Customer Reviews

The Modern Witch's Spellbook, Book ll (Bk. 2)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(41)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Ok, I reviewed this book back in 1999 for Amazon, and I still have the same opinion. Here it is again: This is NOT a Wiccan book, they are NOT Wiccan spells, the author NEVER claims to be Wiccan. I've practiced Witchcraft for over 20 years so I know that this book and the spells contained in it can and do work, but you have to know what you are doing. The problem you guys are still having is blurring the line between Witchcraft and Wicca. They are not the same thing, they never have been and never will be. It really saddens me that some people who are blatant about their affiliation with Wicca don't seem to realize that it is a completely different entity from Witchcraft. So, if you are a WITCH and not a Wiccan, I really do recommend that you pick up this book, it has both the white and black parts of magick in it, but then again so does everything on Earth.. why should a book of magick be any different?

As a Pagan who is not Wiccan, it bothers me that many in the Wicca community are taking the same self-righteous attitude as Christians usually do against us. I can understand our hypersensitivity--we don't want to bring back the Burning Times, literally or figuratively--but why can't Wiccans accept that Wicca is NOT the only form of witchcraft? Why must every book about magick be an indoctrination into the principles of Wicca? That's like every book on church architecture preaching about Christ. Magick and witchcraft are much older and more varied than just Wicca, and we as Pagans have to get over our fear that if all our books aren't about "white light" and karmic retribution that the Christians will throw us in the fire. While I consider moral integrity important, some people scream about the Rede the same way Christians scream about hellfire and damnation. Let people read whatever they want and welcome a diversity of witchcraft and Pagan belief.

This just isn't a very good spellbook. Not because she has black magic in it personally I think the Wiccans need to lighten up, but because it just isn't that useful. The spells don't lend themselves to be personalized which causes problems unless ou want exactly what the author did. Also most of them don't really have any room to build up power and focus. There is one excpetion. the magic ESAU square talisman seemed to be a very interesting spell.

I've owned this book for about 5 years and to be honest I've never even tried one of her spells. They might work, but it seemed easier to belnd candle magic and herbs and the like and go from there. A lot of her spells involve visits to th ejewlery store to have things specially made. So before you buy it flip through and ask yourself do I really see myself doing this? (be sure to check out the ESAU talisman I mentioned).

I can truely state that the spells do work and sometimes too well.

In the past decade, the spells assisted me in several difficult situations and allowed me to keep my sanity.

A word of caution, before attempting the spells, please wear any protection amulet and perform a protection ritual as you may encounter spirits(usually the bad types). This happened to me but I am psychic and was able to rid myself of the beings.

Unfortunately, the authors doesn't mention any protection spells for the practioner but this something extremly important if you are beginner.

All best and remember.....what we want may not always be good for us....so choose wisely.

About a year ago I wrote a review for this book, which appears below somewhere, saying how this book was bad etc etc... However, I have had second thoughts, talked to some friends about it, and gone back to read it again. I still believe that the book is too sexist to legitimately be in print, however nowhere in the book does Morrison actually say she is Wiccan, and so things like to Wiccan rede would not apply to her. Things like negative magic do exist, and the new age wave of recent years has tried as much as possible to cover up this fact leading to the practical destruction of good magical practice. This is because the destruction of the shadow part of our lives creates a lack of balance. The book is not as bad as I originally thought it was, but it could still have been better written.

Some of the things can be found to be legitimate. The book may not..no does not..concentrate on White, Wiccan Magic however the author does not claim it to be a WICCAN book, just a SpellBook. I, personally, have found many of the spells in here to be successful, if carried out properly. The problem that I have with it is it's limited scope.

I first encountered this book when I was about 7 years old. It was my first witchcraft book that my mother had bought. This book is what got me keenly interested in the craft. I like it because it is not fluffy, karmic and dreamy. It is very straightforward and some people are uncomfortable with it. This book is not for everybody, so if you are big on eastern philosophy and karmic ties, this isn't your book.

I devoured it's pages. As a practicing witch, there are alot of spells that I wouldn't recommend to beginners. I agree with the need for magical protections but I stress that this book is a SPELL BOOK... thats it, it isn't supposed to be theory etc. It is simple a compilation of rituals. I have used it as a baseboard for my own spells.

People with commonsense, even Wiccans and young witches at that should know that they won't be able to find a Turkey Buzzard to cast a death spell easily - It's commonsense.

From a hispanic cultural perspective, I agree that this is definitely a "Kitchen Witches Spell Book". This series catches on to things that I was taught by my parents etc. This is the kind of stuff that your grandmother would know, or that a folk magician would give you at your neighborhood "Botanica". Again, it is Brujeria - as most magic first started.

Magic is a duality. As an eclectic witch, I find this to be an integral part of my magical library.

It is not big on magical theory, but I believe that is why it uses the words "SPELL BOOK" not "How to guide". It is assumed that you already have some level of knowledge. I practiced many of the spells in this book when I was a teenager and youngster and many of them worked fine for me.

Magic is all intention and energy, and any true witch, wiccan, modern, occasional whatever should know that at best, magic is improvisational and can be tweaked and should be customized to the person or the working at hand.