Title: A Handbook for Wiccan Clergy
Author: Kevin M Gardner
Reviewed: 2008 Cat Treadwell
Author Website:
As with his other work (reviewed elsewhere on this site), Kevin M Gardner has provided another ‘Advanced Wicca’ manual for those stepping into the shoes of pagan clergy.
While obviously Wicca focused (particularly in the rituals), this pocket-sized book provides a good deal of food for thought for other publicly-practising pagans. The Rites of Passage are sound and inspiring, the meditation and deity work is solid.
But where the book shone for me is the work with mythology, taking various legends and probing deeper – a technique that is perhaps not-too-surprisingly powerful, taking ancient but long-lived archetypes to teach us what universal wisdoms they hold. I imagine these would make for some memorial rites, inspiring the priest to move further and deeper into a story (with private Grove or seasonal public work) on a basis familiar to most (if not all) of their audience.
Do not be put off by the ‘Wiccan’ focus (nor the slightly uneven editing – a hazard of many small publishers!). Take the ideas and be inspired as the authors leads you further down a path that is not the easiest… but he certainly makes a good guide.