Spells and How They Work [Paperback]

Janet Farrar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2001

In this practical and authoritative handbook, Wicca's leading authors Janet and Stewart Farrar define the principles underlying all spells and explain why a successful spell is composed of three elements: intent, visualization, and will-power. Careful at all times to observe basic rules of responsibility - that a spell should never intend anyone harm or manipulate anyone against their will - this is a comprehensive guide to ways of effective spell-casting. This book covers all aspects of spell making - including psychic self-defence, sex magic, cabalistic magic and talismans. There is a generous collection of actual spells, past and present, drawn from history, literature, folklore, old grimoires, and the years of experience of the authors. Spells of love, healing, problem solving, weather and binding combine in this unique addition to the literature on magical working.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janet and Stewart Farrar, authors of many books on witchcraft, were well-known witches who appeared frequently in the media. Stewart Farrar died in 2000.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (February 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709069138
• ISBN-13: 978-0709069133
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,926,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's not what I expected., June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spells and How They Work (Paperback)

I like the Farrars, and I enjoy reading their work. But I have to say that I was a little disappointed in this book--because it was not what I expected. I expected a book that really goes into practical advice, looking at how to design spells, what works best, why they work. While these topics are treated, they are treated quickly and lightly. The bulk of the book is basically a folklore collection of spells and superstitions. That stuff is interesting, but there is little analysis of how the traditional spells work. For someone just starting out in magick, I thought it was light on practical advice.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, August 27, 2004

By 

Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spells and How They Work (Paperback)

Greetings. I recommend this book to anyone who is either beginning to learn the mechanics of SpellCraeft on an etherial and energetical level, or to those who are just discovering the Craft and would like more information about Spells in particular rather than direct philosophies.
I am pleased they cover some philosophies, real-life examples of spells manifesting, understanding the similarities of spells vs. prayers, and examples of old, 'folklorish' yet still valid methods of specified sorcery.
It's a classic! But don't get this before you learn your own inner workings and have a sense of the Universe's Will beforehand. Only a small portion of True Craft lies in spells.
~OakRaven~

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat disappointing, August 4, 2004

By 

T. Tyne (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spells and How They Work (Paperback)

This is the only book that I have read so far by the very well known authors. I certainly liked the first few chapters and even copied parts into my BOS. But the book went downhill for me when it started focusing primarily on traditions. It's to bad that they didn't go into more detail on spells and magic as they did in the first part because it would have been a good opportunity for them to impart more of their wisdom, especially on ethics.