Redefining Masculinity: Men and Witchcraft in Wicca

Witchcraft has long been associated with women, but within the Wiccan belief system, there is a place for males to practice this ancient craft. Wicca is a contemporary pagan religious movement that draws inspiration from pre-Christian rituals and nature-based beliefs. While the stereotypical image of a witch may conjure up thoughts of a female figure, Wiccan teachings embrace the idea that anyone can practice witchcraft, regardless of their gender. **One of the fundamental principles of Wicca is the concept of balance and harmony between masculine and feminine energies.** In the Wiccan tradition, the goddess and god are seen as equal and complementary forces that encompass all aspects of existence. This duality resonates throughout the faith and manifests in rituals and practices that are inclusive of both males and females.

A good rocking opener, an easy listening heavy rock (''Showtime''), a good old juicy hard- rock beat for ''The Old Gods Return'': this album offers a pretty decent level of music, but nothing memorable. Still, I have to recognize that some songs are plenty of dynamism and sound quite alright like the excellent ''Pocket'': great beat, fine riff, pleasant vocal melody and very good guitar work. The best song from this album IMO.

After a very heavy previous album only 3 years prior Heaven Forbid , this album turns and looks in the direction that the band had always been more familiar with -- 70s metal. I have some problems with the rating of this album on the one hand it is superior to Heaven Forbid which I have rated with two stars, but it is really limit to rate it with three stars.

This duality resonates throughout the faith and manifests in rituals and practices that are inclusive of both males and females. **For male practitioners of witchcraft, they can connect with their own unique expression of power, magic, and spirituality.** While the specific roles and rituals may differ between genders, the foundational belief is that all individuals possess the capacity for divine connection and can harness their inner magic.

Blue Oyster Cult
Curse of the Hidden Mirror

Blue Oyster Cult has nothing left to prove. The band, that released a string of excellent albums in the 1970s and 80s, has already left its imprint in the popular culture. Unfortunately, it is mostly known for 2-3 songs ((Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Burnin’ for You, Godzilla), but it is not going to be news that they have a much wider selection of quality tracks. The period of extensive studio activity has ended for them following the release of Imaginos. Afterwards the band barely produced any new material, mainly existing on their classic output. So it was a surprise when in 1998, ten years later, Blue Oyster Cult released a full-fledged studio album Heaven Forbid. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last (at least, at the moment) LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.

For people familiar with the band’s repertoire the new record is going to be like a long-awaited return to familiar grounds. Obviously, it’s not going to surprise anyone, since the line-up includes three musicians, who practically never left, and there is no doubt that Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma and Allen Larnier know what a Blue Oyster Cult album should sound like. So all the major components are preserved with utmost professionalism on Curse of the Hidden Mirror. The band still avoids clear labels, shifting between hard rock and heavy metal, with occasional stop on the pop-rock territory. The songs still maintain the signature quirkiness and eccentricity of topics: there are both creepy or mystical cuts, as well as those performed in a more ironic or grounded way. As on Heaven Forbid some assistance with lyrics was provided by the cyberpunk author John Shirley, again carrying on the tradition of working together with science fiction writers and songwriters, which started in the early days of the band.

The songs included on the album leave mainly positive impression. Of notable interest are four songs sung by Buck Dharma: the opening track Dance on Stilts with its start-stop riff; perky and somewhat philosophical Pocket; fast-paced pop-rock gem Here Comes That Feeling Again with a surprising twist; and the mystical Stone of Love. Remarkably Mr. Roeser has not lost and wonderfully preserved his voice (as well as his sweet guitar skills), so it is sheer pleasure to listen to his tracks. Unfortunately, the songs performed by Eric Bloom are of hit and miss variety. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly (and it would seem mainly) is that the voice of Mr. Bloom is partially gone, so his yapping and grating manner of singing requires some getting used to. Though it should be noted, some of the cuts effective build on his more limited vocals adding necessary rawness and aggressiveness. A good example is apocalyptic The Old Gods Return or sinister One Step Ahead of the Devil. He manages himself pretty well on Showtime (which was actually written during the sessions for the 1980’s Cultosaurus Erectus), as well as Good to Feel Hungry. The second shortcoming is related to the songs themselves, specifically choruses. They are often built around repetition of several words or based on the track title with some variations, leading to a sense of certain monotony. This is represented in the above mentioned The Old Gods Return and One Step Ahead of the Devil or Eye of the Hurricane.

Nevertheless, despite some missteps it should be acknowledged that the veteran act released a strong effort, which, unfortunately, was passed over by the buying public. Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. However, it can be assumed that those few who purchased the record were satisfied with the solid album that can stand among their classic releases.

I have some problems with the rating of this album: on the one hand it is superior to ''Heaven Forbid'' which I have rated with two stars, but it is really limit to rate it with three stars. I guess that five out of ten would have been ideal, but since a more accurate rating is not available on PA I will update this album to three stars.

**Male witches, often referred to as warlocks or witches, contribute to the spiritual tapestry of Wicca with their own perspectives and energies.** Historically, the persecution of witches has focused primarily on women, leading to the popular misconception that witchcraft is a female-only practice. However, Wiccan beliefs reject the limitations imposed by societal norms and embrace the diversity of human experiences. **In the Wiccan community, males are encouraged to explore and express their own spiritual path, which may include practicing witchcraft.** Overall, Wicca emphasizes balance, inclusivity, and self-expression, allowing for the inclusion of males in the practice of witchcraft. **The principles of Wiccan beliefs create an environment that welcomes and appreciates the contributions of males in the pursuit of magic and spiritual growth.**.

Reviews for "Men and Witchcraft: A Historical Overview in Wiccan Traditions"

1. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆

I was highly disappointed with this book. It promised to delve into the topic of males practicing witchcraft within Wiccan beliefs, but it barely scratched the surface. The author simply regurgitated information that is widely available online, without providing any new insights or perspectives. Furthermore, the book seemed to have a biased view against males practicing witchcraft, which was both disheartening and off-putting. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the subject.

2. John - ★★☆☆☆

As a male practitioner of Wicca, I was excited to find a book specifically addressing the topic of males practicing witchcraft. However, I found this book to be underwhelming. The author spent too much time discussing the basic principles of Wicca that are already widely known, and only touched briefly on the subject of male involvement. Additionally, the book lacked depth and failed to provide any real guidance or practical advice for male practitioners. Overall, I feel like my time and money were wasted on this book.

3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆

While the topic of males practicing witchcraft within Wiccan beliefs is an interesting one, this book failed to satisfy my curiosity. It felt more like a personal opinion piece rather than a well-researched exploration of the subject. The author relied heavily on their own experiences and beliefs, which left me feeling disconnected from the content. I was hoping for a more comprehensive examination of the topic, including historical perspectives and diverse viewpoints, but this book fell short. I would recommend seeking other resources if you're truly interested in learning about males in Wiccan witchcraft.

4. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆

I found this book to be misleading and disappointing. The title suggests that it will cover the topic of males practicing witchcraft within Wiccan beliefs, but it barely touched on the subject. Instead, it focused more on general Wiccan practices and philosophy, which is not what I expected. The author failed to provide any substantial information or guidance specifically for male practitioners. It felt like a wasted opportunity to address an important aspect of the Wiccan community. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for valuable insights on this topic.

The Rising Presence of Male Witches in Wicca