Which Witch Is Which? author: Patricia Telesco New Page Books/Career Press 2004 ISBN #1-56414-754-1 With widespread use of the Internet we have at the touch of our fingers resources that we never had before. We have special interest groups, chat groups, forums, newsletters, individual and organizational sites, and much, much more. In fact - we have enough information to totally confuse ourselves, and we don't even have to try very hard. Who represents what, how do we tell what is legitimate and what isn't, what will help us and what won't? Throw in the thought that all things are constantly evolving, and it starts to look like a fine idea to jump back into bed and pull the covers over our head. What if we are searching for something a bit more significant than the latest designer sunglasses? What if we are searching for a spiritual path to follow? And what if the path that we think that we might want to follow is not exactly "traditional" - i.e., we won't find it represented on every other street corner? What if we already know that it will not be readily accepted where we live and work? What if we want to investigate one of the Wiccan/Pagan/Neo-Pagan/Druidic paths? How do we find out what is out there? How do we find out if is going to fit in with what are core beliefs are? That is what Which Witch Is Which? is all about. Patricia Telesco is a practicing, teaching Kitchen Witch. She saw the need for a central resource where a Seeker could find out the basics about different paths, get some background information on them and have a way to form a contact, if they wished. It is amazing the manner in which this material was gathered, truly amazing. It took the cooperation of a major Internet site - www.witchvox.com, which posted the survey on which this book is based. And it took the courage of those who took the time to respond with the in-depth information that was being requested. The result is a detailed, highly readable book, with the information having been verifies closely as possible. Telesco begins by addressing one of the major issues that needs to be addressed before even beginning a search like this - and that is whether the Seeker wishes to work as a solitary or within a group. (It is recommended, even when the majority of the work is as a solitary, that occasional groups work be done.) The pros and cons of both are presented, so that the reader has a good foundation upon which to make their decision. Now the reader needs to define whether they want to follow the Wiccan path, the Pagan path or the Neo-Pagan path. Even within these delineation's, there are a myriad of different groups and styles. That is what this book is all about - presenting the traditions so that a Seeker will have a basic understanding of what is expected of them, what the traditions involve, and how they might or might not mesh with the Seekers core beliefs. Telesco presents some interesting thoughts for the Seeker who has decided that they want to do group work. She lists a series of warning flags regarding group practices that the Seeker needs to pay attention to so that they can be assured that they are working with like minded people, and that they will be working within their comfort zone. What to watch out for, from the book: Claim their methods work 100 per cent of the time for anyone using them. Charge unreasonable sums for teaching. (Note: Some traditions do have set fees for training, much of which is for materials and so on. There is nothing wrong with asking how t he money gets used.) Have leaders who seem overly controlling or manipulative (the "kiss my ring" types). Seem to regularly have internal "dramas" that have nothing to do with spiritual practices. Ask you to overlook a personal taboo or discomfort for the sake of a particular working. Do not fully and happily disclose your roles, rights, expectations and responsibilities in that group before joining. Allow anyone and everyone to join without an interview, trial period, or group consensus (this creates a number game-where bigger is definitely "not" better). Mix or match Pantheons or Paths, without much research or understanding of those Beings or customs. Constantly imply that their approach to magick is the "only" right way. Read all their rituals and spells (rather than memorizing). Claim ancient lineage or history, without verification. Claim any type of certification, training and so forth, without proper verification and documentation. Get uppity when you ask pointed, important questions about the groups background, operation, and so on. (Yes, some organizations have information that's only available to people of a certain degree, but the types of questions you'd be asking shouldn't infringe on any vows of confidence.) Have leaders under the age of 21. (Note: I realize there are some rare teens out there with the maturity, training and knowledge to run a group, but they are the exception, not the rule. About the only time I see this point being negated is if the group is "by" teens or youth, "for" teens or youth. Even then, however, adult supervision or guidance is a good idea.) Other areas that the Seeker needs to think about are things like: How much time are they willing to devote to their path? How much can they afford to spend on tools and books? Can they travel to meetings? Do they prefer formal or informal settings? How public do they wish to be with their spirituality? Each tradition is presented in the same manner: background is given as to the tradition's beliefs, how their particular system works, and what is expected of group members. This is followed by contact information, as well as a list of resources for further reading pertaining to the specific tradition, which is often a combination of books and Internet sites. This is followed by a short bio of the contributor (each contributor is an active member of the tradition they are writing about). We have a wealth of information from big guns like Raven Grimassi (Arician Tradition), Ashleen O'Gaea and Canyondancer (Adventure Wicca), Selena Fox (Circle Craft), John Michael Greer (Golden Dawn, Traditional British Druidry), Ann Moura (Green Witchcraft), Trish Telesco (Kitchen Witchcraft), and Donald Michael Kraig ( Traditional Tantric Tradition). And we have information that is just as viable from those who are relatively unknown, such as Jimahl di Fiosa (Alexandrian Tradition), Ginger Strivelli (Appalachian Folk Magick), and Jhenah Telyndru (Avalon Tradition). We have traditions that trace their roots far back, and we have traditions that began only a few years back. We have traditions that are a patchwork of thoughts and practices from other traditions. What they all ask is dedication to the path. I found this book informative, and at the very least a jumping off place for further research. There is an index included at the back that lists each of the traditions covered, so that a specific tradition can be located with no trouble. And every once in a while, one of the writers includes a short example representative of their tradition. It is a gift of the heart, and certainly adds value to the book. I recommend this book to those who are looking for general information on specific paths. © November 2004 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook Graphics by Art for the web