Customer Reviews

Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The chapter on ethics and safety is one of the most important. The most thorough explanation of the Law of Three that I have ever found. So many books coming out now on New Age and Occult topics are failing to provide this basic, essential information that protects you from having unintended bad results from your spells. It's hard to believe this book was written over 20 years ago, it is still fresh. I'm so glad she came out with the reprint, so it can be circulated again. I use Words of Power to help myself in school, in my job, with my relationships, finding a house, my kitty's health, my garden, just about everything. Enjoy your own copy of this book, and Blessed Be.

Everyone should read this book! Even if you have only a passing curiosity about Wicca, Ms. Weinstein provides a wonderful primer on "the Craft" and its history that makes for compelling reading. Plus you get delightful instructions on tossing the coins (I Ching); reading the Tarot (a tool for opening up to your own intuition); and writing "Words of Power" (think of these as incantations, prayers, or affirmations, depending upon your personal beliefs). Best of all, Ms. Weinstein writes in a witty, down-to-earth style with one-liners that are sure to crack you up!

Whenever someone asks me to explain more about how magic works, I always start with two steps:

Magic 101: Watch the _Star_Wars_ trilogy (Yes, the movies) and listen to every word they say about "The Force" - it is exactly how Magic works. (Yes, it sounds strange, but trust me on this one)

Magic 102: Read _Positive_Magic_ to take the basic _Star_Wars_ introduction and get it explained in more detail and in a more "traditional" learing environment.

There are many books on the subject, but very few would I recommend to a beginner as most are exploitive or sensationalist. _Positive_Magic_ is always my first recommendation in reading materials. It provides a clear, logical explanation to Magic, Wicca (a magical religeous tradition), I Ching (a Chinese divination oracle) and Astrology (a divination tools used by various cultures throughout the world).

It provides a very balanced, thorough and non-judgemental view of its topics in an easy to read and understand format.

Buy It. You'll love it.

Blessed Be,

Brian G.

Positive Magic predates the current witchcraft fad by at least a decade, and so is mercifully free of the more embarrassing comercial packaging and is in itself a work of real substance. You won't agree with everything the author says, but putting aside some of the more unusual contentions (real witches never work widdershins; witchcraft is a purely Celtic tradition)and reading the "historical" overview with a grain or two of salt, there is still some very helpful information here. Of particular use to me were the clear explanations of the concepts of karma, Form Contingencies, the law of three, the Invisible World, the importance of establishing and clarifying intention, and the philosophical foundation of the way magic works. This book really delivers on its title: there is much for the reader who picks up this book for the "self help". I found especially useful the section on Ma K'heru (Word of Truth). Per the author's instructions, when I catch myself in a self-defeating expression or thought, I can undo the energy by stating, mentally or aloud, "I take that out of the Law." The point of course is to learn the practice of only saying and thinking what one means, but in the meantime, isn't it nice to have fix for those "it'll never work" moods?

This book is a must read for anyone interested in practicing magic. This book teaches you how to keep from hurting yourself or anyone else while you learn how to effect the world with your desires. I am very serious about this. If you want to influence the world of form with your desires, read this book before you try any form of magical acts. There are more complicated books on magic, but, there are none that work any better than the magic taught in this book. This is a mandatory first read for all our coven dedicates. Highest of recommendations.

With humor and skilled writing, author Marion Weinstein weaves the beginning occult searcher through the myriad nooks and crannies of magic. Words of power and wisdom delve into introductions to many occult traditions, including the I Ching, Tarot, Wicca, and more. Focused entirely on the positive aspects of magic, Weinstein even has the "Ten Foot Pole" chapter to advise beginners of her personal taboos...and they are an excellent rule of thumb for us all. If you are interested in exploring the world of the occult, start here. "Positive Magic" gives you tools to send you on the next steps of your journey. You can start here as a novice and find your path to being an adept. Highly recommended as a "first" occult book. Take the first steps of your journey!

I've considered myself pagan for 9 years now and dip back into Positive Magic once in a while for a reminder. It was one of my earlier books introducing me to magick and I wish I had found it sooner, could have saved me from some dumb mistakes. The how magick works and what to avoid sections are very helpful to a beginner. Certainly it shouldn't be the only pagan book to rely on, but if you don't have any teachers or pagan contacts yet, this book will feel like a good friend. As for her dislike of Crowley, I don't _quite_ share it, at least I don't think he's that scary, after all I have his Tarot deck. However, I would never recommend one of his books to a beginner!

I read this book in the 1980 when I was a student. Since then I have handed it as one of the first two books I give every student of mine. It is mandatory reading.

Is it fluffy? Well, to some extent yes. There are some "airy-fairy" parts but overall, this book is solid groundwork for someone beginning their magical training. The "10 Foot Pole" chapter is always a discussion starter with my students.

This is a great book for the novice. There's nothing wrong with someone reading this book who is looking for a pagan intro. This book was one of my first 13+ years ago. I have since delved into witchcraft/paganism much, much deeper. Looking back, the advanced student will see the 'fluff', but we all need to start out gently on this path as it is not for everyone.

If you're looking for a book on fluff bunny Wicca crap, this is it.

Ms. Weinstein's history is wrong, her math is wrong, her practice is wrong. She's contradictory, she's condescending, and most of all she so frikken fluff I wanted to throw this book out a window.

How can cusp be unknowable, during the time of Jesus and happened during the last (apparently during the 60's) 40 years? She tries to combine Christian influence, vague Celtic notions, and Margret Murray's debunked theories into a pile of s*** so high you'd drown in it.

Her Tarot history is abysmal. She apparently skimmed Pictorial Key, and then guesses the rest of it. She had no concept of who "gypsies" actually were or the history of playing cards and tarot cards. And the suggestion that you "trade out" cards that you don't like during a reading. For a good look on why that's screwy (even after she shames people for doing the same thing on the I Ching!) try watching the series (not the movie) Escaflowne for a fictional example of changing out cards to make a happy reading. If you want to change your future you do something about it....just messing with the reading is a dangerous way to practice magic.

Her assertion that Christianity is the only influence that counts is absurd. Her claim that Wicca is a 5,000 year old Celtic Religion that stems from Atlantis is just silly. Saying that the internet is an earth element because of wires in the ground is just stupid.
As far as I can tell everyone skips the first 200 pages of pure crap and gets to the Words of Power section.

The first part of the Words of Power is more stuff about Atlantis, which is wholly fantasy and conjecture. She lays down a misconception of the Name of God. (I feel like I should call her and tell her what it is, since she didn't bother to read a bible to find out.)
Then we get to the Words of Power section.

Once you throw out the crap about Atlantis, you have Weinstein describing a spell system which, while useful in any religion, she describes in the context of her brand of eclectic Wicca.

The system itself seems solid and adaptable. It is a simple formula which you can adjust until you feel it working. Not so bad, and really why I believe people recommend this book.

Then she goes in to a practice of creating a blessing every time she hears something negative. She gives it an Egyptian name, but in reality all it is a twist on the Christian evil eye which is fine if you're that insecure.

Her last chapter deals with some networking issues; a Toltec inspired rant on responsibility and a semi-retraction.

It's really the semi-retraction that bothers me. Weinstein state early on in the book that since Western culture and Christianity dominated the world for most of history, we should only worry about that influence. She said this despite her use of karma and the I Ch'ing. In her last chapter she calls Eastern practices superstition and then says there are some reputable ones out there to examine, Africa being her choice.

Despite the contradictions, and obvious lack of direction sense, she then goes on to call other forms of magic and ritual practice using any type of, well, anything negative magic.

Weinstein hardly has the one true way here, despite her belief to the contrary. I'm surprised such a condescending book has worked its way into the consciousness of eclectic Wiccans. However it is an attitude that most beginners have.