Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic [Paperback]

Phyllis Curott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2002

Phyllis Curott’s first book, Book of Shadows, was an inspirational, spiritual memoir that chronicled her journey from Ivy League-educated, New York City attorney to Wiccan High Priestess. By inviting readers of all faiths to share in her own personal transformation, Phyllis debunked many of the myths surrounding Wicca and revealed it for what it really is: a spiritual movement whose tenets of Goddess worship and reverence for Nature were a great deal more accessible and familiar than she’d ever expected. In Witch Crafting, Phyllis digs deep into the practices and principles of Witchcraft to provide a comprehensive guidebook that anyone "novices and seasoned practitioners alike" can use to incorporate the beauty and power of Wicca into their own daily lives.
Far from being just another mechanical spell book, Witch Crafting is the first book to offer readers not only the how-to of Witchcraft, but also the why-to, explaining the profound spiritual tenets behind Wiccan techniques. Filled with both traditional and innovative shamanic practices, Phyllis also provides an empowering new definition of magic and reexamines the ethics under which Witchcraft is practiced, offering a groundbreaking alternative to the Threefold Law. With enchanting stories from Curott’s own experiences, Witch Crafting will also teach you how to:
• Master the secret arts of effective spellcasting

• Create sacred space and personal rituals

• Perform divinations for spiritual insight and earthly success

• Tap into the power of altered states, such as dreaming, meditation, prayer, and trance

• Keep a magical journal and create your own Book of Shadows ·Keep a magical

Rich with detailed advice for making magic, working with Nature, and finding the Divine within, as well as thought-provoking evaluations of this remarkable spirituality, Witch Crafting is the special volume that you’ve been searching for. Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing Witchcraft for years, whether you worship in a coven or on your own, Witch Crafting is the ideal handbook for you, or anyone seeking to unlock the divine power that makes real magic happen and experience the ecstasy, energy, and gifts of the Universe more fully.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Published on the heels of her enthralling memoir, Book of Shadows,Phyllis Curott's second exploration of Wiccan magic, Witch Crafting, delves deeper into the spiritual beliefs and practices of the fastest-growing religion in America. Rather than provide a mechanical course on becoming a witch, Curott wanted to "create an inspiring primer on how to live an empowered, divinely guided, magical life," exploring both the hows and the whys of witchcraft. This substantial volume introduces new practitioners to the techniques and tools of witchcraft, and explains why certain rituals are undertaken. For the experienced practitioner, Witch Crafting encourages deeper spiritual exploration and offers extensive theological discussions about Wiccan practices, past, present, and future. Chapters titled "Divination," "Nature," "Sacred Space," "Witchcraft Without Rules," "Solitary Practice," and "Groups and Covens" are designed to help skilled and new practitioners alike study and perform contemporary acts of magic while examining and developing their own emotions and spiritual beliefs. This is no book of magic potions (although it does supply specific spells and rituals); it's a serious resource for those serious about the fascinating tradition of Wicca. (Ages 14 and older) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Curott (author of the bestselling Book of Shadows, 1998) presents an expansive, poetic and spiritually replete version of the traditional Wiccan how-to. Those who wish to undertake witchcrafting in a serious way will find Curott a wise and inspiring teacher. Systematically covering familiar elements ("Divination," "Sacred Space," "Witchcraft Without Rules"), Curott captures the spirit of Wicca as a religion or personal voyage, rather than a means to an end. The result is enjoyable reading for the merely curious as well as would-be initiates. (on-sale Sept. 11)

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (September 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767908457
• ISBN-13: 978-0767908450
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Nice Text, October 2, 2001

By 

Raven Grimassi (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic (Hardcover)

I found Witch Crafting, by Phyllis Curott, to be an interesting and very worthwhile read. The author provides sound advice for beginners concerning many areas of practicing modern witchcraft. The chapters are titled: Real Magic, Divination, Nature, Sacred Space, The Goddess, The God, Witchcraft without Rules, Secrets of Spellcasting, Potions-Notions & Tools, Energy, Solitary Practice, Groups and Covens, and Sabbats.

For the more seasoned practitioner, Curott discusses such topics as the relationship between magick and quantum mechanics, which has been an area of my own interest as well. Overall the book was an informative and delightful follow-up to her previous work, Book of Shadows.

Now, turning to another matter - I found much of the critical reviews of this book to be totally unfounded. Curott makes it very clear in the introduction that she is NOT setting herself up as the authority on anything. In the book's introduction she writes: "This book is not the gospel according to St. Phyllis. Not everyone will agree with the conclusions I have drawn..." Curott then goes on to explain that her goal in writing this book was "not to convince you that all of these ideas are right, but to stimulate dialogue, innovative thinking, and creative practice." It appears that the stimulation has been successful.

Regarding the allegations that this book attacks the hereditary witches' lineage claim, I don't really see it that way, per se. What Curott says is: "...there have always been individuals who claim they were initiated in traditions which remain hidden behind the veils of secrecy - and there may indeed be hereditary traditions waiting for a safer time to emerge." Her phraseology does seem to indicate that she does not believe that any current claims to being from a long family witch lineage are valid. However, it does appears that she believes hereditary witches may exist but have yet to come forward. As a hereditary witch myself, who did come public in my own book, I would respectfully disagree with her overall position. And as an Italian witch, I admit that I was disappointed that Curott chose to recommend Leland's negative portrayal of Italian witches over any positive books on the topic. Still, I do not believe that Curott intended to offend the Italian witchcraft community, so let's please be careful about pointing fingers in return.

I think we all need to remember that everyone is entitled to their considered opinion, and I would not want to live in a country where such is not the case. Personally, I don't feel that her few isolated remarks impact the quality, integrity, nor importance of the work as a whole. I highly recommend this book specifically for those who want to view and to practice Wicca/Witchcraft as a modern religion.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I would have written, March 23, 2005

By 

Chris Degraffenreid "dreamspring" (Wilkes-Barre, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic (Paperback)

Phillis Curott is an excellent writer with an easy to read style that makes concepts that would be difficult for beginners easy to digest. I am no beginner, but I was once and I know that I would have welcomed her writing.

A really great thing about this book is that it is not yet another compendium of spells and potions and herbs, etc. These books exist ad infinitum and if you read any two Wicca 101 books you've read them all. I am certain that many of you reading this who have purchased many books on Wicca will agree with me. This book is a book about the spiritual dimension of Wicca, its metaphysics and why Wiccans do what they do. Don't worry, Phyllis is not saying that her way is the only way. In fact, she admits that there is no way to really get Wicca wrong and that you are supposed to come to your own understandings.

Phyllis is a bright star on the Wiccan horizon and will, if she maintains the quality of her writing and the knowledge she imparts will, in short order be one of the true luminaries of Wiccan writing specifically and magickal writing in general.

If you want to deepen your spirituality, your relationship with the God and Goddess, read this book and let its ideas pass into you to inspire you. Sometimes, just sometimes someone who possesses the title of High Priest or High Priestess actually, through their apparent knowledge and expertise has actually earned the title.

Buy this book! Buy it new, buy it used, just buy it and support authors who write books that are more than mere tables of correspondences and alphabetical listings of various divinities.


)o( Blessed Be

Chris

52 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Standard in Wiccan Literature, September 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic (Hardcover)

In "Book of Shadows", Phyllis Curott took us along on her spiritual journey where she recounted her introduction to through initiation as a high priestess in the religion of Wicca. Phyllis takes us into her circle in her new book, "Witch Crafting", and explains how one can make everyday magic using the practices of Wicca, a shamanic tradition of ecstasy and communion with the Natural World and the Sacred Universe.

Unlike so many books on Witchcraft which merely explain how-to, Phyllis thoroughly explains the theological underpinnings of "why" Witches do what they do. Rather than downplay subjects like divination and spellcasting, she reclaims them as spiritual practices used by Witches to communicate with the immanent divinity and religious rituals where Witches "co-create reality with the Sacred." Tackling serious ethical issues, Phyllis urges Wiccans to abandon dogma and reframes Wiccan ethics to harmonize with sacredness in the world. Going beyond the standard rhetoric regarding nature and the elements, Phyllis provides exercises for both the beginner and experienced practitioner that allow one to experience rather than merely imagine these potent elements.

Bravo, Phyllis, for providing a groundbreaking primer in Wiccan theology! This book is a must for every Wiccan's library.