Origins of Modern Witchcraft: The Evolution of a World Religion
by: Ann Moura 

ISBN 1-56718-648-3
Price $14.95

You know, I guess it all depends on what you're shooting for.  If the line of connection of practically anyone in show business is less than six degrees of separation from actor Kevin Bacon, the line between absolutely anything in Pagan history is no greater than 1-2 degrees of separation from either the Dravidic or Vedic (or both) Shiva, as we are constantly reminded in this long winded, exhaustive effort.  Having personally not read any of the "Green Witchcraft" series touted by Moura, I am largely unfamiliar with her writing style, so whether she tends toward the elaborate and verbose as her own manner of speaking on paper or it's a direct outcropping of the largely subjective (although taught by Moura as fact) and fully intimidating subject matter remains to be determined.

Regardless, the major themes of this book could be summed up by saying:

Christians = Bad

Pagans  = Good (and perennial victims)

While the spellwork and meditations provided at the end of each chapter are very worthy, the effect is largely lost in the melee of personal agenda dressed as fact that constitutes this recreation of the history of Witchcraft.  I am certainly not opposed to a good history lesson (as is demonstrated by my initial interest in this book) and I don't even have a problem with verbosity (given to the appreciation of words myself), but when a book employs the charm and intrigue of one of the huge lists of begats in the much maligned (in this book, at least) Biblical text (and trust me, I have my own issues with Christian text), my eyes start to dim and my interest turns to how the paper on which it's printed could be better used.

Three pentacles out of five

Only because there is some
good info in here and hey,
she made quite an effort.
 

Review by Katrina Rasbold