Review: Wild Once by Vivianne Crowley

About the Author Dr. Vivianne Crowley is an internationally renowned Wiccan priestess, worldwide go-to authority on Wicca culture, a psychologist and bestselling author. Formerly Lecturer in Psychology of Religion at King’s College, University of London, she is now a professor in the Faculty of Pastoral Counselling, Cherry Hill Seminary, South Carolina. Her many books have been translated around the world. Learn more at www.viviannecrowley.com   

About Wild Once by Vivianne Crowley Wild Once is a spiritual deep-dive into the self. It is a book about quest; about finding and reconnecting with the wilder parts of ourselves to bring happiness, enrichment and spiritual satisfaction into our lives. It is about awakening the magic within, and unleashing the power that arises from standing in our authentic selves. It’s about coming “home” to our true natures.

A beautiful introduction sets us on this insightful journey. The author describes her path; Wicca remains Crowley’s primary spirituality, with some Buddhism and Kabbalah woven in, and psychology featuring heavily. I have already been drawn into the book by the wonderful way that Crowley weaves her words, but as a psychology student Witch from the largest Buddhist community in the UK, I understand that this is going to be a brilliant book, and I start this journey feeling a deep affinity with the author.

The author leads us into a discussion about magic, and the wonder that it is practised at all in the 21st Century. We explore subjects such as synchronicity, science, clairvoyance, the unexpected and premonitions with the author rationalising everything with the pin-point accuracy and sharpness of a psychologist’s mind; affirming magic and relating everything back to consciousness and the human psyche, which are prominent themes throughout. 

“Beneath all the constraints of civilisation, there is within us a more natural and untamed self - a wild, magical, ecological self that is close to our animal origins, but close too to our spiritual core. This wilder self takes us away from the superficiality of contemporary life, towards something older and deeper.” - Wild Once

We explore magic further, and how it is woven into our DNA. We come to understand how it shapes us as human beings, and how it can enhance our lives. We look at consumerism and the type of society we have built; and how this has an effect on our ability to connect with each other, the world, and with ourselves.

We come to understand that we have lost our wild connection, but also how easy it is to rediscover it. We are asked if we want our lives to be dedicated to producing and consuming, plus further pertinent questions that have the reader frantically analysing their existence. But this is what good books do, and I feel I can speak for everyone when I say that the reader will feel deep gratitude for being made to think about these topics.

Through the themes of Witchcraft, human psyche and consciousness, we journey through twenty-three incredible chapters where Crowley helps us discover all the ways we can connect to our wild selves. We explore connections with allies, worshipping deity, magical connection to the land, trees, archetypes, meditation, play, ritual, shadow work, journeying to the Otherworld, and the area where we live. We travel to Poland, Australia and France; we attend moonlit forest rituals, and learn what it is to be part of a coven. We meet the Horned God, learn the symbolism of the Phoenix, and discover many more fascinating things that relate to the wildness we all have within. The author’s writing is peppered with personal stories and accounts, some of them deeply intimate, and it is through her experiences we start to recognise exactly what we need to do to become a little wilder again.  

The Book’s Strengths The aim of the book is to unearth the wild parts of ourselves and throw off the shackles of society, rediscovering our natural selves and becoming realigned with the interconnectedness of the universe. The author aims to inspire the reader into living an authentic life that belongs to them, and without a doubt, Crowley achieves this. Readers of this book will consistently find themselves questioning the way they do things in their magical and mundane lives, and making a serious pledge for change.

An intimate portrayal of the author’s life and experiences; the reader will appreciate the vivid images of Crowley’s Witchcraft practices and adventures, as she relays how these experiences have shaped and enhanced her own quest to discover herself. Readers will surely recognise themselves in descriptions of the author starting out on her Witchcraft path, and feel comforted to hear that we are all amazing creations, regardless of our human flaws.

The spiritual psychology running throughout neatly ties together the connection between the relationships forged within Witchcraft with human consciousness. We learn that we shouldn’t reject rationality and science, but should instead embrace them with discernment, as we dig a little deeper into our personalities. The author refers to multiple experts, scholars, scientists, philosophers and works throughout, which makes for further reading and learning; which is much appreciated. Whilst it is a deeply academic and philosophical book, Crowley manages to cover each topic in a way that is approachable and enjoyable. 

What You Can Learn... The author takes a scholarly approach but it is not stuffy; there is something here for everyone. It is for witches who want to delve a little further into their practice, for witches that want to reconnect with nature, for experienced witches that have strayed from their paths, and for beginner witches who want to learn more about connecting with allies and deities. There is psychology, history, science and anthropology; meaning this is not just a book for magical practitioners, but also those who are not magically minded. It is a book about carving out a life that is memorable and worthwhile; it is about dancing to the beat of your own drum. The lessons in this book are not for Pagans; they are for everyone. They are life affirming and comforting.

This book is an absolute triumph. The reader is left wondering where they should take their life next, and what changes they can make. I want to look for the wild within. I want to overhaul my life and embrace more of the things that make my heart sing. I want to take up drumming, to engage in ritual more, to journey to the Otherworld more, to get outside more, to just “be” more. It is making me want to say “yes” to the opportunities that come my way, and worry much less about living a life for others. Hugely inspiring, this book is so much more than one person’s thoughts and experiences; it is a key to deepening those of others.

Littered with insights about our place in the universe, this book helps us realise that the passing of time is precious, and it is up to us to discover the things in life that fulfil us. We have a unique spiritual journey to make, and all we need to do is to uncover the wild within. NEXT - Review: Witchology Magazine (Spring 2022)