Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens [Paperback]

Ellen Dugan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2003

Study and work with the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water and learn many different forms of real magick, including crystal, herb, stone, color, and candle magick. It might not be as flashy as the movies make it seem, but real Witches work magick every day-the magick of the natural world, the magick of the Craft, and especially the magick of the heart and mind.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dugan (Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up) has been practicing witchcraft for 17 years and has three teenagers. Her experience in both these undertakings shines in this solid, forthright primer. Most notable and praiseworthy are her many cautions to impressionable young people: "Love spells that target a specific person are a really bad idea. Now, you may magick yourself to seem more appealing and attractive.... Spells that call for you to have more confidence and poise are great too." Dugan stresses that clothes, jewelry and gear are not essential to magick. She prefers to emphasize ethics, accentuating that the Craft centers around positive personal power that is enhanced and harnessed by working with the forces of the natural world. The book is filled with real-life stories that teens can relate to, and the tone is friendly but not condescending. Dugan covers necessary points such as the four elements, explained in part by explicit guided meditations. There are also useful chapters on yearly observances and circlecasting. Dugan's gardening expertise comes into play in a thorough chapter on flowers and trees, more than is found in other similar works. In the chapter on tools she provides teens many affordable and safe alternatives to traditional supplies (e.g., a staff instead of the athame, a short double-sided blade). Interested teens will enjoy this primer, and involved parents should feel at ease with the overall tone and treatment.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-An introductory overview for those interested in making a connection between the natural world and the world of witchcraft. Readers are led through a study of the four elements-earth, air, fire, and water-and will learn many different forms of real magick, including crystal, herb, stone, color, and candle magick. Dugan sets the record straight about the Hollywood-hype and actual witchcraft. She cautions readers that it is not the gothic, mysterious experience of an episode of Charmed, but an age-old religion that requires disciplined study and hard work. Her wise-woman tone and gentle guidance will help nurture budding natural witches, and her well-written text will guide novices in their discoveries as well. The chapter "Lessons Learned in Living a Magick Life" is particularly interesting. Although the appeal is limited, this is a well-done book that discusses witchcraft in the context of day-to-day living.
Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (May 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738703931
• ISBN-13: 978-0738703930
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Dugan, is the award winning author known as the "Garden Witch". A psychic-clairvoyant, she has been a practicing Witch for over twenty-seven years. She is a Master Gardener, and is also the High Priestess of her Coven in the St. Louis area. Ellen teaches classes locally and online on Witchery and Magick. She is the author of the following Llewellyn books:

Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up (2004 COVR Award Runner-up)
Elements of Witchcraft; Natural Magick for Teens
7 Days of Magic: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for the Bewitching Week
Cottage Witchery: Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon
The Enchanted Cat: Feline Fascinations, Spells & Magick- (2007 COVR Award Winner)
Herb Magic for Beginners: Down-to-earth Enchantments
Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick - (2008 COVR Award Winner)
How to Enchant a Man: Spells to Bewitch, Bedazzle & Beguile
Garden Witch's Herbal: Green Magick, Herbalism & Spirituality (2010 COVR Award Runner-Up)
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Practical Protection Magick: Guarding & Reclaiming Your Power (March 2011)


Ellen's thirteenth book with Llewellyn Worldwide will be released in 2012. When she's not keeping up with her family, Ellen likes to unwind by working in her perennial gardens at home with her husband. Ellen wholeheartedly encourages folks to personalize their Spell-craft. To go outside and connect with the spiritual side of nature. To get their hands dirty and discover the wonder and magick of natural world that surrounds them.

Visit her author's website for tour information and to check out and order the six different online classes she offers at www.ellendugan.com

Visit her blog at ellendugan.wordpress.com/
You can also find Ellen on Myspace and Facebook

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Beginning Natural Magick Book Out There!, November 12, 2005

By 

Phoenix (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens (Paperback)

If you are looking for a great beginning Magick book, you've found it. I discovered Wicca when I was 11 but I had an awful experience with it and an ex-friend. I was discouraged from Magick until my mom got me this book.
This book has everything to begin witchcraft, a natural path, or wicca. It has sections on the elements, organizing magickal spaces, making tools, the god and goddess, the sabbats, rituals, and meditations. It has real life examples of spells working (and flopping) and will start anyone (not just teens) new to the craft off on the right foot. It is a very grounded and down to earth book and is not fluffy and sweet like most Wicca 101 books (No Offense, Silver Ravenwolf). It is well written and has simple spells to help anyone with their lives. It has detailed sections about the threefold rule, Magickal beings, how to be an inconspicuous witch, and the Witch's Pyramid. This book also gives recommendations of many other great Wicca books, but after you've read this book, no other book will measure up to it. Also, this is a great and reassuring book to read if your child is starting the craft and you are nervous about it. If you want to start (or restart) any type of natural magick, please buy this book. You won't regret it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well organized. A great beginners guide!, November 16, 2004

By 

Merie J. White "Youth Leader" (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens (Paperback)

This is a wonderful introduction to Wicca for teens. It focuses less on "casting spells" and more on the spirituality of Wicca. It also places a lot of emphasis on personal responsibility and the ethics of the Wiccan religion.

The bulk of the book teaches the elements and the correspondences of each. It is written in a very organized, easy to follow and "down to earth" way. As a facilitator of a Wiccan youth group, I refer to it constantly.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A friendly, amazing, wonderful introductory book!, May 5, 2003

By 

"skyeva" (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens (Paperback)

Okay, so why do I love this book so much? Maybe I sound a bit like one of those enthusiastic baby-sitters club readers who likes the book no matter what's inside.
Well, I'm not. I love this book for a lot of reasons; a) the author doesn't expect you to be phenomenally rich, b) the author is friendly and warm c) the spells are simple, purposeful, and all the more powerful d) the writing style is flowing and has strong voice e) the stories of experiences from her own life are enchanting
The ONLY negative thing about this book (Besides the fact that at some point, you're going to finish it) is that it's really introductory. I mean, it's not bad for if you've read twenty other books and you'd like a difference of opinion, but there's plenty of stuff that's reveiw for more experienced Witches. (I've crossed my fingers - Maybe Ellen Dugan will write Something Something Magic, Natural Magic for the Intermediate Teen Witch, and then Something Something Whatever, Natural Magic for the Advanced Teen With, and then Something whatever something, More Natural Magic for Teen Witches, or whatever)
Anyway, you didn't need to see that. But trust me, you'll know what I mean by the time you've read this book! So the next question is, do you go to [the store] and read it off the shelf, or to the library to check out? Seriously, this is something you'll want to keep around. (Plus, if you buy one, she'll be more encouraged to write another.)
The only other author I like this much is Scott Cunningham. Seriously. Well, I guess I'm done ranting and raving. Just trust me - you will NOT be sorry if you buy this book.