Customer Reviews

The Complete Art of Witchcraft: Penetrating the Secrets of White Magic

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sybil, not a "wiccan" but a witch, offers her view of the Old Religion in a way guaranteed to discourage the dilettante New Ager: she presents actual religious Tenets to follow, offers anecdotes from her own life, and presents a fascinating journey of research and acceptance on the spiritual place of gays, from a time when gays first started to emerge into the public consciousness. Best place to learn what the Old Religion was before the 1970s.

For me reading this book had marked a major change in my spiritual life and growth. Rather than being a book of spells or rituals, this is a powerful book describing the spiritual philosophy which is the heart of real Wicca. Today, close to thirty years after I had first read this, I find myself constantly turning back to this book as one of the most influential texts to influence my life. As a High Priest of Wicca for more than twenty years now I highly recommend this book.

I remember hearing of Sybil Leek as a child, and even seeing her on television, in the late '60's. It was a few years later that I "found" the Old Religion and really began to understand what it was and what it was not. Long before there was the wide selection of books available on the genuine Witchcraft religion in it's many myriad forms, prior to such famous authors as Silver Ravenwolf and Scott Cunningham, there were what I refer to as the elder authors of the Craft. Among these were Dr. Margaret Murray, Charles G. Leland, Dr. Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, Pat and Arnold Crowther, Dr. Hans Holzer, Dr. Raymond Buckland, Dr. Leo Louis Martello, and Sybil Leek. These were the ones later authors cut their teeth on, and these were the ones who layed the foundation for the Craft revival we enjoy today. This fact alone should command our deepest respect.

Like all true leaders and path cutters, Sybil Leek was always a bit controversial. She made no apologies and was, so far as I am aware, anything but pretentious. She presented her idea of the Craft as it was, based upon her life's experience. Her views were those of the old country Witch, simple, basic and no-nonsense. Though I never had the honour of meeting Sybil Leek personally, I did know a lady from Wales who had served in the Royal Navy during WWII and whose father was the last Druid of their family line (as her two brothers were both killed in the war). She knew several Witches from her native land as well as all of the British Isles, and from what she told me their views were accurately reflected in those of Sybil Leek.

Both long-time members as well as newcomers to the Craft would be well served by embracing the wisdom of this wonderful lady, who has now passed from this world. Her words and experiences can yet aid and counsel us in our own spiritual quests, whether those quests be within the Craft or on another path. The writings of one such as Sybil Leek, whether we choose to agree with them or not, are nothing less than a treasure.

Sybil Leek speaks for many, and for me especially in the way she describes the tenets of the Old Religeon. Never before has anyone been so eloquent in the description of Witchcraft in the ways I have always followed (without formal training). For the beginner, this book outlines a wonderful path to travel, with easily understandable wording and phrasing. Sybil follows the Dianic Tradition, but her description of the Craft can apply to all.

A book to earmark, underline, return to again and again and passages to add to one's own Book of Shadows.

Sybil, I do love you. Blessed Be.

Hi I just recently finished The Complete Art of Witchcraft and I found it to be useful in my studies of religions. When i heard of the witchcraft religion or as Ms. Leek said the "Old Religion" i was insantly attracted. See i have always been intersested in witch stuff. I have really all my life, 13 years of it, and i may seem young but remember most young people have very good judgement on things they like. Anyway i thought the content was very good and she explained it very well. I think Ms. Sybil Leek did an excellent job if you people would rate higher than five i am positive in knowing that i would have given at least a ten on this.

I know there are some who really don't like this book, but who cares! I am half-way through this book, and I can't put it down. I have many other books, such as the "how-to" books, and while those are valuable, this is different. It tells you WHY people practice WitchCraft, WHAT they believe IN DETAIL, the difference between white magick and black magick, etc..etc.. This book ties together all the other studies I have done. And for less than five dollars, even if you don't like it, you didn't waste money. It could have easily cost fifteen dollars and I still would have bought it.

I think of this book as a filter to drive away all wannabes. Its good for beginners because it explains what witchcraft is and isn't. The only problem is that the author is a bit elitist and very traditional. She is also just a bit homophobic, but you have to remember it was written in another time. I recommend it.

I want to warn any pagans or those interested in paganism away from this book. I myself am a practicing pagan of many years. I know that Sybil Leek was a highly respected wiccan, and probably rightly so, but this book is a mess. The biggest chunk of it is spent dumping on contemporary pagans who just aren't doing it right (per Sybil), fairly uninteresting anecdotes, and surprisingly lame stuff like a whole chapter where she wrestles with her own homophobia. There's many better books than this one out there.

This book is truly amazing. If you ever get a chance to get this out of print book..please, by all means do so. Sybil Leek was truly a one of a kind person that'll be truly missed. All of her books should be in every wiccan/pagans book shelf for her down to earth and very well explained details about witchcraft..a true classic!

I READ THIS BOOK WHEN IT CAME OUT AND IT HAS DONE MUCH TO SHAPE MY LIFE. SYBIL LEEK HAS WRITTEN A VERY DETAILED ACCOUNT OF WHITE MAGIC.WHILE THIS IS AN OLD BOOK ITS CONTENTS ARE VERY RELIVANT TODAY. IT IS PACKED WITH COLORFUL ANECDOTES AND INFORMATION. HER RICH, ENTICING PORTRAIT OF WITCHCRAFT COVERS ITS ENGROSSING, FIERY HISTORY AND PRESENTS THE REMARKABLY INSPIRING RELIGION AT ITS CORE THAT KEPT IT ALIVE THROUGH HORRIFYING PERSECUTIONS. SYBIL LEEK DRAWS A SHARP LINE BETWEEN SACRED RITUALS AND THE SINISTER SATANIC RITES WIDELY PRACTICED TODAY AND INITIATES YOU INTO THE SECRETS OF WHITE WITCHCRAFT.