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Dedicant: A Witch's Circle of Fire (Course of Study in the Old Religion) | 
 enlarge | Author: Thuri Calafia
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $12.09
You Save: $7.86 (39%)
New (31) Used (6) from $12.09
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 58241
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0738713287
Dewey Decimal Number: 133.43
EAN: 9780738713281
ASIN: 0738713287
Publication Date: November 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This comprehensive course is a lifeline for solitary seekers, providing guidance through a full year and a day of Wiccan study. Experienced teacher Thuri Calafia introduces monthly lessons that follow the Wheel of the Year. As the earth's cycles unfold, you'll explore historical lore, sabbat rituals, seasonal energy, tools, and symbols associated with each time of the year. Both practical and spiritual aspects of Wicca are discussed, including etiquette, spellcasting, herb work, ritual garb, selecting a teacher or coven, choosing a magical name, and more. Each lesson?filled with meditations, rituals, pathworking exercises, activities, ethics issues, and personal anecdotes from the author?will draw you closer to the Path of the Wise and prepare you for the next step in your Wiccan education. Dedicant kicks off a four-volume Wiccan study series?dedicant, initiate, adept, and master?based on the traditional degree system.
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| Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful place to start your witchy ways. January 3, 2009
I believe this if the first book that I have read on the subject that so clearly ties the tides of the year into learning the craft of the wise. I have been practicing for over 15 years and in that time have not come across a book that relates so many of the aspects of Wicca/Witchcraft in such a digestible way. I'm often asked about books by people who are just starting down this path or just want to learn more and I would definitely direct them to Thuri Calafia's book. Linking the lessons to the wheel of the year, is what I believe, allows a person to harmonize with the key components of the seasons. I also appreciate her documentation and referencing as it will help people continue their studies. Well done and I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.
A well-written study in witchcraft dedication December 2, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's a pleasure to be the first to review this book on Amazon. I believe it to be one of the best introductory and informational books on the pagan circuit out there today, and the book's relatively short length packs a solid amount of Craft into an understandable and usable format for anyone willing to take the plunge into the mysteries of witchcraft as a way of life.
As one who scoffs at the current "Wicca colleges" out there circling the Internet, I began this book with a grain of salt. Even a handful. Thuri soon showed me exactly what I had been looking for, and succeeded where so many other "beginner books" have failed. The book focuses on the individual's growth as a person and an up and coming witch (one should not call him/herself a witch before undergoing studies of the craft - understandable, it's good to know what you're getting yourself into before throwing around such a title). Much of the book is focused on monthly "lessons" which allow the beginner to jump on the wheel at any point in the calender year. The lessons provide a well-thought study of witchcraft and allow the dedicant to slowly amass ritual objects and talents to be used when practicing.
It's hard to find bad things to say about this book without being nitpicky, but since I'm reviewing it I had better point out a couple things. Even said, these things are pertinent to my personal viewpoint/opinion and what I've learned on this path.
1. The year-and-a-day dedication should be taken as a guideline, not an absolute necessity and just because you've followed the lessons it does not mean you are now an initiate to the Craft. There is no such thing as self-initation. Dedication (what most of this book is geared toward), however, is completely up to the individual and Thuri does an excellent job in setting you up for that and embarking on the journey toward the initiation tier.
Initiation can only be done by either a coven (in traditional Wicca - see 2) or by the god(s) and goddess(es) themselves. To perform initiation is to ask the Divine if you are ready, and the answer could easily be a no. You'll know when you are, and it may very well take a couple more years of studying. On the flip side, if you've been studying the craft for many years you may have already amassed knowledge and experience enough for initiation before the "year and a day" laid out in this book.
2. I have problems with the word "Wicca." I originally picked up this book because it didn't have "Wicca" in the title. I understand where the author is coming from (wicca being an Old World term for witch, wise one, and the meaning "to bend" among other similar words), but that doesn't change the fact that it arose in the Gardnerian traditional covens and belongs to their tradition of practice. What you see called Wicca in bookstores is "outer court" which may or may not hold true to the practices of those original traditions. Wicca is a new religion - Witchcraft is centuries older. I do not call myself Wiccan and there is nothing wrong with that! :)
In closing, despite my personal nitpicks this book is excellent and highly reccommended. I've been studying and practicing the Craft for 12 years, and now I'm finally taking the plunge and dedicating myself to the mysteries. Blessed be!
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