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TWPT:
Tell me about the need that you saw for the material in this book
when you sat down and began to outline and create the framework for
The Craft.
DM: One of the key factors here had to do with
the exorbitant amount of requests I’ve received for teaching
– many of them from those in the age range of 11-17. This
presented several problems for me. For one thing, my current
deadlines and appearance schedule no longer allow the time necessary
for developing solid student/teacher relationships. For
another, legal ramifications have always prevented me from teaching
minors. The information in The Craft –based on the lessons
I taught to my neophytes many years ago – just seemed like the
perfect solution to both. :)
TWPT:
Do you follow a set pattern when starting a book project or is each
one completely different than the last?
DM: Each one is completely different. So
much so, in fact, that I nearly made a critical error early in my
writing career. While reading through the first 200 pages of a
working manuscript, I decided it was garbage and nearly deleted it
from the hard drive. Fortunately for me, I waited until the
next day. I discovered that the problem wasn't in the message
at all. It was in the fact that I hadn’t written the
chapters in the correct order. And once I moved them around,
everything changed. Good thing, too! That particular book –
In Praise of the Crone – went on to win the 2000 COVR award for
Best Biographical Memoirs! Chuckle!
TWPT:
In your mind what sets The Craft apart from other books that cover
the same basic territory?
DM: The Craft is a complete set of lessons geared
toward the neophyte. It not only covers the basics –
Elements,Deity, magical boosters, and so on –but
goes on to instruct the reader in magical theory, mental theory, the
selection, construction, and importance of magical tools, circle
casting procedures, Wiccan ethics, and an understanding of Esbats and
Sabbats with related ideas for their celebration. Further, this book
contains tons of mental and magical exercises – something I find
sorely missing in other books of this nature – which performed
diligently, will give the reader a solid base in the Craft.
TWPT:
Is there a flow to the book in the way that you present the material
to the reader? Is there a beginning point that students should start
at and an acceptable ending point for what is presented in the book?
DM: Absolutely! With this particular book,
starting in the middle won’t do the reader any good. Since The
Craft is a step-by-step compilation of serious lessons, beginning
with the first sentence and ending with the last is the only way to
go. It’s sort of like building a house. No matter
how well you've built the framework, it’s just not going to
stand unless you’ve built the foundation on solid ground! Chuckle!
TWPT:
How many of your own coven experiences shaped the material and its
presentation within the context of this book?
DM: All of them – although the material
presented is certainly suitable for those who prefer to practice on a
solitary basis.
TWPT:
Is the material in The Craft aimed at solitaries or those within a
coven setting? Or is everything flexible enough to be used in either setting?
DM: Though it was originally written to give
solitaries a solid base in the Craft, I think coven leaders will also
find the material useful in implementing their own lesson plans.
TWPT:
On the cover of the book it mentions that the book includes rituals,
spells and Wiccan Ethics, why is it so important to have information
on ethics right along with the other teachings?
DM: For one thing, the Craft isn’t for
everyone. It’s not a role playing game or a system designed for
use by people on power trips. Instead, it’s a serious
religion based in ethical living. Newcomers need to understand this.
The other thing is that – even though some readers may have been
practicing for many years – an ethical reminder seems to be in
order. Don’t get me wrong. There are many good
teachers in our world today, but horror stories of the unethical also
abound. It's the latter whom I hope to reach with The
Craft. Give them pause for thought. And perhaps, give
them a reason to take a look at what they’re doing, why
they’re doing it, and how it’s affecting our community as a whole.
TWPT:
Taking into account what you see as you travel around the country,
are ethics being taught enough or is there a growing need among new
followers to be grounded in ethical instruction before moving on to
more advanced teachings?
DM: Fact is, most newcomers don’t have a
clue that ethics are even involved. They believe they can do what
they want when they want, and have no regard whatsoever for the
end result. That’s because the focus has become
“magic” rather than “religion.” [Believe it
or not, I’ve even run across those who had absolutely no idea
that religion was even a factor! Sigh!]
If teachers spent more time teaching ethics, several things would occur.
First, there would be a lot less confusion about Wicca. Second,
it would weed out those only interested in the magical aspects. Third
and most important, though, power plays would cease to exist, and our
world would be a happier place to live! :)
TWPT:
Who is this book directed at and how much will those who have been
on the path for a few years benefit from reading The Craft?
DM: Though this book is directed at everyone
– young, old, and in between – who ever looked for solid
Craft instruction and came up empty-handed, those already walking the
path will find it of value, too. That’s because the lesson
material within is not only structured toward studies I’ve never
seen published elsewhere, but is also geared toward an understanding
of the reasons for working with certain tools and accoutrements.
The latter is extremely important, because magical tools just
aren’t as powerful if the practitioner fails to understand their
true purpose and use.
TWPT:
For those who plan on picking up a copy of The Craft, what kind of
advice would you give them to get the ball rolling and help them to
begin their studies?
DM: First, there is no such thing as becoming an
“instant Witch!” That having been said...take a deep
breath, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to work!
The lesson material you’ll find inside is not fly-by-night fluff
that’s easily mastered. Some of it is difficult.
Some of it is not. But all of it requires diligence, tenacity,
and lots of hard work.
The other thing is not to become overwhelmed. If you’ve
worked with a particular lesson for a week or more and can’t
seem to master it, just mark it and go on to the next lesson.
Master that one, then go back to the first.
Things will flow more easily, and before you know it, everything will
fall into place.
TWPT:
There is a related volume called The Craft Companion that is going
to be published next month (July 2001) as a workbook of sorts
to this book, tell me about the thinking involved in having this next
book available to the reader.
DM: Initially, I had planned to have lined pages
incorporated into The Craft.
The reason for this was that folks needed a place to record their
progress as they worked the exercises. After tossing this
around with others in the Craft community, though, I realized that
most people – for whatever reason –simply refuse write in
their books.
That being the case, The Craft Companion was born. It’s a lined,
semi-blank book with a spiral binding that’s suitable for use as
a journaling tool. [As an added bonus, I added a spell to every
page.] This way, folks can use it in multiple ways. It’s a
great tool to record exercise progress notes, start a personal Book
of Shadows, or even a dream diary. Because of its versatility
– and the fact that it lies flat for ease in writing – I
hope the Craft community will find it as useful as I envisioned.
:)
TWPT:
How would you envision the readers of these 2 books using them to
further their spiritual understanding of what Wicca is all about?
DM: While The Craft and The Craft Companion are
easy-to-read and easy-to-understand, they are still text books geared
toward study. And because of the format, it would be difficult to use
them in any other way. That being the case, the reader
can’t help but come away with a thorough understanding of what
Wicca is and what it isn’t. Worst case scenario?
Someone reads The Craft and decides it’s not for them. At
the same time, though, they come away with the knowledge that Wicca
is a gentle, loving way of life that has absolutely no base in evil
whatsoever. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
TWPT:
Any final thoughts about The Craft that you would like to leave our
readers with?
DM: While it’s not a good idea to make the
lessons easier for yourself – you won’t learn much if you
do! – always feel free to personalize them.
Remember that you are the God/dess. Remember that you are the
matrix from which all magic flows. And that without you
–and the touch of your personal creativity – the true heart
of Wicca will simply cease to exist.
TWPT:
Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us about your latest book
and I'm sure that we will be talking again real soon. |
