55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Handy Reference That No Novice Should Take Lightly, July 14, 2004
This review is from: Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living (Everyday Series) (Paperback)
I purchased my copy of Dorothy Morrison's book "Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living" several years ago not long after I began to study Wicca and Witchcraft. I regard it to be a very handy reference, and have done some of the spells that Ms. Morrison describes within its pages. Divided into two parts, the first part is entitled "Ancient Arts, Modern Solutions" and contains four chapters. The first two chapters provide basic information about various phenomena and things that can affect the outcome of a spell, such as location, timing (moon phase, day of the week, etc.), colors, words, herbs, flowers, trees and stones. The third chapter discusses the use of modern kitchen appliances for preparation work. The fourth chapter is a brief discussion on the karmic implications of magick with an emphasis upon understanding just how powerful magickal energy can be, including situations where someone may not realize that he/she may be unintentionally sending out magickal energy that may have positive or negative results. (Several examples are described.) The second and much longer part of the book is a grimoire containing over 300 spells subdivided into 100 topics. These topics include addiction, anger, business success, communication, computers, creativity, depression, divorce, enemies, friendship, gambling, health, jobs, legal matters, lost items, money, obstacles, parking spaces, protection, stress, success, traffic, wisdom, and many others. It is important to note here that in dealing with any negative matters, Ms. Morrison always provides positive ways to handle them. As she correctly points out in Chapter 4 of Part 1 about karma, whatever energy that you put out will come back to you three times as much. Thus, it is wise to only perform spellwork that has a positive intent.
Though I regard "Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living" as a valuable reference (especially with its appendixes about herb and deity associations), I do have some concerns when it comes to novices. In Chapter 1 of Part 1, Ms. Morrison's brief description about location, subtitled "Atmosphere and the Working Environment", discusses the fact that performing magickal work is generally regarded as being spiritual and is usually performed in the presence of an altar. However, it does not mention that before any spellwork is done, the working space (usually referred to as "sacred space") should be ritually cleansed, especially if no spellwork has ever been performed there before. This ensures that no lingering, possibly negative, energies are present. Also, it does not mention that spellwork is typically done only within a sacred circle. Casting a sacred circle protects you from any outside influences that may meddle with your spellwork. Performing spellwork in an area that has not been ritually cleansed or outside of a sacred circle can prevent the desired outcome of the spellwork from occurring. If you are a novice, I highly recommend that before attempting any spellwork, that you first familiarize yourself with sacred space and sacred circles. Several good instructional books include Starhawk's "Spiral Dance", Christopher Penczak's "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" & "The Outer Temple of Witchcraft", Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner", Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" by Denise Zimmermann & Katherine A. Gleason. For more information about the deities mentioned in "Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living", I highly recommend Janet & Stewart Farrar's books "The Witches' God: Lord of the Dance" and "The Witches' Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity".
Overall, for its compact size and amount of information, I rate "Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living" with 4 out of 5 stars. One final piece of advice that I give to a novice is as follows: keep your spellwork secret; telling others about any spells that you have cast is the surest way to keep them from happening.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern day book for modern day pagans, June 3, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living (Everyday Series) (Paperback)
Everyday Magic is a well written book and it fit into my everyday living just as if it had been written for me personally. The modern day methods of dealing with the "old ways" of the craft amazed me. To go to a thrift store and pick up a cheap blender instead of trying to do so many herbal blends with the mortar. I was so mermerized with so many of Dorothy's modern gimmicks. Being able to improvise has always been big with me, Dorothy seems to do the same in her book.
The spells and rituals in here are all based on today's available materials. Trying to find something called dragon's blood was not easy for me. In this book, Dorothy makes it all so simple and still so effective. Spells of interest to the modern twentieth century housemate and businessperson. Spells and rituals that make so much sense and are so easily adaptable for my and others active lives.
I recommend, as I have many times, reading this book. I have read many and find this one to my liking on a high rating of "Way to go, Dorothy Morrison"
Excellent book and will keep an eye and ear open of reports of others from D. Morrison.
Age, gender, and type of path are not even a stoppage point here. For all and then some.
Oceana Boston, Massachusetts
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great way to bring magic into your everyday life, November 29, 1999
This review is from: Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living (Everyday Series) (Paperback)
I really love this book! It's just so practical, and deals with everyday problems and situations in the modern world. Dorothy writes in a very straightforward and logical manner, and deals with subject matter that you won't find anywhere else. I've been a Wiccan for several years now, and whenever I need some help on a spell, I turn to this book. I just love her writing style, and the spells and suggestions are very easy to adapt to my own work. Thumbs up, Dorothy! :-)
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