Rating: 
Summary: basic 101 introduction to Wicca
Review: "The Craft" is a basic 101 introduction to Georgian Wicca (The form of Wicca practised by Ms. Morrison).I wish to commend Ms. Morrison on the following sections of "The Craft". "The Craft" is one of the best Wiccan books I have read dealing with the ethics of magick. (I wish more magick books dealt with the ethics of magick) Page 3-4: "The Craft is accepting, generous, and loving. It's gentle, unobtrusive and supportive. It's an ethical way of life
that, once embraced, brings immeasurable joy and wonder to everyday living. Simply Put, the Craft is a serious religion." Page 4: "Magic on the other hand, is defined as the change of any condition by ritual means. It's nothing more than a simple manner of channeling focused energy toward a specific goal. In fact Christians do it all the time. They pray for something and they get it. Whether God answers their prayers or not is anybody's guess" (I wish to thank Ms. Morrison for having the courage to put this in print, and taking magick out if the supernatural arena.) Page 7-8 lists a fairly complete version of the Wiccan Rede. Ms. Morrison Suggesting that people use what they have as substitutions. Here is one such example. Page 61 "If you can't find dried chamomile, don't fret. Just pick up a box of Celestial Blends Sleepy-Time Tea at the supermarket. It's made of chamomile and will work just as well." (Scott Cunningham (another Wiccan author) in one of his books relates the story of using a butter knife to cast a circle after forgeting his athame. The power is in you. Not in powerful spells or that you use expensive tools. If the Wiccan path resonates with you. Start where you are.) Throughout the book Ms. Morrison cautions people about various herbs that are dangerous. ( I am very glad to see that. Just because herbs are natural; doesn't mean they are always safe. A little digitalis from the herb Foxglove can save a heart patient's life. Too much would be fatal.) Page 97: "This tool isn't something we purchase. It isn't something we cull from a tree or create of our own accord. Yet it holds unsurpassed magical power -- magical power so advanced that nothing else comes close. This tool, of course is the human brain." (Well put, and I could not agree more! I will only add that meditation and visualization exercizes will enhance your mental focus.) -----
I do question the following sections in the book. 1. Why does Ms. Morrison place the spells in the text of the book? (In my opinion a separate section of spells would make it easier for people to find what they are looking for.) 2. Why are there 13 complete Esbat rituals in the book? (One Esbat ritual with a seperate chart of colored altar cloths, candle colors. flowers, etc used on the altar would have been sufficient.) 3. Why does Ms. Morrison list a chart of dream symbols on pages 179-184? (Everyone's dream symbology is individual to them based on their previous life experiences. If two people dream of dogs, the dream interpretation may be radicaly different; especialy if one person always perceived dogs as loyal companions, and the other person had been attacked by a dog.) 4. Pages 189-191 about stones. a. Green Agate. (Is this the Green Moss Agate?) b. Blue Agate (Is this the Blue Lace Agate?) c. Apache Tears. (This stone is also called Obsidian by lapidaries.) d. Adventurine. (This stone is also called Green Quartz by lapidaries.) -----
I perceive three weak areas in the book. 1. teaching the readers how to raise and direct power. Magick is like a bank. You can only get out what you put in. 2. Ms. Morrison uses word pictures to describe altar layouts. Many people are visual and need illustrations. 3. I don't recall Ms. Morrison encouraging readers to keep a book of shadows or creating their own spells. Personaly; I would suggest that you add "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham to your library to fill in the weak areas of this book. -----
I was disappointed to read on page 77 of "The Craft"; Ms. Morrison suggests using three drops of your blood in the consecration of your athame. In my opinion; blood rites have no business in Wicca; ecause the rede stresses harming none (including yourself). (...) Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)
Rating:
Summary: my 2nd book on wicca
Review: after getting my first book on Wicca at the local library, I went looking for more. I found The Craft.It told me so much I wanted to know, and really led me along the path that was beckoning me. I've been a pagan for a long time, but I've only found out about Wicca a year (and a day) ago. Goddess bless the internet! If you want to learn how to make up rhyming spells, do lessons, and gather information, this is a great book. The only thing I found kind of fluffy was Dorothys repeated references to "doing good deeds" .Everything else in the book is very worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: A must have! The best of the best!
Review: Dorothy digs deep into Wiccan ethics, and teaches how to learn the most about your religion, with exercises for using your tools and sharpening your brain to its full potential. Magic boosters, The Circle, the Gods, this book has everything. Once you've got it, you will never need another book on The Craft again!
Rating:
Summary: Another hit!!!!!
Review: Dorothy does it again!!!!! A wonderfully informative compilation of information and ideas from the best of the best!!! Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: The Essential Primer
Review: Dorothy Morrison has given us a lot of really great books, but in her book "The Craft" she has provided the beginner with everything in one place. Even the experienced witch will find some information in this book that is a "gee, I didn't know that". She mixes the basics with history, theory, and something that is badly needed in our community... ethics. While a lot of books approach the "how to", Dorothy examines the "should you" aspect of walking the path called "The Craft". She looks at Wicca as a Spiritual path, with all the associations connected with working in a religion. If you are looking for a great place to start, this book is a wonderful beginning point for anyone looking to walk the path of Wicca. Included is all the info you are going to need on tools, spells and Deities. The workbook "The Craft Companion" is a lovely addition too, as it is a place for you to keep your progress as you walk the path of the Craft. Personal Journals are always a good way to measure how you grow as you learn.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Great
Review: First, let me say that I use this book for my Wicca 101 class. The Reason? It is basic Wicca without a lot of new age garbage that fills most other books out there today. What is within the pages of this book is about Wicca. The bad news? I feel as though Morrison is torn between 2 worlds. By practice, she is a traditional Wiccan but she has written a book that is neither traditional or modern, neither solitaire nor geared for a group. She tries to stay middle road. There are some traditional practices (like the 5 fold kiss) that have been modified, other traditional practices have been omitted. The book is to the point, so much so that it lacks the history of the craft - not surprising, considering most books today forget that chapter. It also lacks explaining why, not just how - again not surprising, most books today don't. But, most importantly, it does not contain a lot of new age crystal and chakra power found in other books today. I feel this is a good start for anyone interested in learning about what wicca is REALLY about.
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Summary: Dorothy Morrison has a gift...
Review: For all newcomers to Wicca, this book is for you. Dorothy Morrison has made magick with The Craft: A Witches Book of Shadows. Travel through the seasons of celebration, delight in the beauty and power of the Moon, explore Wiccan beliefs, laws, rules and principles. Learn and explore how to make and use magickal tools. Follow the easy, systematic instructions on setting up your altar, casting a circle, invocating Deity and all the other practices of the Ancient Arts. Learn how and when to cast a spell and perform a ritual. Learn how to celebrate the Sabbats, and which Deity to honor through the exercises defined here. The Craft is not only a study guide but a wonderful delight that you will enjoy reading again, and again. Dorothy Morrison has a gift all of us can appreciate; the gift of words...the gift of rhyming words. You can feel her spirit in each phrase. You can feel her earnestness in each sentence. With every book Ms. Morrison writes, you learn a little more about her. Is she an Author who is a Witch? Is she a Witch who is an Author? Or could it be, she is not only both but a kindred soul just wanting to share in her wisdom, knowledge and spirit with the world? Anyway you decipher it...she is a very talented woman who has created a very amazing book. The Craft is certainly a must have. M.L. Benton, Publisher, Echoed Voices.
Copyright © November 2001
Rating:
Summary: Essential for even Advanced Witches!
Review: I do not give many good reviews, but in my belief, this book deserves a great, glowing, FANTASTIC one, even though I did not agree with some of the correspondences and dream meanings( who ever does?). Most Wicca 101 books have the same thing over and over: history, tools, ethics, sabbats, and a couple of spells. This book covers each of these subjects in *complete* detail, (in all my time of Wicca, I have never seen a book have the entire Book of Law, Rede, creed, and analyses each throughly) but it also includes research on the elements, time influences, color meanings(goes beyond basic colors), wind, flower, herb, tree, and stone meanings. She includes daily activities and "lesson plans" in each section, which I found incredibly helpful and soothing. It talks about *each and every* full moon esbat and how to celebrate each one! I have studied for years and never found knowledge on the moon esbats! I didn't even know they had names, let alone specific rituals! When she covers sabbats, it gives research/celebration ideas, a ritual, and it's correspondenses. Her chants and rituals are well thought out and poetic. In the back, she lists specific herbs, flowers,trees, and deities for specific types of spells so you can write you own! She includes a suggested reading list in the back for even more extensive research. If there is one book on Wicca to get, this would be my choice. Blessed Be.
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Summary: pay attention new comers!!
Review: I guess I'm what you would call a solitary witch and if I would associate my craft to any known one, it would have to go with wiccan.
I gave this book the highest rating on here because I find that this woman took great time and responsibility to give detailed information in the most simplest of terms, and it was delivered in a light-hearted,humorous tone. It's simple and to the heart.
I know that there is a vast growing amount of people interested in witchcraft and there are many roads and choices to make. To have a clean start, simply buy this book. It is worth your money and time. Just reading a few pages will let you know if this path or any path in general is good for you.
Rating:
Summary: Great for new beginings
Review: I have been An active Solitary Pract. for 3 years now. When approached by a friend asking questions about how he can learn more about Wicca I dove into my vast library of books to find one that would help give a decent eye opening view. When I stumbled across "The CRAFT" and its companion (Which I forgot I had purchased years ago). Having never read it I was intrigued as to why, I opened it up and started reading could not believe what I had missed out on. A lot of the facts Mrs. Morrison covers where not explained as in depth when I first begin my path in a small coven years back. I loaned the book and it companion to my friend who when he returned it to me said "WOW I never knew how warm one could feel after reading a book and actually doing to exercises." I would suggest this book and its companion to any new comer to the craft. Not as a sole source but, defiantly as a starting point. A few others I have enjoyed are Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for Solitary Practitioners and Living Wicca a further guide. Good luck and Blessed be!
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