BBI Media has been providing the "alternative spirituality" community with magazines for a long time. They have been most successful with their Sage Woman Magazine, which focuses specifically on Female Spirituality and with PanGaia, which explores Earth-Based Spirituality of all kinds. Most recently added to this family is new Witch magazine, which is focused on Wiccan/Pagan Spirituality and is geared towards the younger practitioner (18-34 is the age group listed).

I have been receiving new Witch magazine for a while now. It is a quarterly printed magazine and subscription runs $18.00 per year. It is in magazine format with a nicely printed color cover each issue, and a beautifully illustrated black and white interior. The current issue is #11. The Editor-in-Chief is Anne Newkirk Niven and the Managing Editor is Mr. Dagonet Dwer, both of whom are well known in the pagan community.

Each issue of newWitch has a format that is easy to follow and laid out in their table of contents, with regular articles as well as submissions and features. The front banner reads "not your mother's broomstick" and it lives up to that promise. The articles have a young, fresh approach to the material they cover.

The main features of this issue is "Candle Magic", with two articles focusing on this. The main article Light My Fire by Galina Krasskova deals with this very simple form of magic, and she lists how she does candle magic workings, as well as providing a "sidebar" on candle burning safety tips. Very well thought out, easy to follow step by step instructions and a very nice article covering the topic.

The second article The Magical Power of Lightsticks by Leigh East suggests an alternative to an open flame by substituting modern lightsticks. There are those who are not permitted to burn candles in their leased apartments, or safety may be a factor. Again, very well thought out article with some tips to make the effects more impressive.

But the magazine just doesn't cover the Craft part of being a witch. There are a couple of articles in this issue dealing with Spirituality. A regular feature written by the Managing Editor called the Vibe deals with being a man in paganism. This article is run in tandem with another article dealing with men in Wicca called What's a Big Strong, Hairy Man to Do? in the new Witch Voices feature. The discussions both deal with being male in a spirituality that is composed mostly of woman and usually focuses on the Divine Feminine. These two articles are very good discussions on men in paganism and gives the male readers an "inclusion" into this magazine that is very much needed in our community. This magazine does not focus on just women, but includes the sometimes neglected man as well.

Crowley by Esthamarelda McNevin is a very interesting article on Aleister Crowley, one of the most misunderstood figures in magic. While not considered a "founding father", his books on magic and the occult are required reading for many as they are and still remains some of the best works on the subjects. The discussion focuses on his writings, his teachings and his mostly misunderstood personal life. A nice introduction to Crowley, well researched and there are a lot of references to explore further.

There also is a feature interview with author Francesca De Grandis. The interview covers not only her most recent book Be A Teen Goddess, but also her tradition of The Third Road School of Celtic Shamanism. This is a very insightful interview covering topics like being a teacher, Ms. De Grandis' personal tradition, initiation, Wicca today and more.

There is a fiction piece called divining napkins, a delightful little story about divination and the fine art of "reading". This magazine also includes bits of poetry for your reading enjoyment. There are articles on ancestor worship, looking for a Goddess and finding a God, and a look at movies and witches.

In the "regulars area" we have Foxy Witch by Sheela Ardrian which in this issue looks at Pagan Love Songs and provides a list of 35 CDs of some very lovely pagan music focusing on love songs.

Another regular feature is Bell Book and Candle by Rev. Galina Krasskova, and in this issue she examines the Element of Fire and all its associations, providing a nice overview of the topic.

Then there is Rant and Rave - which are letters to the editor, Spell It Out - providing reviews of music and books, Chalice & Keyboard - pagan perspectives on movies and music, Astro Spell - astrological highlights for the coming months, and Steamed Up - a little comic which lightly looks at magic and manifests a laugh.

Spellbound is the advertisers market and personal ads which is in addition to the many ads throughout the magazine. The advertising is all pagan related, from stores, to books and DVD releases and more. The ads are all tastefully done and lovely to look at. Very nicely planned designs for the advertiser looking for a market for their goods.

This issue contained 78 pages packed with articles about being a witch or pagan, working the Craft and finding personal Spirituality. It succeeds in what it sets out to do - entertain and educate. It is a lovely magazine to look at as well and does not disappoint in the quality of the content or the writing of the material it covers.

If you are young or old, this magazine is suited for the Wiccan practitioner or witch or just the pagan with a personal path they want to get in touch with more fully. I don't think it is just for the younger practitioner, but appeals on many levels to the beginner of any age, or the seasoned practitioner looking for another source of material about their path or a different perspective on their spirituality. While some of the material may appeal to a younger crowd, I find it as refreshing as a breath of fresh air. This magazine is very much needed in our community as many of them have disappeared over the years. A nice addition to the community and a good reference and entertainment magazine. boudica


If you would like to "sample" the magazine on-line or subscribe, visit http://www.newwitch.com/

Recommended: Yes