Rating:  Summary: Magic Abounds in this Witty, Wonderful Book Review: Everyone should read this book! Even if you have only a passing curiosity about Wicca, Ms. Weinstein provides a wonderful primer on "the Craft" and its history that makes for compelling reading. Plus you get delightful instructions on tossing the coins (I Ching); reading the Tarot (a tool for opening up to your own intuition); and writing "Words of Power" (think of these as incantations, prayers, or affirmations, depending upon your personal beliefs). Best of all, Ms. Weinstein writes in a witty, down-to-earth style with one-liners that are sure to crack you up!
Rating:  Summary: Magic Abounds in this Witty, Wonderful Book Review: Everyone should read this book! Even if you have only a passing curiosity about Wicca, Ms. Weinstein provides a wonderful primer on "the Craft" and its history that makes for compelling reading. Plus you get delightful instructions on tossing the coins (I Ching); reading the Tarot (a tool for opening up to your own intuition); and writing "Words of Power" (think of these as incantations, prayers, or affirmations, depending upon your personal beliefs). Best of all, Ms. Weinstein writes in a witty, down-to-earth style with one-liners that are sure to crack you up!
Rating:  Summary: A good start Review: I have been practicing Wicca for a few years and have been witness to the recent jump in popularity of the occult and consequently the jump in junk that's available for occult work. I think this book is a very good start for anyone interested in occult work, it gives an outline of Wicca in a good informative way and warns of many dangers overlooked by most beginners. However if you are experienced in the occult the book is a little elementary and you might consider something a little more in depth. But for a beginner I haven't found a better book.
Rating:  Summary: very helpful to me Review: I read this book in the 1980 when I was a student. Since then I have handed it as one of the first two books I give every student of mine. It is mandatory reading.Is it fluffy? Well, to some extent yes. There are some "airy-fairy" parts but overall, this book is solid groundwork for someone beginning their magical training. The "10 Foot Pole" chapter is always a discussion starter with my students.
Rating:  Summary: still refer to this occasionally Review: I've considered myself pagan for 9 years now and dip back into Positive Magic once in a while for a reminder. It was one of my earlier books introducing me to magick and I wish I had found it sooner, could have saved me from some dumb mistakes. The how magick works and what to avoid sections are very helpful to a beginner. Certainly it shouldn't be the only pagan book to rely on, but if you don't have any teachers or pagan contacts yet, this book will feel like a good friend. As for her dislike of Crowley, I don't _quite_ share it, at least I don't think he's that scary, after all I have his Tarot deck. However, I would never recommend one of his books to a beginner!
Rating:  Summary: My first introduction to Wicca and still my favorite. Review: The chapter on ethics and safety is one of the most important. The most thorough explanation of the Law of Three that I have ever found. So many books coming out now on New Age and Occult topics are failing to provide this basic, essential information that protects you from having unintended bad results from your spells. It's hard to believe this book was written over 20 years ago, it is still fresh. I'm so glad she came out with the reprint, so it can be circulated again. I use Words of Power to help myself in school, in my job, with my relationships, finding a house, my kitty's health, my garden, just about everything. Enjoy your own copy of this book, and Blessed Be.
Rating:  Summary: Sweet & Harmless, perfect for fluff-bunnies everywhere Review: There is nothing in this book for any Curious Christian to object to. It's well-written and well-organized, with plenty of cute little rhymes to help the beginning Witch help him/herself. This is all very well and good. But there are some glaring problems here, basically dealing with poor scholarship, and a swipe at Aleister Crowley which is pretty much unwarranted (though, to be fair, the author does say that Crowley raises *her* red flags, and does not say, as many white-lighters do, that Crowley is "evil" and "to be avoided by all".) The author's analysis of the origins of Satan are very shallow--how can you speak of Satan in the modern age without referring to the Zoroastrians, from which all modern Christians & Satanists get their ideas about the battle between Good and Evil? Similarly, the author presented no scholarly reasons to back her assertion that Wicca is 6,000 years old. Even her explanation of the origins of the word "Wicca" are spurious. This is a fine beginners' book, and there's nothing here that would be harmful but if you've read more extensively elsewhere, the lack of scholarly detail and sweeping generalizations will annoy you.
Rating:  Summary: Basic but Powerful, here is the simple truth about magic Review: This book is a must read for anyone interested in practicing magic. This book teaches you how to keep from hurting yourself or anyone else while you learn how to effect the world with your desires. I am very serious about this. If you want to influence the world of form with your desires, read this book before you try any form of magical acts. There are more complicated books on magic, but, there are none that work any better than the magic taught in this book. This is a mandatory first read for all our coven dedicates. Highest of recommendations.
Rating:  Summary: A good intro to wichcraft Review: This is a great book for the novice. There's nothing wrong with someone reading this book who is looking for a pagan intro. This book was one of my first 13+ years ago. I have since delved into witchcraft/paganism much, much deeper. Looking back, the advanced student will see the 'fluff', but we all need to start out gently on this path as it is not for everyone.
Rating:  Summary: Most Informative, Honest, and Sensitive Book for Beginners! Review: This is the first book I read concerning Witchcraft and I'm thankful it was. Ms. Weinstein, clearly and concisely covers all bases from Witchcrafts's history to it's practical-arts and does this in the most honest, down to earth manner I have seen yet. Her manner is very matter of fact and yet by no means cloaked in offacious mysticism. She effectivly provides information and insight while at the same time interjecting humor. This book is wonderful for both the novice and seasoned Witch! A great gift to give someone who you know is interested in the Craft!
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