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TWPT: Your
latest book is entitled The Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft,
where did the idea for this book come from?
RG: In part the idea for the encyclopedia was born out
of frustration at having to use so many different sources while doing
research on basic Wiccan/Witchcraft topics. I wondered why no one had
put it all together in an encyclopedia, so I thought I would attempt
the feat.
TWPT: Did
it require some in-depth research on your part or was this more life experiences?
RG: Much of it seemed to be already in my head due to
some 25 years of study and practice. However, I wanted to bring some
historical and cultural material to support the entries and this did
indeed require extensive research as a backup.
TWPT: Was
the Encyclopedia written from any particular perspective as far as
Trads or belief systems?
RG: I tried to reflect the "consensus" of
opinions within the general Wiccan/Witchcraft community concerning
the basic material. Naturally an author cannot help but to bring his
or her own perspectives into play, but I did make a sincere attempt
to be as unbias as possible. I'm not saying I succeeded, just that I
tried very hard.
TWPT: Who
is it that will benefit most from this Encyclopedia?
RG: This is the first enccylopedia, to the best of my
knowledge, to present the Craft without a Judeo-Christian backdrop or
filter. Instead it presents Wicca/Witchcraft as a religious and
spiritual system. I purposely did not include what others
encyclopedias on the topic do, namely demons, witch hunter bios, and
all the stereotypes associated with the Judeo-Christian view of
Wicca/Witchcraft. This encyclopedia is for modern Wiccans/Witches,
written by one, and is also useful for anyone interested in the view
of those who actually practice the Craft.
TWPT: I
know that I have seen other Encyclopedic works before about the
Craft, what makes yours unique?
RG: Again, this encyclopedia presents Wicca/Witchcraft
as a religion and a spiritual system having nothing to do with Judeo-Christian
perspectives.
It is the first encyclopedia to cover all of the terms and phrases
used in the Craft and to present the pre-Christian origins of many of
the beliefs and practices of modern Wicca/Witchcraft in such a wide range.
The encyclopedia also presents research references to each topic,
connecting various concepts in order to provide the reader with a
richer understanding.
TWPT:
How is the material arranged in the Encyclopedia and how does that
translate into ease of use by the reader?
RG: The encyclopedia is arranged in the typical alpha
entry style for each topic and includes an index to enhance the ease
of researching various themes. Each topic provides suggested links to
follow for additional information and insight. |
