Product Description

Many books may tell you how to cast a Wiccan circle, but none really bother to explain why. When you've finished reading The Elements of Ritual, you'll know what each step of the circle-casting ceremony means, why it's there, and what it accomplishes. You'll learn several alternative approaches to each step, and you'll be empowered to write your own effective ceremonies using sound magical, theological, and pragmatic principles.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #428733 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Advanced Wicca
The Elements Of Ritual is a thorough investigation of advanced Wiccan ritual, an in-depth study for those who are serious about Wicca. The elements and stages of ritual are explained from several angles, i.e. the magical aspects, the mythology behind it, the philosophical and the practical. At the same time alternative and equally valid practical approaches are given.

The author provides plenty of examples of writing one’s own ritual as well as at least two alternative approaches for every step of each ritual. There are also meditations on the profound meanings behind each stage of the various rituals. A complete ritual text is supplied in the final chapter.

The Elements Of Ritual is definitely not for beginners. It delves deep into the esoteric meaning underlying the ritual structure of this ancient religion while not neglecting all the practical applications and choices open to the practitioner. This interesting and detailed work contains illustrations and concludes with a bibliography and an index.

Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp
While the premise behind the book is a good one, the author is very wordy and often repeats herself. I found the footnotes at the end of each chapter to be awkward. Some of the information could easily have been contained within the main text. A better thought-out book and some judicious editing may have remedied these problems.
I struggled to finish reading this book and would recommend it to Wiccans only, or those witches who use a lot of Wiccan practices in their rituals. Non-Wiccan witches may find some of the book's suggestions too dogmatic and formal.