Customer Reviews

Earth Magic: A Dianic Book of Shadows

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

 

 

I bought my first copy of Earth Magic in 1989, and bought the latest version this year. This book has been a fabulous resource that I've read and re-read several times.

Marion Weinstein has become known as the "Ethics Witch" and for good reason. Her focus on Positive Magic for the transformation of the Witch, and the world is extremely uplifting and inspirational. In addition to providing information on basic techniques and tools, she also provides information on Advanced Manifestation.

This is a book that is really meant to be read along with her previous book Positive Magic: Occult Craft. It was the first book on the Craft that I ever read, and I found it to be invaluable as well.

This book is a very basic book on the religion known as Wicca. If you are curious about Wicca or are a practicing witch you might want to pick it up.

The book gives a very general outline of the author's beliefs and perceptions of this old religion. This book covers several areas: - the two worlds (this one and the spirit one) - words of power (what to say and who to say it to) - tools to aid you in your words of power (candles etc) - alignments and deities (which deity rules over which alignment) - moon work (specific words of power for each phase of the moon) - covens (a few practices of her very own coven are outlined here and some other experiences she had visiting other covens) - the holidays (when they are and their meanings)

The most important part of this book to me (that fed the philosopher in me) was her section on the Laws of Manifestation. I was surprised to see this theory applied to magic. This book makes for an interesting read.

After reading some of these reviews, I'm perplexed by their purpose. Some feel that Weinstein is too rudimentary, while others feel she focuses too much on philosophy. In my opinion, this book is one of the most important guides for beginning witches and seasoned practioners. Her style is direct, covering a wide array of topics which are useful to any practicing witch, or as a good backdrop to those just seeking more information about what witchcraft truly is. I found it helpful that she expanded on how to pick your pantheon of Deity -- a topic I feel is too often ignored in other basic texts.

All in all, a good resource to add to your collection. Undoubtedly, you'll return to it again and again.

Despite being written mainly for Dianic Wiccans, this book is an invaluable text. If you can translate the little nuances to your own tradition, you have a book that not only gives good methods of contacing Deity, and even a section on the rarely covered topic of psychic attack, but is also a good all-around reference for research.

This was a good book and had good infomation.I have seen some talk about this book was not dianic Well i am a dianic wiccan and for people who want more infomation on dianic tradtion start with Spiral Dance by Starhawk then Budapest. Still marion had good ideas in this book she did reprint it and then called
Earth Magic: "A Book of Shadows for Positive Witches" she changed the name because in her intro she made the mistake of putting dianic on front still this one of better book but all book have opinions it's up you on how to use the infomation. good luck on your path.

Blessed Be;

Commited to the more compelling side of American Witchcraft, rooting in techniques of magic, theory, science and philosophy taken from the less explored side of this misunderstood religion. Also gives do worship to the Five Deities of a Dianic tradition.

If you dont have another BOS, this one could be quite enough. It does not go high and wide on all aspect of magic, astrology, chakras, colors, correspondences, gems, herbs etc, but if you want to worship God and Goddess and work manifestations, it does give you enough meat to do so. Focussed on ethics. My favorite bit is working with aspects (very interesting theory there) and techniques invoking visions of the Goddess.

I found this book in 2002 in a new age store and knew it was meant for me. I had never read anything on witchcraft before, believing that it was bad because I had been told that growing up christian. I was very spiritual and had looked at other religions but nothing felt right. The minute I started reading this, I knew I was a witch. Now that I've looked at other books in witchcraft, I'm grateful this is the first one I found. I've never read anything else quite like it. It just feels spiritual. It's a wonderful book for people first entering the craft. But it's not a spell book. She teaches you how to make your own spells.

Ms. Weinstein does a very good, concise job of explaining the rudiments of Dianic Wicca and its use of witchcraft. She does not pretty up her words, although she relies a bit too much on "Words of Power" for my tastes, though that is only my Personal preference. Also, if you are NOT Dianic, this may not be as useful a text as a more generalized book on Wicca such as those by Cunningham. Finally, when she tries to explain the metaphysics of magick and such, I tended to get lost. But that's waayyyyy in the back, and the rest of the book was an enjoyable, informative read, even if it is not of my particular tradition :) Good reference book :)

This book, on the whole, was a very enjoyable read. However, the simplistic way the author handles ethical and philosophical problems was a little annoying. A little white-lighty, but still a good book.