When, Why ...if: An Ethics Workbook by Robin Wood

by Robin Wood

A workbook to help you design your own system of ethics, written from a Wiccan perspective.

Genres: Paganism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Wicca, Philosophy, Occult, Witchcraft

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Eli Ashpence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book years ago when I first started studying magick and all my friends took interest. Unfortunately, they wanted lessons on love spells and instant success more than spiritual enlightenment. Lectures on ethics always made me sound snobbish and stingy, but this book saved my friendships from being ruined. I started loaning out my copy of "When, Why...If" as lesson one. Every time, the request for unethical magic mysteriously disappeared like smoke and my friends began treating my beliefs with more respect.

This book is filled with wisdom. Everyone, even people who don't believe in magick, should read it. You'll never look at your actions in the same way again.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In When, Why...If author Robin Wood gives the reader an invaluable set of tools and instructions on how to evaluate and build their very own code of ethics. It is written for a Wiccan audience but an open-minded person of any religion could mine this wealth of "everyman" wisdom on how to be a better, more ethical person.

Although this book is in easy to understand, "layman's" terms the journey through this book is anything but easy! If you work through this book with the honest intention of growth and self-improvement you will be confronted time and time again by a mirror of honest evaluation. Taking a look in that mirror and owning what you see, the good, bad and ugly, can be one of the hardest, most painful, and (arguably) the most important thing any person can do! Fortunately the author is with the reader for the journey like a crazy aunt, by turns bluntly honest, fearlessly outspoken, and tough as nails with a certain style of grace, humor, and charm that supports and encourages, always with love, the whole way.

This is a book I've read over and over and I expect I will continue to read over and over through the remainder of my life as I learned that ethics are not static. They must be firm enough to stand on safely, help us form important personal boundaries, and give us structure but leave room to grow and evolve as we grow and evolve. It has helped me immensely in horrific times to survive, afterwards to heal, and each time I read it a different life lesson springs out at me. I feel that every time I become a little more of the me I want to be.

[R. C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you have a wise grown-up in your life who would never say anything when you screwed up but hours later would join you when you were coloring or playing with the dog and conversationally reveal some things to you that were never about you but made you suddenly get sick with the knowledge that the thing you did that afternoon was godawful and you never wanted to do it again? Every chapter in this book is like that.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful little book with questions designed to explore (and maybe improve) your ethical outlook in daily life. As far as I can see, there is hardly anything specific with regard to the Craft - save maybe that grades shouldn't be traded for sexual favors and spells shouldn't interfere with the free will of any other human being. In a way, it fits well into the tradition of (Christian) soul-searching. The topics researched are honesty, self, love, help, harm, sex and will, each followed by ten questions to delve into the matter. Certainly worth adding to your (Craft) bookshelf.

[Peregrine Tell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book outlines a moral code that is less like a set of rules and more like a deep thought through ethical choice and a special answer for ever unique situation. it is hard and complicated but is entirely nesassary for almost any time in life. it is also just a good and well written book in its own right.

[J. Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Wiccan Ethics book is fascinating. It simply confirmed everything that I held inside of me, and helped me explain to others why I seldom do spells. Great book, read it, study it.

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Particularly in Pagan circles, this is an important book of moral philosophy that I have heard a great deal about, and had wanted to read for years. It's every bit as good as I had expected, but with a fairly different focus than I had anticipated. It was focused on moral philosophy in general, and not specifically as it relates to spellcasting, as I had expected. Of course, in retrospect, this makes perfect sense, since a magical act is just as subject to moral judgement, only with greater potential consequences. Though this didn't give me exactly what I expected, it was an excellent, global look at ethics with only a little bit of focus on Pagan topics, which is almost more of a selling point than a very specifically Pagan book of moral philosophy.

[Zella Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEAVILY influenced my perspective of myself & the world around me

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a Wiccan and I mention that because it's an important caveat to this review. This book was written for Wiccans and primarily deals with ethics from that perspective. I'll admit that I didn't really care for this book. At times I found the author to be condescending. She came off as a stern mother lecturing her way-ward son about how to behave. I also didn't see a lot of commentary on magic and ethics which I hoped for. I suspect the lack of it has more to do with the fact that its a book on Wiccan ethics, wherein Wicca tends to treat magic as a secondary activity. If you're Wiccan, this could be a useful book for providing some guidance on expected behaviors. If you're a practitioner of other Pagan religions or more focused on magical practice, this book will probably not be that helpful.

[Jaina Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that needs repeated readings. Even the author recommends reading it once through before actually working on any of the assignments.

This book definitely fills in the gaps of many "how to cast a spell" books out there, and it's more directed toward people who don't have access to a teacher or a community. Still, it's a conveniently concise explanation of ethics and how to define yours for yourself, and I will be making use of it for years to come.

The author's website has a helpful page of errata and things she wishes she could update until she's able to print a revision:
https://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Boo...

[H.B. Pattskyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this to be an absolute "must-read" for every student who crosses my threshold. Not because I think students and new seekers are lacking in the ethics department (very few are), but because reading "When, Why-If?" the student is challenged to look inside and take stock of who they are, where they've come from, and where they hope to go. You have to be able to do that before you can really commit to anything.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good explanation of how ethics should be in both the craft and mundane worlds.

The author gives the reader the tools to make better ethical decisions while also taking a good, hard, look at themselves in the process.
If you are interested in learning about the Craft, or just how to be a more ethical person, this book is a great introduction into what it means to be responsible to yourself and others.

[Entar Tellimarren · Rating 3 out of 5]

By and large it is a good book for someone in young adulthood or someone who hasn't up until the time they read this book decided to make ethics and religion a priority. For your average Joe this will arm a person with tools to make their lives a little better. After they read this, however, I would suggest _The Slight Edge_ by Jeff Olson.

[Larissa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best (and most entertaining) books I've read on ethics, especially directed toward pagans. Sometimes we can get a bit uptight; Robin Wood manages to make you think without boring you to tears or guilting you for every choice you've made that doesn't fit the "perfect pagan" mold.

[Bill Stevens]

I have been impressed TO THE MAX from the beginning of this book through chapter six (where I am so far). EXCELLENT read for those who follow an Alternative Religious path, from Neophyte through Clergy.

[Star Shadowdrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for beginners and anyone who is interested in Wicca! This book makes you stop and think, and realize you have to carry your brain with you at all times!

[Brandon Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the only Wiccan philosophy books that is worth something. Shame it is often hard to find. :-(

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great wookbook on Pagan ethics. It allows you the space and freedom to explore your beliefs of what the Wiccan Rede means.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read on ethics and what it should mean to each individual.