if you are looking for a book on how to perform a ritual, the theatrics, the actual nitty-gritty, the pracitcal side and the mystic side, then this is your book.
Daven’s Journal
The Elements of Ritual has been long needed and is a pleasure to read. It is one of the very few I recommend as necessary reading to any Wiccan, and I feel it is an absolutely excellent for the beginner as well as the Wiccan who wants to spice things up. I haven’t yet encountered anyone who wasn’t absolutely delighted by this book, and I certainly am delighted as well.
Rain, BeWitchWeb
In a market of spellbooks, Wicca 101 guides, and witchy-coolness, the appearance of Lipp’s book is a startling breath of fresh air.
Catherine Noble, Wicca for the Rest of Us
I just received (and read) the book “The Elements of Ritual” by Deborah Lipp. What an absolute honor to review this book! I have one thing to say… Move over Cunningham and Buckland, Lipp is the new name in teaching Wicca!
Aleesha Stephenson,
Production Editor, “Body, Mind, Spirit Magazine”
Ms. Lipp’s explanations of each step of ritual, and how they are related to the elements are clear and easy to understand. It is very refreshing to read a book which pays more attention to the “whys” of ritual than to the “how” or “when.” This is definitely NOT a Wicca 101 book.
Her explanation of the form of the circle is one that resonates with me. I have felt the same way for many years. Maybe seeing it in print will help others to realize that there is most definitely more than one way to visualize this very important part of ritual.
If you belong to a coven, especially if you are an Elder, this book is recommended for discussion amongst the leadership group.If you are a solitary, it should be read and thought about carefully, then put aside for several months. Then it should be re-examined to see how, or if, your understanding has changed.
I find her style and approach to be one that is conducive to learning. Allow yourself to play with what she offers, experience her perspective, even if it is not yours (especially if it is not yours), and you will benefit from this book. It may not change how you perceive things, but it just may.
Mike Gleason, alt.religion.wicca.moderated
With the wide range of beliefs and practices in Wicca today, I’m sure that there will be some Wiccans who will find Lipp’s ideas alien to their version of Wicca. However, I feel that most Wiccans can greatly increase their understanding of their religion’s rituals by studying The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water, & Earth in the Wiccan Circle. I urge all Wiccans, especially those who lead ritual or hope to lead ritual, to read this book. Unless you come from a coven with an excellent training program, I think most of this material will be new to you. I suspect the average Wiccan will find more new and useful information here than in all the Wicca 101 books published in the last few years.
Randall, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
I’m reading a beautiful and engaging book by Gardnerian priestess Deborah Lipp called The Elements of Ritual. Far from being merely a how-to manual, this book is actually an exploration of holistic theology. The author uses a foundational theme of the four elements to unify theology, mythology and ritual and presents this work in a fluid and engaging manner. The author has already changed my mind about a few things. Highly recommended.
Amber Laine Fisher, author, “The Philosophy of Wicca”
I just read “The Elements of Ritual: by Deborah Lipp. (it just came out). EXCELLENT book! It deserves the highest praises! It could be extremely useful for people of any magickal path.
Lupercus, occultforums.com
