BOOK REVIEW - Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume 2
Mike
2009 Llewellyn ISBN: 978-0-7387-1478-3 480 pages
Paperback $23.95 (U.S.) $27.95 (Canada)
I reviewed the CD Companion set to this book recently and found it to
be, as is usual with Christopher’s work, excellent. It was, as I
noted then, not a substitute for this book however. There is so much
more to the training which he offers, outside of the meditations and
other verbal exercises.
This book is the final entry in a series of books which has,
potentially, exposed the reader to a variety of ways of viewing
Witchcraft. It, and its companion, is designed to help the reader
function as a High Priest/ess (as much as any printed source can).
There is no substitute for experience, but these books help to explore
some of the depths which are so seldom explored in most books on the
market.
As noted previously, Christopher and I come from very different
backgrounds (both magickal and mundane), so we don’t always see eye to
eye. While our perceptions may vary, our goals are very similar – to
help everyone (including ourselves) to be the best individual
possible.
This volume, the final one in his “Temple of Witchcraft” series is
less about a different approach to the religion and more about the
function of a High Priest/ess and culminates in a ritual sealing the
commitment of the individual to fulfill that function. It is meant to
be used in conjunction with the previously issued Volume 1.
He walks you through a variety of experiences which will help you to
expand your perceptions of the actions of divinity in your life; the
relationships between astrological signs and divinity; and how these
things relate to your actual life and relationships to others.
Although any of the six books in the series can be studied as a “stand
alone.” You would derive more benefit from reading and experiencing
all of them. The CD Companion sets are also a worthwhile addition to
your library. The entire series is designed to provide an overview of
Christopher’s five degree system of Witchcraft training.
This volume exposes the reader to twelve astrological/archetypal god-
forms and shows some unexpected correlations. It also addresses a
number of “real world” issues which are often ignored (or at best,
downplayed) by other writers, including the place of children in our
religion, interfaith communications, the use of psychoactive
materials, and other topics.
Christopher has always attempted to make his material both
understandable and useful, and he has once again succeeded. This
final volume in his series succeeds in going well beyond the basics,
without leaving the reader confused. His writing is crisp and clear,
his focus sharp, and he has the potential to be one of this
generation’s pivotal writers. This book (and indeed, the entire
series) deserves to be in your bookcase.
Evergreen
> Living Temple of Witchcraft, The Volume 2 by Christopher Penczak =A9
> 2009 Llewellyn ISBN: 978-0-7387-1478-3 480 pages
> Paperback $23.95 (U.S.) $27.95 (Canada)
>
> Although any of the six books in the series can be studied as a =93stand
> alone.=94 You would derive more benefit from reading and experiencing
> all of them. The CD Companion sets are also a worthwhile addition to
> your library. The entire series is designed to provide an overview of
>
[delete]
There isn't anyone who has used these books who can demonstrate any
skills the average person would consider magickal.
As is the case with all such publications, whether on the web or
in book or CD/DVD form, what they will teach a person to do is
play the role of a magician ('witch' being one of the many synonyms
for 'magician'), providing the dialogue of the psuedo-esoteric
woo-woo, the theatre of the rituals and the clothing and paraphernelia
as costumes.
This is the reality of 'neo-pagan'/ceremonial-ritual 'magick' in the
world today. It'a all role-playing for people who want to be magicians
but don't want to do the demanding, solitary, and life-changing work involved.
So they spend their time on the costumes and hang out with people who
tacitly agree to pretend to believe that they are all real magicians.
Note that all this woo-woo doesn't achieve anything that basic techniques
like mantra meditations, creative visualization, and self-hypnosis can't
accomplish. And these techniques can be learned in about 5 minutes.
No rituals and no material things are needed to do magick. In fact, they
interfere with the process. No references to any other beings than your
self or anything that has occurred in the past is necessary
to do magick. Nothing but plain, ordinary words, for the most part,
are needed to explain everything about magick.
Sid
--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
Sizzle Flambé
> There isn't anyone who has used these books who can demonstrate
> any skills the average person would consider magickal.
*** How * would * you * know * ??? ***
Have you conducted a survey of everyone who has used these books?
Mmmmmmm... that would be a... NO. Sidney has done no such survey.
Sidney has not gone and met these people.
Sidney has not asked them to demonstrate any "magickal" skills.
Sidney has no basis to make any such factual claim.
Sidney is, in fact, talking through his hat.
This is entirely typical of Sidney.
--
A Troll in Verse: <http://tinyurl.com/sidney-lambe>
About Sidney Lambe, Witless Pest and Apprentice Moron
Pete (aka: Farts In Circles)
In point of fact,
Sidney is a lying, gutless, cowardly asshole.