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Book
Review - Self-Initiation for the Solitary Witch: Attaining
a Higher Spirituality Through a Five-Degree System |
Back cover synopsis: This much-needed text leads practitioners through a Dedication and the study of five degrees. First Degree: Path of Intellect Second Degree: Path of the Heart Third Degree: Path of the Soul Fourth Degree: Path of the Physical Fifth Degree: Path of the Mysterious This work is a wonderful guide to creating a personal study program. Use it as you see fit to create a path of personal and spiritual growth. |
Rhaevyn's Synopsis |
Self Initiation for the Solitary Witch is a guide to help you with your path every step of the way. You will not fine everything you need in this book to go from Seeker to Elder or Ancestor--you will still have to read other books, learn more than superficial knowledge, and practice to actually move forward. However, this book does serve as a guide to help you know where you stand and what you should learn in order to be able to assess your personal stage in one system. This is the same system Shanddaramon's group, Sacred Order of Living Paganism, uses, so the book is like having access to the syllabus of the SOLP's classes and degrees. You are given a special peek into one group's tradition and standards, but you are responsible to motivate yourself to continue your learning, and you have to determine for yourself when you are ready to claim a degree. |
Entertainment Factor  |
| This book is written with clear explanations and expectations of what goals you should meet to proceed through the degrees. It does not get bogged down, but stays light and quick so you can focus on learning and practice. A lot of emphasis is placed on you creating your own rituals and determining your own beliefs. The first half of the book is all about the First Degree--even if you already have a grasp on "the beginner stuff," it is not so tedious to read through again in order to get Shanddaramon's spin on the religion. While the book has a Wiccan slant, it is obvious that he has written it to be adapted to your own beliefs and tradition. |
Content and Information |
| The content of this book is not focused on a "this is what I have to say, it's a fact, so believe me because I'm an Elder" attitude. Shanddaramon presents information, yet leaves room for personal interpretation and use. As a guide, the information contained as an outline for what you should learn to help yourself advance, yet gives enough structure so you can systematically build your knowledge and practice. Basic rituals are included, but again it is emphasized that you should adapt them to suit your own style of practice. Considering the book guides you all the way through Ancestorship (including creating/working with a group if you are later moved to do so), I really wanted to give this book five stars because it provides so much help to those who are learning on their own by not only giving ideas, but setting goals to achieve in every step of the way. I felt, however, that there could have been a little more guidance as to what should go into your magickal books, as well as a little more content (such as even more books for further study) as you got further into the degree system. |
Usefulness  |
| Most books for solitaries, I've seen, tend to give you what you need as you begin on this path, and then they stop short. Even solitaries need to move beyond the 101-level, but without others to help guide them, it can be frustrating. And to potentially become an elder in the Craft when you cannot or do not work with others in any formal group situation--that's usually out of the question! But Shanddaramon has created this guide so that even a Solitary can have some idea of what to do or learn next to continue their spiritual progression and religious practices beyond the 101-level. While any tradition's degrees are generally only useful/acceptable in that tradition (and even if you join the SOLP, you'd have to undergo a degree assessment), you can at least get an idea of where you stand and what you need to learn in order to fulfill your goals. |
Longevity |
| Since so much of the information is implied (you'll have to do further research to attain a full grasp of any given subject), this book lives up to its main purpose: Serving as a guide to solitaries so they, too, can develop past the introductory books. Most Solitary books don't go this far. This book does not say what path is "correct" or what you "must" do, but allows a person to develop him/herself and his/her path while providing lots of guidance. Since Wicca, Paganism, and Witchcraft are evolving so quickly, and more and more solitaries are cropping up and absorbing the 101-material so fast, this book will be one that will serve them well as they progress in their studies. With the number of Pagans who are internet-savvy, it's nice to have a guide that even those who choose to not be in a group can use so they, too, can become respectable, responsible, well-practiced individuals able to help the Pagan community. |
Final Analysis  |
| There is no way one book can hold your hand and spoon-feed you what you need to know to become an Elder in the Pagan community. Shanddaramon is obviously aware of that, and wrote Self-Initiation for the Solitary Witch to at least help people walk their own path and give them goals to strive for. While maintaining a sense of structure, this book is flexible enough so you can learn and grow, work alone or use it to begin a study group, and move at your own pace to incorporate your spirituality into your everyday life. I think this book is an invaluable tool, and I have a feeling that other traditions may create their own books and lessons using this as a model since it does set a public standard of requirements to progress through a series of degree. |
Author:
Shanddaramon
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I'll admit a bias...I don't like a lot of the books that Pagan authors are putting out now. I try to give fair and honest reviews, but I really think that if we want the standards of Pagan reference and literature raised, we have to be incredibly critical of what is already on the market. Just wanted to warn you ahead of time... *grin*
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