Green Witchcraft

I'm 3rd gen from Grandmother. She became a Christian Scientist to make people crazy. Her gen. didn't know what a witch was. I'd be very surprised if yours did. It was foreign to that generation.

I enjoyed this book and the information it provides. The author seemed to be truly trying to explain her family's approach to witchcraft, but unfortunately I think she focuses on that a little too much. The book seems more about the beliefs of her family than it is straight reference to the overall topic of witchcraft. There are also times I would've very much appreciated a little extra information about certain subjects. Perhaps that information is provided in the other installments of her "green witchcraft" series. I was pleased enough with this one that I've already committed to trying the next book, so I suppose I'm going to find out. There is, I think I should mention, not very much at all about fairy lore. That part of the title is very misleading.

This is the first book I read by Ann Moura, and it has definitely left me wanting more. First, I'll mention the writing style: it can be very formal at times, which can make it dry and hard to get into, at least compared to some other books I've read. It didn't bother me, but it did slow me down a bit when I first started reading. There is a new heading (or several) on almost every page, which can interfere with reading it straight through smoothly, but I immediately recognized that these could be incredibly helpful if I go back to reference the book, especially since the first few chapters are very long.The fairy lore portion of this book? If you are looking for fairy lore, get a different book. This is not at all a focus in this book. A few things are mentionned throughout the book, but there isn't a chapter on the subject.The book forcusses mainly on what the green path is, and how to work with it. She writes as a solitary, for a solitary, but includes recommendations for group work. She seems to understand how different every witch can be and she explains her path in such a way that it could be followed as she writes it, merged with your own path, or just offer some helpful perspectives that might influence you on your path.Her history is incredibly well researched, and really manages to put some perspective on some modern beliefs and practices. She explained very understandably where working with angels came from and why it is not really wiccan. She even explained something about the story of Cain and Abel that I couldn't stop thinking about for days. She explains her approach to ritual in detail, giving reasons for her key decisions well before the book turns into a series of rituals. Some of the rituals that are included are a funeral-type ritual and a rite of passage. I mention these because you don't see these very often. Including a ritual for a departed friend strikes me as evidence that the author really takes their path seriously as a life-long journey and commitment.Sabbat rituals are included (just like practically every book on witchcraft) and she includes a list of non-ritual activities to celebrate the sabbats. I usually find these more interesting that the published rituals, so I thought I'd mention them.On the green path itself, I'll mention a few things. It is very earthy. There is a lot of emphasis on the elements. It's not all about the elements, but I noticed there was more of an emphasis on them than a lot of other craft books had.

I really liked this book. It is a very practical, responsible book. She definitely writes from a "kitchen witch" or a "folk magick" slant.Chapter 1: The Green - Ms. Moura goes into her definition of Green Witchcraft. She has an interesting family background in that her mother and grandmother had very pagan practices and beliefs while remaining staunch Catholics. She does do some historic tracings but it is mostly a book on what was passed down to her. She takes a definite pantheistic view and deals more with the elementals than any particular aspect of the God and Goddess. She also sees elementals as "whos" not "whats" which to me made a big difference. She is also a solitary so most of the material is written with that slant and the idea that dedicating, initiating yourself is just as "valid" as having it done by an HP.Chapter 2: Basics - goes into a brief explanation of the sabbats and esbats and how she personally celebrates them. She is one of the first authors I have seen that gives a clear definition of the difference between dedication and initiation rituals. Her explanation (which matches what I believe) is that a initiation ritual is your way of "introducing" yourself and asking for guidance as your learn the basics. You are not pledging yourself to any one path, just kind of saying "here I am". A dedication ritual is one in which you dedicate yourself to a particular path or belief withfull-knowledge of what you are pledging to. She also goes over her ideas of the use of craft names as well.Chapter 3: Witches and Herbs - goes over the usual herb correspondences, some correspondences for candle magic, one of the few places I have seen information about tree correspondences, color relationships, herbs in rituals, ritual timingChapter 4: Green Living - Some background info on how she came to her view of witchcraft, some "core traditions" which include the rede, the Charge of the Goddess, 5-fold and 7-fold blessings.Chapter 5: Magic - basic components of spell and circle casting, brief pages on runes and divinationChapter 6: Magical Practices - more divination techniques, recipes for ceremonial oils (altar, annointing, cleansing, consecrating etc.Chapter 7: Green Rituals: this was the chapter that sold me on the book. She has one of the clearest step by step basic ceremonies that I have ever read. As a solitary, it gets very confusing where, when, and how to use certain tools like wands, athames, brooms, bells, cauldrons etc. Ms Moura walks you through a step by step ritual. She also has initiation and dedication rituals and various others (handfasting etc.) For all of her rituals she gives you candle color correspondences recommended incenses and step by step directions for you to use/improve on.Chapter 8: The Esbats - full moon and new moon and tool consecration rituals.Chapters 9 - 16: The Sabbats - rituals for each of the sabbats.

It touches on many of the basics of Paganism in a simple and straightforward manner. Topics covered: pagan history, basic ingredients and instructions for rituals, herbs, color/tree/candle associations, tarot, runes... I thought that it covered so many different topics that it covered some topics too lightly. A bit heavy on the Wiccan aspect, but this book is what gave me the self created title of "green witch". I hadn't found any other title that so perfectly reflected my beliefs. Worth the money for beginners, I definately plan to order the second volume.

Green Witchcraft is probably the most valuable book a beginning practitioner of Witchcraft could have. True, those who want to study a rigid system of Wicca, far removed from its historical and spiritual roots, will not find much here -- the greatest thing about this book is that it emphasizes our personal, one-on-one connection with the Divine. And isn't that what Witchcraft should truly be about? If we wanted dogma, we wouldn't *be* Witches. Moura does a fantastic job of evoking the beauty and joy of a truly deep & unique spiritual connection to the Craft. She is knowledgeable, educated and unbiased. This is an excellent book!