Philosophy of Wicca

by Amber Laine Fisher

While many books focus on spells and magic, few have comprehensively addressed the philosophical underpinnings of nature-based faiths. Philosophy of Wicca fills this void. This book details Wiccan beliefs and reveals the "how" and "why" of this burgeoning religion, exploring its place within a predominantly Christian society. Beginning with the idea of Deity and its manifestation, the book explores how Wiccans relate to the Divine. Amber Laine...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550224875
• ISBN13: 9781550224870
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Good book

I got this book as a Yule gift and finished it in a few days. The writing is fluid and engaging, as another reviewer said, and even the ideas presented that I didn't agree with were thoughtful and interesting.Some reviewers seem to take issue with the author's youth. I have been Wiccan for some twenty years, and frankly, I'm glad to see more young people writing with such gusto about this faith. I personally found the author's voice refreshing, and where her ideas diverged from mine, that was okay, because it reminded me that the religion is changing and growing with the new generation of Wiccans. This gives me heart. This means my religion may last another fifty years, and another fifty beyond that! I liked that this writer wasn't afraid to voice ideas and opinions that are contrary to some accepted . . . dare I say dogma, for lack of a better word? Maybe it was her youth that gave her new insights--and yes, many of her insights were new, or at the very least new to Wicca. (The Rede compared to the concept of tikkun olam? I like that!)Whether you're an eclectic Wiccan like that writer herself or a more old school biddy like me, if you can read this book with an open mind and not read it as a dictum for what all Wiccans do or should think and believe, you will probably find it a very endearing unearthing of some of the more often taken-for-granted pearls of Wicca. Don't take this book as gospel, as others have said. Don't take it as the final word--don't ever take anything as that! But do have a look. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Philosophy of Wicca

Philosophy of Wicca is not like most of the books in the genre. Rather than try to do an overview of some common ideas found in eclectic Wiccan circles, the author presents her own theology as a Wiccan. Anyone who has studied Wicca any length of time has surely noticed that Wicca is a little light on orthodoxy--that may even be on of its charms. But it leaves ample room for interpretation, and presenting us with her interpretation is something the author has done very well.This book will not tell you how to cast spell. It will not tell you how to run a coven or host a ritual, nor does it offer any advice on how to be a Wiccan. Rather, it is this woman's expression of her Wiccan faith, what she believes and why, and why these philosophies work well within a Wiccan structure. Reading this book was like being a fly on the wall during some deep spiritual introspection and exegesis. I'd love to see more books like this, written from a personal perspective.

Beautiful and engaging

I like seeing that this book has generated controversy--what I don't like is that it seems to have brought out some of the worst in my fellow Wiccans. People have used a difference of opinion to attack the author's personal life, which is inexcusable in a community of people who are supposed to be adults. The fact is, I don't agree with a number of things Ms. Fisher says in her book. That isn't the point--if you want a book you can completely agree with, go back to 101 and stay there. The intent of a book like Philosophy of Wicca isn't to tell you what to believe, it's to make you think about what you believe. Ms. Fisher says at the very beginning that this is her interpretation of Wiccan philosophy, not gospel--expecting her to continue to say that on every single page is ridiculous; the reader should be intelligent enough to know that "this is my interpretation" applies to the whole book, not just the introduction. Ms. Fisher also explains why she only says "Goddess" when talking about Deity in general, but apparently a number of people either skipped that part, or disregarded it completely, which is a shame. To miss anything in this book is a pity--even the parts that my own beliefs diverge from are thoughtful and well-written, and most assuredly *not* Wicca 101 material. Whatever your tradition, whatever your personal opinion, a book like this is a supreme act of courage in a genre dominated by more of the same old "this is an athame, these are herbs" nonsense. At heart, no two people practice the exact same Wicca--you'll notice the title isn't THE Philosophy of Wicca, because there isn't one. No author can speak for everyone in a spiritual context, because spirituality is highly personal; what an author can do, and what Ms. Fisher has done admirably, is explore common threads and invite us to do our own digging, which is more than I can say for a good 80% of authors out there these days. But never mind my opinion or that of any of the people here--don't just swallow what I or Ms. Fisher or someone with a childish vendetta has to say. Read it for yourself and decide.

A delightful, challenging read

I've been a Wiccan for a good long while now, and stopped reading books on Wicca a few years ago when I realized there wasn't anything being published anymore that seemed to speak to me. Then a few weeks ago at the request of a coven mate I picked up this book, and couldn't put it down.I found this book challenging, not because it was hard to get through (in fact, quite the opposite--I found the author's style exceedingly fluid and at time downright lyrical), but rather because it caused me to question what Wicca actually is, where it is going, and who is taking it there. The author is definitely not a Traditional, but her love for her religion and her passion for Divinity is obvious. She is clearly a woman dedicated to serving her Goddess.However, I do question whether or not this book is truly about Wiccan theology. I think that is both what I loved so much about it and what made it a challenge. I found myself asking, "What is Wicca, and who gets to decide?" as well as questioning how far outside the box one has to get before they can no longer be considered Wiccan. Fisher clearly presents ideas and notions that I had never heard explored in a Wiccan context before (notably her discourse on forgiveness and the relationships to other religions) but ideas which nevertheless don't seem to fall outside the boundaries of what most people (save a few Fundamentalist Traditionals) believe Wiccan theology to be. In other words, Ms. Fisher seems to be pushing the envelope with this books--which, judging from some of the reviews here, seems to make some people very uncomfortable! Nevertheless, I think it is an envelope that needs to be pushed.I rated this book 5 stars because I have not ever read anything like it within the context of Wicca. This book is a poetic, intoxicating, and yet exceedingly readable venture into Wiccan theology and beyond, exploring territory other Wiccan authors have either chosen not to write about or publishers have chosen not to publish. Whether or not one agrees with Ms. Fisher's conclusions, one has to give her credit for challenging some basic assumptions within Wicca, and for making it clear--finally--that the religion of Wicca can stand alone without the trappings of magic and New Age foolery.

Wonderful writing meets Deep Introspection

This is one of the best nonfictions I have ever read. The book details some of the more profound things encountered by the Wiccan belief system. Each chapter is wonderfully thought out by the author and is led by selections from poems or songs. This book is beautiful and can help explain misconceptions of this religion as well as help Wiccan practitioners journey past the "beginner" phase. Great reading for Wiccans and non-Wiccans alike, this book gets my absolute highest rating. Kudos to Amber Laine Fisher for displaying such passion and sharing it with us.