Isobel Bird

Title:	Circle of Three
Series:	A series of books by Isobel Bird, published by Avon Books in the "Teen Fiction" category, including So Mote It Be c 2001 236 pages paperback $4.99; Merry Meet c 2001 206 pages paperback $4.99; and Second Sight c 2001 234 pages paperback [It is assumed that these prices reflect the current prices at the time the review was written, in US dollars. --Psyche]
Author:	Isobel Bird
Publisher:	Avon Books
Original Copyright:	2001
Reviewer:	Mike Gleason
Contact Information:	gleason.mike@verizon.net
Category:	Fiction/Wicca
Review:	A little background before the actual review is in order, I feel. First, I am NOT a teen and normally wouldn’t have even looked twice at these books, if my 21-year-old daughter had not bought them. Second, I have been so involved lately in reading "serious" books about the Craft that I had almost forgotten that some people aren’t immersed in it deeply. Third, I personally feel that any book which is an obviously anti-Witch tirade can help to expose people to the fact that Witches still exist, and that we are indistinguishable from the general population for all practical purposes (and, for the record, I LOVE the Harry Potter Books). Fourth, I normally don’t do reviews on books in the popular press, but since the author’s bio in the back said (in it’s entirety): "Isobel Bird has been involved in the world of witchcraft for many years. She lives and dances beneath the moon somewhere in New England," I decided to read and review the three books I had available (out of at least four published so far). My daughter had bought the books, but then found herself so involved in a writing project of her own that she didn’t feel she had the spare time to read them. Knowing how I love to read, and that I was low on reading material, she asked me if I would like to read them first. And that is how I ended up reading a series of books about high school students exploring the world of Wicca. The only major problem I had with the books was that fact that, although the word "Wicca" was always capitalized, the word "witch" was not. That is akin, in my opinion, to not capitalizing "Christian," or "Jew," or "Buddhist." In a number of ways this series of books takes me back to my own beginnings on the path. I well remember the feeling I had at my first "open" Sabbat, the first spell I ever cast. and the feelings of dismay and uncertainty when things went very wrong. In the first book (So Mote It Be), a young lady tries magick without taking the time to learn the basics, then needs to find someone to help her "undo" her magick. Along the way she learns to cast a circle and raise energy; discovers that Wicca is a religion; that divination reveals probabilities, not certainties; and also that being "different" can be both frightening and comforting. She finds friends, and mentors, in the most unlikely places and circumstances. The "Circle of Three" refers to Kate (the popular one), Annie (the rational one), and Cooper (the rebellious one). With nothing, apparently, in common to begin with, they grow to find the company of others comforting and enriching. In the second book (Merry Meet) Kate’s involvement begins to deepen and she attends her first "real" ritual - one conducted by someone other than the three friends. She tries to balance her life between the ordinary world of a boyfriend, high school, and her "best" friends and the magickal world, her new friends, and radically new experiences. She experiences guided meditation, and discovers that there are other young people just as interested in learning the ways of Wicca as she and her friends, many of whom have even more different backgrounds than the three unlikely companions who move through these first two books. As Kate grows into her knowledge she learns about trust, and community - two things that many of us "old timers" seem to keep forgetting. She learns also that if someone is a member of your community (whatever and whoever that may be) you do not necessarily have to LIKE them, but you do have to support them - again something often forgotten. Kate falls prey to all the ills of humanity: insecurity, the desire to "fit in", distrust, lying to people you love, and jumping to conclusions. She frequently runs headlong into these obstacles, eventually learning more from each such encounter. It is a joy to watch her develop, even while it hurts to watch her dealing with her perceptions of how others feel. Some younger readers may not have the perspective to recognize the universality of these feelings, but they will, sooner or later. The dedication ritual she participates in is different from any that I have been involved with, but I had no trouble envisioning it and, even though it was "only a novel," the ritual felt right, and powerful. It could, and probably will, serve as a pattern for many dedication rituals to come. The second books ends with Kate having to face one of the toughest decisions most Pagans ever face - do you tell your friends/family/boss/etc. about your religious beliefs? It is a difficult choice, even when you have the luxury of plenty of time to prepare to deal with it. Imagine a friend calling you up one night, and asking (with no warning), "Are you becoming a witch or something?" Her response, as we learn in the third book (Second Sight) is a bit of afudge. She admits to being friends with the owners of a "witch shop," but not to actually being involved herself. (Sound familiar to anyone?) She learns along the way that magick, and magickal practices, takes some serious focus and effort. It doesn’t "just happen." It involves altering your perception of events, things. and people. It can be frustrating, but it can also be quite rewarding. She also finds out that different people have different strengths (and weaknesses) and that one reason to work within a coven structure is for the support one can get, and give, thus bringing balance into one’s own life. This third book deals less with Kate, and more with Cooper, and I would expect that the remaining books in the series (however many that may be) will continue to explore the other characters you meet through the books. I wrote the notes for this review as I was reading each book, and I found my appreciation of the writing style and information given increasing with each book I read. The author is obviously well-versed in Wicca, and is willing to share her knowledge and opinions, without putting down the opinions of others. The series illustrates that Wicca is not a destination, but a journey of self-discovery. It is a smooth superhighway, with clearly marked rest stops and exits, but a road under construction. It can be a solitary journey, or a group trip. It is not a case of being given answers, but rather of testing and learning as we go. It is a series I would recommend to those who, like the heroines of the series, are looking to find out what Wicca is all about, but who aren’t fortunate enough to find a support group to learn with, or who aren’t REALLY sure this is where they want to go. Look for these books in your local bookstore. They will be in the "Young Adult," "Teen Fiction," or "Fiction" areas. Read, and enjoy, them.
Review written:	16-10-01