Customer Reviews

Witcha: a book of cunning

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i would have expected a book of cunning to be a little more cunning. the book is really just a rehash of witchcraft stuff that has been written about far too many times before. it does not break any new ground. it's hard for me to take a book seriously which isn't well written. How does the saying go? leave the writing to writers and the tattoo making to tattoo makers?

now, having said my peace, I will go on to speak of the actual merits and contents of the book. this book is kinda like a coffee-table version of a serious witchcraft book. it's the kind of book you might want to read if you don't want anything too exciting or challenging to your mind. it might be nice to read sometime if you just want something to pass the time, but it certainly doesn't break any new ground. it has some pictures of stuff in museums and stuff. they aren't really to my taste, but maybe you guys like that kind of thing.

i do respect the author's wish to pass on knowledge of traditional witchcraft, he really gives it a good effort, but its all been written about many many times before. i would go for a more tried and tested text on the craft myself, but to each his own, and i wish the author my best.

The book is not very original in content, compiling material from a variety of Wiccan, folklore and Chaos Magic sources - but it is enthusiastic and sometimes engaging. The most cunning thing about the author Nathaniel Harris is his description of himself as a 'hereditary witch'; in fact his mother and stepfather are Alexandrian Wiccans, which is not quite so exciting.

Witcha claims to be a book about witchcraft written by a "hereditary" witch. In fact, Witcha brings absolutely nothing new to the table that isn't readily found in Phil Hine's books, Edred Thorsson's books or several other "witchcraft" books on my shelf. The author's claim to be a left-hand path witch seemingly rests upon looking 'spooky' and using sex, drugs and blood in his rituals. This really isn't a big deal, but it does not a left-hand path magician (or witch) make...

Secondly, a fawning review below from "A Reader" is actually from Nathaniel Harris himself. Click on "A Reader" and it will become apparent why this review laughably claims that Witcha is "the most important witchcraft publication of the 21st century." Since the author has to shill for his own book, it is no wonder why he is trying to promote it beyond its merits and relevancy.

Witcha isn't terrible and I might suggest it to those fluffy-bunny Wiccans who are scared of anything remotely "dark." Regardless, there are many scholastic errors in this book, dubious claims and simplified re-hashings of other widely-available materials.

As a researcher of historical witchcraft I can say that Witcha is the best account of hereditary witchcraft, or authentic cunning, I've yet seen in print. True it's a beginners guide in essence, but Harris also runs more advanced courses I understand, and these are said to give much more detail still restricted to coven workings. Those who know him all say he knows his stuff! He has become the target of much hostility due to this, as we can see from some of these postings! Partly from those few genuine, but misguided, witches who object on principle to any secrets being exposed, no matter what, but mainly to those frauds (and alas most modern witches are it seems) who Harris refuses to play ball with and often exposes. Some of whom are involved in pretty nefarious practises and extreme right wing politics these days.

But back to the book, while the criticism has been made that some of the material in it is available in well known books of pop magic available elsewhere, this is actually a strength of the book, as this material IS the real stuff, the fact that it has been 'plagiarised' from hereditary sources, or at least 'well researched', by popular authors is testimony to this. It works thats why these books have become popular! Harris seperates the wheat from the chaff, ignoring the fictions and naive 'chaos magic' of many of today's occult books, while identifying their authentic core. The material he highlights is also often traced back to it original sources, and that which the book leaves unsubstantiated is expanded on elsewhere, particularly in Harris highly entertaining public lectures.

However what I found the most impressive about this book was that it preserves the most authentic witchcraft tradition of all, creativity! Not only it is it well illustrated and presented in an aesthetic manner with a very contemporary style, its 'gloss' is wonderfully imaginitive and creative.
This was one of the most important features of historical witchcraft, and the main reason it survived. It adapted, frequently changed its 'masks', and constantly absorbed new material in an eclectically creative process. In short it constantly reinvented itself, while remaining true to its roots. Harris' book continues this tradition and is not only an authentic introduction to hereditary witchcraft, but also a definitive book for 21st Century occultism, just as its author claims.

Well recomended for serious students of the occult.

Witcha is an important book for anyone interested in understanding the reality of witchcraft in the practical sense. As today's market is awash with how to books, which are written by practitioners whom have little or no practical experience of 'living' the craft within ones own ethical boundaries and/or the 'real' world.

The book gives a general overview of the ideas and practicalities of all aspects of the craft, giving many secrets, which are usually kept from new practitioners for all the wrong reasons. The author also gives extracts from personal diaries and accounts of experiences he has had over the years, which gives perspective and something to judge personal experimentation to.

Whilst I consider this generally a beginners book; one that I would 'insist' be bought in conjunction with any other book on the craft for sake of balance as many are too politically correct and conservative to give objective insight in to the reality of the craft. I personally found plenty of insights which have opened up avenues of exploration, so do not dismiss it as 'only' a beginners book

Witcha- a Book of Cunning- has caused much controversy since its first publication in 2002. In this Mandrake of Oxford edition we are treated to research and writing from a personal, unique, experiential perspective. Nathaniel is a genuine hereditary witch of East Anglia, England, who has also been active in various magical orders and groups over many years. As it says on the back cover, he is the 'Fool' of the coven of the House of the Old Ways. The front cover is by his mother, the Lady of this hereditary coven, and the photgraphs inside which detail objects from the Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle, are taken by the Lord of this coven. With this publication Mandrake of Oxford have continued to uphold their pristene reputation as an occult publisher.