Sacred Round: A Witch's Guide to Magical Practice

by Elen Hawke

Book Overview

Witchcraft is a joyous celebration of nature: of the seasons; of earth, fire, air, water, and spirit; of the waxing and waning moon and the fiery sun; of the life force manifesting as the Goddess and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738701726
• ISBN13: 9780738701721
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Inspired....

Over the years I have attempted to use various books for prayer and meditation (Wicca and non-wicca). I found THE SACRED ROUND one of the more inspirational, and exactly what I need at this time. Following a busy workday and a 2-way commute, at the end of the day I need a respite. Lately, I've taken an hour to sit quietly, burn incense, mediate, and read material designed to quieten my overwrought soul. The past few weeks, I've been using THE SACRED ROUND and have felt rested, restored and renewed. What more can one ask.THE SACRED ROUND is not as comprehensive as Scott Cunningham's books for solitaries (which are excellent) and is not a comprehensive historical review of Wicca and it's works (such as DRAWING DOWN THE MOON by Margo Adler). Hawke's book is simple and straightforward and focuses on tools one can use for daily practice.Although Hawke describes rituals that involve more than one person, I think one person can use them. What is visualization if I cannot use it to imagine a ritual. Imagination is about conjuring up an image and exploring every facet of it. A really good exercise Hawke suggests involves creating an inner space where you can take yourself to 'get away from it all'. My intuitive self understands this suggestion and I am able to be elsewhere when I need to--as in the days when I used to "daydream" in school and transport myself out the classroom window and into a grassy field nearby.In addition to material describing of various rituals associated with 'Western' lunar and solar holidays, she has included Eastern material including Chakra work.

Suitable for solitaries and circles alike

Elen Hawke is a wonderful writer. Her work truly shines with inspiring and thoughtful prose. She is clearly an elder in the craft and writes with genuine wisdom. My favorite chapters are: Chakra Work - which is brilliantMeditations and Visualisations - clear and non-fluffyThe Moon - the core work of my own practiceIn response to another review, I think the simplicity and clarity of her rituals adapts beautifully to solitary work. I have been practicing solitary for many years, and find her approach suits me well. It is refreshing and intelligent. I recommend all her books. Bright Blessings!

There's no barbie on a broom on the cover of this book!

It is very rare in the current market that an author will follow the first book with anything other than a rehash of the first, and this book is one of those rareties.This book builds upon its inspirational predecessor (In The Circle), introducing new concepts to the reader whilst furthering the ideas presented in the first guide. This book clearly demonstrates that Elen has both the knowledge of her chosen subjects & the ability to present it in an easy to understand manner. She also seems to be able to finish off all of this by writing in a beautifully inspiring manner, in which an hour of reading can seem like minutes! It is quite clear from the outset that this author has actually put some thought into her book.This book covers many areas, including the elementsm, chakras, meditation, visualisation, the moon, festivals, sacred space, ritual, magic & divination. However, there are three chapters that really stand out in all of this.The first is the chapter on the elements. I don't know how many times I've despaired at the complete lack of information that is conveyed on this topic, but this book has answered that prayer. The elements are discussed one by one (including Spirit), relating the physical qualities to their esoteric symbolism and giving plenty of ideas that will help an alignment with these powerful forces.The second is the chapter on the chakras. I must admit I already had an understanding of the chakras as I work with them a lot & have studied them profusely. However, the one thing that sets this apart from other information is the way that Elen has clearly thought about the way they fit in with witchcraft and our beliefs, not merely trying to jam an eastern concept into a western belief system. The last section of special mention is that on the festivals & the moon. Although these are covered in the first book, here they are expanded upon, clearly demonstrating the ways in which both the moon phases & the festivals can be worked with to enable personal development, as well as the ways in which they can be utilised in magic.Elen has also avoided the pitfall of so many authors who attempt to write guides on this spiritual path, in that in no way does it become a dull lifeless technical textbook. Throughout this book Elen manages to weave information and exercises together in a poetic, almost lyrical, fashion. The result of this are down to earth ways by which one can fit the craft into daily life, and the most vital part, the inspiration that drives you to stop reading about it & start doing it.

An excellent magical manual

This is an excellent sequel to In the Circle, but it goes into more depth with rituals, magic, divination and the festivals, and adds more in depth information about the chakras, meditation and the elements, witchcraft and paganism. I think the book was produced in an authorative and ethical manner, as well as being beautifully written in an easy read and poetical style. I would recommend it to newbies and the experienced equally, there is something for both. The book stands along classics such as Cunningham, Kate West and Silver Raven Wolfe. Truly an excellent working magical manual with everything you need to get set up and started, or to deepen your practise if you are a seasoned witch.

Excellent for beginners and experienced witches alike

If you are wondering what to read after Scott Cunningham's Wicca and living Wicca then this would be a good buy. Like Cunningham, Ellen Hawke manages to fit in a remarkable amount of material in a surprisingly small space (the book is around 180 pages)and her writing style is clear and to the point which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. At the same time, her style is also enthusiastic and imaginative and I found myself completely absorbed by the material and finished it in just a couple of sessions.The book covers everything you would expect - from the festivals, importance of meeon phases, setting up a sacred space, the tools, correspondences, the elements, chakra work, visualisation and more. There are numerous practical examples associated with almost all of the topics, which are easy to follow, ethical and safe to use. If you are near the start of your path on the craft of the wise then you will gain a great deal by trying out the exercises here. If like me, you are a bit further along, then this book is excellent as a reference work (because it is so clearly laid out)for things like correspondences. This is Ellen Hawke's second book, and the quality of the first has been maintained here. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.