Necrotic Obsession

The book has already caused me to examine myself. And already, I am a little self-conscious of my youth. ^^ But I am open to learning, introspection, and independent growth.

Has anyone else read this?

I have the book, but I haven't read it all yet, just skimmed through the book. What I saw, I liked.

never heard of it. is it a book about being goth? or something wicca'ish? im guessing wicca cuz of ppl who use "raven" and such in their names....

You know what they say about judging a book by it's cover. It's not a good idea to judge something by the name of the author either. Why not check it out because you decide if it's any good or not.

The name Raven is more than just for Wiccans. I think you need to expand your horizons a bit...

Well what made me assume is was a pagan based book was the term "craft". I can totally understand why TD would ask something like that. If thats not what the book is about could you give us a quick synopsis before we all go out and buy a book that we don't really know anything about?

If I were so closed minded as to judge a book by its cover, I would think it was a fluffy teen-witch book; however I am not judging it just yet.

Goth Craft

From reading the a few pages it basically starts out with the history of the Gothic Culture and also combines ideas on paganism. Not really the best book out there, but I'm sure it has some useful information. It has a nice cover and if given the opportunity I might buy it.

Even those so called fluff bunny books have some interesting things in them.

There are lots of overlaps between Goth, Pagan, Wicca, Satanism, Vampirism. Not looking at a book or webpage simply because it says "craft" in it, is kind of limiting.

Like I said... try opening your horizons. You might even surprise yourself.

But, in essence, I was right... and so was TD. Its not so much being closed minded as it is using the resources available. You never offered a good description of it so I looked it up myself.

Most people who refer to themselves as Raven, have chosen that name either for its magickal aspects or to try to stand out by fitting in with a different crowd. I know it seems like an oxymoron to me as well, but hey people are just trying to be individualistic.

What do you know about the craft? What certifications do you have? Have you taken your year and a day studying a certain facet of paganism? Are you pagan? Have you self initiated or been initiated through a coven? What makes you so annoyed that we as humans generalize things to simplify our lives? I understand your point quite well, and frankly think that in this case; your wrong. I mean no disrespect to you, but you are a hypocrite by assuming that I don't understand what your point is... That whole "broadening your horizons" line really just proves my point that everyone should practice what they indeed preach. Perhaps if you did not focus so much on what other people's thought processes brought them to whatever conclusion you might realize that the conclusion that we all came to was in fact the truth. If you can not accept that then perhaps you should practice being humble and that you might not know everything in the world. I know I have only tapped into the world we know as knowledge. In some cases what you have said about "broadening your horizons" may hold true, but you also need the knowledge and common sense to know when to decipher the two.

As to the book; Like I said, it looks like a decent read... But I would like to know more in depth as to HOW these subjects overlap. They are very broad subjects and even comparing Wicca to Satanism could make some people annoyed.

You sound fairly knowledgeable and I am eager to have you posting in the Broom Closet. Don't take it to the heart, I don't sugar coat how I feel.

Yes, I am a Pagan, and yes, I've done the 'year and a day' thing, not that should make any difference. I have been a member of a coven and now I'm solitary. I have been a student of comparative religions for the past 10 years. I have as much respect for Satanism as I do all of religions. Right now I'm studying Islam, not with any plans of converting, but because I want to understand it all.


Sorry if I misread your comments, but it seemed like you were thumbing your nose to anything that wasn't strictly Gothic. The name Raven is used in Native American spirituality as well as some Asian belief systems.

I didn't give a review of the book because that would be strictly my own opinion and others might see it completely differently. That's why I hoped people would give it chance and read for themselves.

If people have a problem with comparing Wicca with Satanism, then they have more a problem than I can do anything about. Usually it's those who believe only what they were taught in Sunday School and haven't taken the time to learn about both topics for themselves.

I once had someone complain about a Halloween article on my blog because Halloween was evil. He said he was an 'educated' man and researched in depth. What he finally admitted was that he researched the bible in depth. That's not being educated.

I don't claim to have all of the answers.. I'm still learning. I had hoped people of this forum would be a bit more open minded and willing to explore new ideas and beliefs.

Everything anyone says, thinks or does is always subjective. Even writing books are subjective. I was specifically asking for your opinion because its called getting to know someone and the way their mind works, and why they come to the conclusions that they do




and



That is hypocritical. This whole thread you have pretty much been thumbing your nose at people who choose to have separate ways to coming to an opinion. Frankly its solopistic, and for someone who "knows" about satanism you are breaking a cardinal rule. OKAY back to the comparison of Satanism and Wicca... I dont know where to start... Perhaps it would be best if we created a thread in Broom Closet to continue this conversation. I have no intentions of arguing so if you would like to continue this conversation look for a post in the broom closet.



This actually makes a big difference. Most people who claim to be pagan/wiccan/satanic know virtually nothing about the history, ethics, and theory in practice. Basically, if you have been in a coven then you should have been able to be given the chance to actually teach classes, know the history, perform ritual as HPS or HP depending on your sex, and also know how to set up an altar, how to perform solitarily....etc.

We are all taught differently as we all learn different traditions and even create our own. My dad is a member of C.o.S. practices strega (italian witchcraft) , voudon (a type of voodoo), hermetics ( often an egyptian path and/or high and ceremonial magick) and wiccan (standard polytheistic belief), My uncle is Zen buddhist, My mom is christian, My aunt cristo-pagan, and I am currently on the Wiccan path but also taking a High Ceremonial Class in Hermetics as well as continuing in coven. I will be teaching the LBRP in July for Coven and also am a bardess for coven. So I have my hands full. Plus I'm in college and working part time.

I have over two years of practice with being involved in paganism and not just a by-stander. Not to mention growing up with my father who taught me many things. I took my teacher in 2007 and graduated May 2008. I joined a coven and was a dedicant for a year and a day to that. I am now initiated as 1st degree witch of a coven. After I finish my third degree , I will have the knowledge and certifications to branch out and create my own coven and traditions if I should so choose to. Without that, most people tend to take you less seriously. Trust me I am in a large pagan community and it happens quite frequently. There are many people who claim to be self initiated and self taught and frankly dont know what the hell their talking about. I've sat through some "classes" and you can really tell the difference. Now I'm not saying that you are any of these and I hope that I don't give off the impression that I am. In my experience you have to put theory in practice because what works for me, might not work for you~


Thats my two cents for the night... Peace out.

dp

i felt the need to post in here again simply because when i woke up i knew i recognized your name from somewhere, or at least the first part. im guessing you know what epona means? or perhaps you are gaelic? im only curious cuz i checked out your blog last night, and for some reason when i woke up your name was in my head, and i have been doing a lot of research lately into different pantheons.

as to the thread topic................im sorry i just woke up, and have limited time to make an educated postm but.....yea thats all for now. more later.

Well, the book is on my list to buy! :D Just have to wait till friday. I figured all this commotion I better buy it and read it! I'm gonna go check out the blog.

Let me just say I love your blog. Very informative and just plain nifty. I watched a vid on this chick with vampy eyes, and red/black lips. I really liked it. Obviously I didnt read it all but I skimmed through it and you sure do post alot about really off the wall cool stuff. I liked the subcultures that you posted about. Okay sorry, off topic here, but yeah.

The book does a run-through of paganism, Gothic history and culture, meditation, spells, and even some background on the Punk movemement. It also clears up several misconceptions.

I like the design of the cover...but at the same time, I find it somehow...misleading.
And I am genuienly wondering if "Raven" is his first name.
If it isn't mentioned in the text, I'll google it. >.>

You think its just a pseudoname? I was thinking it might have been her magickal name, myself.