The Magickal Life: A Wiccan Priestess Shares Her Secrets (Compass) [Paperback]

Vivianne Crowley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2003 | Series: Compass

In this comprehensive guide, Vivianne Crowley shows that we can tap the mysterious power of the natural world and the creativity of the human mind by practicing true magic. With down-to-earth advice and detailed exercises that teach you how to perform magic such as rituals for health, prosperity, and love, Vivianne Crowley illustrates simple techniques for enhancing your life. She also shares her own inspiring journey, shedding new light on the connection between the ancient spiritual wisdom of magic and contemporary self-help techniques such as meditation, yoga, and positive thinking. Perfect for novices and seasoned practitioners alike, The Magickal Life illustrates how magic can help you lead a more successful and satisfying life and see the world as full of endless possibilities.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Magic is not a prop or a crutch. Contemporary magic is an ethical practice that teaches us to attune ourselves to the creative forces of the universe and work in harmony with them," writes Crowley, teacher and author of Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium and A Woman's Guide to Earth Traditions. Her background as a psychologist and management consultant is in evidence here, as her first-person prose is to the point, clear and organized. Aimed at rank beginners as well as mid-level practitioners, Crowley reveals magical procedures for chakras, crystals, healing, intuition development, divination focusing on Tarot, sacred circles and homemade incense. She also delves into broader topics such as the human desires for travel, sex, love and a healthy state of mind. Crowley distills much useful information in charts throughout relatively short chapters. She stresses that magic is " `natural' in the sense that it is about learning to use the hidden powers of the human psyche... [and] `natural' in another sense-it follows the laws of nature." Crowley also addresses sacred time and space in the pagan calendar, as well as the power of group magic. This volume doesn't cover much new ground in the field of Wicca, but Crowley's stories, down-to-earth approach and emphasis on personal responsibility should have wide appeal and provide a worthwhile gateway into an ancient practice. Quick pointers for practice at the end of each chapter drive home her messages.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

 Vivianne Crowley, Ph.D., is a psychologist, university lecturer, and management consultant. Through her studies in psychology and science, she discovered that ancient mystical beliefs and contemporary knowledge create magic that is practical and real. For twenty-five years, she has been a teacher of magic, inspiring thousands on their spiritual path. She has written numerous books about Wicca.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014219624X
• ISBN-13: 978-0142196243
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.7 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyday Magic, May 15, 2004

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Magickal Life: A Wiccan Priestess Shares Her Secrets (Compass) (Paperback)

This charming book is a guide to using the powers of the human psyche as regards the deeper instinctive and intuitive nature. That is what Magic(k) really is - applying the powers of the human mind. In all esoteric traditions, this force is harnessed via the meditative state (where the conscious and the subconscious meet) and includes visualization, creating energy and directing that energy towards a goal.

Often relating her own experiences, the author explores mediumship, feng shui, crystals, the chakra system, the aura and spiritual healing. Each chapter ends with an exercise that includes affirmations relating to the subject. Crowley has a down-to-earth style and writes from a psychological perspective so her book is mercifully free of clichés or psychobabble.

She also deals with intuition, dreams, divination, tarot, wands, astrology and planetary magic, incenses and oils and cultivating a prosperity consciousness. As a Wiccan, the author explains the importance of the seasonal changes and the wiccan holy days, an interesting argument but not of particular importance to her overall message of self-development.

The book contains plenty of black and white illustrations, tables of correspondences, a bibliography and an index. Although I am not into paganism, I find this book full of common sense and sound psychology, and the author's style to be intelligent and inspiring. A book of wise advice for self-improvement that will help you put some magic into your life.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Excellent, June 2, 2005

By 

blackshawl (Austin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magickal Life: A Wiccan Priestess Shares Her Secrets (Compass) (Paperback)

Well I just enjoy this book to no end. In fact I wish it would not end. I have a hard time putting it down. The writing is enjoyable and an easy read. If you are an advanced witch buy it for the fun and enjoyable read, a beginner? buy it for the same reasons. And it is full of gems. I find after reading a chapter here and there, I am still thinking about what I read throughout the day. Bookmarking things I want to go back and re-read for future reference. I love the cat healing story. I especially love when the author relates how to be careful who you tell things to. I have learned not everyone is so understanding and accepting. I have countless animal contacts, so to read about the cat healing, I loved it.

Thank you Ms Crowley!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magickal Living At Its Best, May 26, 2005

By 

Deanna Joseph "www.deannasrealm.com" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Magickal Life: A Wiccan Priestess Shares Her Secrets (Compass) (Paperback)

The Magickal Life is a delightful book filled with magical and fun ways to explore the path of self-improvement.

Ms. Crowley makes it clear that real magic(k) is not about the fluff, but the mind, and comes from within. It is something we all possess, yet must be tapped into and nourished, and you do this by going within and working on yourself (not by watching "Charmed" over and over).

She covers all the basics, including mediumship, energy, crystals, healing, intuition, divination, wands and casting circles. She also gives plenty of examples and exercises, and relates her own personal experiences. By the time you are done reading this book (and doing the exercises) you will easily be tapping into the more magickal part of yourself.