Customer Reviews

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

This book is extremely well written. It is intuitive and relaxed. I felt comfortable reading it. I have learned very much from it and have had some of my own ideas validated by Phyllis Curott. It is a very good primer and allows one, even persuades one, to think for themselves. A very fine example of teaching. I don't remember who bought this book, my wife or myself, but I found it on one of our bookshelves and haven't put it down since. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. What better inspiration can a writer or teacher convey to a student?

I bought this book as soon as it was out and refer to it constantly. The pages of my book are worn and tattered, and I am constantly experiencing something new in the pages of the book.

The author's approach to the practice of the Craft is refreshing. I came to wicca through exploration and a questioning of my belief system, so I appreciate the author's fresh look at the tradition of witchcrafting. I believe the book is useful for both those just beginning to explore wicca as well as more experienced practitioners. Certainly, Ms. Curott questions and challenges some long-held beliefs, but that should not dissuade those who are truly seeking their own spiritual path. I highly recommend the book -

Plus: Author introduces some interesting ideas, such as getting rid of the three-fold law as it is unnatural.

Minus: Her statement of, "Wicca is the only western religion that honors the goddess," because there are other Heathen and Pagan traditions, such as Druidry, Forn Sedh and what not, that do not consider themselves Wiccan in the least. She also seems to be quite sexist towards men.

Better than a LOT of books out there, but not the best.

I have not purchased a single modern book about Witchcraft in well over five years. I have found the vast majority of such works to be infantile, riddled with lies, and absolutely insulting to the intelligence of those who understand Witchcraft as a religion. To my great pleasure and certain amazement, I chanced upon Ms. Curott's book while browsing a Halloween display at a local bookstore. After thumbing through its pages for a short while, I sat with the book and have been nothing short of impressed ever since. The author's investigations into the spiritual essence of Witchcraft, the validity of certain tenets, and the importance of bridging the gap between mysticism and science have proven stimulating reading. Her honest approach to 'hereditary Witchcraft' comes long overdue, especially in a movement which, misguidedly, attempts to draw validity for its theology and practices through the fantastical illusion of historical roots, long disproved by the works of historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and the seeker with a taste for reality. I congratulate the author on a book well written and recommend this wonderful reading to all those seeking spiritual growth through Witchcraft.

My friend had me read Book of Shadows and that lead me down the path of wicca. From there I used this book as my start and I have grown so much since I read this book. This is an excellent place to start. I look forward to more books by her to come.

It's easy to buy a book about Witchcraft and follow it word for word. Sometimes that is enough. But sometimes it isn't. "Witch Crafting" gives you background, a foundation to build your practice on. It adds dimension and magic to what, if you are only learning from books, could be a very flat practice.

After studying paganism/wicca for for the past 7 years, it's been harder and hard for me to find content rich books. The recent books I've read have fallen short. After re-reading what I already know and leaving what doesn't work for me there's simply not much left.

WITCH CRAFTING is a book I can say I truly love. Like Curott's Book of Shadows, it is very different. While most books explore the "how-to", instead she explores "why-to" side of the craft. Her ideas gave me new thoughts while making me re-think old ones. And even if I disagreed with her on some level, I always knew why she feels the way that she does. But what impressed me the most was how she present the basics (a section I've skipped over in recent books). It was easy enough for beginners to understand and presented with a freshness that experienced practitioners would want to read. This book it truly written for both!

River D'Amaurot