Customer Reviews

True Magick: A Beginner's Guide (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series)

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have to admit, I was skeptical about the whole concept of Magick... that is, until I picked up this book. Right from the start, Amber K. goes into the destinctions that make Wicca so special, and how witchcraft can be a healthy and fulfilling way of life. It kept me up for hours at the fascinating portrayals of the various neo-pagan religeons, legendary figures, and beliefs.

Since I bought it over six months ago, I must've read it half a dozen times. Amber K. is a wonderful writer, though I have to admit she's seems bit eccentric at times (read pages 125 to 127 and you'll know what I mean). Oh well, who wants to be normal? Certainly not myself, as it inspired me to dive head-long into my spirituality. While still a "wizard-in-training," so to speak, I could not have gotten to the frame of mind I currently possess, full of insight and wholeness, without "True Magick: A Beginner's Guide."

To anyone interested, fascinated, or maybe just curious about the Craft, I recommend this book highly as a primer for greater possibilities. Even for those of you who are somewhat closed-minded, this book should clear up much of the garbage you've been told about witchcraft. It really opened my eyes, and I hope it will open yours as well. Blessed be!

There is no book that has been written that captures the basic principles of magic and the practice of the Wiccan religions. Amber K's True Magick is the book for anyone who is looking to start down their magickial journey. Her words are insightful and she does not fill the book with jargon which would make it incomprehensible, nor does she dumb it down to a thrid grade reading level. Unlike books by such authors like, Scott Cunningham, Amber K does not insult the reader by making everything seem rosy and simple, she simply tells it like it is, and that makes it a book that is not only for those beggining, but for those how are already well established in their Craft. It is a book that should be used in every coven and even in every religion because it is so universal that it appeals to the human spirit, no matter what any person might believe.

This book contains the most sensible advice to beginners I could hope to find. She hits the proverbial nail on the head with Chapters 1, 2, and 4 through 7, which explain what magic (theurgy) IS, and the basics of preparation and readiness for the practice thereof. (Chapter three is fine as well, but I would have preferred it come later in the book. I would also refer seekers to "Drawing Down the Moon" by Adler for more in-depth coverage, after the abovementioned chapters are read.) The rest of the book concerns itself with specifically Wiccan magic, which is fine, and a wonderful case study of the application of magick. I read some other reviews and I have a few comments to make. "this book had a lot of good facts and interesting points, but was not all that entertaining"... This book was not MEANT as entertainment. For that, I refer you to the fiction section of Amazon. :) "I was hoping for some easier reading material that maybe offered some more beginner spells" The material *IS* easy reading, it was offered in a light, easily comprehensible, almost conversational manner, which in no way lessens its effectiveness or diminishes its important message. And I feel the spell level of the book is appropriate, especially for someone who is a raw beginner. True magick comes from within, as she admirably repeats. I would very much advise that you reread the fore part of the book and take those lessons to heart before skipping to the end to get to the spells... you will be thankful you did, and your magick will be much more effective. Bright Blessings!

This book was the first book on magick I have read. The book is meant to give you a brief description of all types of religions that involve magick. Amber K does this because she's trying to make a point. She wants people who are really interested in wicca to actually research the information on their own. It's a way for you or any of her readers to find out if they are really meant to be any of the religions mentioned in the book. This is an excellent book because it offers wonderful information and it interests you enough to keep researching. I recommend this for anyone who wants to learn about magick.

I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to this. On one hand, it is a decently written book with introductions to varied kinds of magick. It has exercises and general COMMON SENSE (i.e.,: You must take care of your body, etc.), and correspondences for those who are into such things, and a glossary for magickal terms, etc.

Still, I can't help but feel as though Amber is forcing her beliefs on organized Wicca (i.e., covens, High Priests, etc.) upon a complete beginner. I first realized this when I lent it to a friend...something was drawing me back. I later realized this was the fact that my friend would think this is the ONLY way Magick can work, despite Amber K's claims to the other extremes. I always felt, while reading this book, that my personal beliefs were being belittled or...that she was asserting her own. To give an example, I'll take the Higher Self, Talking Self, and Younger Self. She has an entire theory worked out about how our minds work, etc. I don't agree with it, but it's ALL OVER THE BOOK. My friend, who has NO knowledge of Wicca or of Magick (and despite the short chapters on other magickal traditions, this book is predominantly about Wicca) might force himself to believe all that is stated. One pet peeve I had is her insistence on spelling everything with a 'k,' particularly "magicKian," which I found incredibly distracting.

I DO give this book 4 stars because I assume that those who read this book WILL have a good grasp of their own beliefs. Other then the aforementioned faults, I think this is a good workbook...

I have thouroughly enjoyed this book! As a student of magick I am always looking for books and this one is a great basic "what is this all about" kind of book. It concentrates on the person, on your growth personally instead of just cut to the chase set up your altar and go cast a spell. Magick is about spiritual growth and betterment and this book makes that very clear. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in magick and exploring paths to spiritual growth. A great beginner book you can go back to over and over again for inspiration. Brightest blessings to you Amber K and to all who visit these pages!!

If your interested in the Craft and you don't want to spend too much money trying to decide whether it's right for you, then try this book. If you are already familiar with the Craft in any fashion, or if you are looking for a good spell book, this book is not for you.

I bought this book early in my decision to investigate the Craft, but not until after I already bought and read Scott Cunningham's "WICCA, The Guide for the Solidary Practitioner," so for me the book was OK, but not great.

So, if you already know something about the Craft, look elsewhere, but if you are curious and have no background information on what Witchcraft is about, this is an excellent book for you.

As a Wiccan Witch with nearly a decade of spiritual and magical practice under my belt, I picked this book up after it was recommended to me by several trusted friends and teachers. This book is pretty basic; it is a beginner's *must*, probably best as second or third book. But it's also a great little book for the "advanced" practitioner to read if only to reinforce one's knowledge of the basics. I say it would be best as a beginner's second or third book because I feel as though there some assumed knowledge involved here. I think that a TOTAL BEGINNER might be lost from time to time when reading this book. If you're completely new to Paganism, Wicca, or magic, you would be best off to read something like Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner," or, for more generalized Pagan (not specifically Wiccan) approach, I strongly recommend "Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions" by Joyce and River Higginbotham. Both can be found here on Amazon.

I completely agree with the reviewer who said that it is unfair to completely write this book off as "fluffy bunny." Let's be mature, folks. Sure, there a good deal of fluffy talk in this book. There's really no denying that. But there's also a lot of good practical advice that I haven't found elsewhere to date (the chapter entitled "Magick and Your Health" comes to mind). If you can be mature enough to look past the occasional "bunnies, white light and buttercups," there are many treasures to be found here. Pick this book up. It's inexpensive, a quick read, and enriching for anyone of any level of experience walking a magical path -- not just Wiccans!

I was just getting into Occultism and I didn't really know what path I wanted to take. I bought this book and helped me so much. It tells you about most of the different magickal religions and gives you a number of books that are recommended about that path. This book is not really focused on any particular religion. It just gives you an idea of what each one is and how they are used. I definately recommend this book to anyone who is not sure if they want to be involved with this or not. After you read this you will know. If things in the book interest you, then you should further explore it. If it doesn't interest you, then at least you will have some knowledge of things involved with the Old Religion.

This book is meant to be a beginner's guide. I think the reason you get a mixture of reviws, where some people love it and others hate it is because of the way it is set up. The first few chapters explains what magick (or magic) is, what it is for and the many forms of it that have come about across the world - in Asia, Europe, so on. Because Amber K has to deal with many overlapping ideas and general theories, all of which are valid within Shamanism, Huna, so on, readers might feel confused or overwhelmed. Even the appendixs can seem beyond understanding.
What you need to understand is that this is the starting point - you use it understand which pathway is best for you and then go on to find more details in other sources (or from teachers).
As for the people who want the quick-fix, life isn't like that. Life is about learning ALL the time - you never finish life. This book is not the key to understanding as much as the workshop in which you decide which key you need to make.
Small book - great for the bus or train. Cover isn't flashy or weird looking. You won't be stared at by others.