The Science of the Craft: Modern Realities in the Ancient Art of Witchcraft

by William H. Keith Jr.

Advancements in science have taken us further and further from the tangibles our ancestors used to define and understand their world. science has attempted to draw a careful line between what can be provan and what cannot. But a revolution is at hand. keith explains how a fresh look at quantum physics supports phenomena that have long been ridiculed or ignored by classical science. In engaging and frank prose Keith argues that magic is governed by...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806526335
• ISBN13: 9780806526331
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Quantum excellence

This is an excellent book to read in terms of exploring where quantum physics and magic intersects. The author does a wonderful job of explaining the concepts and providing background, as well as an explanation of how all the theory can be applied practically to magic. I particularly appreciated his use and acknowledgement of other sources, a welcome change from the majority of occult texts. The only complaint I had was that his explanation of chaos magic was very off...he may have wanted to do some research on what chaos magic is. But even with that error, he provides an excellent book to read that moves beyond the standard 101 books and provides options to explore more advanced works, as well as showing the inevitable need for a synthesis of agic with other disciplines.. overall four and a half stars out of five.

A Must-Read, no matter what your faith!

This is one of the BEST books I have ever read about spirituality. It explains HOW and WHY magick/prayer works. Even if you already KNOW that it works, it reinforces your beliefs with scientific fact. Very easy read...Mr. Keith has a great sense of humour!

Required Reading for the Well-Read Witch

"And never the twain shall meet..." is a phrase from Rudyard Kipling that has often been used to describe the apparent inability to bring two opposing things to union, and nowhere has that been more likely to be true than when speaking of science and magic. For all of the talk about "sufficiently advanced" technologies blurring the boundary between the two, it has been largely held as an axiom that "magic" is the term to explain a phenomenon, until science can be brought to bear, and explain the magic away. Lately, however, thanks to advances in understanding in the field of physics, that long-delayed meeting between science and magic might just result in the realization that the two are more closely related than anyone thought. William H. Keith brings his considerable array of skills and experience to a subject that often causes people's eyes to glaze over the minute it's mentioned: quantum physics. Many folks have heard about it, most fail to grasp its significance for the everyday life we lead. Keith manages to introduce us to the subject with a sense of humor and a keen grasp for what needs to be explained, and what needs to be *really* explained a lot! And as anyone who has ever studied the subject can tell you, most of genuine quantum physics needs to be explained several times from several points of view. Keith takes in a direction you're not likely to find too often, however: into the realm of the Occult. The reader can be forgiven for believing that there is no basis for magic before considering the quantum angle. With Keith's lucid explainations, that same reader might come away from the book with feeling that magic isn't just possible, it's a virtual requirement! If there is a weakness to the book, it's a common one. Many authors, trying to expound on a particular viewpoint (and we frequently see this in books on speculative history), will present a theory in one chapter along with its supporting evidence... which by no means proves the theory conclusively... and in the next chapter will introduce another theory that uses the previous theory as a given fact. By the time we're several chapters into the meat of the book, we reach such statements as "It [the human brain's quantum function] is now solidly proven fact." Actually, it's still a theory, and all the circumstantial evidence in the world, while compelling, won't make it solidly proven. But if we concede, for the moment, some of Keith's logical constructions, it becomes much easier to understand and relate to the various "spooky" happenings that have occurred across recorded history, as functions of the Quantum Sea. Along with Talbot's "Holographic Universe", Keith's "Science of the Craft" should find a home on every serious Pagan's bookshelf, and it will definitely form the basis of a training course or two.

Lucidly Explanation of How To Use Quantum Physics

This was a fun read and enjoyable for me. The subject of Quantum Physics (hereafter referred to as "QP")always seems to mark a groan from someone however Bill Keith has attempted to apply it's Scientific understanding of this esoteric side of Science and Mathematics so you don't have to know math to grasp it. The fundamental understanding of this subject is outlined early on in the chapters. Now mind you this is NOT a hardcore text about the subject of QP rather it is how one can perceive it and assimilate it into the practice of Metaphysics - specifically in this book to Witchcraft. One of the things I did NOT care for was how on page 65 the author continues to promote Isaac Bonewits silly `laws' of Magic (sic). What would be fairer to say is that they are "Useful Beliefs of Magic". There is no way to prove that any of these beliefs are immutable laws as say we know the Law of Gravity can be proven to work. Nevertheless, Bill goes on to apply his understanding of QP & how it can be integrated into virtually any esoteric belief. He begins to show how 12 of these Useful Beliefs are integrated with QP on page 131 starting with "A Magical Universe". Within the same chapter, the author discusses some of the other Magically oriented paths such as Ceremonial Magic, Voudoun, Druidism, Shamanism, etc. The real fun begins wth Chapter 6 called "The Worlds of If" because it is here where he begins to discuss very esoteric concepts of QP such as parallel worlds, multiple universes, the Astral plane and Remote Viewing possibilities. Chapter 8 is all about something from nothing. I was originally taught that according to the laws of Physics, "matter can neither be created nor destroyed" yet according to the author's comprehension of QP, this is not true. Matter aka Energy DO indeed come from nothing. Chapters 11 & 12 will be of use for you to understanding how YOU fit into QP. "Miracles Are Us" in chapter 11 discusses the principle component of Magic which is "belief" and chapter 12's "You Have the Power" is all about his understanding of objective reality. Now I was sorely disappointed with chapter 13's "Quantum Magic" as it again focuses on Useful Beliefs but caring to call them "Laws" instead. This is not a good way to foster attracting new ideas because you are pigeon holing yourself by using an absolute term such as `law'. We all know that even some laws have loopholes and thus are not truly a law but rather a belief. Karma is one of them. For many it is a useful belief but for others it is not. Chapter 15 is where he starts putting thought into action, theory into game plan. For most this chapter may be tedious as it is revisiting old Magical theories and fundamental Magical instructions such as relaxation, deep breathing, etc. The short section on affirmations on page 228 I found to be useful and incorporated several of these into my regular daily disciplines. The anecdotes Mr. Keith provides are humorous as well as insightful. I chuckled a

Try this at home

This book is a must have for all pagans who practice the craft. The author details how recent scientific studies have shown that the power we use everyday to perform magic is real even though it may not be seen or understood. The author advises the reader to experiment with him. This book raises your spirit and most importantly, your faith.