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Synopsis About the Author Review One The subtitle says it all, `the extraordinary true story of one woman's magical Celtic journey'. I had immense trouble `believing' this was a true story mainly because it is written so well and with a novelic feel. Lyn Webster Wilde relates the incredible story of how she was drawn to study a celtic metaphysical magical way and how she gathered others on the journey. I was so entranced with this book that I read it all in few sittings and was left wishing I'd been part of her journey. I don't know the author but I'd like half an hour with her after this book. £9.99, excellent read, but tells you little about the Celtic magic so it wets your appetite. Will there be a sequel? Or a factual accompaniment to this book? I genuinely hope so. This review first appeard in The Druids Voice Volume 2 Issue 1 © 2003 Review Two A critique, by Ayanna Haynes/Nimue Becoming the Enchanter, which could just as easily be called, ‘Becoming
the Trickster/Gwyddion’, is a fantastical tale, full of loads of flash
and whistles, which could be left at maybe entertaining if it weren’t
a ‘true’ This is a book to be read with one’s eyes wide open. Eye’s that,
as Ms. The story told in the book revolves around another story, that of Math and Mathonwy from the Mabinogion. A story that at best, she has an obvious working knowledge of, and at worst, she is out right manipulating and contorting. My biggest problems with this book, is the insidious way in which she handles ‘archetyping’ the various Gods and Goddesses in the tale. That Gwyddion, the Trickster, who arranges for Gowein’s rape by his brother, who also steals his sister’s baby, and raises him as his own, is glorified as the Hero in Ms. Wilde’s version of the tale. That Gilfaethwy, the Rapist, is archetyped as the ‘Passionate Lover’,
the one who holds ‘Irresistible Desire’. His rape referred to
in the later text of the book, as an analogy to a ‘transgression’
that had to take place. One that is ok, and understood from the view point
of a higher ‘simpler world, that is only wrong via the view points of
our lower ‘complex world’. This is lazy, derogatory reasoning
at best. The two brothers being seen as champions in her re-working of the
deeper meaning of the myth. She keeps referring to going back to the beginning
of the myth, when Arianrhod’s virginity is tested, and Llew stolen,
or back to when Gowein is raped. She can ‘justify’ Bloudewedd and Gronwn, who represent respectively, the Flower-Bride, and the Green Knight if you will, guardian of the Lady’s Sovereignty, are both treated with mere disdain. Seen only, and purely as adulterous liars, and nothing more. It’s fascinating and sad, that such a smart woman, who has written so many books referencing the power of Celtic women, has seen fit to write her first first hand magical account, as one where rapists, kidnappers, manipulators, tricksters, are applauded and condoned, and the woman are really on close examination, given no dignified credence. It is telling that through out the book, ‘paganism’, ‘witchcraft’, and ‘goddess worship’, are all seen as in there totality, synonymous with being inauthentic, new age crap. Now, while obviously, there is some truth to certain strains of modern day pagan practise being purely show and bells and whistles, to say that this is true of the *entire* community is ridiculous. And seems to hint at some bitterness on the end of Ms. Wilde. Yes, if your magical viewpoint has developed to where you are condoning/actually glorifying the kind of *anti* Sovereignty stance of the Feminine, as is put forth in this book, and state: ‘The longing of the female to be mastered, entered, so that the sacred fire ignites her. The longing of the male to be consumed, swallowed, devoured, so that he may return to union with the great mother’. Then yes, it is understandable that she would have disdain for any version of a tradition that at it’s core sees both men *and* women as Sacred, and in fact having the option for autonomy. And her fellow journeyers in the book, any of them that take issue with her ‘game’, ‘the only game in town worth playing’, are written off as having issues, or not being ready, etc.. To end, from the very beginning of the book, starting with the riddle, it is clear if you have your thinking cap on, that the spirit that Ms. Wilde is working with is the spirit of the trickster. The side of the trickster that intentionally guides you down the *wrong* path. The riddle itself, asks you to become Gwyddion. The name of the book is ‘becoming the enchanter’(Gwyddion). One of the roles of the trickster can be to offer you all the wrong things. Wrong ideas, wrong road, wrong map. This is done to test your ability to think for yourself. To *know* when your being lied to. To know the difference between wise wizardry, and magic that is slight of hand. This book is slight of hand. The only question remains, is is this done on purpose? Read this book with your brain in tact. Read the full sources and some of the *other* discussions on the meaning of the story of Arianrhod and her relations, etc.. And remember, if your endeavouring into the Craft of the Wise, it is imperative that you learn to Think for yourself. Keep those eyes open. 3rd August 2005 Buy this book from amazon.co.uk
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