Pathwalkers herb gardens - Gypsey Website

Weekly PathWalkers.Net e-Newsletter #112 :: PathWalkers.Net Interactive :: Helping you along your path
==========================================================================
RECIPE - Apricot Caramel Sauce
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
1 cup sugar
4 cups water
1 cup firmly packed dried apricots (about 6 ounces)
2 teaspoons vanilla
In a dry heavy saucepan (about 3-quart capacity) cook sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork
until melted and then swirling pan, until sugar is a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and carefully
add 3 cups water down side of pan (it will bubble up and steam). Return pan to heat and simmer,
stirring, until caramel is dissolved.
Add apricots and simmer, covered, until soft, about 10 minutes. Cool mixture 10 minutes and in a
blender purée with remaining 1 cup water and vanilla until very smooth. Sauce may be made 3 days
ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat sauce to warm.
Makes about 5 cups.
==========================================================================
BOOK REVIEW: Spirit of the Witch
by Raven Grimassi © 2003
Llewellyn Worldwide
214 pages + Notes, Appendices, Glossary, Bibliography and Index
paperback
ISBN 0-7387-0338-9
$12.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason
While there is no question that the author is knowledgeable about his own particular branch of Wicca
(Stregheria), this very knowledge presents a problem. Because of his knowledge and background, and
because (I suspect) of the length of time he has spent teaching, he slips into the habit of making
pronouncements (i.e., "The pentacle platter is made of stone or clay." (page 109). While this may be
true in his branch of Wicca, it doesn't hold true for all branches.
Granted, in the next paragraph he does acknowledge that some Witches do use metal (of which he
appears tolerant) or even wood (of which he appears less tolerant).
I truly like and appreciate Raven's style of writing. It is, in most cases, clear and unambiguous. It is too
bad that Wicca is not so clean cut and obvious. He acknowledges that trying to organize Witches is like
trying to herd cats. Witches are entirely too independent and contrary to be easily pigeon-holed.
The author does his best to present a variety of points-of-view, in contrast to many other authors today,
in spite of his own bias in favor of his own particular branch of Wicca. Unfortunately, there are pluses
and minuses to this approach, and he will draw criticism from both sides of the debate. Those who
follow Strega will complain that he compromises their beliefs, and those who follow other traditions
will complain that he doesn't fully understand their tradition.
This book accomplishes what it sets out to do, which is to provide an overview of the spirituality which
is inherent in the religion of Wicca. It is not the be-all and end-all on the topic. It is a starting point.
The rituals he provides will certainly give you a starting point. They are not complex, nor are they
drawn from any particular tradition. They are simple and moving and, most importantly, effective in
beginning a lifetime's experience in relating to the Wheel of the Year.
This is one of the first books I have seen which is devoted to the spirituality of Wicca and not just the
forms. If this is what you want to know about, this book is an excellent starting point. I would hope to
see more books on the same topic, by many other authors. The more points of view the populace can be
exposed to, the more comfortable people will be in finding their own spirituality.
http://www.pathwalkers.net/interactive/modules.ph...&file=article&sid=451&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 (6 of 7) [12/25/2005 12:12:16 AM]