If someone you love is exploring Wicca or neopaganism, here's a balanced and reassuring look at this spiritual path.

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Product Description

At last, a book that explains Pagan spirituality to non-Pagans in a balanced, accessible way, while acknowledging the natural anxiety many of them may feel when confronted by a son, daughter, sibling, friend, or co-worker who suddenly proclaims, "I'm a Witch!" Wicca and Paganism are among the world's fastest growing religions. Because so many Wiccan newcomers are young, it may be understandably worrisome, even frightening, to many of the parents, other family members, friends, and associates of today's witches. This book offers an objective, honest introduction to this newly popular old religion, while providing comfort to worried readers. Non-Pagans will appreciate this fair and responsible overview of one of the most mysterious-and misunderstood-modern spiritual paths.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #178704 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

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Customer Reviews

Something for the Muggles
There are many books out there that approach Wicca and Witchcraft from the beginners view, but Carl McColman approaches these topics from the viewpoint of someone not interested in becoming a Wiccan or Witch but needs, for whatever reason, to know about these things.

Carl McColman has been a pagan since 1983. He has done the research on the subjects and tries to cover the basics of these spiritual paths, without being path specific or covering every single variation or tradition.

The book takes the format of questions and answers for the most part, with an introduction of basic facts, common sense and an attempt to tie into some commonalities found in many religions. There is a good index and the book is laid out in well organized chapters.

Mr. McColman's approach is to keep it simple, understandable and not confuse everyone with all the different opinions held by those in the pagan community. We are all aware how we love to be individualistic in our belief systems, and Mr. Colman successfully spotlights the meat and potatoes of our basic tenets.

Mr. Colman states that this book is not meant for the initiated or the newbies who are looking to make this path their own. The book is not meant for theological discussion. He covers much of the 'misinformation' that the non-pagan will encounter and clarifies them so as to dispel these misconceptions.

There is some good research, some general statements and some silly questions but the material is relevant to the audience the book is addressing. If you don't argue the generalities, this is a great book for the purpose it is intended.

We need material like this for the curious mundane. While offering the beginners books for the curious has been the practice in the past, these books did not offer many of the answers that those who have no intention of following these paths were looking for.

If you find you need a book of this kind in your family, workplace or community, this will fill the bill quite well.

Couldn't put it down!
Many introductory books exist that purport to explain this material. However, WSYLIW is written so smoothly, and presents such a balanced and well-researched viewpoint, that it wins my premier recommendation.

McColman thoughtfully and succinctly dispels the false myths that surround Wicca with a loving tone that respects all religions (no bashing here). This necessity for mutual respect and love echoes (rightfully so, IMHO) throughout his work. Furthermore, unlike many authors who couple shimmering content with narcoleptic prose, McColman presents 1st-rate background information with a flowing, extremely approachable style that will captivate the reader.

I would even recommend this as an introductory book to those who are interested in Wicca themselves and seek an unprejudiced prospective.

Get your family and friends on the right path
Frankly, I was very concerned when I first ran across this book. I wondered if it was a 'fundie' text imploring people to convert my Wiccan friends to Christianity. What a pleasant surprise when I opened up the text and found out it is not.

As others have accurately noted however, the well-intentioned author simplifies Wicca. He then attempts to lump this in with Paganism. Wicca and Paganism are two different concepts. Perhaps the text itself could be toned up in another version of the book.

Overall, this is a useful resource for people who want to be supportive, but are not sure what they are supporting. It would be an important purchase for local libraries---where `concerned people' might turn after learning the news about a loved one.

The title is important as it is in order to reach the wavering people who would otherwise be susceptible to 'bible-thumping' propaganda about these very practices. Most importantly, the book does not condemn the practitioner and instead encourages readers to accept them as they are.