Customer Reviews

Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Where is the dark spirituality in this book other than
trying to make your self look like a uber-goth? I
couldn't find it. (However one star for a nice layout)
Dark spirituality is more than just
the trapping of the "costume" you choose to wear. It
IS who you are. If you are looking to find real
information and guidance look somewhere else , this
book is nothing more than Wiccan basics with splash of
Hot topic thrown in for good measure. And it's a real
shame ,quality books on dark paganism aren't easy to come by
and that's why I figured I give it read. I did do a
bit more research on Mr. Raven Digitalis and it seems
as though his brand ( and yes I do mean commercial
paganism ) is stacked with contradictions. Dark
energies are not commonly associated with light and
love , they are the polar opposite. While much
happiness and fulfillment can be found in Dark
Paganism, it takes more than just eyeliner and a
love for spookiness.

If the dark path is right for you the information will
come- from somewhere else.

I recommend :
"Out of the Shadows" by John J.Coughlin,
"Crossroads" by Greg Crowfoot
"The Witching Way of Hollow Hill" by Robin Artisson
"The Pillars of Tubal Cain" by Nigel Jackson
"Strange experience;: The autobiography of a hexenmeister"
by Lee R Gandee
"Ceremonial Magic & The Power of Evocation: A System of Personal Power"
by Joseph C. Lisiewski
"Cunning-Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic" by Emma Wilby
or as a gentle start you could even try Konstantions.
But don't think you're going to walk way from this book with a real
understanding of Dark spirituality

This book confuses me. At first, it seems to want to explain how some goths are pagan. Fine and good, but then, like other reviewers have said, the first 80 pages read like a field guide for those wanting to be goth. First, pick a type of goth you want to be and maybe you will even get one with the required music, so you don't have to think for yourself. Next, pick a religion or magic system. You picked GlamGoth Asatru. Congrats! Then again I am one of those older goths, oh-no. I'd be smack inbetween many catagories of goth: Faerie goth (because I like neofolk and I guess that's fairy), Romantigoth, Victorian Goth, Trad Goth, Casual goth and Sophistigoth, but wait I like industrial music too. That's the problem with these young whippersnapper gothlings...they all want to put you in a box. Why can't goth just be goth? I mean when I was in high school in the late 80's, we had punks and new wavers or ha ha, New Romantics. They were doing it to be anti-fashion, now it's a fashion, ta-duh. So now, you have to classify yourself under 100s of goth groups or subgroups, along with the music therein.

So what does paganism have to do with this? Yeah color me confused and I run my own Dark Paganism blog. I tend to use words like dark or goth to draw people in from the millions of hits on the internet they could get from just typing in pagan or goth. It gets you there faster and covers two bases. I am not sure if the people illustrated in this book are pagan. It seems so, but I am not really told.

I mean, the author being a bit young himself, has the huge task of merging a whole subculture into another one and trying to come out with an unified philosophy of sorts. A philosophy he constantly has to put "some but not all" into, which is nice because then I can't dislike him. Even his name is sort of funny, but he justifies it proudly. Moxie. He gets one of the stars explaining how to take angry emotions and make them positive. Some goths have had bad childhoods, some but not all. It is nice to have someone explain this in a way that is transformative. So there's a star for that. Do you want a silver or black star?

Not to Nickpick, but I do think it is so funny when the author puts down people who think Siouxsie and the Banshees are "Sushi and The Banshees" (a totally made up and not that funny joke) only to spell Siouxsie's name wrong a few pages later. Now that's funny! And then, the author says NotGoths listen to Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson, yet point out goths listen to them too. I know the goth clubs in Southern California play both. This probably mattered more to me when I was in my 20's or was less into neofolk, maybe neofolk's balancing me out.

Anyway, on to Gothic Makeup styles. No, no, don't come up with your own style, this book will tell you how to do it so you don't have to! I do disagree with other's comments on here that the piercing chart is silly because I have read gemstone books which tell you that piercing your ears and wearing certain stones will help you with this or that. I won't be on him for that.

I'll give him the other star for the elemental part where he lists music along with the other traits of the element. Amusing. I am not sure how much I believe it, but it's an original idea. The sex, drugs and rock and roll chapter is funny to me. I guess if you are goth, you gotta be into SM too. Ok, I know a lot of people like this and have been to their parties, so count me in as well, I guess. The author is probably smart enough to know if people are open minded enough to be gothic or pagan, or both, then sexual openness isn't that far behind.

Oh yeah, what's up with this naming Gothic, Gothick? It's a bit much. As far as I can see, only about 50 pages or so of this volume can be used as Gothic Magick, which is a hell of a lot more than other Gothic Wicca books I have read. There are some pages on death work and blood work, the author seems to know what is going on in history for the most part. It really isn't anything you couldn't get if you read something by Leilah Wendell as far as the death work goes. But then the tool section is just the same Wiccan tools with no gothick-ness added. Raven does pick out a lot of magick from different sources, like the lemon magic part of the Aradia. I'd rather see him do his own thing though, since his original ideas, like the element music stuff, is rather good. Not great, but good.

I guess if you were 21 and just getting into a club scene and wanted to have a style guide to goth coupled with a spiritual guide to your religion if you happened to be pagan or a magician, this would be the only book you would need. It covers everything, almost too much. It is too cut and dried, this is Ubergoth, this is Babydoll, etc. But to me, it's a hard subject to write about without getting criticized for it. I don't think people who are in the goth scene or over 25, especially if they are well read, will get much out of it. At that age, you have experience in clubs and with others of like mind and that experience explains it to you.

If you are over 30, you are probably an Ubergoth and don't get what the kids like. So don't even try. It's pretty though, give it that and it's funny that all the goths made sure to get their photo credits, because that is what is important these days. Kidding. It's surely more sophisticated than anything I've read from Konstantinos or Brenda Knight, in regards to the goth pagan scene in general, which is saying a lot since Raven is a lot younger than either of them. It's refreshing in one sense, but annoying in the other.

I am bumping this up to 3 stars because I forgot he had part of a chapter devoted to "giving thanks", which I felt is very overlooked in modern pagan books, be it gothic or not. It always seems like books call down god and goddesses, spirits or what have you, ask for something, but then, once it is given, the ritual caster never gives anything back. I mean, you should give offerings BEFORE you ask for something, but at least this book steps in the right direction there.

I look forward to reading this man's work 10 years down the road.

This is one of those books that had the potential to be either really good, or abysmal. Fortunately, Raven managed to stick to the former, avoiding a trainwreck of trendiness and black-dyed fluff.

If you're unfamiliar with the Goth subculture beyond a few outward trappings, this book will give you a solid introduction to the whys, hows, and manifestations of what it is to be Goth. However, like the introductory material on witchcraft that he presents, Raven manages to avoid dogma and snarkiness. This will make Goth Craft a particularly good guide for teens and early twenty-somethings who are just getting into both the Goth subculture and witchcraft, though people who are more established in one community or the other shouldn't turn away, either.

What I really liked about this book was the fact that it doesn't shy away from potentially controversial material. The ritual use of drugs, sex (vanilla and otherwise) and gender issues are some of the topics that are covered in a respectful, intelligent manner. Raven also includes a good collection of rituals and spells aimed at the appreciation of the darker end of the spectrum of life, and provides some refreshing ideas to work with. He also shows the magic in "everyday" elements of Gothic culture, including conscious application of makeup and clothing, and the use of dance for reaching altered states of consciousness.

I would consider Goth Craft to be primarily 101 level material, but it's on the higher end of 101-there are explanations of common pagan symbols and correspondences filtered through a Gothic worldview, but there's also a good collection of further resources. And I learned quite a bit about the Gothic subculture that I hadn't known before. So while the target audience seems to be younger folks in the Goth community who are interested in witchcraft, I suggest giving this book a chance if you're interested in a darker approach to magic that is well beyond the ooga-booga spookiness and sensationalism that some prior texts have fallen prey to.

When I first heard of this book, I was a little leary. Over the past few years, there has been a spike in interest in all things dark as it pertains to magick, and there are some books out there that seem to have been cranked out sheerly to fill that marketing need. Not so with Goth Craft. Raven is writing from the perspective of someone who loves both magick and the Gothic subculture. He is steeped in the music, the aesthetics, and the philosophies of Goth, and this clearly comes through in his treatment of the subject of how and where Goth intersects with magickal practice. The book is genuine and well-researched, with a wide range of information. The very visual presentation of the book is an added bonus, and it really serves to underscore the fact that Goth has a strong aesthetic component. If you've ever wondered what those somber, black-clad souls were doing at your Pagan Pride Day, this is the book to help you understand.

This is an extremely well-researched and well-written book by new author Raven Digitalis, who successfully crafts the link between gothic and pagan culture, not an easy feat I'm sure! I'll admit I was skeptical when I first came across this book in the store but was quickly won over upon reading the first chapter. This book will appeal to both goths and pagans, as each section is as interesting to read as the other.

Digitalis knows what he's talking about: he's been involved in both cultures for years and has no qualms over waxing philosophical on important issues like depression and death. He also surprises the reader by discussing creative ideas like how to ritualistically apply make-up for magickal workings, and how to safely and successfully incorporate "darker" rituals into one's craft repertoire. Sections outlining the different styles of goth, the different traditions existing in Wicca and elsewhere, and the basic tools recommended for ritual are not only informative but fascinating. Everyone will learn many new things from this book.

I also appreciate the way in which Digitalis incorporates Buddhism and eastern spirituality into his pagan thought, as I too find that these philosophies overlap. I think more pagans are interested in this interlacing of religious tradition than there are books for which it caters.

I did find that the writing was a little repetitive at times, but not annoyingly so. I also feel that while this book would be appropriate to those new to the goth culture, one needs to have a basic knowledge of paganism and Wicca to fully understand some concepts, as terms like "deosil" and "drawing the quarters" are either explained way after they are introduced or not at all.

A few other nit-picky issues I have are with the brief section on the Gothic Lolita style, which is filled with misconseptions and falsities (I'm sure this bothers me more than most however, since not only am I a Japanese major but I'm also a co-founder of the Madison Lolita Society.) I also feel that Digitalis sort-of glosses over some of the more depressing aspects of goth culture like the occurrence of hard-drug addiction and eating disorders within the scene, both of which I have witnessed firsthand. I find this especially ironic since he takes a fairly vehement stance on books or spiritual traditions that only teach "light magick" as opposed to both light and "dark magick." Perhaps in his effort to make goth seem like a perfectly healthy subculture he inadvertently dismissed some of the very things with which it attracts people.

All in all though, these things are very trivial and this book is still a magnificent work and, if I may be so bold to say, head-over-heels more enlightening and entertaining than The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined, which I had so many issues with I practically needed counseling! I look forward to Digitalis' next release.

In the book, "Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture," Raven Digitalis, a male self-professed witch (they don't seem to use the word warlock), tells you all about the Gothic subculture that has arisen in Europe and the United States since the late 1960s. The book starts with the historical Goths in Europe and works its way to the present, using a well-written, intellectual style that is quite readable. You learn that Goths are not drug-addled fiends or vampires trying to do others ill will or simply partying until they drop. As Digitalis tells it, Goths are spiritual beings interested in enlightenment and fulfillment, using an eclectic array of esoteric and occult interests, including Buddhist meditation, paganism, shamanism and Wicca. You name it, Goths seem to be interested in it! Digitalis goes into some detail regarding witchcraft, or the Craft as he calls it, though there's very little detail about how spells or potions are produced and used - only for positive purposes, of course. This book seems to be a very good overview of Goths, the people, and their current subculture.

I bought this book just by chance. I must say I love the fact that there are now books starting to be written geared to those interested in Gothic/Dark Paganism. If nothing else, this is a great guideline for other Pagans who might be a little leary of the Goth crowd, not taking them seriously, ect. No, not every Pagan is a Goth, not every Goth is Pagan, but this does help those of us who happen to be both.
I've been a Pagan for over 15 years, and a Goth for near as long. You would never believe the amount of crap I got from both sides. I got crap from the Pagans for being a Goth, I caught hell from the Goths for being Pagan. I feel that if nothing else, at least there's something else out there to refute the idiot stereotype of Columbine, Manson, and "cutters". There are those of us who are gainfully employed, don't always wear black, and listen to more than just Goth or EBM.

I myself am not goth, but I am a Neo-Pagan witch.

Essentially this book successfully fulfills the following goals:

1) To effectively describe, define, explain, and provide a window into Goth and Goth culture.

2)To effectively describe, explain, define, and provide a window into various branches of Neo-Paganism and Witchcraft as well as their cultures.

3) To dispel the common misconception that all goths are pagans/witches or that all witches/pagans are goth. Digitalis also dispels misconceptions that exist about each camp individually.

4) Effectively explain and provide a window into the population that truly does exemplify the intersection of these two cultures and important information regarding the integration of the two.


Digitalis has garnered much unfounded criticism from 'old schoolers' and 'traditionalists' for his cutting edge approaches and willingness to write about controversial topics. However, I think a person should retain an open mind and read this book for themselves. Digitalis is one of the minds that will carry on the Craft for future generations, assuring it's growth and continuance. The next generation is upon us. I must say I myself am proud to be a part of it as well!

*courtesy of Copper-Moon.com*

Many contemporary Goths are drawn are drawn to Pagan spirituality for its flexibility, lack of dogma, and deeply transformative nature. Similarly many Pagans are drawn to the Goth subculture for its artistic, explorative, and introspective nature. The cross-overs of each subculture are uncanny and when the two paths are combined they a birth a unique blend of magick and independent thought.

Goth Craft focuses on this intermingling of Goth culture and Paganism, a unique convergence Digitalis calls Dark Witchcraft. According to Digitalis, darkness is a potent magickal force, not to be confused with evil. Though often maligned and misunderstood by popular culture, Digitalis explains, "When our dark side is brought into awareness, when we accept our faults, short comings, and the nature of our human tendencies, we begin to develop more fully...Illusion is shattered when we are forced to ultimately face ourselves".

The book begins with a brief overview of Goth history and Goth styles. Digitalis then lays out the basics of contemporary Witchcraft and gives the reader a short introduction to several magickal traditions including Druidry, Qabalah, Shamanism, and Voodoo. The remainder text is devoted to the magickal currents of Goth lifestyle such as how to incorporate the Dark Arts of make-up, clothing, hair, and jewelry into daily rituals of spiritual alignment. In his chapter entitled "Philosophies of the Dark Witch", Digitalis explains how to channel through "dark emotionalism" including discussions on dealing with suicide, depression, cutting, and the "Dark Nights of the Soul".

Goth Craft is the perfect handbook for Goth Witches or those simply interested in the Goth subculture and its magickal applications. It contains sufficient beginner material to enable the reader to understand magickal concepts while introducing more advanced theory for seasoned practitioners. Digitalis responsibly tackles topics most books shy away from including blood magick, sexuality and gender identity, death, vampires, and the magickal use of drugs. What's more, he provides a fascinating analysis of relating ancient Pagan practices to contemporary magickal traditions

Rating: 5 out of 5 magick wands!

When Paganism and Goth cultures come head to head there's much possibility for a blend of magickal change - and GOTH CRAFT: THE MAGICKAL SIDE OF DARK CULTURE provides the nuts and bolts of how to anticipate, channel and direct this change. New age and Wiccan libraries must have it: it tells how to channel darkness, use dark arts of clothing, makeup and body modifications, and even chose appropriate Goth ritual music. An excellent link between Goth and magic evolves.