BOOK REVIEW - The Real Witches' Coven

The Real Witches' Coven by Kate West © 2003 Thorsons ISBN
0-00-714389-3 224 pages Includes Terms and Definitions & Recommended
Reading and Points of Contact paperback $15.95 (U.S.) $23.95 (Canada)



Lest you be put off by the title, let me assure you that "Real Witches"
refers not to "the one, correct" way to be a Witch. Rather, it refers to
being a Witch in the real world - the one with mundane jobs, children,
family, etc., all demanding part of your time and attention. There are few
people whose entire lives are Craft-oriented, and Ms. West shows you how to
integrate all of the aspects of your life.



This is one of the best books I have read lately with the intention of
helping to train those who are responsible for training the new comers. The
author lays out the positive and negative experiences you might expect to
encounter during your life in a Coven. She explains what should be expected
at each level of experience; what a High Priestess should do to keep her
Coven running smoothly; how to deal with problems (and problem Covenors)
effectively and sensitively; and in the final chapter sets out a series of
guidelines on how to be a good Covenor.



This book will be valuable for those without formal Coven training, and can
be a valuable resource for those who have had the formal training. Checking
the items in this book can serve to keep things in perspective and help one
to avoid over-reacting. It does not contain all the answers, no single book
could. What it does is to provide a basis for helping to determine what
whether what you experience is "normal" development, or if there is a
problem developing.



If you think you have seen and heard it all, you may be surprised by some of
the things in here. Enjoy this book, I did.