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A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook

A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook

List Price: $23.95
Your Price: $16.29
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Wiccan Classic
Review: This is a classic Wiccan guide. The Ferrars are from a strict British tradition based in established ceremony. This is not the free-flowing American style of practice-- the love and peace, earthy-crunchy Wiccans may find it a bit strict and dark. It is a solid foundation for real practice, though, and I consider it a must for anyone desiring a classical background in the Craft.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: no title
Review: Let's get a few things straight: when we talk about "bible" we're not talking about Christian bible, so let's drop the whole satanic thing going on. Also, for those who said this book creeped them out, OCULTISM (WITCHCRAFT) IS NOT A GAME, NOR IS IT A BUNCH OF SPELLS PEOPLE CAST (...). IT IS A SERIOUS RELIGION, WITH GODS, WORSHIP, RITUALS, HISTORY, ETC... ANYONE WHO READ THIS BOOK AND SAID THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT BECAUSE IT FELT TOO SATANIC SHOULD GO HIDE THEIR HEADS (...). WITCHCRAFT WORKS WITH THE UNIVERSE, WHICH IS MALE AND FEMALE, GOOD AND EVIL, JUST AS PEOPLE ARE. YOU CAN JUST AS EASILY USE MAGICK TO CURE SOMEONE AS TO KILL THEM. IT IS DANGEROUS. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU DON'T BELONG TO THIS RELIGION. I'VE STUDIED OCCULTISM MANY YEARS, AND IT IS HARD WORK, AND SOMETIMES VERY FRIGHTENING. IF YOU DON'T LIKE BEING FRIGHTENED AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT SATAN, WELL, I'VE SAID IT BEFORE. SATAN IS PART OF THE UNIVERSE AS MUCH AS ANY GOD IS. AS FOR THIS NOT BEING A BIBLE, IT CAN BE WHATEVER THE AUTHORS FELT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE DOSEN'T TELL YOU HOW TO PRAY, IT GIVES YOU THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY, THE PEOPLE INVOVLED WITH IT, JUST AS THIS BOOK DOES WITH WITCHCRAFT.(...)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting British Traditional Wicca style, but not all.
Review: The Farrars have published several books in which they claim they are revealing the secrets of Gardnerian style Wicca. The Farrars themselves were initiated Alexandrian Wiccans by Alex Sanders, a tradition which they subsequently left. Take claims of what Gardnerians do with a grain of salt. The Farrar's don't know, as they never received Gardnerian initiation. As for publishing Alexandrian material, they are either lying or breaking their initiation oath.

That caveat said, I think there's interesting material in their books, with more knowledge and depth than one usually finds in the fluff stuff published by Llewellyn. If you're into the very eclectic style of, say Starhawk, then you won't like their material as much. If you like a structured approach, then they might appeal to you.

I recommend this more as a book to be used by an experienced teacher for training an apprentice.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Uninspiring caught in time photo of Wicca
Review: The title of this book is a bit misleading, it is in fact just a Wiccans Bible, to boldly proclaim that "everything you need to know is here" is to deny the existence of any witchcraft outside of Wicca. Because of its age it also shows the unfortunate vestiges of a time when people believed in the Murray thesis, Frazers fertility cults & their combined historical fantasies.

I take issue with a number of the Farrarrs viewpoints, but my main bugbears are with their insistence that despite it being a path of balance, the Goddess & HPS are of more importance, and the ridiculous notion that a man "cannot identify with the Earth mother" unless he is "psychotic". I also disagree that opposite sex couples is the way to balanced workings, surely it is energetic gender balance within a person that is important, not complementing external sexes.

This book also has the touch of the puritan about it, which is a bit of a shame for a path which started out as a groundbreaking evolution from the freemasonry secret societies. I still find it odd that two such staid characters could have come from a coven run by the flamboyant Alex Sanders!

That aside it does represent old style Wicca very well, if a bit Jung heavy. There is little in it I didn't already know, but I still like to pinch the odd bit of wording here & there for my own rituals. And despite Doreens bit in the back, I still don't believe Dorothy Clutterbuck was a witch, even less so after reading Triumph of the Moon.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Even a hedgewith can find useful information in this book
Review: I am a hedgewith and always have been,but I find this book absolutley fascinating.
Although I feel it is aimed at Gardnarians/wiccans and the Rituals are generally for covens,there is also a vast amount of practical information no matter what tradition you a from.
A must buy for any serious witch wether you are thinking of practicing alone or of joining a coven
Bright Blessings Helen )O(

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent Resource (for the Ceremonial)
Review: As someone who practices a more Ceremonial form of Wicca that is closer to the Alexandrian, I have found this book to be an excellent referance.

If you are looking to design a ritual, or can't remember the words to the fivefold kiss, they are present here. This does not matter as much if you are less ceremonial, but to those who are either personally more ritualistic or who's coven is more ritualistic (both are true for me), it really does provide a good basis.

It also provides examples of each of the Sabbats and several other types of ceremonies, so if you have never run a Samhain ritual (for instance), it can be beneficial to look through one, along with the background information provided, before trying to write one that will be performed in front of the Coven. Other sections include things like Protective Rituals, drawing down the sun, and other basics.

Think of it like a introductory engineering book: not as useful as a learning tool as a referance both for while you are learning and later in your career.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is not a book for you "The Craft" or "charmed" lovers
Review: This book is true to Wicca. For you people who want fluffy glamour spells and having a "not so good feeling" about issues (yes even sex, what do you still think a stork brought you here?), people believed in and faced back in the old days, dont bother reading this book. If, however, youre into getting down to the root of Wicca, this is the book for you.
And please people, save the bible thumping and "satanic" comparisons. This is not the place for it.
Enjoy this book as I have!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tons of info on historical practices & Gardinerian tradition
Review: I think that every witch should have read and owned a copy of this book. A very dense read and not exactly a page-turner that keeps you coming back for more so-to-speak (what I mean is that it's not a read-straight-through kind of book), but full, nonetheless, of endless information about traditional practices of the Gardinerian path. The modern publication of this book (pictured) contains both the "Bible" and "Eight Sabbats for Witches", a previously separate publication which also offers an immense amount of insight into Sabbat practices. Contained within the "Bible" itself are thorough descriptions of practice relating to the different degrees of formal initiation, notes on tool consecrations, ritual work, and other formal procedure. It is a very in-depth collection of information once considered top secret, and an asset to any witch's library.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: interesting but not worth the money
Review: I rated this book a 3 only because alot of the information in this book seemed like it was for begginers but at the same time it is much to complex for any begginer. I did enjoy this book and really don't regret buying it however look for the book used if you are alittle tight on money. Another thing is that this is definatly a wiccan book. Alot of history of the religion and personal stories and teachings but I personally have always found Wicca abit too organized. It seems to be just another way somone can claim to be superior to others and the setup of the convens and practicing groups often seems rediculous. This book is a great refrence guide to wicca and is worth reading. All in all it is not a bad book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My review and a little something else....
Review: I love this book. It is very eloquently written and is a great book for beginners and adepts alike. And now for the person who decided to put all those Bible scriptures on the page of reviews, I pity you. You are closed minded and have no tolerance for other people and their beliefs. If ignorance is bliss, then you must be one happy person.


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