Philosophy of Wicca

A common complaint about Neo-Pagan texts that the same basic information is presented over and over in different words. As Voices From the Pagan Census tells us, contemporary Neo-Pagans tend to be a well-read bunch, and seek out new books eagerly. As there are currently few books on philosophy written for the Neo-Pagan reader, one might presume that a text like Amber Laine Fisher's Philosophy of Wicca to be a thought-provoking text with deep revelations encoded within its pages. One would, regretfully, be mistaken.

By its very nature, philosophy involves the critical examination of fundamental assumptions or beliefs. Like many philosophy texts, this book does not aim to teach, but to reflect upon the author's personal perception and interpretation of the subject. As a result, Fisher's work is mildly interesting in an objective fashion, but she does not introduce any new information. Wicca itself is an extremely personal spirituality, and the logical extension of this fact is that any philosophical interpretation of it would be likewise as personal. It is to Fisher's credit that she does not force her beliefs or interpretations onto her readers. The comments she makes on different areas of Wiccan belief (sex, morality, the concept of God and Goddess) are hardly original, nor are they earth-shatteringly thought-provoking. The book does not engage the reader in any way by challenging their current beliefs, or by introducing new views of information to incorporate into their current belief system.

As interesting as it may be to write out one's interpretation of the path, if the resulting work does not question a reader's current views in any significant fashion, then one must question the investment of energy spent reading it. Ultimately, Fisher's Philosophy of Wicca is a forgettable read.

(c) 2004 A. Murphy-Hiscock. Originally published in Wyntergreene, Ostara (March) 2004.