Book Review – Casting a Queer Circle: Non-binary Witchcraft by Thista Minai
I found this book when I was researching ways to approach a fully gender and gender-inclusive pagan or witchy practice, and I was not disappointed. My solitary practice is, and always has been, free of the constrains of gender binary practice, but when I decided to embark on a journey leading public ritual, I needed something more structured and predictable without hearkening to the gender-binary Wiccan-derived structure so often seen in public ritual. I was developing my own way of calling an elemental circle, but felt I would benefit greatly from reading about other peoples’ approaches and methods in expanding my rituals so they would be more complete and understandable for attendees.
In Casting Queer Circle, Thista Minai outlines and explains the meaning and methodology for her coven’s structure of practice (The Spectrum Gate Mysteries). Due to her and many of her coven-mates’ backgrounds in Wicca, many of the practices are clearly inspired by Wicca, making them inherently familiar in methodology for anyone who also has a background in Wicca, or other ceremonially structured practice. At the same time, she does a fantastic job of describing a system that is free of gender binary bias, and is also highly adaptable to suit the needs of the individuals involved in the practice. She continually recognizes that what works for one person may not work for another, and any practice (coven or solitary) should be adapted so it best suits the needs and natures of those practicing. She also spends a great deal of time writing about the philosophy and symbology behind each piece of the system, fostering an understanding of not just what, but also why, placing the reader in a stronger position to be able to find the path that works best for them.
All in all, Casting a Queer Circle outlines a coherent system of group practice that is usable without being bogged down in a potentially overwhelming volume of detail. It also beautifully balances providing enough structure to guide a practice, while prompting the reader to question how best to personalize it. I truly appreciate the acknowledgement that this is one system, and other systems are just as valid.
This may not be the system I want to use for my practice, public or private, but it is a good system, and it provides the bones of a formal practice that is fully inclusive from its core philosophy and symbolism out. If this idea appeals to you, or if you simply want to learn more about how other people are solving the problem of implicit inclusiveness, I very highly recommend this book.