Old World Witchcraft Ancient Ways for Modern Days
344529
Raven Grimassi's new book will open your eyes about witchcraft and the witch. I have learned so much from reading this book and I really recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about the Old Ways.
3897345
I bought this book thinking It would be great to have a small book I could carry around for quick reference for spell crafting.  This works great!!!  Its easty to carry in pocket or purse, has tons of inof on oils, colors candles, recipies for baths, spells and other usfull information.  A must have or any witch or pagan!  I cannot say enough good things about it!
3783844
This book is a marvelous explanation about witchcraft; origins, theory, and practice. I purchased it for a comparison to my own book, "Fascination: My Own Words on Magic"; as the publisher required that I compare my book to a similar work before they accept (if they do) my book for publication. As it turns out, my book is very much like this work.
This author seems to view witchcraft as a practice, and not so much a religion, which is how I view it as well.
The ancient Greek Goddess Hecate, is given her proper place in witchcraft, as the "Goddess of Witches".
It is filled with many definitions and reasons for the working of magic, how it all works and why.
This is an excellent teaching tool in the training of magic. If only their were a resource list. It's a great length of approximately 200 pages, small and easy to keep on hand.
This book is a comprehensive compendium of magic and how it works. It covers everything from casting circles, to magical instruments, herbs, dreams, spirits and covens. Excellent Grimoire!
Steffanie Snyder M.A.
3911158
It's always a delight to read another in the series of reprints of old books on the arcane and occult from Inner Light Publications, and their newest offering, "Secrets of Egyptian Spellcasting: Amulets, Talismans and Magickal Lifeforms" is no exception. This particular volume dates from 1899, and is written by a most learned Egyptologist named E.A. Wallis Budge. The original title was simply "Egyptian Magic."

Budge was also the author of several other tomes on ancient Egypt, which one learns from his publisher's introductory note, but here, as both the old and new titles imply, Budge deals specifically with the magickal, spiritual and supernatural elements of Egyptian culture.

That said, "Secrets of Egyptian Spellcasting" is a marvelous window into the remote past that displays not only Budge's impeccable scholarship but also a keen insight into just why Egyptian beliefs are not the stuff of childish superstition and mindless primitivism, as some later cultures came to believe. For instance, the familiar notion that the Egyptians worshipped seemingly ordinary animals like cats and serpents is skillfully debunked. Budge explains that the Egyptians believed that certain animals carried within them the divine spark of one of their many gods and represented that god's living energy on this earth, thus the extreme care and regard shown for them. The Egyptians true beliefs, according to Budge, were ultimately just as noble and upright as those of Christianity and other ancient religions.

As promised by the book's cover, Budge includes a rich cross section of detailed information on various amulets and talismans, as well as a word-for-word recounting of some of the prayers and ceremonies that went with them. A great deal of the Egyptian belief in magickal and spiritual matters revolved around the idea that spoken words have tremendous power when recited in precisely the correct tone of voice by a learned practitioner, like a priest. They also were among the few ancient cultures that tried to exert control over not only negative, demonic entities, but sought to command their more benevolent deities as well. Sort of like "forcing" God to do your bidding rather than making supplications to him.

In addition, Budge provides a wealth of historical background and numerous stories with supernatural overtones. For instance, there is the tale of the cuckolded Egyptian official who is forcibly brought back from the dead so he can testify against the wife who poisoned him for the sake of her adulterous lover. The ability of certain adepts to raise the dead, at least for a brief period of time, was a long-held belief in Egypt. The Egyptian Book of the Dead is also a large part of the stories Budge relates. The book was often used in combination with spoken prayers and amulets as a way of commanding the supernatural to obey the will of the individual in whatever he desired.

Dragonstar, an Inner Light mainstay, has written a lovely introduction that deals with some of the same historical material covered by Budge, but which also helps to focus the reader on the 21st century relevance of the subject. She offers a quickie education in subjects like ancient Egyptian methods for interpreting dreams and makes the essential point that, for the Egyptians, magick and religion were inseparable and not even the slightest bit in conflict with one another.

"Secrets of Egyptian Spellcasting" can be read for many reasons and serve many purposes, but is valuable most especially for its rendering of the ancient spells and the symbolic objects that accompanied those spells. The treasure trove of eerie stories that turn on the darker, hidden elements of the supernatural world are equally fascinating. Budge was writing for a very late 19th century audience, but the timelessness of his subject matter makes it just as undeniably powerful and meaningful today.
3127764
This is a really comprehensive book of spells from various traditions and backgrounds, from super simple rhymes to some pretty intense historical ones. I recommend this book to anyone who practices spellcraft, not only as a resource for the spells, but as a springboard for crafting your own.
3284932
I was so excited to read this book as it was so full of ancient lore and practice.  It was like opening a door to a time that has passed.  A must read for anyone interested in old pagan customs.
4894298
This book has all kinds of cool stuff!  There are recipes for oils for all occasions, which is why I bought the book.  I attended the Florida Pagan Gathering at the beginning of November, and I took a class on how to make oils and that is what sparked my interest.  This book also has recipes for incenses and all kinds of potions.
Good for everyone.
I also recommend Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs".
Blessed Be!
4150609
this is another of those old time proven remedies' book that I like to have handy in my
home library.  I actually found some things I had not heard of before, and I was pretty sure I was up and current on most, LOL.
1982850
A fun guide for those seeking a bit of magic in ordinary kitchen tasks.

This is a good overall guide, containing the basic concepts and activities for those who wish to practice earth-based, Neopagan spirituality as a hands-on part of everyday life. There are ideas for activities and decorations that can become beloved family traditions. In a time when too much of the world's focus is on the immediate, the synthetic and the electronic, this book can provide something meaningful in the everyday without having to revert to nostalgia or Little House on the Prairie. Those are the best points of the book.

The basic concepts of kitchen magick are explored along with special activities for each of the eight Neopagan holidays that make up the Wheel of the Year and activities for balancing the elements in your everyday life. There are special sections on candle magic, crafts, gardening and meditation that list practical ideas. Some of the ideas are not described with meticulous detail. Those who are not experienced with candle making, crafts or cooking will need other books to supplement and to learn basic skills.

There are points where concepts are repeated, so reading the book straight through can feel a bit repetitive. However, it is structured in such a way that it can be used as a reference, and this is likely its purpose, which makes the occasional repetition of concepts make sense. I didn't see anything particularly new in this book that I haven't found elsewhere. There are books I like a little better even for everyday magick, but this is a fine one, particularly for those who already know the basics of working in a kitchen and who are part of a group involved in Neopagan spiritual practices. For those who don't have such a group and lack experience with magick and ritual practices, I would recommend starting with books related to solitary witchcraft and then moving on to this one. At the same time, for those who have been practicing in this way for many years, this book will be unlikely to provide much that is new and will be a reference at most.
3609082
Purchased as a companion with Practical Candle Rituals, by the same author, I would recommend these very well presented prayer rituals.
Advanced Candle Magick also includes charts and references for the specific times, colors, planets, days of the week etc., for  effective spell/prayer/ritual work.  Very good as a text for beginners, or a supplementation for more advanced ritual work.
3541658
Learning (and Loving) the Ancient Healing Art of Gua Sha!  An invitation to open a tiny book 53 pages and be transported back in time whilst living in the present.  The authors have handed us a book, so clearly and simply stated and  have done so with humor, illustrations, practicality and  good sense.
Dont miss Letas Tips!
What should  the reader expect?  Newwhile ancient method of healing that one can actually take home and apply.  I know this because I have taken their workshops and am a client of Letas.

How fortunate for the reader that the authors have studied in China and have brought back this method for us. Thank you, Leta and Jaye.
1612647
This is such a fun book! It has some practical and some not-so-practical spells in it for all occasions. Best for people who have a bit of backgroud with already knowing how to cast a circle and do their own rituals. These, to me are like "the cherry on top". Great book, quick read.
3909258
I found Spirit Conjuring for Witches: Magical Evocation Simplified by Frater Barrabbas to be a rather intriguing book.  This book has a lot of information.  I'm not initiated into Alexandrian like the author, but I do have former experience with ceremonial magick in a temple setting through other means(Golden Dawn.)
Here's what I love about this book.  If you have any former experience with Ceremonial/Ritual magick, then you will be able to follow along with this book no problem.  I think this stuff is pretty straight forward with the steps and interestingly, no need to be an adept or pass a certain grade/degree to do any of this work.  You just need to be willing to put in the practice.
There is stuff in this book I would try out for sure, such as the 5 steps for evocation.  There is also stuff in this book that I will never even consider.  So be prepared to decide what your own limits are when practicing this work.
4758381
This book will be a practical and enjoyable book to have when the year  2001 begins.  This almanac is full of useful advice and good ideas, like  recipes for the sabbat holidays and instruction for the art of sensual  massage!  The listings of this almanac include the date, day, lunar phase,  Moon sign, and color and incense for the day.  Much of the information in  this book is very useful to me as a beginner at witchcraft, as many of the  contributing authors are members of the pagan community.  I will have some  fun with this book now, during and even after next year!
3011968
Bought the kindle ed. So far I have to say it is one of the better books on true witchcraft that I've ever read, and a lot of the information provided rings truer with my core belief system than any other neo-wicca book I've bought, the writing style is very straight forward and blunt....highly recommend to anyone who is interested in wicca/witchcraft
1675431
this book deals with romany magick and customs,not witchcraft. but i don't see why any witch could not use this book. this book is divided into sections of spells for love,health,happiness,money and pets. i also enjoyed  the cover.
564992
It's really incredible how you start of with books like Kraig's "Modern Magick" and Tyson's "Magician's Workbook", finish them, and get to go back and read where most modern occult authors got their knowledge from. Anything from the original masters, Fortune in particular, is worth buying, reading, and truly studying. Priceless.