The Heart of the Initiate: Feri Lessons Paperback – October 1, 2012

I think this book and Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition are important if (1) you’re looking to seek initiation and practice in this tradition, and (2) have an interest in the history of the modern witchcraft movement, as it happened in the latter 20th century in the US. This slim volume divided between commentary, and letters sent to students on the Feri Tradition.For the most part a lot of the information is found in Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition, with the exception of some of their cosmology and few other bits and bobs.The letters span between 1992 and 1996, half of them sent to Anaar, a fairly popular figure in that tradition. The thing with Feri is that there isn’t standard for basic information, there is always variation, so honesty a lot of the information in Heat of the Initiate is available online, at least it was for many years in some form. The benefit of having this book is there are some prayers and the like that I’d not seen online before.As with Fifty Years in the Fairy Tradition, the writing isn’t without its problems. I feel some of it will be read as appropriative, insomuch to other cultures, and cultures that are closed.

The Heart of the Initiate is a wonderful book. This book was created by Victor and Cora Anderson for their students and those interested in the Feri tradition of witchcraft. The forward states:“THIS BOOK IS A VALENTINE from Victor and Cora Anderson to you. For those of us who are their initiates, the Andersons live on through the many personal recordings and letters we held close and treasure. We’re grateful for this great opportunity to share rare insights into the Anderson’s teachings, and offer you an imitation of what it was like to be their student.”It is clear that the Andersons wanted their teachings to be preserved and shared. That they wanted more people to understand and know what their tradition was and is all about. The proof is in the quote mentioned above. For this reason the book was created which allows seekers like me and students of Feri to see what the actual founders and high masters said about the tradition and their teachings.Due to the nature of this book there are not chapters. The book reads like correspondences which is what they are. There are a few sections in which various teachings are written about in letter or essay form, but not your traditional chapters and sections style.The first section of the book is called Some Pictish views on the old religion. Here we learn about some origins of the practices and how the religion is different from others. It talks about the origins and how sex is sacred. There is a little bit on basically all aspects of the Craft in this section written by Victor.The second section of the book is called Commentaries. In this section there are a few specific articles on points important to the specific Feri tradition of witchcraft as they teach it. Topics include Raising power to divinity, Sexual Initiation, Sexual ethics, Training and Initiation, The Consort, The Guardians, The morning prayer, Possession, and Salvation. All of these concepts are teachings important in the Feri tradition to some extent and these basic articles express how they work and what they mean.The third section of the book is the most informative section of the book. Here there are glimpses at some of the rites and materials actually presented to their students. There are exercises and explanations given. The letters are written by Victor and Cora presented to us as they responded to their students. The only thing missing in this section would be the letters from the students to their teachers so the context makes more sense.The very last section of the book is important for seekers like myself. In many books on traditional witchcraft there is an exercise to switch from a Christian path to a Traditional witchcraft path which involves the reciting of the Lord Prayer backwards. Here Victor describes yet another prayer that can be used which is essentially a modified version of the Lords prayer for seekers trying to be open to new paths and teachings.

This book along with 50 YEARS IN THE FERI TRADITION by Cora Anderson is essential reading for those interested in the Anderson Feri Tradition. I mention the other book because HEART OF THE INITIATE: FERI LESSONS builds on what is presented in Cora's deep theological text. Both works are of vital importance to Seekers because with the diverse lineages within the Tradition, each with their own interpretations of this fascinating form of American Traditional Witchcraft, it can sometimes be confusing to know exactly what these witches believe. When in doubt go to the source(s) or in this case the founders.The two books are very different in tone. As I mentioned previously 50 YEARS is a deep theological text in spite of its small size (both books are slender volumes that can be read in a single setting), which took me three readings to adequately absorb and comprehend all the nuisances.Heart of the Initiate was easier to read and understand (perhaps because it is comprised of correspondences that break up the material into shorter tidbits?). I differ in opinion with the reviewer who suggested the book was more appropriate for experienced Feri practitioners. Provided you read 50 YEARS first, the material flows seamlessly.Lastly, Victor Anderson provides a self dedication rite at the end of the book, which the Feri founder adapted from the rite in Paul Huson's classic work Mastering Witchcraft (1970).

It would've been nice if more was included in this (for instance, there are places where something is mentioned and it specifically says it will be explained later... and it isn't), especially for those of us initiates who need more information on the Craft.All in all, a wonderful book that includes much helpful information that is not included anywhere else.For the price here, it's not too bad. I wouldn't pay the full price for it elsewhere (like I had to do with Thorns of the Blood Rose).

The book is very concisely written, wish it was a longer read and I was left with so many questions.. but it is a nice little window into the lives of the authors and the Feri tradition. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in that vein of Wicca.

Somewhat disappointed, thought there would be more about the actual tradition here

Heart of the Initiate: Feri Lessons is by Victor and Cora Anderson about their Feri Tradition. It has a lot of followers in the U.S.A and some notable people such as Thomas de Long (otherwise known as Gwyddion Penderwen of Forever Forests fame) and a student of mine (Dal Burns) both of whom are no longer with us, having departed this life. I have read this book and although it is not my path, it is A path that promises much if the student is strong enough to grab the reigns and follow it through. This book give a brief insight to its workings and how it came to be. Highly recommended.

È sicuramente un ottimo libro per cominciare ad avvicinarsi al mondo della Feri, ma dà al lettore solo qualche idea molto generale al riguardo, anche perché non si tratta certo di 'lezioni', come invece lascia intendere il titolo. In aggiunta a quanto detto bisogna specificare che gli argomenti vengono trattati saltando da un punto all'altro, non in maniera strutturata, né secondo un ordine progressivo. È un buon punto di partenza, ma niente di più.

This book is a must for anyone wanting to learn about this tradition of witchcraft from it's original founders .Even though it's a slim booklet ,it is jam packed with info which you won't find anywhere else and as with anything within Feri there is much said between the lines as well as what comes to each individual from it .