SONS OF THE GODDESS: A Young Man's Guide to Wicca

As women search for feminine inspiration in male-dominated religions, so Penczak seeks a place for men in Wicca, a largely female-centered tradition. Penczak, a practitioner of the craft and author of many books about Wicca and magick, explores masculine images, wisdom and practices within witchcraft to help men walk the "path toward empowerment as a son of the Goddess." Readers interested in the masculine side of Wicca will enjoy not only a succinct cataloguing of gods and male ritual but also general rituals and spells associated with witchcraft (including an intriguing spell for binding bullies) and a detailed code of Wiccan ethics. Each chapter includes helpful sidebars that detail everything from the devil to the story of the god Horus, as well as a series of practical exercises, reflections and guided meditations designed to help the reader explore and develop his identity as a witch (the term Penczak prefers to warlock or wizard). Penczak draws from his personal journey of finding Wicca to shape his discussion, sometimes successfully, and at other times reveals biases (in particular about feminism) that may be off-putting to women readers. For men already interested in Wicca, yet who associate witchcraft exclusively with women, Penczak offers answers and a new angle for men to embrace the masculine side of this tradition. (Apr.)