Wicca
By: Vivianne Crowley

Paperback: 272 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.80 x 8.44 x 5.30
Publisher: Element Books Ltd.; New edition (September 2003)
ISBN: 0007169620
$16.95

Prolific Wiccan writer, Vivianne Crowley offers this comprehensive overview of her own view of The Craft, which she has aggressively practiced since she was a child. 

Seen strictly from her own Alexandrian/British Traditionalist perspective, her view is rather limited and doesn't leave much room for the acknowledgement of the ecclectic groups that do not practice with the degree of extreme formality depicted in this volume. 

In her discussion of the scrambled history of Wicca, Crowley skirts around the controversial issue of how much of Gerald Gardner's interpretation of Wicca was born of his own creative mind rather than, as he purported in his writing,  the passing on of ancient tradition and practices.  I have found this to be true of most Gardnerian/Alexandrians, who, despite all evidence to the contrary, staunchly insist on clinging fervently to a historical legacy that predates 1950 or so.  Although, as I said, she does not delve far into the particulars, I still had the feeling that I was being tucked into bed and asking Auntie Vivianne to "tell me the story of how Gerald Gardner really did pass on ancient text."

To her credit, she offers some lovely prose and ritual words, particularly the Elemental Balancing meditation in the first degree initiation chapter.  Crowley goes the distance and treads where other authors balk by actually discussing the processes involved with the progression through levels, causing me to give a chuckle at second level being called "The Quest Perilous."  Most books tend to drift off aimlessly after the dedication and first level initiation.

Overall, I'd not choose to add this book to my required reading list, but for those who are interested in a good deal of "you must always" and "you must never," it might hold a greater interest.    I would not say that Ms Crowley makes The Craft as "hard" as many other writers and certainly she doesn't seem to share the rabid disdain for those who do not practice under the strictest, dogmatic structures (she just sort of ignores that segment of Pagans/Witches), she does cater to her own tradition, which might be confusing for others who have been taught in a more liberal setting.

 Three pentacles out of five

Review by Katrina Rasbold