Some years ago I stumbled across a book at a Pagan event
that I considered at that time, to be truly remarkable in its freshness and
content. The book was called “The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill” and
subtitled, “the gramaryre of the folk who dwell below the mound and a
sourcebook of hidden wisdom, folklore, Traditional Paganism and Witchcraft.”
Which as titles go, is admittedly a little over-worded. The author was Robin
Artisson, who at that time outside of the USA and perhaps the occasional
Internet forum, was an unknown author.
That book was a personal examination of the theory and
practice of the British Traditional (that is non-Wiccan) Craft. As such it
combined elements of a book of shadows or grimoire, with explorations of the
Craft spirituality and magical practice. In an occult world suffering from the
sanitised publicly acceptable version of the Craft, numerous examples of which
are still found on sale in the high street, this volume offered a sensible,
serious and perhaps, more than usually in depth alternative. True enough parts
were rather long winded and repetitive, the book could have been half its
length.
What I found so surprising is that that this book, claiming
to explore aspects of Traditional Witchcraft found in the British Isles, was
written by an American citizen and published in the USA. It was clearly written
for people who wanted to study the Craft and not for the New Age dabbler. I
awaited his further publications with expectation
Years went by and I stumbled upon another work by the
increasing infamous Artisson, as although he remains relatively unknown outside
of his home country; his behaviour on the Internet has irrevocably damaged his
reputation. That book called the Flaming Circle, has sadly proved to be a
disappointment. Although Artisson’s style of writing remains wordy, if perhaps
a little less so than previous and he shows some developing maturity as a
writer. His style is now condescending and overly sentimental.
The Flaming Circle being the coven book of the Hollow Hill
is written for those yet to come, including the author’s children. The style of
writing far from being particularly direct, flowing or friendly, has become
supercilious and convoluted.
The content is an exploration and reconstruction of
pre-Christian beliefs and perhaps practice originating in the British Isles.
This is an exciting topic and as such, Artisson primarily draws upon well-known
Celtic influences.
Unfortunately his presentation and style detracts enormously
from the content. Nor is the book referenced, yet if one has read a little on
Celtic Traditions or Druidry, the influences stand clear. Flaming Circle is one
of the most badly written books that I have ever left unfinished and I simply
cannot recommend it. I can only hope that this work is an aberration and that
his other books are presented in a different style.
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