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The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan
In the only book of its kind, magic for the advanced practitioner who seeks a higher level of learning. The Second Circle is the ideal book of advanced study for the growing number of searchers, a roadmap to a higher level of magical knowledge. Far from just another book of spells or rituals. The Second Circle is a comprehensive guide that helps the reader move to the next level of learning about the mysteries by fostering a sense of independence and the ability to think and act for oneself. Author Venecia Rauls has distilled more than fifteen years of experience into basic areas of study that can help other advancing seekers who are confused about how to proceed. Included are chapters on designing personal rituals and making one's own from scratch; a chapter on ethics and magic that takes into account individual standards and the difficulty of making decisions in a complex world and features a holistic approach based on Jungian psychology, physics, philosophy, and literature that urges readers to incorporate magic and spirituality into every aspect of everyday life. Practitioners will learn study tips for reading and understanding, practicing advanced dreamwork, dealing with deities, discerning the difference between magic and ritual; and how to move past visualization. Complete with exercises and clear instruction for increasing magical powers. The Second Circle is an invaluable addition to any pagan's library.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
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146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2016
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2, 2016 (religion)
The entire time I was reading this book, I kept referring to the subtitle as "Tools for the Advancing Penguin." I have GOT to stop confusing Pagans and penguins!
That said, this was a good read. It was thorough, covering many of the subjects someone looking to improve or advance their Pagan spiritual practice would want to study.
The author did not lapse into a "know-it-all" dogmatic tone during the course of the book, but it's clear she knows her stuff when it comes to Pagan life and study.
She covers the route a person would normally take from apprentice witch, to journeyman-or-woman, to master of the Craft. She recommends directions for further study to those who wish to delve deeper into the background of modern neoPaganism, and those who wish to expand their practice further into esoteric knowledge.
She also talks about areas of specialization, such as divination, invoking deity, nature exploration, magic, ritual and altered states of consciousness, and how learning from all these areas of study can enhance one's spiritual practice, as well as help one grow and mature as a person, which was my primary reason for becoming involved with Paganism in the first place. For that reason alone, it was helpful to me to read this book, as a reminder to get back to basics.
She also writes coherently about the most powerful, responsible and difficult positions in the Pagan community, High Priest and High Priestess, and Elder. I have found that often people in these positions have very little understanding of what their titles actually signify, or the responsibilities and work required of them. Many are called; few are capable.
The entire time I was reading this book, I kept referring to the subtitle as "Tools for the Advancing Penguin." I have GOT to stop confusing Pagans and penguins!
That said, this was a good read. It was thorough, covering many of the subjects someone looking to improve or advance their Pagan spiritual practice would want to study.
The author did not lapse into a "know-it-all" dogmatic tone during the course of the book, but it's clear she knows her stuff when it comes to Pagan life and study.
She covers the route a person would normally take from apprentice witch, to journeyman-or-woman, to master of the Craft. She recommends directions for further study to those who wish to delve deeper into the background of modern neoPaganism, and those who wish to expand their practice further into esoteric knowledge.
She also talks about areas of specialization, such as divination, invoking deity, nature exploration, magic, ritual and altered states of consciousness, and how learning from all these areas of study can enhance one's spiritual practice, as well as help one grow and mature as a person, which was my primary reason for becoming involved with Paganism in the first place. For that reason alone, it was helpful to me to read this book, as a reminder to get back to basics.
She also writes coherently about the most powerful, responsible and difficult positions in the Pagan community, High Priest and High Priestess, and Elder. I have found that often people in these positions have very little understanding of what their titles actually signify, or the responsibilities and work required of them. Many are called; few are capable.
April 3, 2019
More focused toward magic users than pagans in general. Some issues with suggesting the use of things from closed cultures (Kabbalah and Smudging). Ignore that advice while you're reading (if you are not from the cultures which they are native to) and it's a solid resource for a pagan or witch who is ready to go pass the 101 stage.
September 21, 2008
The title pretty much sums up the contents of the book. It's not a recipe for how to be an advanced Pagan, it's more a guidebook for how to move from following basics texts and training, to growing authentically and organically in Pagan spirituality.
Much to my delight, it actually focuses on doing this as a solitary. What it does discuss group work and covens, the focus is on the individual Pagan.
I quite appreciate the exercises at the end of each chapter. They're all guidelines for how to grow your own awareness and practice. I may well work through some of them myself.
While I don't agree with everything the author says, the fact is you don't have to. She's sharing what's she's experiences, and what has worked well for her. I'm actually tempted to get back into some kind of religious/spiritual practice again.
Much to my delight, it actually focuses on doing this as a solitary. What it does discuss group work and covens, the focus is on the individual Pagan.
I quite appreciate the exercises at the end of each chapter. They're all guidelines for how to grow your own awareness and practice. I may well work through some of them myself.
While I don't agree with everything the author says, the fact is you don't have to. She's sharing what's she's experiences, and what has worked well for her. I'm actually tempted to get back into some kind of religious/spiritual practice again.
May 15, 2012
Wiccan books often tend to repeat the same information ad nauseum. From my experience 1 in 5 books (around and about) actually has anything NEW to say, granted this is mainly because Wicca in and of itself is experiential and therefore only so much can be said on the subject before you just have to actually DO it and experience your own results and come to your own conclusions. But Miss Raul's book really helped to put things in a higher and broader perspective. I just wish this author had more than just this one book >.>
January 11, 2023
It makes a nice change to read a pagan book that isn't aimed at beginners and The Second Circle is a very interesting read that makes you look a little deeper at your path. My only disappointment that the 'exercises' were very general (read books around this topic etc) and I would have liked a bit more of an active approach to what I was learning.
November 8, 2007
This is a book on intermediate Pagan practice - you don't realize how rare that is until you go looking for it. Wonderfully written and containing much good information. And I'm not just saying that because the author's a friend of a friend!
June 11, 2015
Points out some logical things to look into if you are feeling stuck with your spiritual path.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews