The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development

Rating:
Summary: A solid foundation
Review: For me, this book filled in a lot of gaps in all the other Wicca/magic 101 books. Those books would say "meditate on...", "raise power", "visualize your intent" without actually telling you HOW to do any of those things. Perhaps I'm just stupid, but none of those things are natural to me. Then I found "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" and my questions got answered.

This book makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who can't figure out what it really is to "visualize your intent" right off the bat. It eases you into a meditative practice, visualization, affirmations, healing, chakra work, etc. He presents the skills as progressive lessons so the format is easy to follow. All the other magic 101 books say that magical skill comes with practice, but once again, this book is much more useful. Instead of just saying that you should practice, Penczak actually lists homework at the end of each lesson.

Personally, this was exactly the beginner book I needed, one that sets up a solid foundation before rushing right into spells and Sabbat rituals.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for beginers or advanced practioners!
Review: I highly recomend this book. I have read A LOT of book on the craft and this one deals with the more important aspects of learning about magic, understanding how it works.
Mr. Penczak clearly illustrates the science behind the actions,as well as exploring other tropics including,meditation,healing,instant magic and spirit work.
He seems to be well educated and is an excellent teacher.
A great book...

Rating:
Summary: Give me a break "Christian wicca"?
Review: I obtained this book with eager anticipation. What I found was a mismash of "wicca" and ceremonial magic that have been done ad nausium.
"Christian wicca"? I don't beleive he said that! Maybe, just maybe "Gnostic Witchcraft", but "xtian wicca" is very hard to swallow. Ceremonial Magic(a branch of Hemeticism)is very loosly related to Gnosticism if you leave out Crowley, however, xtianity since the Roman takeover and magic have been at odds and even the ceremonial magicians have had to guise their writings to conform to xtian looking texts to keep their heads let alone the poor people who were hanged or burned or drowned for as little as healing the sick or eating bad rye bread made with rye grain infested with the rye rust fungus that produces alkaloids similar to LSD.
This is just another neophyte book targeted for gullible teen buyers by Llewellyn. When will they publish a decent book on witchcraft instead of the trendy "wicca movement" made popular by the television series "Charmed"? It sells books and that's what Llewellyn is about. Thus, my guess is never. Look at some books by Weiser and Falcon Publications for some less trendy and serious books on witchcraft and ceremonial magic.

Rating:
Summary: WitchCraft Basics
Review: I think Mr. Penczak sums up this book in these lines "For me, witchcraft is the building of sacred space, in myself, my life, and my environment....  I wanted to help others find their own sacred space, their own inner temple.  The information and exercises would build up to that experience."
The book and the companion CD's focus on this building of sacred space through meditation and working from the basic foundations of witchcraft.
The book approaches Magick as a science.  The chapters approach the topics as lessons, with exercises to explore the lessons and what is learned. 
I found the book to be an in depth study of some of the basics of witchcraft.  Topics include learning to work with energy, working on the astral planes, developing a good meditative state, positive affirmations of self development, and many more that can lead a person on the path of being an actual practitioner of witchcraft.  This is a working book, not just a study of the topic.
The book is well laid out.  Mr. Penczak follows through on the topics, has references for recommended reading, a good bibliography and covers the basics as well as some more progressive material.
This would be a good book for those who would like to explore witchcraft more deeply and need a guide to show them the way. 
There is also a 4 CD set of meditations as a companion to this book.  Using the background of the book, the CD's set up an easy way to work with the material in the book without having to open the book to reference it during the mediations. 
Mr. Penczak's voice is perfect as far as I am concerned, it does not grate on you nor does it lull you into sleep.  The light melodic fill is just that, filler for the spaces between words and does not distract from the words. 
I found the material covered to be good for meditation and it works well with the material in the book.  If you find the book to be what you are looking for, the CD's are a good addition. 
I enjoyed the entire presentation, and Mr. Penczak gives us some very well based and solid material.

Rating:
Summary: WitchCraft Basics
Review: I think Mr. Penczak sums up this book in these lines "For me, witchcraft is the building of sacred space, in myself, my life, and my environment....  I wanted to help others find their own sacred space, their own inner temple.  The information and exercises would build up to that experience."
The book and the companion CD's focus on this building of sacred space through meditation and working from the basic foundations of witchcraft.
The book approaches Magick as a science.  The chapters approach the topics as lessons, with exercises to explore the lessons and what is learned. 
I found the book to be an in depth study of some of the basics of witchcraft.  Topics include learning to work with energy, working on the astral planes, developing a good meditative state, positive affirmations of self development, and many more that can lead a person on the path of being an actual practitioner of witchcraft.  This is a working book, not just a study of the topic.
The book is well laid out.  Mr. Penczak follows through on the topics, has references for recommended reading, a good bibliography and covers the basics as well as some more progressive material.
This would be a good book for those who would like to explore witchcraft more deeply and need a guide to show them the way. 
There is also a 4 CD set of meditations as a companion to this book.  Using the background of the book, the CD's set up an easy way to work with the material in the book without having to open the book to reference it during the mediations. 
Mr. Penczak's voice is perfect as far as I am concerned, it does not grate on you nor does it lull you into sleep.  The light melodic fill is just that, filler for the spaces between words and does not distract from the words. 
I found the material covered to be good for meditation and it works well with the material in the book.  If you find the book to be what you are looking for, the CD's are a good addition. 
I enjoyed the entire presentation, and Mr. Penczak gives us some very well based and solid material.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Textbook
Review: Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak is a book on the inner workings and psychic developments of a witch. This book covers a wide variety of topics for a first degree witch to develop their psychic abilities through meditations and exercises. As a High Priest, I have already done this work, and still continue to do the work. As a teacher of the craft, I find this book to be valuable as it is a resent publication on the topic. Most books that I have on my book self cover the topics of ritual, basic structure, mythology, and all the other topics. Though Christopher covers a few craft topics, he concentrates mostly on the self development of a witch. Most books don't cover this topic in depth, which makes this book an excellent textbook for the student.
Many of the topics that Christopher covers are what witches have been doing for centuries, way before the "New Agers" came along. As a matter of fact, the New Agers are basically doing witchcraft. They don't identify it as witchcraft, but in reality that is what witchcraft is. Some of the topics come from the Asian areas, others from our Western knowledge. But let's remember, Witchcraft is the label we Westerners put. The philosophies of other areas of the world are closely related and thus is generally the SAME thing. So the "New Agers" who have published books, created classes and seminars are covering what Christopher includes in this book, ancient traditions of the craft.
I also like that he covers the science of magick. In our modern times, we have forgotten the fact that magick is not only an art, but a science. Science is basically something that witches have been doing since the beginning of time. The chapters he includes on the science of magick are excellent lessons regarding how magick works.
This book is more than a reference item on the bookshelf. It is a good resource for the craft teacher and their students. It is easy to read and understand. As an ordained High Priest of the Covenant of Aradia, a hereditary witch, and one who has studied Wicca for 12 years, I HIGHLY recommend this book to the new craft student, High Priests and Priestesses, and craft teachers. The book can be used cover to cover, or it can be used separately chapter by chapter. Be creative in your teaching while using this book. It is well worth the time and effort to use this book in our teachings.

Alfred Surenyan, High Priest
Elder of the Coven of the Mystical Triad

Rating:
Summary: My Top 10 Reasons I like this Book
Review: No long intro here, just my reasons for loving this book.

1. A book that finally teaches people that psychic development is the bases of ALL "magick." I quote my own teacher here "The moment someone learns and realizes that thought creates they become a magick user."

2. Though I am not into wicca, or rather wasn't, this book helped me to become interested becuase

3. it had an absolutely wonderful historical, well researched, section on witchcraft and

4. it present numerous wicca traditions/paths. Though not a lot was said about them (around a paragraph each), the author makes it very clear that he is an Eclectic "witch" and that if people want to choose one of the other paths they are welcomed to. They just have to do a little extra research on them. His course does start the beginning foundations for being involved in most any of them.

5. His writing is clear, clever, intelligent, and at times funny. It's very rare that I read a text book type of book and can say those things.

6. He provides an overview of the Calendar that most Pagans go by without getting into it in a heavy way. This will allow newbies to absorb and understand it and start to ask questions about it, which is the mark of good teaching.

7. He does NOT throw ritual magick at you. Based on my understanding it is rare that most covens allows a newbie to practice magick when they first join because of the consequences that could happen when someone does so without knowing what they are doing. Here he teaches how to do "mind magick" or rather what I learned of as psychic development techniques. Even so, it is much safer then some of the more advanced ritualized magical aspects and it's also much easier to understand.

8. There is a self test at the end of the book so you can measure how well you are doing as you go along.

9. The book is meant to act as a traditional year and a day study course that most adapts who are being initiated into covens go through. His second book (Coming in 2004) most likely will do the same for the 2nd degree.

10. Topics Covered include: History of Wicca, Wicca Paths, The Magickal Mind, Meditation, The Magick of Science, The Science of Magick, The Art of Defense, The Power of Light, Energy Anatomy, Journey Work, Spirit Work, The Inner Temple, Healing, and Initiation. There are 34 exercises that support the lessons and a companion CD (buy separately) which contains over half of those exercises done via guided visualization and lead by the author.

oh and one more

11. He does not bash any of the wicca traditions or indeed any other religion. He realizes that he has no need to stoop to such low tactics. Indeed, if anything he will help those people of other religions who have a simi open mind to understand more about the wicca religion.

Rating:
Summary: My Top 10 Reasons I like this Book
Review: No long intro here, just my reasons for loving this book.

1. A book that finally teaches people that psychic development is the bases of ALL "magick." I quote my own teacher here "The moment someone learns and realizes that thought creates they become a magick user."

2. Though I am not into wicca, or rather wasn't, this book helped me to become interested becuase

3. it had an absolutely wonderful historical, well researched, section on witchcraft and

4. it present numerous wicca traditions/paths. Though not a lot was said about them (around a paragraph each), the author makes it very clear that he is an Eclectic "witch" and that if people want to choose one of the other paths they are welcomed to. They just have to do a little extra research on them. His course does start the beginning foundations for being involved in most any of them.

5. His writing is clear, clever, intelligent, and at times funny. It's very rare that I read a text book type of book and can say those things.

6. He provides an overview of the Calendar that most Pagans go by without getting into it in a heavy way. This will allow newbies to absorb and understand it and start to ask questions about it, which is the mark of good teaching.

7. He does NOT throw ritual magick at you. Based on my understanding it is rare that most covens allows a newbie to practice magick when they first join because of the consequences that could happen when someone does so without knowing what they are doing. Here he teaches how to do "mind magick" or rather what I learned of as psychic development techniques. Even so, it is much safer then some of the more advanced ritualized magical aspects and it's also much easier to understand.

8. There is a self test at the end of the book so you can measure how well you are doing as you go along.

9. The book is meant to act as a traditional year and a day study course that most adapts who are being initiated into covens go through. His second book (Coming in 2004) most likely will do the same for the 2nd degree.

10. Topics Covered include: History of Wicca, Wicca Paths, The Magickal Mind, Meditation, The Magick of Science, The Science of Magick, The Art of Defense, The Power of Light, Energy Anatomy, Journey Work, Spirit Work, The Inner Temple, Healing, and Initiation. There are 34 exercises that support the lessons and a companion CD (buy separately) which contains over half of those exercises done via guided visualization and lead by the author.

oh and one more

11. He does not bash any of the wicca traditions or indeed any other religion. He realizes that he has no need to stoop to such low tactics. Indeed, if anything he will help those people of other religions who have a simi open mind to understand more about the wicca religion.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling work on the theory of Witchcraft
Review: The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is an excellent work, and a welcome addition to the current Witchcraft literature. Author Christopher Penczak's approach is measured and mature. His early chapters provide the reader with an excellent introduction to the history and varying traditions of Witchcraft. It is, however, the book's various exercises - especially the meditations - which make this work so worthwhile. Rather than barraging the reader with a jumble of spells or encouraging them to purchase an apothecary full of herbs and charms, Penczak focuses on the true foundation of magical ability: development of one's will, internal energies, and insights.

Serious students of Witchcraft and the Mysteries will recognize Penczak's approach as a true path to adept-hood, despite the apparently inward and contemplative nature of the work. Make no mistake, Penczak is not providing a short-cut to illumination or insight, but a foundation for magical work through mental training, visualization and self-discipline. Just as in any endeavor, the student will get out of this work exactly what they put in. For those who might need additional instruction, a companion set of CDs is available to guide the aspirant through the mediations.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is Penczak's third major work, and the first in what is expected to be a five-book series on the theory and practice of Witchcraft. If his other works prove to be as compelling as The Inner Temple of Witchcraft, I look forward to adding the rest of Penczak's books to my library.

Rating:
Summary: A complete-in-one-volume course of instruction
Review: The Inner Temple Of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation And Psychic Development by Christopher Penczak is a complete-in-one-volume course of instruction for developing those magickal and psychic abilities that are the right and province of any Wiccan. For introductory chapters cover the history, traditions and principles of witchcraft. This is followed by thirteen lessons that begin with basic meditation techniques and climax in an impressive self-initiation ceremony that is the equivalent to that of any traditional, coven-based witchcraft ritual. Readers will learn to employ magick for protection, healing, and serenity, as well as a variety of healing techniques for body, mind and spirit. Also covered is the phenomenal of astral travel, dreams and their interpretation, and the role and invocation of spirit guides. The Inner Temple Of Witchcraft is accessibly written, user-friendly, and enthusiastically recommended for Wiccan, New Age, or Magick Studies reference libraries.