The Book of Wizardry is a fictional offering targeted to the elementary school reader. Presenting paganism via an imaginary professor of an imaginary school, I assume it was the publisher’s goal to capitalize on the mania of juvenile market bestsellers. I was disappointed by it’s contents.
This book is organized in two sections; the first being lessons on the elements, tools and rituals, the second being a game. While it is presented in a fun short chapter style, the author could have better suggested a child walk in a natural setting observing his/her surroundings and then craft tools with applications that are age appropriate. The crafts in general are void of individualism and the personal flair of a child. Some of the instructions are not consistent with tools and symbols generally accepted in the pagan world (for example, in one case a Star of David is used instead of a pentacle).
The book sparked several questions for me, none new. Foremost, how does the secular world view pagan spirituality in a post Harry Potter world? If you are interesting in a book that will make you ask questions about pagan parenting, this may be of interest to you. But I wouldn’t recommend it for your child.
~review by Denise Bell
Author: Cornelius Rumstuckle
Llewellyn Publications, 2003
325 pages, $12.95
