The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development (Paperback)

by Christopher Penczak (Author) "What is a witch?..." (more)
Key Phrases: use instant magick, lotus flower revealing, magickal mindset, World Tree, New Age, Book of Shadows (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
These two new titles from Llewellyn focus on witchcraft, or Wicca, a cluster of religious rituals and beliefs deriving from ancient European polytheisms or paganisms. The author of seven books on witchcraft, Grimassi is a practicing Italian witch (a strega) who has researched the history and theory of witchcraft back to antiquity, with a view to recovering and preserving teachings and lore. As a result, the book is primarily a historical study of various European witchcraft traditions. Even when considering magickal techniques for the focusing of natural power or discussing methods of psychic development, the author takes pains to cover their historical development. While Grimassi's book will appeal more to scholars of religion, Penczak's book will appeal to believers and interested casual readers. An active witch and teacher of modern neo-Paganism, Penczak teaches classes (mainly in New England) on witchcraft and various other New Age practices such as reiki, shamanic journeying, and past-life regression. His book aims at using Wiccan techniques (generally termed "Magick") to aid in personal growth. Accordingly, after a brief history and some basic theory of Wiccan spirituality comprising four chapters, there follow 13 lesson-chapters on techniques of spiritual growth, each followed by appropriate exercises. A minor criticism: some of the material discussed, while probably hermetic or occult in origin, is not ordinarily considered Wiccan but pertains to other religious traditions. Astral travel, for instance, is more often a feature of Shamanism, while chakras are a part of yoga. Both books provide a useful introduction to modern witchcraft and are recommended for both academic and public libraries, particularly those with substantial religion collections.
James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Explore your Inner Temple--your personal sacred space where there are no boundaries and all things are possible. With study, dedication, and practice, the lessons and exercises in this book will empower you to transform the repetitive rigors of the daily grind into a witch's web of magickal experiences.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is a thorough course of education, introspection, meditation, and the development of the magickal and psychic abilities that are the birthright of the witch. Four introductory chapters present the history, traditions, and principles of witchcraft, followed by thirteen lessons that start with basic meditation techniques and culminate in a self-initiation ceremony equivalent to the first-degree level of traditional coven-based witchcraft.

As you progress through this year-and-a-day course of study, you will explore a wide range of topics that support and inform the dedicated witch:

- Ancient and modern magickal philosophy
- Modern scientific theories supporting a new definition of reality
- "Instant" magick  techniques for protection, healing, and serenity
- Energy work and anatomy, including chakras and auras
- Astral travel, dreams, and spirit guides
- Healing techniques for body, mind, and spirit

This book's non-dogmatic presentation encourages an eclectic, personal approach while providing a strong foundation for the practice of witchcraft and magick. Develop your psychic abilities and practice potent magickal techniques as you explore the source of every witch's power--the temple within.

Winner of the 2003 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Magic Book



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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738702765
• ISBN-13: 978-0738702766
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,548 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inner Temple of Witchcraft, April 16, 2005

By	Abel R. Gomez (San Bruno, CA United States) - See all my reviews

[...]

When buying books, most of us look for new material, some thing missing from other books. We look for information on magick, deities, and spells on a deeper level but, we are always left some what empty handed. We look for something fresh and something deeper. We seek for a book that aids us in a deeper soul search. Well, searching within is exactly what this book is about, hence the tile, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.

Unlike most beginner books on Witchcraft, this book does not focus on spells, tools, or celebrating the wheel of the year (Sabbats). It is all to often that student of the Craft go straight to traditional spellwork without understanding how or why it works. The author insists that students who have not experienced energy or psychic powers, the "foundation stones or magick", will have a less profound experience in ritual. Instead this book focuses on the journey within, psychic development, meditation, and magick.

The book starts out with four introductory chapters that gives basic definitions of the word "witch", such as the healer and walker between worlds. It describes Witchcraft as an art, science, and spirituality and describes the ancient history and modern traditions of Witchcraft. The rest of the book is divided into 13 lessons along with exercises, meditations, and homework to go along with "a year and a day" study course. Lesson topics include meditation, ancient philosophy, magickal theory, protection, astral projection, light, energy anatomy (chakras, auras, etc.), spirit guides, and healing.

In my opinion, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is an extraordinary text. Christopher Penczak's eclectic approach and personal experience makes this book a pleasure to read. When reading a book on Witchcraft, what's better than one written by an experienced minister and practitioner of the Craft.

5 out of 5 magick wands!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid foundation, August 16, 2003

By	Keslynn (DE, United States) - See all my reviews

For me, this book filled in a lot of gaps in all the other Wicca/magic 101 books. Those books would say "meditate on...", "raise power", "visualize your intent" without actually telling you HOW to do any of those things. Perhaps I'm just stupid, but none of those things are natural to me. Then I found "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" and my questions got answered.

This book makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who can't figure out what it really is to "visualize your intent" right off the bat. It eases you into a meditative practice, visualization, affirmations, healing, chakra work, etc. He presents the skills as progressive lessons so the format is easy to follow. All the other magic 101 books say that magical skill comes with practice, but once again, this book is much more useful. Instead of just saying that you should practice, Penczak actually lists homework at the end of each lesson.

Personally, this was exactly the beginner book I needed, one that sets up a solid foundation before rushing right into spells and Sabbat rituals.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WitchCraft Basics, June 15, 2003

By	Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I think Mr. Penczak sums up this book in these lines "For me, witchcraft is the building of sacred space, in myself, my life, and my environment.... I wanted to help others find their own sacred space, their own inner temple. The information and exercises would build up to that experience."

The book and the companion CD's focus on this building of sacred space through meditation and working from the basic foundations of witchcraft.

The book approaches Magick as a science. The chapters approach the topics as lessons, with exercises to explore the lessons and what is learned.

I found the book to be an in depth study of some of the basics of witchcraft. Topics include learning to work with energy, working on the astral planes, developing a good meditative state, positive affirmations of self development, and many more that can lead a person on the path of being an actual practitioner of witchcraft. This is a working book, not just a study of the topic.

The book is well laid out. Mr. Penczak follows through on the topics, has references for recommended reading, a good bibliography and covers the basics as well as some more progressive material.

This would be a good book for those who would like to explore witchcraft more deeply and need a guide to show them the way.
There is also a 4 CD set of meditations as a companion to this book. Using the background of the book, the CD's set up an easy way to work with the material in the book without having to open the book to reference it during the mediations.

Mr. Penczak's voice is perfect as far as I am concerned, it does not grate on you nor does it lull you into sleep. The light melodic fill is just that, filler for the spaces between words and does not distract from the words.

I found the material covered to be good for meditation and it works well with the material in the book. If you find the book to be what you are looking for, the CD's are a good addition.

I enjoyed the entire presentation, and Mr. Penczak gives us some very well based and solid material. boudica