A couple questions on some books

[xMoonlitShadowsx]

I've been looking around at books and found a few that I would like to sink my teeth into.

So far it's a tie between Amber K's True Magick, Denise Alvarado's The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook - heard it mentioned in a podcast, seems pretty interesting, and Starhawk's The Spiral Dance.

I've looked at the user reviews on Amazon.com, and they look good so far.

Has anyone read these books or has any suggestions on which ones to get? Any insight on the authors would be welcome too smile

yum_strawberry  

[Esiris]

xMoonlitShadowsx

I've been looking around at books and found a few that I would like to sink my teeth into.

So far it's a tie between Amber K's True Magick, Denise Alvarado's The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook - heard it mentioned in a podcast, seems pretty interesting, and Starhawk's The Spiral Dance.

I've looked at the user reviews on Amazon.com, and they look good so far.

Has anyone read these books or has any suggestions on which ones to get? Any insight on the authors would be welcome too smile

yum_strawberry

Hoodoo and Voodoo aren't the same thing, even though they have a common source- so it makes me suspicious. Why are you interested in Hoodoo or Vodun?

Spiral Dance has some majorly flawed history, and she doesn't believe in gods, so it has flaws too.

True Magick is pretty basic stuff- it's been a long time since I thought about it.

I think it would be helpful if you could tell us what you believe in and what you feel you want out of your spiritual path- that can help others share ideas.  

[xMoonlitShadowsx]

Esiris

xMoonlitShadowsx

I've been looking around at books and found a few that I would like to sink my teeth into.

So far it's a tie between Amber K's True Magick, Denise Alvarado's The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook - heard it mentioned in a podcast, seems pretty interesting, and Starhawk's The Spiral Dance.

I've looked at the user reviews on Amazon.com, and they look good so far.

Has anyone read these books or has any suggestions on which ones to get? Any insight on the authors would be welcome too smile

yum_strawberry

Hoodoo and Voodoo aren't the same thing, even though they have a common source- so it makes me suspicious. Why are you interested in Hoodoo or Vodun?

Spiral Dance has some majorly flawed history, and she doesn't believe in gods, so it has flaws too.

True Magick is pretty basic stuff- it's been a long time since I thought about it.

I think it would be helpful if you could tell us what you believe in and what you feel you want out of your spiritual path- that can help others share ideas.

I'm interested in the history and different practices in it. From what I've heard from the podcast, this book seems to have quite a bit of both. I don't think it's something that would become a major part of my practice, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about it.

I believe in a mix of things really. Started out a with Wicca, or what I thought was Wicca at the time, and since then I've moved on towards neo-paganism. I believe that there is some higher power up there, and that everything is connected. I do believe in Gods and Goddesses, but I don't stay in one particular pantheon. I love energy work and working with candles and crystals the most.

I'm looking to collect the bits I like and mix them into my own practice.  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

xMoonlitShadowsx

I've been looking around at books and found a few that I would like to sink my teeth into.

So far it's a tie between Amber K's True Magick, Denise Alvarado's The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook - heard it mentioned in a podcast, seems pretty interesting, and Starhawk's The Spiral Dance.

I've looked at the user reviews on Amazon.com, and they look good so far.

Has anyone read these books or has any suggestions on which ones to get? Any insight on the authors would be welcome too smile

yum_strawberry

I didn't like Amber K. Someone sent me an ebook of hers once. I felt like she was a massive armchair magician: she was so wrapped up in her particular worldview of magic, it felt like she'd never actually done any magic. Because if she had done she would have realised that some of her preconceived notions couldn't possibly be so.

I mean she's just weird. Her "magick" is like some sort of new thing on its own, or something. Check this out:
"Real witchcraft is a nature religion (pagan). Witchcraft has much in common with magick."
lolwut?

For her the whole damn thing is very structured and that's the only way it can be. So I don't really respect her. But ymmv.

The Spiral Dance is officially the worst book I have ever read on Paganism or witchcraft, and I've read "Beginner's Guide to Witchcraft" by Theresa Moorey so that's really saying something. Aside from the crappy information, she spends all her time just waffling and throwing around bigotry and sexism. Don't waste your money.  

[xMoonlitShadowsx]

Sanguina Cruenta

xMoonlitShadowsx

I've been looking around at books and found a few that I would like to sink my teeth into.

So far it's a tie between Amber K's True Magick, Denise Alvarado's The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook - heard it mentioned in a podcast, seems pretty interesting, and Starhawk's The Spiral Dance.

I've looked at the user reviews on Amazon.com, and they look good so far.

Has anyone read these books or has any suggestions on which ones to get? Any insight on the authors would be welcome too smile

yum_strawberry

I didn't like Amber K. Someone sent me an ebook of hers once. I felt like she was a massive armchair magician: she was so wrapped up in her particular worldview of magic, it felt like she'd never actually done any magic. Because if she had done she would have realised that some of her preconceived notions couldn't possibly be so.

I mean she's just weird. Her "magick" is like some sort of new thing on its own, or something. Check this out:
"Real witchcraft is a nature religion (pagan). Witchcraft has much in common with magick."
lolwut?

For her the whole damn thing is very structured and that's the only way it can be. So I don't really respect her. But ymmv.

The Spiral Dance is officially the worst book I have ever read on Paganism or witchcraft, and I've read "Beginner's Guide to Witchcraft" by Theresa Moorey so that's really saying something. Aside from the crappy information, she spends all her time just waffling and throwing around bigotry and sexism. Don't waste your money.

o.o

I don't think I would like something that rigid lol I'm kinda surprised The Spiral Dance isn't as good as what other people have been saying. I'm glad you told me though smile

Thank you for your advice smile  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

xMoonlitShadowsx

o.o

I don't think I would like something that rigid lol I'm kinda surprised The Spiral Dance isn't as good as what other people have been saying. I'm glad you told me though smile

Thank you for your advice smile

Well that was a different Amber K book. The one you're interested in might be different. Have a flick through on the preview and see if it appeals. I don't like her, but that doesn't mean you're going to have the same opinion.

And you're welcome ^_^ I was really surprised when I read the Spiral Dance because people had been recommending it to me for so long. Why do people attack Ravenwolf but not Starhawk, when Starhawk makes the same mistakes? I don't understand it. But there we are.  

[Esiris]

xMoonlitShadowsx

I'm interested in the history and different practices in it. From what I've heard from the podcast, this book seems to have quite a bit of both. I don't think it's something that would become a major part of my practice, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about it.

I think the best way to know about Vodou and Hoodoo is to talk to people who are initiated into it and practice seriously, instead of trying to read about it.

Quote:

I believe in a mix of things really. Started out a with Wicca, or what I thought was Wicca at the time, and since then I've moved on towards neo-paganism. I believe that there is some higher power up there, and that everything is connected. I do believe in Gods and Goddesses, but I don't stay in one particular pantheon. I love energy work and working with candles and crystals the most.

I'm looking to collect the bits I like and mix them into my own practice.

You could read Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practioner, it isn't really about Wicca- it's about eclectic neo-paganism, but it sounds like you might like it.

The tricky thing about worshiping gods without sticking to one pantheon is that a lot of important information is left out of the books that gloss over the different gods and spirits. Like the Loa- Obatala should never be offered alcohol, and lots of other gods like offerings of alcohol- but few books ever tell you not to for Obatala- and that's a huge no no that can make some serious trouble.

Some gods don't want any animal products in their worship- some gods love having blood offerings.

Knowing the details is the difference between good service to the gods and self service.  

[xMoonlitShadowsx]

Esiris

xMoonlitShadowsx

I'm interested in the history and different practices in it. From what I've heard from the podcast, this book seems to have quite a bit of both. I don't think it's something that would become a major part of my practice, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about it.

I think the best way to know about Vodou and Hoodoo is to talk to people who are initiated into it and practice seriously, instead of trying to read about it.

Quote:

I believe in a mix of things really. Started out a with Wicca, or what I thought was Wicca at the time, and since then I've moved on towards neo-paganism. I believe that there is some higher power up there, and that everything is connected. I do believe in Gods and Goddesses, but I don't stay in one particular pantheon. I love energy work and working with candles and crystals the most.

I'm looking to collect the bits I like and mix them into my own practice.

You could read Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practioner, it isn't really about Wicca- it's about eclectic neo-paganism, but it sounds like you might like it.

The tricky thing about worshiping gods without sticking to one pantheon is that a lot of important information is left out of the books that gloss over the different gods and spirits. Like the Loa- Obatala should never be offered alcohol, and lots of other gods like offerings of alcohol- but few books ever tell you not to for Obatala- and that's a huge no no that can make some serious trouble.

Some gods don't want any animal products in their worship- some gods love having blood offerings.

Knowing the details is the difference between good service to the gods and self service.

Thank you, makes sense. I actually have read Cunningham's book. Pretty good smile  

[iKillCaustic]

Ah yes, The Spiral Dance...that was fun wasn't it Sang? xp Kinda like pulling teeth without painkillers...still that book did one good thing for me - it showed me what to avoid in books (and sites too I suppose).  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

iKillCaustic--uKillMe

Ah yes, The Spiral Dance...that was fun wasn't it Sang? xp Kinda like pulling teeth without painkillers...still that book did one good thing for me - it sowed me what to avoid in books (and sites too I suppose).

It was... an education xd  

[iKillCaustic]

Sanguina Cruenta

iKillCaustic--uKillMe

Ah yes, The Spiral Dance...that was fun wasn't it Sang? xp Kinda like pulling teeth without painkillers...still that book did one good thing for me - it sowed me what to avoid in books (and sites too I suppose).

It was... an education xd

Indeed it was.