Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic

by Phyllis Curott

Book Overview

Phyllis Curott's first book, Book of Shadows, was an inspirational, spiritual memoir that chronicled her journey from Ivy League-educated, New York City attorney to Wiccan High Priestess. By inviting readers of all faiths to share in her own personal transformation, Phyllis debunked many of the myths surrounding Wicca and revealed it for what it really is: a spiritual movement whose tenets of Goddess worship and reverence for Nature were a...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767908457
• ISBN13: 9780767908450
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Harmony/Rodale/Convergent
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Great book!!

I've read many books on Wicca & witchcraft & this has to be my favorite thus far. It offers not only the why but also the how. Why we cast a circle & how to cast a circle... in an easy-to-understand way. For example, in the Nature chapter, she opens with how nature is the embodiment of the Divine... & then she describes an exercise to sensitize ourselves to nature. She goes into detail about elemental magic (earth, air, fire, water), correspondences to each & practices to each. I cannot adequately describe how informative this book is for the beginner (& the veteran)! Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Very Insightful.

This book is extremely well written. It is intuitive and relaxed. I felt comfortable reading it. I have learned very much from it and have had some of my own ideas validated by Phyllis Curott. It is a very good primer and allows one, even persuades one, to think for themselves. A very fine example of teaching. I don't remember who bought this book, my wife or myself, but I found it on one of our bookshelves and haven't put it down since. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. What better inspiration can a writer or teacher convey to a student?

The book I would have written

Phillis Curott is an excellent writer with an easy to read style that makes concepts that would be difficult for beginners easy to digest. I am no beginner, but I was once and I know that I would have welcomed her writing. A really great thing about this book is that it is not yet another compendium of spells and potions and herbs, etc. These books exist ad infinitum and if you read any two Wicca 101 books you've read them all. I am certain that many of you reading this who have purchased many books on Wicca will agree with me. This book is a book about the spiritual dimension of Wicca, its metaphysics and why Wiccans do what they do. Don't worry, Phyllis is not saying that her way is the only way. In fact, she admits that there is no way to really get Wicca wrong and that you are supposed to come to your own understandings. Phyllis is a bright star on the Wiccan horizon and will, if she maintains the quality of her writing and the knowledge she imparts will, in short order be one of the true luminaries of Wiccan writing specifically and magickal writing in general. If you want to deepen your spirituality, your relationship with the God and Goddess, read this book and let its ideas pass into you to inspire you. Sometimes, just sometimes someone who possesses the title of High Priest or High Priestess actually, through their apparent knowledge and expertise has actually earned the title. Buy this book! Buy it new, buy it used, just buy it and support authors who write books that are more than mere tables of correspondences and alphabetical listings of various divinities. )o( Blessed Be Chris

An honest look at one woman's journey - well worth your time

I bought this book as soon as it was out and refer to it constantly. The pages of my book are worn and tattered, and I am constantly experiencing something new in the pages of the book. The author's approach to the practice of the Craft is refreshing. I came to wicca through exploration and a questioning of my belief system, so I appreciate the author's fresh look at the tradition of witchcrafting. I believe the book is useful for both those just beginning to explore wicca as well as more experienced practitioners. Certainly, Ms. Curott questions and challenges some long-held beliefs, but that should not dissuade those who are truly seeking their own spiritual path. I highly recommend the book -

Not just how; but why.

It's easy to buy a book about Witchcraft and follow it word for word. Sometimes that is enough. But sometimes it isn't. "Witch Crafting" gives you background, a foundation to build your practice on. It adds dimension and magic to what, if you are only learning from books, could be a very flat practice.

The New Standard in Wiccan Literature

In "Book of Shadows", Phyllis Curott took us along on her spiritual journey where she recounted her introduction to through initiation as a high priestess in the religion of Wicca. Phyllis takes us into her circle in her new book, "Witch Crafting", and explains how one can make everyday magic using the practices of Wicca, a shamanic tradition of ecstasy and communion with the Natural World and the Sacred Universe.Unlike so many books on Witchcraft which merely explain how-to, Phyllis thoroughly explains the theological underpinnings of "why" Witches do what they do. Rather than downplay subjects like divination and spellcasting, she reclaims them as spiritual practices used by Witches to communicate with the immanent divinity and religious rituals where Witches "co-create reality with the Sacred." Tackling serious ethical issues, Phyllis urges Wiccans to abandon dogma and reframes Wiccan ethics to harmonize with sacredness in the world. Going beyond the standard rhetoric regarding nature and the elements, Phyllis provides exercises for both the beginner and experienced practitioner that allow one to experience rather than merely imagine these potent elements.Bravo, Phyllis, for providing a groundbreaking primer in Wiccan theology! This book is a must for every Wiccan's library.