PP – Review of Circle Round

By Jodi Lee
~Originally Published October 2000~
(see author/copyright info below)

Circle Round – Raising Children in Goddess Traditions
by: Starhawk – Diane Baker – Anne Hill

I have been parenting for many years, not just with my own children, but also being a substitute mother for my much younger brothers when they visit. For more years than I care to remember, I have looked for a pagan book on parenting, and the stages of life. I think I even went so far as to post on various newsgroups in my frustration. And I believe it was on one of those newsgroups that someone told me he thought Starhawk had a parenting book on the market.

Well, that message began a three month search in local bookstores. No one seemed to have it, and of course without travelling to the city there was no one who would order it in.

Off we went to the city. Looked here, looked there, finally found a copy in the quaint shop – Prairie Sky (if you are ever in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba – this is the place to visit for friendly pagan/new-age atmosphere in a small shop). I suppose I could have asked Chapters or Barnes & Noble to order one in, but I have the patience of a two year old, so I hunted instead (Grin).

On the trip home, my hands kept opening the book, almost of their own volition. I refuse to read in a car – nasty bouts of car sickness have ensued from my addiction to the written word. But, there I was, flipping through pages and picking out the odd bit to read. I was fascinated! First of all, Bantam had done the world a service by using toned paper (a kind of creamy color) and a dark green ink for illustrations and print. Not only is it better on the eyes in a car, but also if one happens to be reading under the bright sun, or by a lamp. Getting back on track however, this is the first book I had read that is the collaborative effort of three women, who all seemingly agreed with each other, or at least managed to keep from storming out in a huff. That amazes me in itself!

The book that has come from these three remarkable women has given myself, and my children many moments of happiness, as I read the stories to them, work on a craft with them, sing to them (ack – ok, perhaps they don’t enjoy listening to mommy’s terribly off-key singing). With wonderful explanations of each area of a Goddess Tradition, to the Sun and Moon cycles, to a full area for each Sabbat – including activities, songs, crafts and stories. Think that’s it? Guess again!

Following the Sabbat chapters, comes the Life Cycle. The stages of life are covered here, from birth to coming of age, and beyond. The Circle of Elements covers all that is contained in the Pentacle – Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

This book has changed a lot of the ways I have dealt with questions from children, my own and others. Previously, I would stammer and not be sure of what to say, and now, I can give them answers to questions asked in terms they understand a little easier. I love it! If you don’t already have it – go out and beg, borrow or buy it!

Moon Soup
fr.page 66 / Moon Cycle

Use your favorite recipe to make black bean soup. Its dark color serves as the “night sky”.

To make “moons” and “stars” float on the soup “sky”, beat yogurt or sour cream (about a quarter cup per serving) until it’s the consistency of heavy cream, thinning it with milk if necessary. Pouring carefully from a cup with a spout, dribble crescent moons near the sides of each bowl. Accent with tiny drops for stars.

For a full moon, pour the yogurt or sour cream into a spiral. With the back of a spoon, stroke the spiral gently until the white liquid has blended together to form a floating moon.

For a vegan moon soup, slice thin pieces of pale soy cheese, then with a cookie cutter or sharp knife cut out moon and star shapes and float them in the soup.

Above quote used by permission granted for reviews

–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.

PP – Review of SRW’s Teen Witch Kit

By Jodi Lee
(warning – contains heavy sarcasm)
~Originally Published October 2000 – re-written and recently re-published in newWitch Magazine, Issue #07. Republish not permitted.~

I know I’ll likely lose my happy standing with Llewellyn publishers over this review, however, I cannot in good conscience, smile and choke out the words “It’s wonderful”. In fact, I won’t.

When the card came in the mail letting me know it would be available for review, I thought, ok, here’s a chance to actually see the Kit, and form an honest opinion on it. That was not to be, at least, not for a while. It seems the Kit was already back-ordered! Advance copies and review copies had already taken out the first available sets.

“Hmmm, maybe it’s better than we all thought.” WRONG!

Two months after having requested it, the Kit arrived in it’s little envelope. I rushed home from the post office before trudging off to do the mundane tasks of everyday life, simply to take a brief look at the contents of that package. I ripped the tear seal, and slid the book into my hands. Pretty as it is, and it IS pretty, I began to smell cheapness…Now don’t get me wrong, cheap can be good…Goddess knows I have spent hours searching for great deals on books and clothes and what-have-you. But this piece is going to cost American youth (that IS the target market after all) $24.95. In Canada however, it’s been priced anywhere from $34.95 to a whopping $45.00.

I have wandered off track now haven’t I? Ah, the mental wanderings of a witch on a soapbox! ;-)

The “box” the Kit is in, is actually an open-backed container, meaning the enclosed book serves as a back. The cover of the “box” will fold down once the book is removed, and lo! It’s an altar! Not just any altar, but one made of plastic, with little moon cycle symbols pressed into it. A shlocky, and I don’t like to put down any jewelry people, but this is the epitome of the word, pentacle is enclosed – not silver, but painted soft metal. The charm bag is pretty, but not really functional for anything more than small amulets. The Golden “Wish” cord is another bit of un-necessary fluff. The crystal, well, let’s just say I held that crystal in my hand, and I didn’t think, nor do I think now, that it’s quartz as claimed. It doesn’t feel right, and after months of working with the most energetic and beautiful crystals available (ok, as far as I am concerned they are – see my store site) and having compared the the SRW crystal with one from the mines in Arkansas; after describing the SRW crystal to many people online, some of whom are constantly working with minerals, none of us think this is quartz. Many think it’s cut glass crystal, but without taking it in for analysis, I can’t be sure. And the book – well, I’d rather not write a book on the in-consistencies and trivialities of that book.

The only saving grace in the entire package was the coins that were enclosed. One Goddess/God coin, and one for divination. They were up to “snuff” for me…(grin) I do believe they are the only real useful tool in the whole kit, and I hope that kids that are purchasing the kit will look for more useful ways of employing them.

SRW may have her fans, but as far as I am concerned, “If I don’t do it, someone else will” excuse for putting out the Teen Witch Kit just does not cut it with me, nor with many others.

I tried being objective with this – I did. But it’s hard to do when something is so mass produced and quite obviously for profit only. Definitely two thumbs down…
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.

© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish not permitted.