The Practice Of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to Beliefs and Rituals (Citadel Library of Mystic Arts) [Paperback]

Robin Skelton (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Citadel Press (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806516747
• ISBN-13: 978-0806516745
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely not an Introduction, but a Fantastic Book, July 2, 2001

By 

Jonathan Burgoine "bookseller" (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice Of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to Beliefs and Rituals (Citadel Library of Mystic Arts) (Paperback)

Skelton's book is subtitled "An introduction to beliefs and rituals of the old religion." As such, it's a bit of a misnomer. While the first third of the book is in a Q&A format that would be suitable - and informative - for the introduction of a neophyte to Wicca, Paganism, or Witchcraft, the second two parts of the book are anything but introductory.

Part two, made up of rituals and cellebrations, cover not just the most often seen Dedications, Esbats and Sabbats that make up an introductory experience, but holy rits for so many other holy days that I'd never come across before. The Witch's calendar that Skelton has put together is the most detailed I've yet to come across, and would totally overwhelm the beginner.

Part three is Skelton's "Workbook," which is quite advanced. Spell theory on such varied topics as Love Spells (of which I personally debate the ethics), Healing Rituals, Blessings, Banishments, and Talismans, among other things, is set in this third part of the book. The discussion is of a major depth, and at times would be very much over the head of a beginner.

One thing I did expect that I didn't find in this book was any reference to Canadian-specific information or rituals. As one of the few published Canadian authors of Wicca/Witchcraft, I was hoping that Skelton would make mention of some of the Canadian-specific exeriences of the wheel of the year (for example, how often our Spring ceremonies are surrounded by snow and ice, when most rituals describe wandering out into the fresh new greenery to cellebrate).

This book is a delight to read, but again, I'll stress that as an introductory book, it is mislabelled. I'd start someone off more with Jennifer Hunter's "21st Century Wicca," or Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practicioner," and only come back to Skelton a little later.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An overview of Wiccan practices for the advanced beginner!, November 26, 1999

By 

Richard Ballard "rjballard" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice Of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to Beliefs and Rituals (Citadel Library of Mystic Arts) (Paperback)

Mr. Skelton's book provides an overview of Wiccan practices. The book presents "the essence of witchcraft, or 'Wicca' as it has come to be called, as it exists today."

Despite the title I do *not* recommend this book as a beginner's first book. Mr. Skelton's book provides more detailed discussions than a beginner lacking some Wiccan knowledge can appreciate. In addition, Mr. Skelton's book does not explicitly discuss his personal experiences or discuss Wiccan social organization and workings -- the details that beginners find most relevant. I *do* recommend this book for advanced beginners who have read a more suitable first book (perhaps "Inside A Witches' Coven" by Edain McCoy, five star).

(Like Gaul,) Mr. Skelton's book is divided into three parts. In the first part, "Answering The Questions", Mr. Skelton answers forty-eight questions about witches, Wiccan practices, and Craftlore. Each question's discussion is complete without cross-referencing other questions. At the same time, the questions' presentation sequence permits smooth and enjoyable reading.

In the second part, "Rituals and Celebrations", Mr. Skelton discusses Commencement Rituals (rituals used to initiate a coven meeting), Sacra Privata (Latin for private religious rituals), and the Witches' Calendar of sabbats and feasts. The Witches' Calendar is particularly well-written, providing a history and description for each sabbat and feast.

The book's third part is a "Workbook" (Book of Spells). Mr. Skelton's Workbook contains eight categories of spells (seventy-eight spells total). Each spell includes a discussion of when each spell is (in)appropriate.

Mr. Skelton's book closes with a comprehensive bibliography. The bibliography not only lists a wide range of Wiccan-related books, but also discusses each book's strengths.

I liked Mr. Skelton's book and recommend it for advanced beginners. The book is well-written and it provides detailed coverage of a wide-range of material.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book if you can get a copy..., July 16, 2000

By 

Jenny (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practice Of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to Beliefs and Rituals (Citadel Library of Mystic Arts) (Paperback)

This was my first book 5 years ago (I'm so glad I got it before it went out of print) along with Silver Ravenwolfs to ride a magick broomstick (which I also recommend) Although this may not be the best book for beginners who want to know more about the wiccan religion itself (skelton does go into this, but not as well as others), it is great for those who need beginner spells (there are almost 80 of them), info on the sabbats, and for those who have some FAQs. If you can get ahold of a copy, you'll get a lot out of it, mine is very worn from all the times I've gone through it.