Customer Reviews

Magical Rites from the Crystal Well (Llewellyn's Practical Magick)

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

 

 

Although the book did have some very beautiful illustrations in it, and did carry rituals for a multitude of occasions, some might find that they do not mesh well with their own systems. Eclectics would find it easy to integrate a few of these rituals into their own routines. I myself, however, found some of them to be either too simple or seeming a bit insufficient for what might be required of an occasion. However, it is an excellent place to start for a beginner,giving a good idea as to how one would create the outline of a ritual, as well as learning a few basic things about the casting of the circle, quarters, etc.

Although the experienced witch will find little that is new in this book, Ed Fitch is an excellent writer and the illustrations herein are fantastic. I reccommend this work for any new practitioner. A word of caution: if you are looking for a guide with a specifically ethnic flavor (classical, celtic, norse, egyptian, etc.), this is not the best book for you (I reccommend "The Rites of Odin" for Norse pagans, also by Fitch). Even though I am no longer a "pure" Wiccan (as this system still owes A LOT to Aleister Crowley and traditional Gardnerian witchcraft, hence, it owes much to traditional Judeo-Christian concepts and not a whole lot to historical paganism), the "Crystal Well" is a good place to start.

I remember reading and practicing from this handy guide in the 1980s. You could say this was the book to start it all for me. There is much to be said about the information here-all being great! Many of the rituals have been tried and tested solitarily by myself for many years. It devolops faith and trust in contempory witchcraft.

This is probably the book that I would take to a desert island with me. Unlike so many other authors at Llewellyn, Mr Fitch has published very little. I really liked his Grimoire of Shadows. It expands much of what is presented here. This seems to be witchcraft for the unfashionable set.

I have owned this book for many years and have opened it many times. I was recently looking at it again, and would like to share that this book is a wonderfull edition to any spiritual persons library. The rites within could be made to be compatible with any earth based spirituality. Ed Fitch has written a clear and understandable guide which explains a myriad of rites and workings, along with a "Rede of chivalry" or guideline of ethics to use along with the rites. I hope you find it as helpful as i do.
Many Blessings

This book is listed in a ton of bibliographies, so I thought it was essential reading. The writing's beautiful, but most of the book was for covens, not solitaries. I'm keeping this, okay with the book, but only okay. I doubt I'll be rereading it again anytime soon.

This only book that fitch wrote a book that was not bias which is sad that his other books are. This book is great for both art and fact of rites found in it for the beginner overall worth the money and one of better books outthere.

Blessed Be;