BOOK REVIEW - Pop Culture Grimoire
Michael Gleason gleason.mike@<WBR>comcast.net


Pop Culture Grimoire: An Anthology of Pop Culture Magic by Taylor
Ellwood (editor) © 2008 Immanion Press
ISBN 978-1-905713-<WBR>22-6 157 pages Paperback $20.99 (U.S.)

My training in magick is of a traditional style; therefore I'm not
entirely comfortable with some of the ideas advanced by the contributors
to this anthology. Chapter Three, "Break On through To the Other Side"
especially gave me pause. The creation of thought-forms for magickal
working is an accepted action, but the creation of a "pseudo Orisha"
seemed to stretch to me. Nevertheless, to give Ms. Schmitt her due, it
appears to have worked for her. I don't think I would recommend it to
others but that is personal bias, which I freely acknowledge.

I freely admit to a "traditionalist'<WBR>s" prejudice when it comes to the
topic of pop culture being integrated into magickal working. However, I
also admit that I have long been a believer in doing whatever it takes
to accomplish your ends. Therefore, even though some of the topics
seemed almost blasphemous to my traditionally-<WBR>trained mind (a
Narnian-based ritual and Pokeman Magic, for example) I was willing to
see what the contributors had to offer.

I couldn't connect with some of the suggestions put forward in this
book, but that doesn't mean that others won't make the connection. I
freely admit that I am a bit of a "fuddy duddy" when it comes to
electronic innovations and pop culture references.

Mr. Ellwood has assembled an interesting collection of viewpoints and
writers. Each is presented without editorial comment, thus being allowed
to stand on its own merit. There are 18 authors represented in this work
including Mr. Ellwood's own contribution. With an average length of just
under nine pages, each author has a chance to present their thoughts and
explain their reasoning.

While it won't appeal to everyone, for those interested in the topic, it
will be an eye- (and mind-) opening experience. It offers unique
perspectives. Pick up a copy and prepare to expand your perception of
what magick can be.