In Wiccan ceremonies, men do play a role, although it may vary depending on the specific tradition and the preferences of the coven or group participating in the ritual. While Wicca is often seen as a religion that honors the goddess and feminine energy, it also recognizes and embraces the importance of male energy and the god. Men in Wicca can serve as leaders, participants, and contributors to the rituals and practices. Traditionally, Wicca follows a dualistic belief system that acknowledges the presence of both a god and a goddess. Therefore, men are seen as essential in honoring and connecting with the masculine divine energy. They can take on roles such as priests, high priests, or ritual leaders, guiding the ceremonial proceedings and leading invocations or prayers dedicated to the god or the masculine aspects of the divine.
Part of it is, I read it for the first time as a college student during spring term, and so I had some instant sympathy for poor Walter Gilman. Studying for exams is stressful enough without being abducted by long-dead witches and taken into other dimensions.
BTW, I am a descendant of Eastern-European immigrants to the northeast United States, rather like the ones Lovecraft treats with utter contempt in this tale. Η γριά μάγισσα Κεζάια με τους άγριους θρήνους και τα πλοκαμοφόρα τέρατα της υποχθόνιας διάστασης που σπάει τα έγκατα των τύμβων και ανεβαίνοντας το Βουνό της Καταιγίδας μας πηγαίνει σε έναν γαλαξία αρρωστημένων,ασαφών δαιμονίων συναισθημάτων, γεμάτο στοιχειωμένα δάση, απειλητικούς λόφους, και απόκρημνες αβύσσους ουρλιαχτών, παραφροσύνης και νοσηρότητας.
They can take on roles such as priests, high priests, or ritual leaders, guiding the ceremonial proceedings and leading invocations or prayers dedicated to the god or the masculine aspects of the divine. While women may be perceived as more closely associated with the goddess and feminine energy, men can also engage in practices and rituals that focus on the goddess and the feminine divine. This can include participating in invocations, rituals dedicated to fertility or the cycles of the moon, or embodying the god in rituals centering around fertility, abundance, or the harvest.
manny's book of shadows
“The Dreams in the Witch House” first appeared in the July 1933 issue of Weird Tales.
Although often dismissed by critics, H.P. Lovecraft‘s The Dreams in the Witch-House is actually one of my favorite of his latter tales. I’ll admit that it is imperfect, but it is also admirable in it’s scope. Lovecraft mixes Gothic Horror with really high brow Sci Fi. And therein lies the problem. Lovecraft gets so technical and oblique in his descriptions of Walter Gilman’s night-time sojourns that it gets a bit distracting. Also, he introduces elements that don’t really pay off, like the mention of the Elder Things which goes nowhere or even the Black Man of the Witches (an avatar of Nyarlathotep) who never makes a proper appearance and is only glimpsed furtively running around with the witch, Keziah Mason, and her familiar Brown Jenkin. Then there is the all too familiar xenophobia creeping in with Lovecraft’s descriptions of the Polish immigrants, who are portrayed as brutish and uncouth.
Even so, I got a kick out of some of the scenes where Gilman sees Keziah and Brown Jenkin in the outer spheres either as weird geometrical congeries of bubbles and polyhedrons hinting at their earthly forms or when they are seen outright making cryptic hand gestures to guide Gilman to the desired portals into the dream dimensions. I also like the hints of how Keziah used her secrets culled from ancient tracts, like the Necronomicon, to find a way to escape Salem Gaol during the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. The horror elements of the tale are terrifying and very dark: witch’s Sabbaths, black books and child sacrifice, all told in a very effective and convincing way as only Lovecraft can do.
Variant title poster for Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968).
I think the tale has definite cinematic potential and indeed it has been adapted a couple of times before. First in the 1968 film Curse of the Crimson Altar, featuring the triple threat of Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee and my beloved Barbara Steele! It is a very loose adaptation however that, although entertaining, has very little to do with the source material. Stuart Gordon‘s 2005 Masters of Horror adaptation H. P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House is much closer to the story, but still makes some notable changes. For starters, Gordon and co-writer Dennis Paoli eschew most of the Sci-Fi parts and only hint at the geometrical basis of the dream travel. They focus on the horror elements but change Gilman’s college buddy Frank Elwood to attractive single mother Frances Elwood, who is presented as a potential love interest, and whose baby ends up replacing little Ladislas Wolejko from the original tale in the final confrontation between Gilman and Keziah.
DVD cover for Masters of Horror 2005 adaptation by Stuart Gordon.
All in all, I think it’s a much more daring and ambitious tale than critics give it credit for. Even August Derleth was critical of it, which made Lovecraft a bit self conscious I think. For more on that, check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dreams_in_the_Witch_House#Reception.
It remains, in my estimation, a great work of dark fantasy and I also think, given a thoughtful reworking, it could make a fascinating film.
Moreover, men can contribute their unique perspectives and experiences to Wiccan ceremonies. This diversity in gender roles and perspectives adds depth and richness to the rituals and provides a well-rounded understanding of the divine. Men can bring their own energy, strengths, and interpretations to the rituals, creating a harmonious balance with the feminine energy present. It is essential to remember that Wicca is an inclusive and egalitarian religion that celebrates the diversity and interconnectedness of all beings. While Wiccan ceremonies may have traditionally revolved around the worship of a goddess, men are valued and respected for their vital roles in honoring and connecting with the god and masculine divine energy. Ultimately, Wicca recognizes and embraces the significance of both genders in ritual practice, allowing men to actively participate and contribute to the sacred ceremonies..
Reviews for "The Power of Feminine-Masculine Union: Men's Participation in Wiccan Rituals"
1. Mary - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Do men have a role in Wiccan ceremonies". I expected a thoughtful discussion about gender roles and inclusivity in Wicca, but instead, the author seemed to dismiss men entirely. It felt like a missed opportunity to have a meaningful conversation about inclusivity and diversity within the Wiccan community. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a balanced perspective on gender roles in Wicca.
2. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Do men have a role in Wiccan ceremonies" to be extremely biased and exclusionary. As a man interested in Wicca, I was hoping to learn more about how I could be involved and contribute to Wiccan rituals. However, the author's argument that men do not have a role in ceremonies left me feeling unwelcome and discouraged. This book completely ignored the diversity and potential for collaboration within the Wiccan community, which was very disheartening. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a fair and inclusive perspective on Wiccan ceremonies.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Do men have a role in Wiccan ceremonies" to be narrow-minded and lacking in depth. While the author acknowledges that some men may be interested in participating in Wiccan rituals, their argument that men do not inherently have a role and should not be involved seemed unfounded and limiting. Wicca is a diverse and inclusive spiritual practice, and I believe there should be room for all individuals, regardless of gender, to find their place within it. Unfortunately, this book did not provide the nuanced discussion I was hoping for and left me disappointed.
4. James - 1 out of 5 stars - "Do men have a role in Wiccan ceremonies" is an overly simplistic and exclusionary take on gender roles within Wicca. The author's assertion that men should not have a role in Wiccan rituals is not only dismissive but also disregards the diversity of perspectives and experiences within the Wiccan community. This book completely misses the mark when it comes to promoting inclusivity and understanding. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive and unbiased exploration of gender roles in Wiccan ceremonies.