Witch: A Magickal Journey [Paperback]

Fiona Horne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2002

In this book, the beautiful Fiona Horne reveals the intimate secrets and know-how of her spiritual calling, including the daily business of being a modern Witch at home, work, and play.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Describing itself as "A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft," this uninhibited offering from Australian witch, rock diva, model and media personality Horne is pure pop entertainment, reading more like a feature in a fashion magazine than an account of the present-day practice of Wicca. Steeped in girlfriend-to-girlfriend attitude and style, Horne's funky and relentlessly positive prose ("[Eve] was, in fact, a benevolent and switched-on sister....") is liable to infuriate practiced occultists while proving irresistible to young people fascinated by or even just curious about witchcraft. Part memoir and part manual, the book offers snapshots of just about every part of a modern witch's practice, from casting spells and observing Wiccan sabbaths to setting up an altar and practicing "skyclad" (or nude)Anot to mention how to make magic with, for and during sex. Although this guidebook can safely be characterized as a lighthearted romp through the practice of witchcraft, it does contain some useful and well-organized reference material, such as a glossary of "magickal" herbs, a calendar of the witch's year and a full complement of easy-to-follow spells for love, money and so forth. Occasionally, ethical qualms silence Horne's ready tongue, leading to curiously unusable directives (as in "Bitchcraft," the chapter on hexing, where she describes in graphic detail the preparation and abuse of an enemy's effigy, but primly refuses to tell you what to say while you're doing it). Experienced Wiccans and occultists will want to turn to more authoritative sources, but as it stands, this is an appealing introduction for the dabbler, the dreamer and other wide-eyed seekers of modern-day magic. (Jan.) Forecast: From the sexy photo of Horne on its jacket to its overall pop approach and its unusually low price (especially for a hardcover containing color photos), this title promises to be the witchcraft book of 2001. Thorsons is backing it with a three-city author tour and a 60,000 print run. Expect the book to cast a spell on readers, resulting in charmed sales.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

'Rockstar, mediastar, author and activist, Fiona Horne is the hippest Witch I know. And like her, "WITCH, a Magickal Journey" is a brave, smart, inspiring and thoroughly hip guide to the magic of modern Witchcraft. Read it and be empowered!' Phyllis Curott, author of Book of Shadows "The Witchcraft book of 2001" Publisher's Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Thorsons (April 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007121326
• ISBN-13: 978-0007121328
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for young NON-FLUFF-BUNNY witches, March 14, 2001

By 

Marni Molina (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witch: A Magikal Journey- A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft (Hardcover)

I have been practicing the Craft for over ten years and have seen book after cookie-cutter-style book come out. In their fierce attempts to be nauseatingly politically correct while highly marketable, they have left out any hint of spirituality and simply rely on rediculous spells and superficial rituals. I'm sad to say that books on Wicca and modern Witchcraft have become a cliche!

Having nearly given up all hope, I was pleasantly surprised at the content of Fiona Horne's book, "Witch". It dives in to topics that would make uptight fundies (fundamentalists) hold on to their hats and run; (even Wicca has it's fundies) topics that frankly, I've been wishing to read about! With chapters like "Witches' Brithches: Withcy Style and When to Take Your Clothes Off!", "Bitchcraft: Hexing, Psychic Attack and Protection", "Cosmetic Conjurings: Making Your Own Witchy Cosmetics", "Bed, Knobs and Broomsticks: Magickal Sex", "Flying High: Magickal Drugs", and "Cyber-Sorcery: Making Magick with Your Computer", Fiona Horne clearly demonstrates how very hip and daring she is. She truly has her finger on the pulse of the twenty-somethings of the witchy world.

But don't let all those fun chapter titles fool you. Horne really knows her stuff and throughout the book, lays a clear, ethical and solid foundation. Her writing style is easy, fun and often times quite funny. Horne writes in a way that enables the reader to feel as though they are having a lively conversation with her. Her explanation of things is direct and completey void of any mental-masturbatory dribble. The book is easy to read (I ripped through all 358 pages in two days) and the graphics throughout and section of color photographs in the middle of the book are well thought-out, nicely designed and appropriately augment the text.

Fioan Horne, from Australia, is also a jounrnalist, rock singer (Sister Sledge, The Mothers, and most recently, Def FX), and TV and radio personality. Because she is from "down under", she gives correspondences for both hemispheres - something 99% of books on Wicca neglect to do. I would recommend this book to any open-minded student of Wicca from the age of 18 to 118.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too "hip" for me!, September 30, 2002

By 

"mici3" (Dover, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witch: A Magikal Journey- A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft (Hardcover)

Okay okay...so I'm only on chapter 5. But the way this is looking, I just might return this borrowed book before I finish it! Horne has some good 'facts' in here...but most of her writing consists of her personal view on everything and generalizing Witches today. To be honest, someone who believes makeup is "announcing to others that I am ready to enter into a realm of mystery and enchantment" is a bit too spacy and "hip" for me. I also do not enjoy the fact that she begins "explaining" 'how to make your own spells' by page 31. She certainly didnt spend enough time explaining our history or any 'traditional laws' (ie Wiccan Rede, Three Fold Law). I'm not talking Burning Times here, but more of the past 75 years and how we've evolved. Instead, she's busy explaining from head to toe what she wears, what her tattoos look like and how her single 'risque' piercing experience just seems to sum up Witchcraft for her. I think we need something a little MORE than that to base our religion on....(yes I know..I'm only on the 5th chapter...but I'm thinking this stuff comes FIRST....I'd like to think most of us enjoy being educated..)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Magical Journey" is a Winner!!!, June 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch: A Magikal Journey- A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft (Hardcover)

Her personal experiences with wicca were both insightful and entertaining. I loved her stories about climbing trees by the light of the full moon and such! Although this book gives only a general overview of wicca, it serves as a wonderful inspiration for pursuing this path. Some people have a problem with the fact that she writes about hexes and hallucinogens and sex during ritual. However, I loved that she was willing to talk about these things! Many of the topics she covers are practically taboo in the wiccan community and it was wonderful to find someone willing to talk about the more subversive elements of a magickal life (she's not telling you to do these things, she's just letting you know what's out there -- besides, knowledge is power!) This book, together with The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca & Witchcraft make for an excellent introduction to wicca.