Reviewed by Melissa Pinol

95560 Paperback, 92 pages. Recommended for ages 8-14.

This delightful, entertaining story is the only book I have seen on The Burning Times that was written especially for older children. It’s hard to be both positive and realistic about this subject, but Gillian Brown does a very good job at it.

The story takes place in a small English village just about the time Christianity is beginning to establish itself as a power. The protagonists ( all Pagans) have not even heard very much about this new religion, and are curious. So far, only vague rumors have come to their isolated little community. Young Ivy and her mother Elspeth, the village herbalist, have just finished celebrating Summer Solstice when unpleasant reality asserts itself in the form of a messenger from the Church. They are shocked that some outsider would actually try to stop the ancient seasonal celebrations, and not sure what to do. Is the danger real?

Apparently, the danger is real. A young priest has been spying on them for a long time, and has recently made the report that called down the “authorities” on the village. The villagers finally see the need for caution, but have no intention of abandoning their heart-felt beliefs. In the midst of the turmoil and confusion, the villagers find the young priest, their supposed enemy, lying in the forest with a broken leg. Compassion overrules fear, and they take the priest to Elspeth’s house for healing.

During his convalescence, the priest, Luke, is forced to deal with the Pagans on a daily basis and sees that they are good, kind people. He holds to his faith, but begins to doubts the Church’s teachings on the evils of Witchcraft. Using his bible, he teaches young Ivy to read, and a bridge is built between two different worlds and belief systems.However, the report that Luke sent before his injury has dire consequences. The village is overrun with guards from the Church, and Ivy’s mother Elspeth is arrested for Witchcraft. Luke finds he is as horrified as the rest of the villagers. Elspeth is a good woman- what can he do to help her? Luke attempts to recant his original report in order to help Elspeth, putting himself in danger with his superiors.

In the mean time, the Pagans have their own ideas about how to save Elspeth without harming anyone else, using their own Sacred Lore. Luke and the Pagans, working from very different angles, achieve a positive outcome for all concerned. In addition to telling a good story, “Ancient Circle” also delves into Pagan beliefs, ethics, Herbal lore, seasonal celebrations, and creative problem solving. I would recommend it highly for Pagan children, and also for children of open-minded non-Pagan families, who might want to learn more about Pagan history.

Ancient Circle by Gillian Brown

Pangaia magazine Spring 1998

In a small English village during the Burning Times, a young girl named Ivy learns to read and write after meeting and nursing an injured Christian priest. Knowing how to write is a rare accomplishment for her time, and she puts this skill to great use as you will see. Ivy and her village follow the Old Ways of reverence and thankfulness for the Earth, and have honored the cycles of nature since ancient times with ritual and celebration. All of this is about to change, however, with the arrival of the young priest and his church.

As the priest is healing, he discovers that the gentle healers are not evil witches as he had been taught. However, the changes are happening rapidly and Ivy's mother is arrested for witchcraft! This changes Ivy's life forever, as they work out an escape plan. This simple tale is delightful and provokes curiosity about ceremony, seasonal ritual and the possibilities of personal power and talent. The ending is a hopeful one, with no violence. The concept of Christianity is treated compassionately as well as honestly shown in its worst aspects. I have given copies of Ancient Circle to several young friends, and recommend it for all Pagan families to share.

Family Discussion of Ancient Circle

Imagine living simply and happily with your neighbors and family, following a deeply-felt spiritual path that honors all beings and elements in relation- ship, and the sea- sons of the year as well. Now, as suddenly as the Sun ings of the Church carne without warning! What would we do if this were to happen today? Is this still happening in parts of the world? What can each of us do to promote tolerance, under- standing and peace between different religions? You can probably think of many good answers to this last question. Share your ideas with everyone you know!

Reviewed by Takhus Ekedal, 7th grade, Briceland Learning Center

Gillian Brown, an educator and mother from our very own community, has written an excellent book called Ancient Circle.

The book is told from the viewpoint of a young girl named Ivy, in a time of horror and wrong. Gillian has beautifully conveyed the closeness of the village Ivy lives in, and the bond between Ivy and her mother that helps her find her inner strengths and wisdom.

The time of injustice and oppression during which this story takes place is now referred to as the Burning Times, the Witch Trials or the Inquisition. During this time in Europe and America, women and some men who were healers, or in any way powerful and seen as a threat to patriarchy, were accused by the Christian churches of being in alliance with the Christian's devil Satan.

They were then executed by being drowned, hanged, or many were burned at the stake. It is estimated that over nine million were murdered in Europe and an unknown number in America over a period of more than 400 years, beginning in the 1200's. In Gillian's book, Ivy's mother, a healer and Pagan priestess is accused of witchcraft and thrown into jail. Ivy develops two important skills to help free her mother and pass on sacred knowledge to future generations.

I strongly recommend this book for further understanding of the grief and hardships these innocent people experienced.