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Charge of the Goddess 

by Doreen Valiente

 

When Doreen Valiente died, a part of our roots, our history, went with her.  She shall be missed by many but part of her legacy, her poetry and her personal belongings, were passed on.  John Belham-Payne was bequeathed these personal items of Doreen's.  

Doreen wanted her poetry published.  Unfortunately, it was not to be accomplished in her life time.  While we all know the "Charge of the Goddess", many of us by heart, there was so much more that never made it into printed form. 

Mr. Belham-Payne has taken it upon himself to fulfill Doreen's wishes, and publish those materials that had been passed on to him. 

This book is well produced.  Doreen's own hand and typewritten work appears as she had done it, with the changes and notations as she had left it.  These works have been photographed and printed for us to view.

There is also accompanying text which offers comments on her work.  A little piece of history, a story, a tidbit of knowledge comes with each poem.

These notes hold an appeal as they either shed light on something we may not have known because we are not English (The Sussex Witch is a good example) or we were not privy to some aspects of Doreen's life (a good example of this is The Long Man and a notation by Patricia Crowther).

What makes this book extra special is that the pages are decorated with pieces of Doreen Valiente's personal belongings.  Garders, headpieces, some of Gerald Gardner's belongings that were passed on to Doreen, some things special that Doreen owned are added to the poetry pages.  There are also some lovely photographs that accompany some of the poems that complete the poem.  While most are in black and white, there are also eight color plates that are included, two of which highlight "The Charge of the Goddess" and her triple moon headpiece.

This is a lovely little book, a tribute to Doreen and her work.  I would have liked to have seen more color plates, but the material within is more than satisfying.  It is a piece of history, our history and is a wonderful offering of the woman and her work.

Boudica   Book Reviews Editor  TWPT