Customer Reviews

Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft

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Unlike a number of other books on witchcraft, Spirit of the Witch is about the spirituality of witchcraft and the author, Raven Grimassi, takes us on a journey to discover the basic principles that unite all witches, our "commonality."

Ask any long-time witch and she will most likely tell you that spell-casting is but a small part of being a witch. We spend alot of our time doing "normal" things: dishes, laundry, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, and cursing at the computer. Spell-casting is usually set aside for occasions of great need.

Grimassi displays our strong connection with trees, stones, fire, and the natural world quite admirably given the non-comformiality of our character. Symbolic meanings are given for mytho-magical items such as the cauldron and the broom. There are also the meanings and the use of the tools of the Craft as well as dedications for each: the pentacle, wand, athame, and chalice. Nearly all of the basics of the Path are covered here.

So what makes a witch? Who is allowed to be a witch? As Grimassi well knows, the answer to those questions changes with each witch you ask. Despite this little glitch of ours, Grimassi walks the noble path of self-discovery and gives the reader an example of a dedication to perform.

White, grey, or black witches; the Sabbats, Solstices, and Equinoxes; responsibility for our own actions, and self-discipline are all discussed within the pages of this book.

After you have gotten your fill of spell-crafting and beginner's books, Spirit of the Witch offers the reader the next step into the realm of witchcraft.

If you're well past the more basic Wicca 101 books, and even have read some more "in-depth" or "intermediate" books on Witchcraft, this book is still set apart from all the rest.

More than a "how-to" (although Gramassi does give some instructions on various subjects I'll point out later) the author gives a depth to subjects many readers already know about.

You know that Witches use a chalice, athame, wand, and pentacle while practicing, but have you been able to make the historical connectrion as to why? Why do specific elements correspond to these tools? What exactly does a witch do BESIDES cast spells?

What makes a Witch? Who can become one? Is the Path of the Wise for you? Gramassi devotes more than just a chapter to these questions and some how-to's on where to get started. He details a ritual to guide you on your quest for knowledge in order to find out if Witchcraft is for you, and proceeds to take the next logical step in outlining a dedication ritual if you decide it is.

How do you go from a monotheistic religion to a polytheistic religion such as Witchcraft, without the awakward feeling of "abandoning" your religious roots? Gramassi also covers this, and is the one author I have found that does so in a helpful, positive way. In fact, he's the only author I have come across that actually discusses the issue.

This is truely a great book, especially for those who are looking into Witchcraft, and to those who need to be reminded of the spirtuality that drew them to it in the first place.

This book touches on how the practice of Witchcraft is a philosophy 1st a religion 2nd and a magical system 3rd. Magic only plays a small part in witchcraft which really suprised me. A majority of the people curious about witchcraft or someone who just merely wants to educate themselfs on the topic of witchcraft (like me) thinks its all about magic and spells and getting the material things you need and or desire by using magic. This book disects the philosophy , spirtual and religion aspects of withcraft as it also touches on magic as well. He talks about the tools used in witchcraft (wand , pentacle , chalice and athame ,). Other books I have read talk about them also , but not as in depth and in glorious detail as he does. He talks about how they relate to the elements of air ,earth,fire and water. Basically , they are a tangible metephor for the metaphysical nature they symbolize. He goes in further depth on the subject of tools and it makes you more aware of why you use them. The author goes on to say how vital it is to participate in the eight sabbats of the year as well as the full moon rituals of each month and the solstices and the equinoxes. This is done to empower the witchs strength and maintain it through an unbroken participation with ritual(s). This is because the witch is bathed in magickal energy that is inherent at these specific times of power. After reading this book you come to know how vital it is to be involved in the changing of the seasons and cycles of the moon and celebrate them. The author makes it known that it is paramount that you get involved with nature and their energies. The "magical craft" and "capturing the magic" area of the book (chapter 8) really gives you good insight on how magic really works and he gives excellent verbal examples concerning the magical craft and capturing the magic with a class that he taught. If one finally decides that witchcraft is their way to spiritual enlightment for better living he gives you a dedication ritual that you will perform out in natural earth surroundings with stones,herbs and water while sitting in a magick circle under the goddess of the full moon. Once you decide that witchraft is the path you choose , he sugggests that you should practice/get involved with divination of some sort i.e. , the tarot , scrying with a mirror , making incense from scratch , herb magick or crafting/making magikal tools. As my title says , this should be the 1st book anyone gets on the practice of witchcraft. I wish it would have been mine.

This is an excellent book with in-depth information relating to the spirituality of the Witch. I especially like the history of the Witchs'
tools. Grimassi is an excellent author.

For lack of a better term this book has become my Wiccan bible; the book that I turn to when I need an answer to anything to do with 'the craft.' There is something about the way that he explains things that just makes so much sense. I am new to the craft and really needed a book that would put Wicca in the perspective that a christian raised gal could understand. I have read quite a few books now on the subject but this one really worked magic on me. It is the type of book that you read and then go back and re-read certain lines so that you can absorb exactly what was said. I feel safe in saying that it is profound in what it teaches. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Yet another excellent book from Raven Grimassi! Good for beginners to the Craft or the crones and sages! Excellent research and information important to all Witches. Raven Moon, HPS Coven of Corvus Moon

This is a great book for individuals on the Path of Old. It reviews many perspectives in the Craft and theorizes layers of the teachings that many books do not.

Cheers to you, brother Raven.

~Colin Smith~

Raven Grimassi has "been a practitioner of Witchcraft and Wiccan traditions for over 40 years. At present I am the directing Elder of the Ash, Birch & Willow tradition." He is the author of many books, such as The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation, Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion, The Wiccan Mysteries: Ancient Origins & Teachings, Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft, etc.

He wrote in the first chapter of this 2003 book, "This book is designed to provide not only an overview of how Witches view deity, but also to illustrate how the Witches' concept of divinity manifests in the cycles of Nature. To that end the book also includes seasonal rituals. Additionally the reader will find detailed material concerning the relationship between various elements of pre-Christian European religion and modern Witchcraft beliefs, customs, and practices."

Here are some additional quotations from the book:

"The majority of Witches view divinity as being composed of both male and female polarities, which they personify as 'Goddess' and 'God." (Pg. 28)
"The Witches' year is measured out in eight portions or divisions of four quarter festivals and four cross-quarter festivals. The times that mark the exact midpoint between the equinox and solstice periods are called the cross-quarters." (Pg. 29)
"If you look up the word Pagan you will find its origin in the Latin word 'paganus,' which meant a 'country dweller... Modern Witches use the word to indicate a person who believes in many gods or goddesses." (Pg. 62)
"(W)e will examine the basic concepts in order to demonstrate the differences among those who call themselves Witches. A white Witch is essentially one who performs only positive works of magic and will not work against another for any reason. A gray Witch is one who blends both defensive and offensive magic into his or her Craft. Such a Witch will cast a binding spell to prevent another from performing harmful acts. The so-called black Witch works magic for personal gain regardless of the consequences or the impact that may occur concerning other people." (Pg. 73-74)
"In some modern Witchcraft Traditions there is an adage known as the 'Three-fold Law of Return.' This principle is based upon an occult tenet of cause and effect. Essentially any act that a person performs effects him or her on three levels: the mind, body, and spirit." (Pg. 93)
"In Witchcraft, magic is defined as the art of causing one's desires to manifest in accord with one's envisioned will." (Pg. 119)
"Following a Witchcraft ritual, any leftover wine in the chalice is poured out on the earth. This act is called a libation, and constitutes an offering. Pouring the wine on the soil is an ancient act of veneration to both the spirits of Nature and Chthonic entities." (Pg. 199)

Now don't get me wrong. Mr. Grimassi is obviously a skilled Wiccan and he's been doing this for a long time. The book itself is good and useful for beginers. But, well this book is just a little old with me. As most pagans(and wiccans especially) have already read "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practictioner" by Scott Cunningham I think you should know this book contains the same information. Every now and then it does pick up with some new and interesting information but overall if you have read a Wicca 101 book then this book really isn't something you need to rush out and buy. But if you're dying to find those few fresh bits of information I told you about I reccomend to borrow the book from a friend first.