Customer Reviews

Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding the Power of Magic

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Carl McColman offers us a simple, easy to understand book on the ethics, laws and logistics of working and using magic in spells.
The book is well laid out, contains some wonderful pearls of wisdom and some basics that will benefit the beginner and those not acquainted with the practice of magic and spells.

The 'Thirteen Myths of Magic' covers some of the most commonly asked questions from the novice and offers some very basic and practical answers to most of them. While there are one or two points I would question, for the most part the reasoning is good and the approach logical from a simple perspective.

The 'Thirteen Laws of Magic' covers some of the most commonly asked questions from outsiders and novices and again, while a couple of the answers pose more questions than satisfaction, from the novice perspective, the answers are clear and simple.
"The Ethics of Magic' is a good addition to this book and are very well explained and very clear.

The experienced worker of magic will see some flaws in the thinking of some of the material offered here. Things are not always simple and personal approaches to magic and personal paths are not covered in many of the answers Mr. McColman gives. Mr. McColman sees this book from his perspective and offers answers that are on a level that he can answer from his view point. Not all aspects are covered, not all situations are explained and the fact that there are many paths that do not believe the fundamentals that Mr. McColman believe in is not even approached in this book.

However, if you look at this book as a very basic primer meant for someone who is not familiar with magic or spell work and who wants something to reassure them that the first steps they are taking are not leading them into danger or off the path of good and right, then this book is a good choice. It would also serve as a 'mostly harmless' type of introduction to spell work for those who are outside our path and looking at what is going on in a very simple and basic way.

Mr. McColman also includes some discussion material on the purposes of spells, on working with Deity and personal spirituality. He offers a few chapters on his ideas of magic and its purpose. He looks at the involvement of Deity and spirituality in magic and allows the reader to think on this and contemplate higher existence.

There is an appendix of material for study, a virtual 'do it yourself' collection of older books by some authors not well known in our community, with the exception of Robin Wood and her book on ethics. There is also the practical advice on finding a teacher which is good advice in any book. There is a basic glossary of terms and keywords, and an index for quick reference.

For those who have walked their path for many years and are experienced in their own practice or path or Trad, this book will probably not be a good choice. This book is meant for those who have no background. It is a stripped down offering of the simplest and most basic of information and explanations.

This is a well thought out book from that perspective, good for those who are still leery of what part magic and spells will play in their spiritual path. It may also be a good tool for those who are unsure if they want to include magic in their path or a basic book for those who have relatives or friends who are not involved in our way of life and are questioning the purpose or ethics of magic by those who do practice. boudica

BEFORE YOU CAST A SPELL is the book every magical practioner needs to read first -- before they make some of the most basic mistakes. I love the way this book so clearly points out the most common myths about magic, and proceeds to explain what magic is really all about.

I especially love the way BEFORE YOU CAST A SPELL outlines the differences between magic, meditation, and ritual, and the way it describes how the way you interact with the chakras in your body make a huge difference in what happens in your life.

While BEFORE YOU CAST A SPELL doesn't teach how to practice magic, it is clearly the most essential guide book for anyone beginning a walk down the magical path. I give this book my highest recommendation!

Cynthia Sue Larson

-- author of "Aura Advantage: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success"

What can I say about a book on magic that has no spells in it, no rituals, no guided meditations and no instructions on how to cast magic on the cheerleader so she has warts?

I can say "Well done". I can say "Bravo!" I can say a heck of a lot.

Carl takes the position of "teach a man to fish" rather than taking the safe course of "give a man a fish" that most current spell books take. It is not the recipe of the spell that you need to know, but all the discipline and knowledge behind the spells.

Many magical-training courses seem to take the fish giving stance; the Masons, the Rosicrucian and Wiccan covens for some examples. This book is what every book of spells in current publication attempts to do, but can't given their space limitations. Instead, the current crop of spellbooks take the attitude of giving the reader what will sell and become, in effect, fishmongers. This book, by cutting out all the "recipes", is able to deliver instruction that every student of the occult must have.

Those that hate the "k" on magic will be pleased, as Carl does not follow standard practice.

I could write a hymn of praise for this book, but there are actually some things that are problematic. My major concern with this book like many others of this type, is the author's confusion of Witchcraft and magic with Wicca. Yes, there is the (by now) standard injunction that the Rede and the Threefold law apply to all magic. The author even states it applies even if you don't believe in it. I am heartily tired of seeing this particular statement.

If one can ignore that, this is an excellent book. I like the chapter bursting the common myths of magic, like "magic will make you happy" and "magic is a shortcut to fulfillment". There is a section on the "laws of magic" which would help someone who is just starting their studies and will help the student crystallize exactly what they want from magic.

The section on ethics focuses rather heavily on the Rede and Threefold law, but excepting that bias, everything else rings true. This is the kind of information I am giving in my classes to my students. Other than the gaffe with the Rede, the information in this book is in the above average class. It is needed, it is accurate, and it is excellent.

The author spends some time examining the two sides of occult practices, magic and mysticism. He believes and states that they are two sides of the same coin, and bear the same relationship to each other and to the practitioner that the Lord and Lady bear to each other and to the student. He also spends time talking about the Chakras and their uses in magic. He makes valid cases for his points and taught me some things about them. Carl states the Chakras bear a relationship to the forces in our life. The lower three are used when one wants to focus on money, sex and personal power. The upper four are the "higher" Chakras and as used in magic when one is focusing on romance, creativity, brainpower and intelligence and the magician's connection to the higher planes. This is a connection I had not made in my practices, and one I WILL be using in the future.

Throughout this work there is common sense and a lot of home truths. If you can ignore the Wiccan bias in this, it's an excellent work and sorely needed. In all, I'm giving this book 4 stars out of 5. The only reason it's not a 5 out of 5 is that Wiccan Bias. Ignore that, and this is one of those works that will last well into the next century (and yes, I'm talking about 2100). I plan on adding this to my recommended reading resources for my magic class as soon as I can.

Here is a book for beginners unlike any other. This small, entertaining and easy to read volume has the odd feature of not containing a single spell. Among the sea of Cast-a-Spell variety books that have little or no information in them about the "why" and "why not" of spell casting this book stands out like a diamond surrounded by coal lumps.

Mr. McColman quotes an old proverb that says, "Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you've helped him feed himself for a lifetime." In a few short chapters, the author explores the ethics of magic in depth, something that is sadly lacking in other Wicca 101 books. He explodes myths generally assumed by a newcomer and replaces the myth with reality.

In several chapters he talks about what magic can and cannot do for you. He also explains why ethical magicians do not cast certain types of spells. He explains what magic is, where it comes from and how it works. He carefully explains why some spells work and others simply won't. He talks about spirituality and a path to a magical life. And he talks about ethics, again.

The reader is given a strong foundation on which to base their magical work. Mr. McColman will give the most inexperienced Witch the confidence and skill necessary to apply magic to every area of their lives.

W. Lyon Martin Author/Illustrator of "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child"

This is an excellent book. It is written for people who are new to the world of magic, which the book clearly states. However, I've been involved in Wicca since I was 16, and the book raised some really good points for me. Most people who are new to the craft think that it's all about the spells. I made the same mistake when I started, I think most witches do. But it is about so much more!! If you have been in the craft for many years and have been happy and sucessful in it, I guess this book isn't a must buy. However, I think we all could get something out of it. In my opinion it's not at all "fluffy" to make sure that new witches are very clear about the law of return. It's about making choices and taking responsiblity, which the book does a good job of explaining. If you want to cast a spell on the evil slut who stole your boyfriend, I don't think the 3 days will change your mind. But I wonder how much sucess you'd have at it, since it's so negitive. But if you were clear about what you wanted to do and knew about the consqecuense, well, it's on you. I cast only a few spells a year, most are part of Sabbat rituals. I think that this book makes ethics and vaulues and responsibilty really clear, but the final choices are up to you (and the goddess).

This is one of the best books on Wicca and Witchcraft that I have come across yet - and not a spell in it! Wise words of caution and guidance for beginers and long time practioners.

If only the writing style were a bit different...

When I bought this book I was new to the Craft. A lot of people interested in witchcraft seemed to be in it just for the spell work. This book gave me great guidance in this area. The purpose of witcraft was not just casting spells and working magic, but forming a relationship with the dieties that are. The author gave many safeguards in using spellwork wrongly by teaching us the right way of doing witchcraft. I enjoyed reading this book because I think it is a book all new witches should read. If the guidliness in this book were truly followed, witches would have a better foundation in which to build their spellwork. Before you can walk, you must first crawl, etc. First, learn the basics, then move into the areas of experimentation and magic. This book teaches you how.

Although this book was easy to read and understand it left alot out that I felt should have been discussed under this heading. It seemed more wishy-washy, fluffy bunny type of book than what I had anticipated and I was sadly disappointed after reading it.

There ARE *very important* things to know *before* you begin any serious spell working. Sadly, what most 'newbie-pagans' only want are the answers. They aren't patient enough, nor perhaps mature or smart enough, to realise that first you have to know how to ask the questions. (I recommend they read Aesop's fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare") The book is well laid out and appropriately informative.

A more appropriate title would be "Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding ethics." He doesn't get into writing spells at all. He explains nothing about how power works, and what's worse, it comes across that he doesn't even really believe in magik at all... There's nothing worse than trying to learn something from someone who doesn't believe what they are teaching.

He's extremely preachy on ethics, to the point where it gets irritating. And the other reviewers are right in that he is most definately on a high horse.

I was mainly disappointed because I thought this book might actually get into how magik works, how to write your own spells, and stuff like that. IT NEVER DOES. EVER.

I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone. If you want a book about how to write your own spells try "Your Book Of Shadows: How to Write Your Own Magickal Spells" by Patricia Telesco.