Zachary Cox traces his magical journey from an early teenage interest in science fiction, through the Theosophical Society and Qabalah to his invitation to Brickett Wood, where he met Gerald Gardner and his coven.

Jean and Zac witnessed the evolution of the pagan movement through the 1960s and 70s when many were looking east with the Beatles. With the opening of the ‘Doors of Perception’ there was a hunger for a meaningful and engaging spiritual life. Jean had explored the Human Potential movement, but there was little overlap then between this and the emerging western paganism and the rich mythic heritage of the West. 

Pagan Pathfinders, for whom these evocations were created, was designed to be a synthesis of pagan spiritual practice and humanistic psychology. In 1977 Jean and Zach went on to found the Companions of the Rainbow Bridge (of which quite a few members were early Fellowship members) to offer training in ritual persona and writing.

Now both in their 70s, this book is the first in “Our attempts to harvest the fruits of those years and share them with a wider public”.

The series of evocations here were received by the authors and used as part of a technique they called ‘God-Casting’, evoking the qualities of a particular god or goddess within a person, with visualisation, meditation and relaxation exercises for use within their group. 

The authors explain the difference between invocation and evocation, something too often overlooked, and make a point that this reviewer found especially valuable: “The archetypes are universal and there is no reason why god qualities should not be evoked in women or goddess qualities evoked in men.”

The context in which the evocations can be used is discussed, including the responsibility of their use. This includes considering the effects the evocations may have on others, and how it not always positive to over-identify with a particular god or goddess. “The objective is to empower through balance”.

A brief but integral essay on the qualities of the divinity prefaces each exquisite evocation. Skilfully written, for me these essays acted as acclimatising visualisations. When I read “Artemis loved to dance with her nymphs on the banks of some mountain stream.” I can see this playing out in front of me. And with “Her music was the sound of running water, the breeze in the trees, birdsong…” I can hear it. The scene setting essays lay a path towards an effective evocation. You are already enthused with the essence of the divinity. 

The evocations are free of sentimentality and vacuous new-age talk. They are in ‘Plain English’, which enhances their poetry and keeps our focus. We are not pixie-led by flowery meandering. They use a lightness of touch to reach the god’s within. 

Complimentary incenses are suggested to aid the contact and experience of each evocation.

I heard Jean recently recount her experience in the period that she was bringing the Bast evocation into manifestation. She became aware of all the lovely qualities of cats, and, “Then suddenly I realised I had these Claws!”

About this Book: Moondust Books is the publishing company owned by Meredith MacArdle, a member of Elen of the Green Ways Lyceum. The Gods Within can be ordered direct from www.moondustbooks.biz  Please contact them for details of payment methods and shipping costs. It is also available from Treadwell's Bookshop: http://www.treadwells-london.com/

Editor's Note: The Evocation to Bast was printed here with permission of the publishers and is copyrighted material.