Pagan Books: Why Dumb It Down?
23 March 2010
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We tend to automatically go to the lowest common denominator when it comes to recommending reading material to people new to Wicca and paganism. While many prefer basic, the trend of assuming that a new person cannot handle anything in-depth at the start is, I feel, a detriment to the pagan community.
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I really think Silver has a place in learning. I have learned to back up everything by other research. I do wish there were more “textbook” type books out there, with the extensive exam at the end like her second book “to stir a magick cauldron”
After watching your video I agree with you fully agree. I do find though, by the title of your video that it sets off the feeling of a repellant to certain individuals. The truth being that “high end” literature is not fully available to the average person intersted in Wicca. Only by researching and for a lot of people ordering online are they able to come across these wonderful books. All the best, Blessed Be
Haha, Seshen, my life-partner and I have 10 6′ bookshelves wedged into a small second bedroom in a 2 bedroom apartment…and still not enough room on all of them for all the books we own.
Ah, life as a bookworm…
Thanx for the info:)) I will definitely have to look this up on Amazon. I have heard about this book, but I completely forgot all about it, lol
BB )O(
You know, I used to say the same thing as a Christian. I think if we start there, we tend to stay there. I am no longer Christian but I continue to value the studying I did and it continues to inform other spiritual pursuits.
Merry meet!
I think ppl who just start
Wicca should read this book
Expectations should always be set high…..People can always move at their own pace…Blessed Be!
“Triumph of the Moon” is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend that. I wouldn’t, however, recommend it as an introductory book. Not because it is too hard, but because it isn’t what a beginner is looking for. A beginner would be better served by something by the Farrars, or “Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft.” Just as long as they stay away from Ravenwolf.
Wow thank you…I am new to Wicca and liked your video…thanks again BB
“Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft ” by Raymond Buckland is the first book I read back in 1987 that introduced me to Wicca.
I highly recommned it, along with Scott Cunnigham’s “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.”
“non-floatiness” LOL!
I’m on LJ as Seshen.
I have to say, I really love your videos. What is your livejournal name? I would love to follow you there. Or even if you had a facebook! I consider myself more and more each day to be a Pagan, and Im beginning to accept this and learn what to do. The more people that I can talk to who have such experience the better.
I have only just ‘discovered’ you, but so far I have to say that I love you! Finally (!!) someone who doesn’t float of on a cloud and doesn’t assume that nembies will jump right into a ritual they don’t understand.
But mostly.. I like your non-floatiness.
~*~ Bright Blessings! I Heartily Agree! Many Beings Who Finally Choose Wicca Are Extremely Metaphysically Well~Read Practitioners From Various In~Depth Traditions Such As Hinduism ~Buddhism ~Tao ~Metaphysics ~Occult ~Mysticism. Were Intuitively Advanced & Very Evolved In Deeply Spiritual Magickal Paths In Previous Lives! Dumbing Down Teachings Is Really A Form Of Abuse ~Of Both The Teachings & The Seeker. Even If They Don’t Understand Immediately ~Living Wizdom Seeds Are Planted. Blessed Be! ~*~
Yeah, most who come to our faith do so because they are lost and want to gain some control over there lives. And the idea of magic is what they are looking for to give them a since of control. And That is why it is our responceablity as Elder’s of the faith. Sorry don’t know what else to call us. LOL. To Give the new praticishioner’s some guide lines and rules to follow to help protect them and others.
I don’t equate newbies with someone who is automatically going to jump in without looking. And I consider knowing the history of your faith to be the FIRST basic to learn. You’re assuming I’m talking about magickal work, which I don’t use books for at all.
Ok I understand what your are saying. But part of the reason for starting Newbe’s off with the basic’s is the protection of them and the protection of others. You don’t give a ten year old a chain saw and say cut that tree down. He will most likely do more damage to himself or others than the tree. If you don’t start off with a good year and a day foundation of basic’s then people can be hurt. To jump into the deeper stuff is just dangous and ill responsable.
I have the book now, I got it around a year ago, but I really do wish that I had it when I first started all those years ago. I completely agree that people should start with a solid, well researched base when they’re choosing any religion.
I’ll have to pick up this book. I’m always interested in perspectives on the relation between Gardener and Crowley. But I really must say that no-one knows what happened in the meetings they had that I am aware of, so anything that either confirms or denies Crowley’s involvement is really pure conjecture. Interesting thoughts though. And I agree, people should be given the good stuff right off the bat, unless of course their actions prove their inability to comprehend the material.
93,
Fr. Oz
wow thanks so much.
Thanks for this video; I completley agree with everything you are saying! I’m 20 and have been researching Pagan religions including Wicca for about 5 years now and i wish to god that I had started off reading a solid, coherant and ‘realistic’ book such as Tripumh of the Moon when I began stuyding.. I would have avoided most of crap which seems to be over shadowing some of the more sensible pagan liternature on the market!
I agree with what you are saying, I am now 26, but as a teenager of about 15-16 I started looking into the craft and found it hard to find books that really expressed the spirituality and real philosophy of the religion.
I am now an ancient historian and have recently started to take another look at modern pagan religions, are there any other books that you could recommend for the “academic” beginner?
If you are a high schooler or entering college (usually the age that younger generations starts studying Paganism) Why would books like Triumph of The Moon be “Too Academic”?
This country is dumbing down it’s youth.
As A Non-Wiccan Pagan I turn to books on Druids even if not geared toward modern Druids’ practice it is a good reference. Many of the Lewellyn Book are not out to teach, Just to make money.
I love what you are saying about people who are new to witchcraft are capable of understanding in depth. People who ask me for a good ‘starter’ book often get told anything by valiente, huson or penczak, as they are great authors in my eyes. Although I do think there would be some exceptions to giving a a new person some ‘in-depth books’ e.g. The Goetia.
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