Witches, Pagans & Magic in the New Age
by Kevin Marron
Seal Books, Toronto, 1989 -- Out of Print
While covering a case on Satanic ritual abuse for the Globe and Mail newspaper, Kevin Marron learned of the Neo-Pagan movement. Intrigued by the idea of people who called themselves Witches, and who denied that their religion had anything to do with Satanism, he decided to do more research into the subject, eventually producing a book that's a snapshot of Neo-Paganism in Canada circa 1989.
Overall, the book is an interesting read. Marron's tone is matter-of-fact, and he comes to his subject with an open mind. There's no attempt to sensationalize Witchcraft here, simply an open and honest look at what Marron learned, based on the people he spoke with.
Two things make this book unique. The first is that it's written by someone on the outside of the Pagan community looking in, rather than by a practitioner. As such, Marron has some intriguing insights into the faith. This is not a how-to book, but an overview of beliefs. For example, Marron observes that speaking to Pagans can be a lot like speaking to born-again Christians as both are happy in their faith, and enthusiastic about the positive change that it has worked in their lives. This is an interesting point, and not one that someone within the Pagan community is likely to make.
The second unique facet of this book is that it's about the Canadian Neo-Pagan movement. Many books come out of the United States or Britain and information on the community outside of these countries can be scarce. It's nice to have a nationwide snapshot -- Canadian Pagans talking about Paganism as it pertains to them.
Unfortunately, since the book was published in 1989, it's out-of-date. This can be an advantage -- it shows how far the community has come since the book was written, but the picture it presents of communities across Canada is far from accurate today.
The chapters are also disjointed. Rather than presenting a progression through the book, each chapter seems a world unto itself, presenting topics with little or no relation to one another. There are chapters on Paganism in BC and Ontario, but none on Paganism in the Prairie provinces. There is, however, an in-depth look at a libel case, and a look at the appropriation of Native spiritual practices by whites. In short, the book doesn't flow.
In particular, Marron's chapters on Satanism feel out of place. While I can appreciate that it was his research into Satanism that led him to write the book in the first place, the neo-Pagan community is so far removed from the ritual abuse cases he cites that the connections he tries to make are almost laughable. Still, Marron can't let that part of his focus go, and it crops up again and again, with two full chapters being devoted to the topic. This adds to the disjointed feel.
Overall, it's a worthwhile read, and definitely something to pick up in the used-book pile if you happen to find it.
Rating: 
Three Cauldrons.
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