When I See the Wild God: Encountering Urban Celtic Witchcraft

This book was a harmonious blend of Wiccan witchcraft and Celtic paganism, thoughtfully and playfully woven together. I recommend it to anyone who is attempting a Wiccan path, as a way of deepining their connection to the masculine, the wild, and the poetic aspects of their faith.

Some have looked at this book and thought it to be about Wicca. Indeed many people believe Wicca and Witchcraft to be interchangeable; this is not the case as Ly de Angeles' book WHEN I SEE THE WILD GOD - a companion, and brother to her earlier work WITCHCRAFT, THEORY & PRACTICE - eloquently demonstrates. There is a primal spirit in Witchcraft that practitioner's of Wicca (in my opinion) shy away from. WHEN I SEE THE WILD GOD brings that primal energy to the reader in abundance, which is a telling feat as most of the chapters are rather short. Ms de Angeles writes with a potent understand of language and word-magic. She is able to express ideas that would take some writers pages to get cross, in concise verse that doesn't assume you - the reader- have an IQ of a 14 year old. Rather Ly's writing comes across like a seed, it implants within the fertile mind of those with the ears to hear and the eyes to see, and takes you on a strong spiritual journey as it deepens and you, and it, grow. Yes, this book is bound to the Celtic tradition of which Ly de Angeles has spent the majority of her life following, studying and living. Rather than being presented with a hodge-podge of differing and even conflicting deity, Ly presents a rich tradition, and a history that is alive and vibrant. WHEN I SEE THE WILD GOD is a book that bridges the gap between the strength of an ancient lineage and the primordial yearning in the soul of the seeker - who has been searching but not finding in the mass-market rubbish that has been positioned in todays marketplace. If WITCHRAFT, THEORY & PRACTICE can be described as a primer then WILD GOD is bonfire that lights for us a path that has been beckoning but lost to the shadow cast by society. If you are serious about calling yourself a Witch, if you have heard the voice of the Gods in the wind, in the trees and through the roaring of the traffic in the congested streets of our concrete jungles, but have been unsure how to answer them, then buy yourself this book. For as Ly says: "If the magic believes in you, how can you not?"

In a plethora of training manuals directed primarily towards women, here at last is an author providing essential information for those who hold the beliefs and practices of witch craft. Balanced in that context, the book is also a perfect follow-up to de Angeles' first book, Witchcraft: Theory and Practice. The foundation is laid there, and is extended further in When I See the Wild God. In this book, the theories presented previously are expanded, offering a wide view of the roles and lives of witches in the dawn of the 21st century. De Angeles' speaks to her readers and provides ancient myths in new urban settings, bringing to life what often is perceived as being absent in our post-modern, neo-liberal era filled often with lots of concrete. I strongly recommend this book.

Those familiar with the writings of Ly de Angeles will not be surprised at the depth and thought provoking style found within the pages of "When I See the Wild God". It is just what we have come to expect of this unique Lady, Witch and High Priestess. Those who have yet to experience the writings of this Australian author, are in for a life changing experience. Ly de Angeles aims her words at those who think and question, those who challenge and those who walk their own path and to their own tune.Though "When I See the Wild God" is a work it its own right, it is the perfect accompaniment to the author's previous work "Witchcraft Theory & Practice". If you haven't read this latter text, my advice is, get a copy."When I See the Wild God" celebrates the sacred masculine; that which is powerful, raunchy, honourable & strong in both male and female. It would be a mistake to say that this book is only about "the God", for the Goddess strides through these pages too. The focus however is as the title suggests, upon The Wild God. Readers, both male & female who celebrate the masculine along with the feminine will have a sense that at last, the God of the witches has been given the attention he deserves. Those, who for whatever reason have yet to experience the heady embrace of The Wild God, will come to realise that they have only been enjoying about 50% of what witchcraft and paganism has to offer. The novice will find within the pages of this book, enough practical advice to help them start along the path of their sacred journey. The more adept will be carried to new levels of understanding and ever unfolding wonder.One of the things that make this book unique, is Ly de Angeles' way of bringing the Deithe (the Gods) to you... right to your front door. You will never again think of the Gods as being remote, unreachable on some other plane, or anchored in the country of your distant ancestors. You will come to understand that the Gods of your heart are with you, regardless of whether you walk the misty shores, the dry deserts, the dense scrublands, the urban sprawl of your hometown, or the chaos of the large city. You will find yourself looking out for them, wherever you are.From an Australian readers point of view, it is always a rare treat to find books that acknowledge the fact that people actually live in the Southern Hemisphere, let alone witches and pagans that often feel completely ignored by other authors. The sections with a truly Australian flavour will delight local and international readers alike and invoke some good belly laughs along the way."When I See the Wild God" and "Witchcraft Theory and Practice" are without doubt my two most treasured books on the subject of witchcraft. They offer something that I have yet to find in any other book. Just get them!

There is a Wiccan tradition myth that men learn from women and women learn from men. Over the past half century there has probably been more Wiccan women willing to teach men than willing to learn from men, as De Angeles alludes to in her second chapter. Through this book she sets out on a journey to teach men about Wicca. Most of the book is similar to many books on basic Wicca. De Angeles' approach is to use a lot of Celtic words and God names rather than plain English like many other similar books. She also, in the introduction, says that she is focusing on teaching men. There are chapters on basic Wiccan techniques such as calling quarters, invocation of Gods, blessing your tools, and so forth. I found the Celtic names both interesting and confusing, although it might be a good way to learn a few Celtic words. The Gods she writes about are mostly Celtic which seems to be the focus of her own practice. She briefly mentions other Gods such as Bel, who was known throughout the ancient world, but only briefly without the identification and connections. We get only the reflection of Bel as He was known in Celtic lands. De Angeles includes basic ritual outlines that a beginner of no specific tradition could use in ritual. One chapter on Scholar and Warrior stresses non-violence, a modern view that I personally can't find much historical support for. Certainly it's not from Celtic warriors of history such as Brennus or Vercingetorix. I suspect that De Angeles' the peaceful warrior philosophy comes from modern feminist or certainly female philosophy, and not from Celtic traditions. Perhaps she could do with more learning from men as well as teaching men. I found her Appendix on "To Ride the Tiger" especially pleasing. It's all about love and sex the Wild God. In some deep way Wicca is about wildness, and the wild God of life and love in the earth and in each of us. De Angeles approaches this topic several times in various chapters. Overall it's a pretty good book for men who are starting out in Wicca or even progressing along a Wiccan spiritual life and want to reclaim the magic of our Celtic ancestors. De Angeles makes a big point of connecting with one's own ancestors, and thus those of Celtic ancestry, or even partly Celtic ancestry can find magic in its pages.