Customer Reviews

The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation

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A wonderful book from beginning to end. In the introduction Mr. Grimassi states that one of the reasons he chose to write this book was that "Many young people in the Craft community now have never heard of many things that were once the basic elements of practicing Witchcraft." Sad but true. This book has helped me fill in the gaps in my magickal training and has explained in deeper detail why I was trained to do certain things in certain ways. I am going to make it required reading for all my initiates. Thank you Mr. Grimassi!

This is a meticulously researched book which attempts to preserve the authentic history and practices of Witchcraft from Ancient Times to the present. Much of Wiican Lore which has been forgotten, misplaced, or discarded is uncovered as Blessed Jewels in this Fantastic Work. World REnowned Wiccan Expert Raven Grimassi presents many aspects of Witchcraft never shared with the general public before.You will learn all the vital essential nutrients of the art of Witchcraft, as well as how to strengthen your magical power through self-discipline, patience and perseverance. Griamassi's personal correspondence with Doreen Valiente is also included in this Blessed Work.BLESSED BE.

Raven Grimassi presents us with his basic book on the history, mystery and spiritual path of WitchCraft.

We are guided through the disciplines necessary to improve our skills. We review how magic was approached in the past and how we approach it today. Mr. Grimassi's work is substantiated by research and extensive personal experience.

He explores the aspects of Witchcraft in various traditions. He discusses the roots in various ancient paths and follows the evolution to modern day practices. Discussion on Deity, tools and the magical arts are exact and detailed. Working with energy, developing psychic awareness and the use of herbs, stones and trees are covered.

While this book would be a good place to begin your exploration of Witchcraft, Mr. Grimassi includes techniques for those who wish to further their knowledge base and expand their understanding and personal power within the craft.

There are some wonderful photos of both artwork and tools which do not seem to be attributed as I could find. The back of the book also includes some correspondence Mr. Grimassi had with Doreen Valiente, along with some photos of the actual correspondence. It is an interesting discussion about Leland's Aradia and probably worth purchasing the book for this alone. However, Mr. Grimassi hints at other books he is considering publishing that will contain more of his correspondences with Doreen.

Also included is a timeline for Goddess literature in Witchcraft, a list of correspondences, a suggested further reading list and the book is indexed, making it an easy reference guide.

A nice handbook of material with a bonus of some material by and about Doreen Valiente, nicely presented and interesting to read.

I am so glad Raven wrote this book and addresses the errors in Mr.Hutton's book (Triumph of the Moon),maybe Ms. Curott(WitchCraft) should read this book too! Raven gives facts & references about the history of Witchcraft and proves from his historical references that the Craft & Witches has been around for centuries and not just something Garner & Valiente made up.Every Witch that does not have access to a High Priestess or Coven should read this book to learn why they are doing what & why the tools of the Craft are so important, and the tenets etc.In the past,probably starting with S.Cunningham,the books on Wicca have said to do "this or that" or "use this and that" but if "this or that" does not feel right or you don't want to "use this or that" to discard it! In this book you'll read that tenets ,ways of thinking and basic elements of the Craft are there & used for a reason & to dicard them is throwing out well-worn paths our ancestors of the Craft have used for centuries.They are there for a reason!! This book gives the mentality a Witch should have,inner mechanism etc. I haven't finished the book yet but I know I'll go back & re-read it as soon as I am done.It has that much information in it!! Every Witch should have this book in their library along with "Wiccan Mysteries" and you'll have all the books that you will ever need.

In THE WITCHES' CRAFT, Raven Grimassi, a hereditary Italian witch continues to inform those who care to know about the ways of witches, Wicca, and pagans. At the time CRAFT was published, Grimassi was directing Elder of the Arician Tradition. CRAFT describes the resurgence of the `Old Ways' of Witchcraft into the modern world. Had they completely disappeared? Grimassi thinks not as he was taught a hereditary path, but whether or not you have access to hereditary material, you can find and use the well worn path of Wicca until you find your own path of heart.

For those who might find the notion of Wicca or witchcraft off-putting, Grimassi raises an important point..who determines what is religion? "Mainstream" religions with numerous members can claim a secure status no matter how "wacky" their ideas might seem to the non-religious or members of competing religions. However, Wicca, the oldest of all religions is viewed by some sceptics as a recent incarnation, a fabrication, or something worse. Grimassi says no other religion is held to the standards of "purity" imposed on Wicca. And what is Wicca..nothing less than the religion of our paleolithic fore-parents who were not arrogant know-it-all moderns. Our ancient parents understood that humans must be at-one with the natural world which is a mystical place. They also understood that the path of heart illuminates this truth and provides the individual with the reason for living.

Grimassi's description of the differences between the "well-worn path" taught by various religious traditions (including Wicca) and the journey of the individual as s/he follows the trajectory of her own soul-path agrees with the teaching of Joseph Campbell who wrote and spoke of the "hero's journey." Grimassi says you choose a religious tradition to get you started on the 'well worn path', however, to truly progress you must extend yourself and follow the path the hero blazed. This path is frightening as each of us believes a monster awaits us at the end of the inward exploration of our own existence. Campbell suggests and Grimassi agrees that rather than a monster, at the end of the journey the aloneness you experience will be dissolved and you will be one with the world. This at-one-ment can only be reached on the individual soul-path.

Although the CRAFT is for intermediate students (parts of it may frighten the novice), I've believe Grimassi's latest book should be included among standard Wicca classics including Starhawk's SPIRAL DANCE and inspirational works by Cunningham, Valiente, and others. Grimassi does not discuss alternative Wiccan traditions in great detail in this book (see Margo Adler's DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - yes, she is the NPR reporter - and Starhawk's book to acquire this detail), however he does share information about his personal variant - `Italian witchcraft' - which he detailed in his earlier book of the same name. (Grimassi uses the term "witch" or strega - the Anglo Saxon Wicce the male version of Wicca sounds similar to the word witch and is probably the source of the English term.)

A wonderful and well researched book to be kept nearby (with the rest of Grimassi's works) and read over & over. Over the last 20 years or so modern Wicca has gotten so far away from what it was originally that it is hardly recognisable. There are even people in the community who think it was invented in the 20th century, (and what they are doing probably was) but the roots of Witchcraft and the Lunar Goddess stretch back to neolithic times. R.G. takes us back to the roots and the real traditions, away from parking space angels and self-appointed authorities who tell you to put your scrying tools in the sun, to the true building blocks that will enable you to call yourself "Witch" with confidence. Tools, magic, history - it's all here, including ways to make protections and the like that are venerable and traditional - yet I've not seen them elsewhere! A book of substance and meaning - Raven has created yet another treasure, a flower blooming amid the muck of what passes for "Witchcraft" books nowadays.

This is a great book that is a fantastic blend of a good alternative history and a very indepth exploration of the arts of the Craft. Grimassi's experience in the Craft (well over 30 years) clearly shines in this wonderful book.

Like all of Grimassi's book, this one draws on reliable historical, literary, and ethnographic sources to support the presentation of the author's view.

While reading other reviews of this book here on Amazon, I was amused to discover one that is based almost entirely on the misreading of a single passage. The reviewer quotes Grimassi as saying:

"The tests found that maximum reaction time of the bird was less than the time required to turn in harmony with the flock. In other words, the formation of birds turned faster than any individual bird in the flock could do on its own."

Then the reviewer states: "I think Grimaassi has made a mistake, that he's actually getting things backward when he says that the individual bird is stated as being able to turn faster than the group..." Since that's not what Grimassi said (he says that the flock turns faster than can any individual bird) it is ironic that the reviewer is making Grimassi's point, while all the time trying to discredit a theory that both the reviewer and author apparently agree upon! The rest of the review appears to be little more than a disgruntled personal rant against the author.

For those readers who want to learn, explore, and discover the depths of the Craft that are missing in most books today, this is the book to get.

What a brilliant book. Raven explores all aspects of Witchcraft in various traditions and delves into the roots in various ancient paths.
He is exact in the evolution to neo-paganism and the section on magical arts are greatly detailed. Highly recommended for developing your psychic awareness.
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Just wanted to say its not too often I can sit and read many books. However, Raven has in fact recaptured my interests in Witchcraft. Although, I have been a Witch for more then 10 years. It is refreshing to read this book. Since then I have purchased: "Italian Witchcraft", "Hereditary Witchcraft" I am as well very pleased with these books. the fact he takes the time to dive into the history is its weight in gold. If you are looking for a different connection or a connection to the Goddess and God this would be a great start. As Wicca and Wicca 101 books although good in themselves I never had the connection I got from this and the other two books.

Very good read! (Not your here a spell, there a spell type of book)

This isn't Wiccan, it's Witchcraft, and a very good book. I recommend it to the newbie or the seasoned practitioner.