Towards an Academic Study of British Wicca by Jo Harrington =A9
2006 Flying Witch Publications ISBN 1-900433-31-1 xxx pages
Cardcover Booklet $9.82 (U.S.) $11.21 (Canada)
I know that a lot of people are not very fond of academic books on
religious topics (or any other topics, for that matter). They feel
they may be "too dry," or "uninvolved," or, simply
"boring." Unfortunately that is the nature of academic approaches
to almost any topic. Academic books exist for the purposes of
academics, not to become best sellers. Therefore this little monograph
was a pleasant surprise. It was easy to read and to understand.
It is difficult for an active practitioner of any religion to
investigate its origins and development with an unprejudiced eye. Ms.
Harrington gives it her best effort and, even, if she is not completely
successful, she presents an honest attempt at presenting the evolution
of scholarly approaches to the religion of Wicca.
Does she produce any startling revelations? Does she present
incontrovertible proof to settle the debates which have swirled about
the religion for the past half century? No, she does not. She does,
however, give all sides a fair hearing, with adequate do***entation to
allow any academician to find a starting point for their own
researches. She also suggests some lines of inquiry which deserve to
be pursued.
Is this a book which I feel belongs in every Witch's library?
Probably not. It should be in the library of every Gardnerian-derived
coven, however. And it definitely needs to be read and discussed.
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