The Modern Witch's Spellbook (Bk. 1) [Paperback]

Sara Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Series: Modern Witch's Spellbook | Publication Date: October 1, 2000

The second volume of more spells, charms, incantations, amulets, talismans, and divination techniques for modern witches. The first volume sold over 500,000 copies.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An informal guide to the practice of casual white magic, focusing on the concentration of emotion as a power source. The book has a personal feel to it, as if Morrison is sharing secrets among friends, and includes perhaps a few too many anecdotes while promising some impressive results.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806503726
• ISBN-13: 978-0806503721
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,309,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but fascinating., October 10, 2002

By 

nataliewitch (Jeffersonville, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Modern Witch's Spellbook (Bk. 1) (Paperback)

I would first like to address the negative points of this book. It, along with her other titles in the Modern Witch's series deals with expensive, difficult, obtuse highly stylized magic. It would be far easier to just buy a few herbs, light a few candles, and raise the Power for a spell than to perform even half of the spells outlined in Lyddon-Morrison's books.

Secondly, these books (the first in the series even more so) is an unequivocal product of its time. Lyddon-Morrison fires off gauche, sexist comments in rapid succession, along with nasty spells for abortions, and plenty of references to marijuana, mushrooms, and other psychotropic substances. This book was first published during the push for Women's Lib, prior to Roe vs. Wade. Lyddon-Morrison's views on abortion and other matters (not the least of which include Women's empowerment through Witchcraft!) were considered quite progressive at the time.

Lyddon-Morrison is not a Wiccan. In her third book in this series she states very clearly that she does not identify as a Wiccan, and actually finds us as some of the rudest most dogmatic people she has ever had the displeasure to meet. After reading some of these reviews, I can understand why.

As to the presence to "Black Magic" in this book, I can only say that I concur with those reviewers pointing out the need for more balance among Witches.

Finally, the spells in this series are obtuse for a reason. Many are traditional spells collected by the author from Renaissance-Era French Grimores, Romani folk beliefs, and English folk charms. Lyddon-Morrison has arranged these traditional spells in a format that was useful for the "modern Witch" of the time. Those Witches interested in folk magic and tradition would do well to investigate this series, particularly the third book which covers many folk charms native to Hawaii.

Lyddon-Morrison is a self-trained, self-proclaimed Witch. I don't pretend to agree with her views in many cases (which I could say for many Wiccan authors, as well) but her Modern Witch's series remains an interesting artifact of American Witchcraft as it existed prior to the rise of Llewellyn publishing and the media circus surrounding Wicca.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not all that Is Witchcraft is Wicca!, December 31, 2003

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Modern Witch's Spellbook (Bk. 1) (Paperback)

First and foremost the author of the book ever mentiones Wicca or that she is Wiccan. Only the words Witch and Witchcraft are used. \
Second, The spells presented hear are the traditional spells used in Brujeria, Voodooists, Espiritismo, Curanderismo, and Hecherismo, or Witchcraft. It seems sadly that books as this should have a label, like those found on cds. -- "Witch's Advisory, No one under 18 or Wiccan Without a True Brujos Consent." -- These spells are the traditional spells used by many Witches, not Wiccans. If you are Wiccan do not read, if you are interested in true folk magick, spell crafting and Witchcraft as done by Brujos, then this might be a small but good window into the secret kitchen, altar and working room of a Bruja/o, Witch.

With all respects towards Wiccans, one must understand that throught the world this is what Witchcraft in. In Countries such as Mexico, Puerto Rico and all through out the world, many people go to Brujos or Hechiseros seeking revenge for a wrong doing. The Brujo will always warn. "Becareful what one asks for." But the `trabajo" the magickal working is done.

One should read this book with an open mind, as "so called Witch" one should have the proper understandings of both Black and White magick. I am sure your mind would change, or you would run back to this book. If lets say, and "God and Los Santos forbid" your mother was abused, your daughter was rapped, or you where cursed to ruins by a more powerful Witch who knew these knowledges.

The Profession and Craft of a True Witch must completely understand the workings behind both Black and White Magick. This book reveals these things.

Although I do not personally use Black Magick to harm anyone, I must say I have had clients come to me, who have been "Enbrujado" Bewitched or Cursed. So I must understand what was in the mind of the dark magician, what where his/her procedure. These things can be found out in books like these.

Lastly this is traditional Witchcraft with the good and the bad. This is not Fluffy, all is Happy, all is good, Wicca. And it never states it is.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars better than most think...., September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Modern Witch's Spellbook, Book ll (Bk. 2) (Paperback)

This book is not about wicca, thank goodness, which is probably the reason so many people are having such a hard time performing the spells. I have performed several of the spells contained in this book and had a very high success rate. So while some people will say this book is not worth the money you will pay for it, I must disagree. Yes, the spells can be hard for a beginner to perform, but as with anything practice makes perfect. Concentration is the key to these spells, if you can conjure enough you can make them work. The only downfall I see with Ms.Lyddon-Morrison's book are that they can be redundant...there are several of the same types of spells throughout her series of books (some of the spells come from different religions but do the same thing). All in all, I recommend this book, and the rest of the series, to all of you witches out there.