pretty unbiased portrayal that doesn't try to make a political statement, and the large volume of information it offers. It is a sophisticated book that talks a lot about history, about initiatory experience, and about perceptions of divinity. The only flaw I can readily find is that it is a bit dry; just as its cover doesn't look like Tinker Bell, neither is the style. I can hardly mark Crowley down for this, but it's worth mentioning because it could affect the reader's interest. Will appeal most strongly to the serious seeker with mature tastes in reading who is looking to be informed rather than entertained.
Rating: 
Summary: Accurate Information
Review: I had heard lots of good things about this book so when it was available at the library, I quickly picked it up. This book has a lot of information on the history of Wicca and Witchcraft (she acknowledges that they are NOT the same) and is a very interesting read if you want to know more about how covens work. She thoroughly explains the difference between the first, second and third degrees and also describes the basic rites that you go through to get these degrees. I had some trouble reading this book. (I'm 19) The text is small and Crowley uses complex wording. It is definitely not the first book you should read on Wicca. I wouldn't really call it a beginner's book but it does have some basic information in it. I would say that you should probably be able to read at the Grade 12 level at least to fully comprehend this book. I often had to re-read a paragraph and you may want to put a dictionary beside you as you read. Despite this, it is very interesting and informative. It isn't necessary to own this book but it is a good idea to read it thoroughly. What I mean is, you probably won't be going back to it very often once you understand the information in it. It's not a resource. V. Crowley uses a LOT of quotes from C. Jung and it may be a good idea to read a bit about him yourself, although this is not required.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for anyone interested in the Craft
Review: I highly recommend this book. There are many, many books on Wicca, and most say pretty much the same thing. This one doesn't. It's not something you could have written yourself after taking a few courses, as so many books on Wicca these days seem to be. It is by an experienced Witch, someone who has lived the Old Ways in the old world for many years. Someone who loves and knows the Craft. This book will help you come to feel the true meaning of the religion, not just teach you how to do a few spells. Invaluable.
Rating: 
Summary: Validity of Jungian Wicca?
Review: I question the validity of Jungian Wicca. Jung was essentially an atheist, and back-masking his beliefs in support of one's religion just seems icky to me.
There are a LOt of books that do what this one does, and I believe Cunningham and Buckland do it better.
It really seems as if the Jungian langauge is an attempt to justify Wicca...
Justify it to whom? The author's parents? Coworkers? the author herself?
Wicca stands only without justification!
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended-- even for non-Wiccans
Review: In a word, this is the best book I have read on "New Age" sprituality. Despite its title, the book is not limited to discussions of Wicca-- rather, it extends its very intelligent discussion of Western paganism in general, and even touches briefly on some elements of eastern religion. I am not Wiccan-- rather, I am a kind of amorphous pagan, with spirtuality but no fixed beliefs and no formalized rituals. When I read a book about spirituality, I tend to accept some ideas and throw out others. Most "New Age" books never seem to answer my favorite question: "*Why*". Instead, they seem to favor unquestioning memorization and rituals, which I despise. Ms. Crowley's book goes farther than any other book I have read to explain the "Why" and "What" of neo-paganism. It offers a brief history of Wicca, which is interesting-- but it really starts to shine when it discusses things like the male and female aspects of spirituality. She brings a refreshing Jungian approach to the discussion, too, which makes the material much more accessible for someone who has not bought into any particular named religion. Too often New Age books assume that the reader believes as the writer does, but Ms. Crowley does not make that mistake. I would recommaned this book for *anyone* interested in learning about Wicca, pagan spirtuality, or even their own beliefs-- be they Christian, Jewish, Wiccan, Druid, Asatru, or floaties like me. The points raised are good and well-made, which makes the book a joy to read. Thumbs and big toes up!
Rating:
Summary: A very thoughtful book!
Review: In THE OLD RELIGION IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: WICCA, Vivianne Crowley suggests Wicca is the religion of the Age of Aquarius. She says religions of the book, concerned with the sacrifice of the self, were dominant during the Age of Pisces (symbolized by the fish). Wicca, concerned with the search for the Self, is the religion of the new millennium. "Religion must evolve to meet the needs of the developing human psyche." In the new millennium, the developing human psyche is faced with the task of integration or what Jung referred to as the process of individuation. Crowley's writing is forthright, honest, clear and helpful. She combines material from many sources, including the writings of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, and presents an in-depth portrait of the ancient Goddess focused religion. She says Wicca is balanced. Unlike many religions, including those of the book (Christianity, Islam) or Zen Buddhism, Wicca along with Hinduism, recognizes the balance between the light and the dark, humanity and nature, male and female. Wicca is not an evangelical religion. Those called to Wicca respond to the silver harp-whisper of the Goddess and the horn of the Hunter. Wicca is based on attraction, not promotion. In the early sections of her book, Crowley describes the history of Paganism and Wicca (all Wiccans are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan). She says Wicca is an ancient religion whose name refers to the accumulation of wisdom. She suggests much Wiccan material was handed along by "hiding" it in plain sight within the liturgical practices and doctrinal writings of dominant religions. She refers to the Tarot, the Kabbala, and works of literature. Wiccan knowledge was amassed over thousands of years. Some rituals date from the Paleolithic. Some rituals have been preserved as part of another religion. Some material has been preserved by Masons, Rosicrucians, and others. Wiccan archetypes are found in many religions. For example, the mother and father archetypes have been incorporated in many rituals and given many names. Crowley provides a brief overview of various myths from the Levant, India, and Southern and Northern Europe that tell about the Queen of Heaven and the Lord of the Underworld. Much of the ritual material about witchcraft including the stages of initiation can be found elsewhere (Farrar or Buckland for example), but if you are unfamiliar with this material Crowley's book is a good resource. I found Crowley's synthesis Jung's thinking and the teachings of Wicca most illuminating and original. I have felt for many years Jung is the prophet of the New Age and once again Crowley reaffirms it. Some people know Jung had a profound affect on AA and other 12-step programs, that his thoughts are reflected in the writing of Joseph Campbell, and that his archetypes underlie the Myers-Briggs personality tests, but I venture to say, not many knew his thinking could be connected to Wicca.
Rating: 
Summary: Summary: "Men and Christians are bad"
Review: That's the book in a nutshell. A simple-minded position based on conjecture. Instead of offering a realistic account of this so-called faith, this is a predictable rant against men and the Christian faith. Yawn.
Rating:
Summary: Truely Excellent Book!!!
Review: There are very few good introductory books to Wicca available about there that really go into the depth of Wicca. Most are just simple how-to books with all the style of a book on home plumbing repair. Crowley has produced a thoughtful book that goes deep into what Wicca means, and how it affects the Wiccan Initiate. She writes about the very real, and sometimes scary, changes that one goes through as one progresses through the degrees of Wicca. She relies a lot on Jungian concepts, but then, she has degrees in Jungian psychology and lectures on it at a British university. In addition, Crowley is one of the few really knowledgeable authors on Wicca. She is both an Alexandrian and Gardnerian initiate. If you want to find out what herb to mix with what oil to so you can win the lottery, this isn't the book for you. If you want to know how one grows within Wicca, and why mystical depths you can plumb, then this is your book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on what Wicca should be like
Review: This book was one of the first books on Wicca that I read over 10 years ago - but for those starting out with Wiccan today maybe it is not recommended. Why? Because, as the writer is a Jungian analyst, and due to the type of language used and the style of writing, some younger followers of Wicca and the Craft may struggle with this book - but don't let this put you off because this book is well worth it.
Compared with what is available today, this book still offers an area of relief as the Wicca described amongst these papers is the Wicca that was practised 10 or so years ago - not the new age, fluffy bunny version that is fast appearing today.
This book is about what Wicca was like - the more traditional based British Craft that was not all about spell casting but viewed the Craft as a serious spiritual tradition that affects the practitioner on more levels than just the mundane. However if you are not into British Traditional Craft, you can benefit greatly from the insights that the author provides.
Unlike other books, the author actually describes what you should be thinking, feeling etc when you cast a circle or draw down the moon's energy - something that is largely overlooked in many modern books.
Rating:
Summary: **Vivianne Crowley does Great job!!**
Review: This is one of the best books I have read on Wicca so far. She does a great job of explaining & giving examples. I highly recommend this book which has amazing illustrations as well. It is very enlightening & really gets you thinking.
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