The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows (Paperback)

by Dorothy Morrison (Author) "Nails, snails , and dragon's tails: are they good for that which ails?..." (more)
Key Phrases: exercise nightly, record your progress, orange calcite, Exercise One, Full Moon Incense, Mother Earth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The first thing Dorothy Morrison hopes to establish in The Craft is what the Craft is not. "It has nothing to do with canned magic, or flying through the air, or snapping lightning from your fingertips," she explains. And no matter how practiced you are, Morrison assures readers it won't give you the power to "turn your enemies into toads so you can set them on the highway." Explaining what the Craft actually is takes more time and thought--both of which Morrison offers in her typically warm, humorous, and concise style throughout this all-inclusive handbook.

Wiccans, who are the main practitioners of the Craft, have one overriding commandment, according to Morrison: if it harms no one, do what you will. It is a reminder that every action, thought, and spell has a ripple effect, so be sure that all your work is for the good. This responsible attitude seeps into every page of this practical magic handbook. Expect a highly detailed account of spells, wand skills, sample blessings, altar setups, invocations, and examples of how to use a cup, pentacle, cauldron, and athame (a double-edge knife that should never be used to draw blood). Morrison closes with a Craft calendar, listing celebrations and rituals for every month and season of the year. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly
Wiccan expert Morrison (Everyday Magic; Yule: A Celebration of Light & Warmth) begins by asserting that "the Craft is not for everyone." Indeed, many adherents of Christianity and other "mainstream" religions would agree that the Craft, or Wicca, is not for them. Morrison, however, deftly exposes some common ground. For example, "Magic... [is] a simple matter of channeling focused energy toward a specific goal. In fact, Christians do it all the time. They pray for something and they get it." With a few more notes of apologia, she quickly proceeds to explain the seriousness of Wicca as a religion and outlines its basic philosophy of "And it harm none, do what you will." Morrison has written a solid, valuable primer, covering not only the more familiar territories of goddesses, gods, elements and the seasonal calendar, but also the construction, consecration and use of wands, cups, athames (black-handled, double-edged blades) and other ritual tools. Stones, herbs, flowers, trees, scents and colors are also addressed in this excellent source book, aimed for the novice to this "continuation of an old Pagan religion" that is closely aligned with nature. Morrison provides exercises and chants in simple rhyme to enhance the practice of the path that she calls "accepting, generous, and loving... an ethical way of life that, once embraced, brings immeasurable joy and wonder to everyday living." (June) Forecast: Although she doesn't have Silver Ravenwolf's trademark humor or recognizable name, Morrison is becoming a witch to watch in the fast-growing market of Wiccan books. Llewellyn is aiming this for "female newcomers, 18-25," and will promote the book with a five-city tour and national print advertising. Morrison's The Craft Companion: A Witch's Journal will be released in July.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567184464
• ISBN-13: 978-1567184464
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for even Advanced Witches!, October 8, 2002

By	Amanda (California, USA) - See all my reviews

I do not give many good reviews, but in my belief, this book deserves a great, glowing, FANTASTIC one, even though I did not agree with some of the correspondences and dream meanings( who ever does?). Most Wicca 101 books have the same thing over and over: history, tools, ethics, sabbats, and a couple of spells. This book covers each of these subjects in *complete* detail, (in all my time of Wicca, I have never seen a book have the entire Book of Law, Rede, creed, and analyses each throughly) but it also includes research on the elements, time influences, color meanings(goes beyond basic colors), wind, flower, herb, tree, and stone meanings. She includes daily activities and "lesson plans" in each section, which I found incredibly helpful and soothing.

It talks about *each and every* full moon esbat and how to celebrate each one! I have studied for years and never found knowledge on the moon esbats! I didn't even know they had names, let alone specific rituals! When she covers sabbats, it gives research/celebration ideas, a ritual, and it's correspondenses. Her chants and rituals are well thought out and poetic. In the back, she lists specific herbs, flowers,trees, and deities for specific types of spells so you can write you own! She includes a suggested reading list in the back for even more extensive research. If there is one book on Wicca to get, this would be my choice. Blessed Be.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essential Primer, January 1, 2002

By	Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Dorothy Morrison has given us a lot of really great books, but in her book "The Craft" she has provided the beginner with everything in one place. Even the experienced witch will find some information in this book that is a "gee, I didn't know that".

She mixes the basics with history, theory, and something that is badly needed in our community... ethics. While a lot of books approach the "how to", Dorothy examines the "should you" aspect of walking the path called "The Craft". She looks at Wicca as a Spiritual path, with all the associations connected with working in a religion.

If you are looking for a great place to start, this book is a wonderful beginning point for anyone looking to walk the path of Wicca. Included is all the info you are going to need on tools, spells and Deities.

The workbook "The Craft Companion" is a lovely addition too, as it is a place for you to keep your progress as you walk the path of the Craft. Personal Journals are always a good way to measure how you grow as you learn.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ESSANTIAL book for Wiccan Librarys!, January 7, 2002

By	Amanda (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is one of the best books i have come along
in my study of the craft. This book contains information on Wicca
(ex. The Wiccan Rede, principeles, creed) including the book of law in the Appendix. There is information on the elements, and exercises to help you with them, correspondences, herb/flower/tree information, and rituals to help you with Sabbats. It even provides information on ritual tools, but gives information on how to make them! It explains magickal timing, like the different moons, Sun and Moon times and the connection to the God and Goddess. Although dream symbols are different for everyone, it provides
information for some basic things that helped me. This book has things that i before had no clue about and I've been studying for years! All in all, GET THIS BOOK! Whenther you're just starting out or have been studying for years!