Review: Out Of His Time

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Reviews and Comments
on Quill's Books, Writings and Workshops

Fulfillment of Being: Nurturing the True Self

The general message is clear: question everything. From page 61, "The reason for doing anything should be based on whether or not it is conducive to one's spiritual journey, and not whether society or religions have determined the deed acceptable..." Religion should not serve to limit the individual, but to serve as a guide to finding their own truth: another message elaborated upon here. Where I hop off of the proverbial wagon is where she calls for abandoning language itself. To her, putting one's spiritual experience into words "is an indicator they are not as advanced on the path as they may wish others to believe." (pg. 69) While I agree that, certainly, the ultimate divine truth is beyond words, to "abandon language completely" closes the door to illuminating a potentially fulfilling path for others to follow. True, no two people's journey will be the same, but without language, who would have ever heard that such a journey was possible? She says, "Don't talk about it, live it!" I would say, "Don't just talk about it, live it!" Living with a purpose brings experience, but so does sharing this experience with others - not only in life (for those that shared it with you), but in language (for those that didn't). Differences aside, I recommend this book as an incentive for anyone needing good sound reason to forge their own way towards spiritual fulfillment.

Readers are offered the opportunity to nurture a personal faith and spirituality in the pages of her book. Quill blends ideas from both Western and Eastern philosophies, decades of practical experience and insight, and concrete reasoning to urge those who feel trapped by dogma to embark on the ultimate spiritual quest.

Out Of His Time

Really well done, Quill. What a wonderful testament of Magical Love and Friendship. Keep 'em coming!

There are a great number of books packed into this one small volume. The sad part is that there won’t be any more of them.

Grant Pontius was a Pagan, Mage, and writer of considerable ability. Among his accomplishments in his short life was the founding of the Michiana Pagan Alliance and the editing of the small but excellent bi-monthly Pagan publication Goat and Candle. However, Pontius was also an alcoholic who drank himself to death in order to deal with his own inner demons and a viciously close-minded family. He died of liver failure in 2004.

Pontius’ longtime friend and literary collaborator, Quill Mastercraft, has brought out a collection of his essays, fiction, and poetry in Out Of His Time, and it is at once enlightening, refreshing, thought-provoking, and utterly tragic - the tragedy, of course, being that Grant’s voice is now silent and there will be no more of these writings. While it would be easy for Out Of His Time to focus on Grant’s death, it is more a celebration of his life; his mind, his writings, his keen ability to observe and his dry wit. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of all of this is that Grant Pontius was that good; essays like “Beyond Cards and Stones: Neglected Forms Of Divination” and “The Necessity Of Interfaith Relations” are brilliant pieces of work, cut jewels of rhetoric.

Mastercraft provides a short introduction to each piece, as well as providing her own thoughts and memories of Grant, and they are alternately celebratory and mourning without being unctuous.

Out Of His Time is, in the end, at least three books - a collection of Pontius’ writings, a loving collection of memories about him, and a cautionary tale about a life cut too short through self-abuse and intolerance. It is an unblinking, but in the end compassionate, photograph of a life cut too short too quickly. It should not be missed.

- Reviewed by Dagonet Dewr, newWitch Magazine, May-July, 2005
(5 broomsticks of a possible 5)

When Quill first sent me this book, I thought to myself that this was not the type of book that I wanted to review, much less read. I am not a biography type of reader, and Out Of His Time is a biographical work, with commentary. I was slow to begin reading, and I dreaded what I thought was to be a laborious and mind numbing read. I was wrong.

This book is a documented history of the too short life and magical works of a promising and competent occultist and writer, Grant E. Pontius. Grant crossed in 2004 at age 34, and his crossing leaves a void in the Pagan community.

This book at times seems to be disconnected, and there is a marked difference in the writing of the author and the cited work of the subject of the book. Grant was an eclectic witch with leanings toward ceremonialism, and the writings by him that are presented in this book are inspired and thoughtful, those of a healthy seeker after the arcane arts. Quill's role in this book are those of narrator, lover, magical partner and friend.

I think the thing that disturbed me most about this book is the parallel of Grant's life and my own, and at times the reading was difficult yet thought provoking. In this light, I will suggest this book as good reading for anyone who has been led down the paths of alcoholism, separation and/or gradiosity in conjunction with their magical studies. Out Of His Time could render warning for the person on a self-destructive and control-driven path, and also offers the insightful and loving commentary of one who watched as the inevitable played itself out.

I will keep this book on my shelf as a resource to hand to a friend or student who is in a downward spiral, in the hopes that one may learn from the other's experience.

This book presents a difficult and at times exasperating subject, and I think the author did a good job of consigning it to print. The quoted material from Grant is advanced, some of it well beyond basic beginner's knowledge. Topics are presented including Pagan publication turmoil, abstract love relationships, and problems encountered trying to organize and maintain magical working relationships.

While I am still not one to purchase a biography, I do recommend this book. It is worth the time to read it.

Quill's Other Writings and Workshops

"The only workshop we attended was by author Quill Mastercraft, a South Bend journalist who obviously knows her stuff. I enjoyed being able to talk to Quill on topics ranging from 'Left- Hand Path' philosophy to Taoism, meditation and the nature of enlightenment."
- Syrus Wyndragon

"I wanted to thank you for writing such a great article.... your article struck a cord."
- Raven Grimassi, author

"I read your article... and wanted to let you know that I thought it was excellent."
- Serpent

"I was reading through your article... and wish to congratulate you on writing such a thought-provoking article on a subject that certainly needs to be addressed as you have... Thank you again for a good, honest article!"
- Andi Fisher, editor, Five Feathers Magazine

"I am grateful for your words... [the article] is brilliant and I couldn't agree more."
- Wendy the good witch

"I found [the article] very interesting and exactly what I needed to read."
- Donna Grant

"Thank you for your incisive, direct article. Well done. May it reach many."
- Na Mor-Rhioghain

"Your article is well put... Just a note to thank you for things to ponder."
- Anamu

"Just wanted to say your article, (as all your articles have always been) [is] insightful and timely."
- Roberta Brake-Pound

Reviews and Comments on Quill's Books, Writings and Workshops

Fulfillment of Being: Nurturing the True Self

Out Of His Time

Quill's Other Writings and Workshops

Reviews and Comments
on Quill's Books, Writings and Workshops