The Outer Temple of Witchcraft: Circles, Spells and Rituals

by Christopher Penczak

Book Overview

As you enter the heart of witchcraft, you find at its core the power of sacred space. In Christopher Penczak's first book, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft , you found the sacred space within yourself. Now The Outer Temple of Witchcraft helps you manifest the sacred in the outer world through ritual and spellwork. The book's twelve lessons, with exercises, rituals, and homework, follow the traditional Wiccan one-year-and-a-day training period. It culminates...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738705314
• ISBN13: 9780738705316
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

No nonsense, little fluff.

This is one of the few books on witchcraft that didn't leave me feeling dumbed-down and dizzy. Most Witchcraft 101 books spend a good deal of time going over what have become well-known and relatively obvious facts about pagan deities, nature and its energies, the sabbats, and the very basics of magical tools and techniques. In this book, however, Penczak chooses a few of the more intriguing (and, for beginners, often intimidating) practices and explores them in depth. Rather than the usual cursory chapter on magic--which is often no more than the repetition of warm-fuzzy affirmations about how "anything goes" and the power is "all within you" anyway--Penczak devotes two chapters to a detailed explanation of the theory of spellwork, discussing first the guiding principles of energy and the "science" behind magic, and then turning to a treatment of spellwork as artistic crafting. This is the only book that didn't take me from "it's easy!" to a "sample spell" of five or more exotic ingredients and astrological correspondences in one giant leap. Step by step, Penczak builds on knowledge in an intelligent and instructive way, without implying either a dumbed-down make-believe approach or an all-or-nothing game of calculations and memorizations. This is also one of the few books that does not place visualization as the primary tool of magic. I found this immensely comforting, as I have worked intuitive magic for years without hardly any visualization or "mystic experiences" (and always felt I must somehow be "doing it wrong"--even if it worked!). Overall, his approach is a scientific one, primarily, and yet it incorporates the foundations of personal and thoughtful spirituality as a necessary building block for (and ultimately the goal of) witchcraft. A great book, well worth the read.

The finest teacher of witchcraft out there today

I have read almost all of Mr. Penczak's books, including this one. I can honestly and gratefully say that he has changed the way I think about life. This teacher changed my worldview from something that was a bit closed, to being open and joyful. He is a kind and gifted teacher, and his books reflect that. I am a bit confused by the reviewer who stated that there is 'nothing new' in this book. Well, my answer to that is that witchcraft is an ancient spiritual path. I would be highly suspicious if anything 'new' actually surfaced in this day and age. What is different about this book is the way the information is presented, in a clear and concise manner, with humor and intelligence. I highly recommend all of Mr. Penczak's books.

Buiding a sacred Witchcraft Temple

In 'The Inner Temple of Witchcraft' author Christopher Penczak helped readers discover their inner divinty. In his follow up, 'The Outer Temple of Witchcraft', Penczak helps readers reconize the outer divinity through rituals and spells. Like the first book in the 'Witchcraft Temple series', 'The Outer Temple of Witchcraft' is composed of 12 chapters that are suggested to be covered one per month, ending with and intitiation ritual into the priesthood of Witchcraft. Like the first, 'The Outer Temple' begins with four introductory chapters covering the sacred space, Witchcraft ethics, the history and use of magick, and the meaning of the Wiccan priesthood. From there, Penczak dives right into a through discussion of the Gods of Witchcraft, describing the five-fold divinty, archetypal beings, and relationships with the Gods. From there, the author uses three chapters to discuss the elements of Wicca explaining the what, why, and how of each element. Similar to most Witchcraft 101 books, Penczak discusses divination, ritual, tools, sabbats, and spells. Unlike most Witchcraft 101 books, the author explains the why of the various topics above. Penczak believes that in order to practice truely effective Witchcraft, we must know the why. One of the most enjoyable and interesting topics of 'The Outer Temple of Witchcraft' was the author's explaination of why spells work using astrological timing and correspondence. Many would say that the information within this text is covered in other books on modern Witchcraft. Much of the information is, but never have I seen a book that has all of this information in one place or explains it so well. Honestly, it has to be one of the best books I've seen on the market. If you're new to the Craft, don't hesitate to pick this one up. While you're at it, check out the first one in the series, 'The Inner Temple of Witchcraft'. I promise you will not regret it. 5 out of 5 magick wands! *courtesy of Copper-Moon.com*

It's Just Like His Classes!

I have been blessed to live in New England and to study witchcraft with Christopher Penczak. So far, I'm about 2 levels ahead of his publishing schedule. If not, I might be tempted to jump ahead on my own. His writing is that good. My first Wicca book was fine, written by a highly-respected elder, but it didn't answer my questions, especially about WHY we do things in a particular way. Mr. Penczak's books read exactly as though you are sitting in his class. This is the real plus for readers: You get all the background information that would normally be discussed in the class setting. Not many authors can anticipate reader's questions, but with his vast teaching experience, Mr. Penczak knows what else you're going to want to know. When I was first exploring the Path, I believed I only needed the spiritual work that is so carefully laid out in the Inner Temple book. Until I tried spellwork with amazing results. Now this is the one book on my shelf that I find myself returning to time and again. You will enjoy reading and referring to The Outer Temple for years to come.

THE best book ever

The Outer temple of witchcraft is THE best book on Witchcraft you can ever purchase. This book deserves more thant the typical 5 stars. Yes it is that good. THe author Chris goes into detail in various subjects.Like in his previous book The inner temple of witchcraft. The outer temple of witchcraft is a one year and a day course. Christopher starts things off by telling the reader how he felt about sacred space when he was a beginner. Then he moves on to teaching the reader about the Goddess and God, the elements, the tools of the craft, divination,,the witches circle,the science of spellcraft,and the art of spellcraft.This book is an absolute must for the novice and the experienced alike.No mater what your experience you will find something new and useful in the 37 exercises,50 figures,and 423 pages this awesome book contains.