Home :: Books :: Religion & Spirituality  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality

Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Witch: A Magickal Journey: A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft

Witch: A Magickal Journey: A Hip Guide to Modern Witchcraft

List Price: $18.95
Your Price: $7.58
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An excellent book for young NON-FLUFF-BUNNY witches
Review: I have been practicing the Craft for over ten years and have seen book after cookie-cutter-style book come out. In their fierce attempts to be nauseatingly politically correct while highly marketable, they have left out any hint of spirituality and simply rely on rediculous spells and superficial rituals. I'm sad to say that books on Wicca and modern Witchcraft have become a cliche!

Having nearly given up all hope, I was pleasantly surprised at the content of Fiona Horne's book, "Witch". It dives in to topics that would make uptight fundies (fundamentalists) hold on to their hats and run; (even Wicca has it's fundies) topics that frankly, I've been wishing to read about! With chapters like "Witches' Brithches: Withcy Style and When to Take Your Clothes Off!", "Bitchcraft: Hexing, Psychic Attack and Protection", "Cosmetic Conjurings: Making Your Own Witchy Cosmetics", "Bed, Knobs and Broomsticks: Magickal Sex", "Flying High: Magickal Drugs", and "Cyber-Sorcery: Making Magick with Your Computer", Fiona Horne clearly demonstrates how very hip and daring she is. She truly has her finger on the pulse of the twenty-somethings of the witchy world.

But don't let all those fun chapter titles fool you. Horne really knows her stuff and throughout the book, lays a clear, ethical and solid foundation. Her writing style is easy, fun and often times quite funny. Horne writes in a way that enables the reader to feel as though they are having a lively conversation with her. Her explanation of things is direct and completey void of any mental-masturbatory dribble. The book is easy to read (I ripped through all 358 pages in two days) and the graphics throughout and section of color photographs in the middle of the book are well thought-out, nicely designed and appropriately augment the text.

Fioan Horne, from Australia, is also a jounrnalist, rock singer (Sister Sledge, The Mothers, and most recently, Def FX), and TV and radio personality. Because she is from "down under", she gives correspondences for both hemispheres - something 99% of books on Wicca neglect to do. I would recommend this book to any open-minded student of Wicca from the age of 18 to 118.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: :) FiOnA rOcKs :)
Review: I have only recently started out on the path. After having done much reading and while most books took for ever to get through because you have to keep going back and rereading sections, Fiona Hornes first two books were not only well written, with very direct information (don't you just hate those wishy washy type books), they were also EASY TO READ. Rather than taking around a month to read I was able to read her books in just a day, with the information soaking in so none of that nasty rereading of things.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Don't knock it...
Review: I read this book some time ago, and have re-read it again recently. It is a good read for young and young minded pagan/wiccans. I found it interesting and informative. There's even a little passage at the back, recommending web sites and mail order addresses, for occult supplies. It's magick!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great Read
Review: I would recommend this book for everyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: thank Goddess-another tattooed,pro-feminist,punk rock witch
Review: Maybe I'm A BIT biased, but I loved this book. I say biased because I too am tattooed, pierced, have played/toured in punk bands, am pro-feminist and pro-queer, and identify as a witch. I also happen to be blond, born in the 70s, and female. So, I identified with the author. But I believe that these facts nonwithstanding, this was still an excellent wicca/witchcraft book that combined personal experiences (like in Phyllis Curott's Book of Shadows and in Laurie Cabot's "Power of a Witch") with the necessary tools, spiritual message, and BoS spells/associations/circle casting-type info of the practical manual type books (such as by Cunningham/Farrar/Buckland/Morrison etc). My one minor disagreement was Fiona's dismissal of drugs. I'm the first one to admit that witchcraft and drugs don't usually mix, but to dismiss drugs in ALL capacities (as in, outside of serious ritual-working, with or without covens) seems a little shortsighted to me...especially considering the fact that illegal drugs and the widely-tolerated alcohol differ only in societal acceptance--and we as Wiccans/witches/pagans know how certain groups/people/activities arbitrarily seem to get an undeservedly bad rap, right? Anyway, I found this book to be more interesting and contemporary than most. It is a book that is fun WITHOUT being cloying or fluffy, and that is definitely a big accomplishment. This book also made me feel less alone as an 'indiewitch' (my own silly term, aka, a witch who happens to also be or have been a part of the underground/punk music counterculture). I heard that Fiona Horne was writing a book for teens...and that scared me, given the bad history of 'witchcraft for teens' books...but if anyone can do it without being condescending or cloying, she can...hope I'm not wrong!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Introduction
Review: Ms. Horne gives us an introduction to witchcraft that is fun to read and full of useful information. Her magic is a little Wicca-flavored, but it's not overpoweringly Wiccan, and thus can be applied by non-Wiccans as well. She approaches one of the major ethical issues of magic by offering her opinions on cursing (she disagrees with the practice for some very compelling reasons), but also provides some curses and lets the reader make his or her own decision--a decision many Witch/Wiccan authors don't seem to trust their readers with. She also provides some recipes dor herbal shampoos and other cosmetics--these aren't necessarily related to Wicca or witchcraft, but they're interesting nonetheless, and fun.

While I disagree with some of her methods (invoking deities willy-nilly in spells), I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a good introduction to witchcraft, especially if they, like me, are not Wiccan. Of course, as with any introductory text, I would recommend going beyond it and reading other books, but Horne's book is a good place to start.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Too "hip" for me!
Review: Okay okay...so I'm only on chapter 5. But the way this is looking, I just might return this borrowed book before I finish it! Horne has some good 'facts' in here...but most of her writing consists of her personal view on everything and generalizing Witches today. To be honest, someone who believes makeup is "announcing to others that I am ready to enter into a realm of mystery and enchantment" is a bit too spacy and "hip" for me. I also do not enjoy the fact that she begins "explaining" 'how to make your own spells' by page 31. She certainly didnt spend enough time explaining our history or any 'traditional laws' (ie Wiccan Rede, Three Fold Law). I'm not talking Burning Times here, but more of the past 75 years and how we've evolved. Instead, she's busy explaining from head to toe what she wears, what her tattoos look like and how her single 'risque' piercing experience just seems to sum up Witchcraft for her. I think we need something a little MORE than that to base our religion on....(yes I know..I'm only on the 5th chapter...but I'm thinking this stuff comes FIRST....I'd like to think most of us enjoy being educated..)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Good Book!
Review: Out of all of the books that I have read, this one is about the best one regarding the modern times. The way she wrote the book, the way she provides the reader the information. One of the few books that I have actually laughed while reading it. I highly recomend this book for an Witch, new or the ones that have been practicing for a while. Very good for the modern times!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Out of all the books on Witchcraft I've read, this one takes the cake.
First of all, I was totally blown away by the author herself...I met her before I read the book, which made it ever-more pleasing. I was first a fan of her music (Def FX...very Witchy and delicious!!) and then when I met her...well...nevermind. This is a review about the book, right? Just know that she's as sweet as she sounds.
Its all there. Fiona skips over nothing. No sugar-coated euphamisms for sex, hexing, or drug use. Its blunt, to the point, and informative. Its the best, least complicated book I own, and I wish I could thank her for it. And I LOVE the stories! Makes the reader feel like they know the author, and, as a writer, I know thats a very important thing, especially in a non-fiction, reletively personal book.
In reference to a comment made about it being "all about her", keep in mind that this is a compilation of her autobiography, "Witch: A Personal Journey" which of course was about her, and "Witch: A Magickal Year" which was more of a guide. Therefore, there are stories AND info. I for one found it a refreshing change from the somewhat dull "this is this, that is that". She made me laugh, and I learn best when I can actually enjoy a book. I looked forward to reading it, and was actually sad when I was done.
That said, I HIGHLY reccomend this book. Cleared up so much for me. Thank you Fiona...you don't have any idea of what you've done!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Different look from Down-under
Review: Personally I'm really not much of a reader. I'm more into history/herstory and references. This book reaches out and grabs you. I merely had been browzing the local bookstore when the binding got me. I skipped through it and thought "sold". Once I got home and really started to read it, I pretty much went from cover to cover. She's touched base on everything. Including Northern and Southern Hemisphere differences. The quotes are true , it is a "Hip" book. I liked most how she's written as if your sitting there with her as she tells her story. Hot too!


<< 1 2 3 4 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates