Ellen Cannon Reed (–2003)

A good resource on modern Wiccan interpretations of Ancient Egypt with very little referenced source material. However, in the chapter on the deity Ra, the author says that after an apprentice was abused in her community, the community hushed it up, as it would "Put the craft on trial" to report the incident to the police. This is a deplorable attitude for any magician, much less one who quotes the Wiccan Rede and claims to be a light worker. This makes me automatically consider all her ethics suspect. Magic should back up real world actions, not attempt to replace them. Feel free to read this book, however, read with a grain of salt. If the author covered up this incident, I wonder how honest she is in the rest of her magical and writing work?… (mer)

Fantastic book, sure to be controversial and piss some people off. Criticizes "Instant Wicca" and speaks in favor of dedication, initiation and training, as Wicca is a mystery religion, and to make it "one size fits all" is to do it a disservice and undermine its uniqueness among the world religions. The essence of Wicca is the experience of Initiation and the Mysteries, which cannot be taught by humans, or books, but a teacher can be a guide who makes the path easier. Reed uses the analogy of climbing straight up the mountain, as opposed to taking the slow, winding path. She doesn't put down the slow, winding path, but insists on giving the teachers and your coven sisters and brothers respect, and she admires patience and fortitude on what is a difficult and challenging path.

I highly recommend this book. It serves as a "back to basics" wake up call.… (mer)