Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #376917 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 196 pages

Synopsis
Hedgerider: Witches and the Underworld is a re-interpretation of (Hedge-)Witchery. Drawing from an extensive historical, folkloric and mythological body it re-attributes and re-defines Witchery as a Heathen Cult centred around the journey to the Underworld and contact with the Unseen. With the insights into Cosmology, Philosophy and Practice this book provides a working body of Heathen Witch-lore, designed to transform the essence of humanity in something greater through contact with our Fetch and the Underworld itself.

Customer Reviews

Move Over Rae Beth, This is Real Hedge Witchcraft
I just finished reading this book earlier. It was an amiable read, but if I'm honest it didn't go into much that I wasn't already aware of, but that's just me -- I think 99% of people would find this book very useful, especially those who have never read about Traditional Witchcraft before. I liked the kooky drawings and the old engravings in the appendix, and the writer has a lovely wry sense of humour! For those that are unaware, this book is basically describing a Germanic form of Hedge Witchcraft which is primarily concerned with 'crossing the hedge' into the Otherworld or Underworld. The 'Unseen' realms.

Eric De Vries's discussion of Fate, the soul and the like were very thought-provoking; he seems to know his stuff and the concepts were considerably in-depth. The book contains some superb information on entering altered states using all the various means available to us (via herbs, movement and chant) -- in many ways I felt that Hedge-Rider was an indirect guide to Underworld initiation, for that sole reason it's incredibly useful.

I think it would make for a great beginners book and would be very useful for anyone connected to Germanic deities. Personally, my interest in said culture is tantamount to zero, so I wasn't as interested in what he was talking about. Although, the authors description of the Germanic Witch goddess was interesting -- I don't necessarily agree with everything he connected however. The mythology too was richly described and painted vast primal images of the Old Gods and their Witches. The book also discusses that most important witch tool the Stang, the Fetch, Familiar spirits, the Ancestors, Underworld mythology, rituals and other pratical rites.

I definitely agree with him on the idea that Witchcraft came down to us from Germanic cultures rather than Celtic ones. His definition of Witchcraft is close to my own. Recommended.

Excellent
There are two very important points which for me make this a necessary and important book. The first is the acknowledgement of a universal consciousness (or Godhead) which to me is a necessary part of any spiritual path for the simple reason that it is the Truth. Anyone who has experienced any kind of spiritual insight would have experienced this and many neo-pagan paths are missing this universal, basic spiritual concept. The second is the understanding that witchcraft is shamanic in nature (which genuine witchcraft is!). The author explores the history and reality of witchcraft from this viewpoint and in my opinion does a fantastic job. The book is enjoyable to read and informative, and many times I found myself smiling in agreement with what he has to say. This is clearly a book written by someone who has experienced more than guided meditations or visualisations or mere flights of fancy, there is a lot of very genuine insight. If you are tired of the gestures and theatricals offered by wicca, neo-paganism and some newer branches of the traditional craft, get stuck into this book.

You're better off with folklore and the Eddas
Whilst I agree that any legitimate witchcraft practise has to involve trance, the Ancestors etc, and that British witchcraft is essentially Germanic in origin, this book has a couple of glaring mistakes;

Whilst summarising Balder's Dream/Draumr, the author states that Loki asked Frey which plant he hadn't got an oath from. Frey had nothing to do with it, Frigga was the goddess who made each thing swear the oath. This is a pretty basic tale in the Eddas, known to any Heathen who's read them.

Also, whilst earlier emphatically stating that this is NOT Wicca, he then mentions the Cone of Power in ritual(page 82). And in the chapter 'The Black God', the author equates Woden with Herne; Herne never had any link to Woden, Herne was restricted to Windsor forest, and is based on the tale of a gamekeeper, nothing more. This is the same neo-pagan thought which lumps Herne, Woden, Cernunnos and even Annwn together!

All in all, I was pretty disappointed. If this is aimed at practising witches (however the author defines the word), it falls short. As for people new to Heathenry and British magical practises, you're better off studying the Eddas, Anglo-Saxon literature and the heady mix of British folklore and folk magic.

Oh, and Pendraig Publishing, get a proofreader.