Customer Reviews

Notions And Potions: A Safe, Practical Guide To Creating Magic & Miracles

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

 

 

I liked this book because it's easy for the novice witch to understand. It doesn't go in depth and has a little bit of information and history of a lot of things. It answers alot of questions that a novice witch like myself is asking and it is not intimidating, in fact, Ms. bowes makes you feel welcome to try spell casting etc.. It is also entertaining and fun to read even if you aren't searching to learn more about witch craft.

This book is ok, has a little bit of everything in a very eye-pleasing format, the tables and talisman info were good as were some other tidbits.

However, overall my beef with this book was that it has what seems like Christian morals and beliefs peeking through, and in a book about Witchcraft it just struck me very odd, and I have *many* books in this genre that are not this way. For example, in one part where Ms. Bowles talks about black magic(k) since it is often associated with Witchcraft, she states something to the effect of (and using these words) "those who practice the black arts will find their souls in a very dark place indeed" which just sounded an awful lot like what my dad preaches. There are other things too, like she talks about doing a 10 percent tithing each month, this is not to a church or anything but more for yourself or for charity which is great, but the terminology turned me off with the use of "tithing." In my experience this is a fundamentalist religious practice and not a Pagan one, but hey, to each their own I guess. This book is very positive and extols only sweetness and light, which is fine for some but was just a little too saccharine for my tastes (the love spells part was a bit much also), but for someone new to Wicca (and although it is not stated it explicitly, this is definately a Wiccan book, not Witchcraft in the more traditional sense for lack of a better explanation) it's not a bad introduction and is very non-threatening. I know there are other more well-rounded and more traditional Witchcraft books out there that don't carry over Christian concepts or terminology. (The author states in the end she studied Catholicism among other things in her spiritual path, this could be why.)

Having studied dozens of books on the this and related subjects, I find this to be the ultimate witchcraft 'coffee table book'. The artwork is beautiful and the text reads smoothly and poetically. It is a pretty little book that can be read over and over. It contains a good dose of art and a smattering of politics, sociology, anthropology, history, religion and magic. It is not a 'how to become a witch in 13 easy steps' manual like lots of the drivel in print lately. It is a book that pays homage to those of us who already are and welcomes those who wish to become.

My only criticism is that I bought it at a pagan bookstore when it was first released and paid nearly (...)Canadian for it. However of the dozens of books I've bought, read then sold, this is one of the few I've kept.

The binding, cover, and pages are all extremely durable.

I really enjoyed this book, especially since it wasn't TOO informative--some books go really REALLY deep and scare off the casual reader or beginner on the subject. I also enjoyed the great pictures. I showed my sister the book and she immediately ran off to the book store to buy one of her own. Great book!! Buy it!

Excellent. It was very informative. It set my feet upon the path into the Magickal world. It was a gift from my brother, and I'm very glad to have it. Notions and Potions gives insight and information without being too mystical to the first time reader into this subject.

This book is full of tidbits about different things concerning the history and traditions of magic. There is a brief outline of history on beliefs and practices. There is info on different symbolisms, like candle colors, oils and moon signs. There are even a few spells you can try yourself. Also has many sayings and quotes, and great pictures.

What a nice book. It dispels the rumor and fear that surrounds witchcraft and wicca in general. It shares using information. Has beautiful artwork and great information. I highly recommend it for individuals wanting to study the craft as well as individuals who are in fear of the craft.

I found it to be a really well done book with lots of interesting pictures. I think that she should have said more on the threefold rule when she was talking about love spells but other than that I really enjoyed the book. She has some good things to say!

Owning more than 300 books on the subject... I find the details and discriptions of how Christianity attempted to wipe out the Pagan relgions excellent! The information on how male physicians often accussed wise women of witchcraft which lead to thier deaths was enlighting. We rarely hear of the mass genocide of women during the "Burning Times" anywhere else in literature or history books. This account is only the first of several chapters of this book, with much more worthwhile information to come. Not agreeing with everything in the book is not the point. There is so much clear, understandible information given. The book is well worth the price!