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Dedicant: A Witch's Circle of Fire
You've heard that dreamlike voice calling to a yearning to work with the earth's life energies...a heartfelt desire to become a student of the Craft. Now is the time to call forth your passion and strength of will, and commit yourself fully to the Path of the Wise. A Witch's Circle of Fire invites you to set forth on the sacred journey to becoming a Witch. Designed to harmonize with the Wheel of the Year, the monthly lessons feature seasonally themed stories, meditations, Witchcraft lore, ethics questions, spells, and pathworking rituals. The course on Wicca culminates in a powerful self-initiation rite that brings you to the level of Initiate. Blending purposeful study with reflection and awareness, the Circles system of Wicca study is ideal for the solitary student or as part of a coven curriculum. Dedicant helps you ignite your inner light and keep it burning by teaching you the core essentials of Wiccan
"Calafia does a great job of laying out the groundwork, and she presents it in a unique, workable structure that's easy to follow and offers a solid scaffolding for self-development."― Witches and Pagans
"Calafia does a great job of laying out the groundwork, and she presents it in a unique, workable structure that's easy to follow and offers a solid scaffolding for self-development."― Witches and Pagans
360 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 17, 2018
3.5
This was a challenging book to review because, on one hand, there are many qualities about this book that I love.
The most challenging part of this book was trying to determine who the book is "for." Yes, obviously, someone looking for a Gardner-influenced path of Wicca will appreciate this book, but the intended audience was a bit challenging to figure out. Teens? Adults?
Pros:
xx This book has a good structure. One of the challenges of an Eclectic practice is integrating everything into a feasible and workable system and Calafia has done so.
xx I am actually fond of 'gatekeeping' certain levels within craft practices. Calafia brings up that certain aspects of craft are valued more when they are 'earned.' This gatekeeping is not meant to exclude anyone, but rather reward you for accomplishments.
xx This book was LGBT+ inclusive, which surprised me given the publishing date and duality tradition in many group practices. (Maybe not too inclusive for the Ace folk in my life, but that's more of a struggle with Wicca's sexuality as a whole VS specifically this book.)
xx This system allows you to begin at any time throughout the year. It has a reading list, workings for each month, and a theme to focus on that is easily incorporated into daily life. Adding or updating a spiritual practice is best done in small, accessible chunks to stick with it. Calafia makes this easy for the beginner.
xx Actually following this system is very, very rewarding. You can get a lot out of following this system and using the structure.
Cons:
xx Anytime a book mentions "THE BURNING TIMES" I'm a bit disheartened. There is definitely stigma and discrimination happening to Pagan and Wiccan practitioners in modern times. Instead of focusing on this real issue, we are revisiting European Witch Trials as though this happened to modern Wiccans.
xx This book has some of the most jarring guided meditations ever. If you take the structure of the book but replace the meditations with others, the monthly system becomes a lot more accessible. (That being said...it's challenging to write guided meditations! Kudos to the author for even writing 12 of them.)
xx I'm torn on the ethical questions because, while I Love, love, love the inclusion of the questions, it's part of where "who is this book written for" scenario comes in. There are many areas where I wold say "Uhh...why don't you just speak up" could easily remedy the scenario provided. The scenarios might make sense if given to a teenager, but for adults, it was a bit jarring.
xx I would have liked more mention of the source material for a few of the places.
xx There's still a subtle holier-than-thou attitude towards Christianity, but I've come to expect that in books like this.
Overall:
If you're new to Wicca or are just seeking a structure with back-to-the-basics, this is not a bad book to add to your collection. The tone of the book is conversational and the areas I would personally nitpick at (particularity some of the source material) don't take away from the book's overall value.
It'd actually be a great companion to some journaling.
This was a challenging book to review because, on one hand, there are many qualities about this book that I love.
The most challenging part of this book was trying to determine who the book is "for." Yes, obviously, someone looking for a Gardner-influenced path of Wicca will appreciate this book, but the intended audience was a bit challenging to figure out. Teens? Adults?
Pros:
xx This book has a good structure. One of the challenges of an Eclectic practice is integrating everything into a feasible and workable system and Calafia has done so.
xx I am actually fond of 'gatekeeping' certain levels within craft practices. Calafia brings up that certain aspects of craft are valued more when they are 'earned.' This gatekeeping is not meant to exclude anyone, but rather reward you for accomplishments.
xx This book was LGBT+ inclusive, which surprised me given the publishing date and duality tradition in many group practices. (Maybe not too inclusive for the Ace folk in my life, but that's more of a struggle with Wicca's sexuality as a whole VS specifically this book.)
xx This system allows you to begin at any time throughout the year. It has a reading list, workings for each month, and a theme to focus on that is easily incorporated into daily life. Adding or updating a spiritual practice is best done in small, accessible chunks to stick with it. Calafia makes this easy for the beginner.
xx Actually following this system is very, very rewarding. You can get a lot out of following this system and using the structure.
Cons:
xx Anytime a book mentions "THE BURNING TIMES" I'm a bit disheartened. There is definitely stigma and discrimination happening to Pagan and Wiccan practitioners in modern times. Instead of focusing on this real issue, we are revisiting European Witch Trials as though this happened to modern Wiccans.
xx This book has some of the most jarring guided meditations ever. If you take the structure of the book but replace the meditations with others, the monthly system becomes a lot more accessible. (That being said...it's challenging to write guided meditations! Kudos to the author for even writing 12 of them.)
xx I'm torn on the ethical questions because, while I Love, love, love the inclusion of the questions, it's part of where "who is this book written for" scenario comes in. There are many areas where I wold say "Uhh...why don't you just speak up" could easily remedy the scenario provided. The scenarios might make sense if given to a teenager, but for adults, it was a bit jarring.
xx I would have liked more mention of the source material for a few of the places.
xx There's still a subtle holier-than-thou attitude towards Christianity, but I've come to expect that in books like this.
Overall:
If you're new to Wicca or are just seeking a structure with back-to-the-basics, this is not a bad book to add to your collection. The tone of the book is conversational and the areas I would personally nitpick at (particularity some of the source material) don't take away from the book's overall value.
It'd actually be a great companion to some journaling.
May 30, 2010
I am working through this book with my little sister; I like Calafia's Wheel of the Year system, establishing one lesson per month, available to start at any month the reader chooses. Her information is the usual, basic Wicca 101 type of stuff, but that's what I was looking for when I chose this book.
February 1, 2013
I have been on this path for several years. I will always consider myself a student with more to learn. I wish this book had been available when I began self study. As an eclectic solitary I would question myself "am I doing this correctly". I enjoyed the format, the required reading lists, and the ethical questions that really make you think. Recommended
April 22, 2018
Very good workbook for individuals who are new to eclectic Wicca. Thuri has given the reader and practitioner a guide to the Wheel of the Year, the purpose of ritual and an experiential approach to Wiccan spirituality.
I recommend this book, along with Thea Sabin's "Wicca for Beginners" and Deborah Lipp's "The Elements of Ritual" to folks who e-mail me asking for decent, informative reads. Dedicant's included reading list is great, and the workbook pays dividends for those who doggedly follow along with the monthly lesson plan and reading assignments.
I recommend this book, along with Thea Sabin's "Wicca for Beginners" and Deborah Lipp's "The Elements of Ritual" to folks who e-mail me asking for decent, informative reads. Dedicant's included reading list is great, and the workbook pays dividends for those who doggedly follow along with the monthly lesson plan and reading assignments.
January 21, 2019
Excellent information, exercises, and training. So thorough I've read and re-read many times over the years.
May 3, 2021
Too much casual appropriation and racism for me. Fine if you're a neo-wiccan who doesn't care about facts, I suppose.
February 7, 2016
While I take issue with some of the information provided (for example, the color correspondences were different than I would expect), I found this to be a very useful year-and-a-day course because it is completely adaptable to whichever time of year it is begun in, has required readings, and poses ethical questions for the student to answer. As time passes, the book itself will become very dated, however, I think it will always be a good book for a teacher to read and learn how to structure their lessons.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews