duminică, 18 decembrie 2011

[Earthwise] Digest Number 2758

Messages In This Digest (3 Messages)

1.
CD Temple of the Drum From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
2.
BOOK REVIEW - Advancing the Witches' Craft From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
3.
BOOK REVIEW - Wicca Magickal Beginnings From: gleason.mike@comcast.net

Messages

1.

CD Temple of the Drum

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:40 am (PST)





Temple of the Drum CD by Dragon Ritual Drummers © 2011 !2 Tracks $20.00 (U.S.)

Total Running Time: 55:34

Gateway 02:33 Marakesh 01:22

Hot Toddy 04:23 Bombay Bollywood Bop 04:53

Fanga 04:29 Shaharazad 03:51

Afri Afrique 06:10 Brazil 05:52

Tuatha de dannan 06:08 Dance of the Thunder Serpent 01:50

Guinea 04:16 Wake the Dragon 09:39

I am extremely grateful that a friend pointed me in the direction of Dragon Ritual Drummers a few years ago. In the intervening years I have had the pleasure and opportunity to receive and review several of their releases and I have yet to be disappointed by the quality of the performances and production values. These folks know how to use their instruments to attain the best possible results.

On a personal note, my one regret is that every time I have hoped to have time to get together with them, or attend a performance, something has inevitably cropped up which prevented me from doing so. Ah, well...next year for sure.

Almost all of their music is written by members of the group (they do a few traditional songs to add a little extra flavor and variety to what they do – "Fanga" and "Shaharazad" are examples on this disk). Perhaps the most striking thing about their performances is that they don't use "studio tricks" to make their recordings (no sampling from other sources, no instrumental enhancements of any sorts). What you hear is all natural, although it is possible that the vocals on "Fanga" may have been tweaked a bit.

If you are one of those individuals who, like I was, feels that "A drumming CD isn't for me," I humbly suggest that you put aside your preconceptions and sit back when you have some time and be prepared to change your mind. First of all, their work (and this one as well) is much more than drumming and other percussion instruments. Okay, granted, the percussion instruments dominate, but they do not overwhelm.

I was so reluctant to deal with " a drumming CD" at the beginning that I almost turned down the opportunity to do a review, but then I remembered the instruction I got from one of my early magical instructors: "You should try all things three times - once to see if you like it, a second time to see if you decided in haste, and a third time to see if you tire of it quickly.

I am not personally into dance (having absolutely no sense of rhythm), but there is a compelling force behind the music which forces even me to tap my feet and bounce my legs as I listen. At the same time, there are passages and sequences which encourage the listener to relax and let go of any sense of urgency. While that isn't terribly hard to do with separate songs, to find that within the same song is a pleasant surprise.

Looking for a CD with a lot of potential? Something that can lead you from African tribal dance to the swaying of a Moroccan belly dance? And which, along the way will make a stop on the Indian sub-continent? Look no further. Add this CD to your collection and you won't regret it.

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2.

BOOK REVIEW - Advancing the Witches' Craft

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:41 am (PST)





Advancing the Witches' Craft by Marcus F. Griffin © 2011 Megalithica Books ISBN: 978-1-950713-54-7 229 pages Paperback $20.99 (U.S.)

Regular readers of my slightly irregular reviews know that I have a couple of pet peeves, neither one of which I can do anything about, and neither of which is going away any time soon. The first is the deplorable state of editing (or non-editing) which occurs before books find their way into print (or onto the ebook reader). The second is the over-abundance of "Wicca 101" on the market. Sometimes it seems that the majority of books being published fall into this category.

This book is most definitely NOT a "101" book. The author makes it abundantly clear that he is not going to spend time laying basic foundations for the exercises he details. If you don't already know how to meditate, or move energy, or visualize things, you will want to give this particular volume a pass. It is about time, however, that a book like this comes onto the market.

Mr. Griffin is also not afraid to call it as he sees it. Just because something is the "accepted) way to do or view, doesn't mean that he has to accept it. You should (almost) never cast a circle widdershins, right? Why? Energy is either positive (good) of negative (bad), right? Who says so?

As you read this book you will be expected to take a long hard look at your beliefs and practices. You won't be expected to change just because he says so; but you will be expected to evaluate what you believe and why you believe it.

This is a book which is designed to be read over time (obviously, a luxury I can't indulge in if I want to review it while it is fresh on the market), so I can't evaluate its long term effectiveness and value. What I can say is that my first impression held up throughout the length of the book. It is a top-notch, well-written book which is worth every penny of the cost.

There are statements contained in this book which will upset many of the old-timers (like myself) because they contradict much of the "accepted wisdom." Many of the newbies who come into the Craft are taught, as I was, that there are certain "requirements" for working magick. As they progress through their development they slowly become disillusioned as they realize that the "requirements" are actually more like suggestions. They end up feeling that they have been lied to when, in fact, the motivations range from "We can't give this kind of information to a newbie until they have enough experience to deal with it" to "That's the way I learned it. It was good enough for me and its good enough for them."

This book truly is one which I feel belongs in every Temple/Grove/Coven library. It is definitely one

which should be read by each and every individual who has hopes of advancing and eventually

teaching students themselves.

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3.

BOOK REVIEW - Wicca Magickal Beginnings

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net   gleasonm01915

Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:20 am (PST)





Wicca Magickal Beginnings by Sorita d'Estes and David Rankine © 2008 Avalonia Books ISBN: 978-1905297153 284 Pages Paperback $24.99 (U.S.) www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

How old is the practice of witchcraft? What part did Gerald Gardner play – founder, compiler. Or huckster? What are the sources of the rites and ritual which form the backbone of the modern witch movement? Who hasn't debated these questions with friends? What are your conclusions?

Sorita d'Este and David Rankine have been asking these questions for years and have put together AN (not THE) answer in this book. Right from the start, it is obvious that they are looking at the commonalities rather than the differences.

This well-written book looks at many of the tools, practices, and beliefs of the post-Gardnerian Craft and traces their origins – in some cases to classical antiquity (and in a few cases even further back). Certain beliefs about origins are challenged, although the authors leave it to the reader to reach their own conclusions. I found myself coming face to face with some of my own most basic beliefs and although I won't say whether those beliefs have changed as a result. I will say that at the very least I spent time looking at them and testing them.

Each of the chapters is short and concise. Potential sources are brought forth and examined. The authors then offer their best take on the subject. Whether you choose to agree with them or not you will find yourself learning things you never knew before.

As I have noted in previous reviews, I am really tired of all the "Wicca 101" books on the market at this point, so I am always happy to see a book which moves well beyond that level, and is capable of inspiring thoughtful analysis and discussion. Whether you a BTW or an Eclectic, you will find much of interest in this excellent book.

They also address some of the peripheral items – such as the origins of the use of the name Cernunnos, elemental attributions, Theban script, and the influence of grimoires on the development of the Craft (and, indeed, the origin of the use of the phrase "the Craft" to describe witchcraft).

After telling you their conclusions they finish off the book with a series of appendices on Crowley's spelling of magick, magickal philosophy, the phrase "So mote it be", perfect love and perfect trust, and the origins of Alex Sanders' circles.

If you can't find a copy of this book locally, go to their web page and order a copy. In fact, even if you can find a copy locally, check out their web site for their other offerings. It is rare to find a company which consistently produces such high quality work. Let's support these nice folks so they will continue to thrive and supply the community with insightful works for the foreseeable future.

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