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Carl McColman
When Someone You Love is Wiccan - Reviewed by Mike Gleason
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Paganism - Reviewed by Mike Gleason
Before You Cast a Spell - Reviewed by Mike Gleason
Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses - Reviewed by Mike Gleason
| Title: | When Someone You Love is Wiccan |
| Author: | Carl McColman |
| Publisher: | New Page Books |
| ISBN: | 1-56414-622-7 |
| Copyright: | 2003 |
| Reviewer: | Mike Gleason |
| Contact Information: | gleason.mike@verizon.net |
| Category: | Wicca |
| Review: | For many years I struggled to find a single book I could recommend to those people who wanted to know ABOUT Paganism - not how to join, or how to do the rituals, but what we believe, how we relate to the world-at-large. While Mr. McColman and I don't always agree, this current work is an invaluable tool to be used in facilitating such discussions. Mr. McColman makes it very clear that he has no desire to convert anyone, nor is he interested in getting people to question their own religious choices. He IS interested in helping people to arrive at a point of tolerance. This is not a book of deep philosophy. It is an easy-going informative book which should be an easy read for almost anyone who has any sort of openness in their thought processes. Mr. McColman touches upon what we do, but only in the most broad, general ways, and that is all that is really necessary in a work of this scope. He also discusses what we believe (and don't believe) as well as how to talk to Pagans, if you are concerned about their choice of spirituality. In the Pagan community, many people are complaining about the abundance of Wicca-101 books on the market. This is not one of those works. This is a pre-Wicca-101 book. This is what has been needed for many years. This is not a book for Pagans, but it is for the Pagan community. It is a book for any Pagan who has non-Pagan family, friends, employer, or fellow employees. This is, in my opinion, the best book to break the ice when someone decides to come "out of the broom closet." It has my heartiest recommendation. If you can afford to buy two copies of this book, do so. Then donate a copy to your local library (either school or public), police department, prison, etc. It will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to begin their understanding. In fact, I am recommending that the Department of Correction in my state purchase copies for their staff. |
| Review submitted: | 2 December 2002 |
| Title: | The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Paganism |
| Author: | Carl McColman |
| Publisher: | Alpha Books |
| ISBN: | 0-02-864266-x |
| Pages: | 335 pages + Appendices and Index |
| Copyright: | 2002 |
| Reviewer: | Mike Gleason |
| Contact Information: | gleason.mike@verizon.net |
| Category: | Paganism |
| Review: | Right off the top, I have to make it clear that I like Carl McColman’s style of writing. Like most writers on the topic of Paganism, he is willing to share his personal opinions. Unlike a lot of those same writers, he consistently reminds us that his opinions are just that his opinions. I know that a lot of people will be put off by the title of this book. Don’t be! This book, like When Someone You Love is Wiccan (by the same author), is an excellent way of explaining and exploring Paganism. It deserves to be in every library – both yours and the local public library (if you can afford to do so, donate a copy to them). One of the best features, in my opinion, is one shared by the entire series of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to... books, the use of little "heads up" boxes frequently to clarify words (in this book "Earthwords"), explain pitfalls ("Taboo"), dig deeper into spiritual concepts ("Oracle"), or just give interesting bits of information ("Drumbeats"). This avoids the use of footnotes and/or end notes, which many people would not bother with. In my review of When Someone You Love is Wiccan, I described it as being a pre-101 book. This book is in the same vein. The ideas are presented clearly, simply, and in a non-threatening way. The Pagan community needs more books like this. This is one of the books that you want to have on hand when you want to explain your beliefs to someone who has no frame of reference other than "B" movies. The inclusion of "The Least You Need to Know" at the end of each chapter is a valuable tool to reinforce basic concepts. These sections are always short and to the point. Mr. McColman goes out of his way to relate Pagan concepts to things which anyone can relate to, as is fitting for an extremely basic book like this. For example, on page 151 in the "Drumbeats: sidebar, he relates the four elements to the four "houses" in the Harry Potter books. If there is anyone interested in Paganism who hasn’t at least heard of Harry Potter, I haven’t met them. Even after all my years of studying and teaching, I would be hard-pressed to be able to come up with a better way of expressing basic concepts. Mr. McColman has a gift as a teacher. The information presented in this book is extremely generic, as Mr. McColman reminds the reader frequently, as indeed it should be in such a book. Mr. McColman also takes the opportunity to remind the reader, frequently, that Paganism is about what "feels right" for the individual, not about dogma. He reminds us that Paganism in general is very individualistic. He does remind us that, if we decide to follow a specific Pagan path, we will be expected to work within that specific framework which is why he encourages people to take the time to sample the varieties which exist in the Pagan world. Toward the end of the book, while dealing with the function (or dysfunction) of Pagan groups, Mr. McColman makes a point which is, unfortunately, often forgotten (or disregarded) in today’s ever-expanding Pagan community. On page 304 he says: "...part of the normal journey of any pagan community is learning to work through conflicts and difficulties." There is a habit, in my opinion, of "cutting your losses" which many people subscribe to. As soon as bumps appear in the road, people abandon a group and move on. Of course, in doing so, they don’t resolve the conflicts; they merely spread them further. This is not a perfect book, and not everyone will agree with everything Mr. McColman has to say, but as an introductory work, it admirably fulfills it premise. |
| Review submitted: | 2 December 2002 |
| Title: | Before You Cast a Spell |
| Author: | Carl McColman |
| Publisher: | New Page Books |
| ISBN: | 1-56414-716-9 |
| Pages: | 143 pages + Appendices & Index |
| Copyright: | 2004 |
| Reviewer: | Mike Gleason |
| Contact Information: | gleason.mike@comcast.net |
| Category: | General Magick |
| Review: | I've read some of Carl's books before and enjoyed what I read. He tends to say exactly what he means. And he lets you know early on where his books are going. On page 9 of this book the first paragraph tells it all: "This book does not contain any spells, or any specific instructions on how to cast spells, raise and direct energy, or perform any other kind of magical procedure." Carl's intent is to focus on the spiritual principles of magic. Unlike many books today, this one aims to make the reader do some mind stretching exercises. If you are looking for fluffy reading, this is not it, even though it is less than 150 pages. There is a tendency for some folks to dismiss this author's works as being too basic. Perhaps that is because there is a tendency to want instant gratification and instant success in our society. Mr. McColman certainly stresses the basics, as a foundation upon which to build. If you do things without understanding what lies beneath the surface, you won't be able to understand why and how it worked (or didn't work). The author believes, as do I, that magic should be the last weapon in your arsenal. First you should try every mundane approach you can. Too many Pagans do a ritual to achieve their ends and forget to put any effort into the non-magical approaches. Carl knows that there are those who will disagree with his statements and positions, and accepts that. Then he offers a challenge, not to the objections, but to the objectors. He asks them to explain why they object to his position or statement. He wants them to think it through. Just saying "I object" is not enough. He expects the objector to explain the difference of opinion. Scary, isn't it? Makes you think, doesn't it? Good! He stresses the need for each person to take responsibility. It is an all too human trait to claim the credit and disavow the screw-ups. That, however, should not be an option for an ethical person. Note, that was "an ethical person", not "an ethical Pagan/Witch". If you live an ethical life, both in your mundane and your magical life you may encourage others to do so as well. That, my friend, is one of the highest forms of magic (in my opinion). His opinions and attitudes will not sit well with many in the Pagan/Magical community (he does not oppose payment for teaching, for example). If you are willing to explore alternate ways of looking at things; if you are willing to start at the beginning; if you are willing to work at learning the basics before you begin casting spells, this is the book to start with. |
| Review submitted: | 02 January 2004 |
| Title: | Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses |
| Author: | Carl McColman and Kathryn Hinds |
| Publisher: | New Page Books |
| ISBN: | 1-56414-783-5 |
| Pages: | 203 pages includes Appendices, Notes, Bibliography and Index |
| Copyright: | 2005 |
| Reviewer: | Mike Gleason |
| Contact Information: | gleason.mike@comcast.net |
| Category: | Paganism, Neo-paganism |
| Review: | I’ve read several other books by Carl McColman previously, and have always found them to be extremely readable and informative. This book does nothing to change that opinion. Carl and his co-author take the time to state quite clearly what they are, and are not, trying to do in this book. This book isn’t filled with rituals (there isn’t much really known about Celtic rituals); nor is it filled with correspondences and/or attributes (there are lots of other sources available for that); and it does not pretend to be a scholarly work. It is filled with stories of some of the Celtic deities (over 400 have been catalogued by the scholars and less than 10% of them are represented in this book. It is written with the intent of giving the reader a “feel” fore the deities and their relationship to the world we inhabit. The authors provide some suggestions for how and when to honor the deities. These are very generic (i.e., there are no rituals suggested, but there are suggestions for behavior which is appropriate) which makes them capable of being accomplished by anyone. This is a very nice introduction to Celtic mythology. It contains enough information to convey the basics, while inspiring further reading for those who want to know more. It is light without being fluffy, and thorough without being exhaustive. In other words, it is a balanced presentation. |
| Review submitted: | 09 February 2005 |
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