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Rating: 
Summary: Outer Temple is out of sight!
Review: As a practicing witch for many years, I have become vastly familiar with the large tendency of Pagan authors, to rehash old material in a hopefully new way. As a teaching community, we are finally beginning to step out of this mold. At the head of this new movement is Christopher Penczak.
Christopher is truly a witch, by nature and by calling. His lessons in the Outer Temple of Witchcraft transform often confusing subjects like spellcraft and ritual into tangible experiences. He explains everything with just enough detail, allowing freedom and tradition to work together. I fully recommend his book to anyone, new students and veteran witches alike. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Outer Temple is out of sight!
Review: As a practicing witch for many years, I have become vastly familiar with the large tendency of Pagan authors, to rehash old material in a hopefully new way. As a teaching community, we are finally beginning to step out of this mold. At the head of this new movement is Christopher Penczak.
Christopher is truly a witch, by nature and by calling. His lessons in the Outer Temple of Witchcraft transform often confusing subjects like spellcraft and ritual into tangible experiences. He explains everything with just enough detail, allowing freedom and tradition to work together. I fully recommend his book to anyone, new students and veteran witches alike. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Could Have Been Better
Review: I was very disappointed in this work on the whole and the reason for that is the book offers virtually nothing new to the Neophyte Wiccans out there that they have not found in previously released Llewellyn books on Witchcraft and Wicca.
Penczak offers this book as a follow up to his "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" and if you're of the mind to have a couple of 101 books that take you thru some of the bare bones basics plus a fair amount of supportive material such as planetary correspondences and what-not, then this book and its predecessor are the ones you want.
Frankly if you're not tired of reading 101 Witchcraft material, then you could do no worse than Penczak's material. The material covers the usual - grounding, altars, ethics, karma, etc., etc. Chapter 8 begins with the "science" of spell craft where he gets into theory. He dichotomizes spell craft thru petitions and he claims on page 256 that it's "proper witch etiquette suggests you do only three spells per circle" and only one circle per day. Now nowhere prior to this reference have I ever heard of this restriction before.
As he discusses the Planets and their functions in spell craft, Penczak does give a minor explanation about each individual deity after which the planet is so named. Frankly I preferred his discussion on the Zodiac Signs from pp. 271-279 as it's material that's rarely put forth in your typical Wicca 101 book. The Ritual Record Sheet 288 is nicely done though the lines are spaced too close together for my sloppy handwriting to be able to legibly read it later.
With his definition of "Sorcery" on page 295, Penczak makes me wonder if indeed he's been lurking on one of my Sorcery groups as he nails it right on the head. Then I was impressed with his explanations of Talismans and the art of making Sigils. This is a rare thing for a Witchcraft 101 book and I applaud him for introducing this art to his students.
Finally Penczak goes on to discuss the wheel of the year, the gods and how to form a coven in the last few chapters to help round out the 101 curriculum. Sadly the bibliography only includes the typical Llewellyn fare of experts (sic) and frankly if you have most of the books listed in the bibliography, I see little reason to buy this book for its pricey tag.
Penczak has penned a decent follow up to his previous book and together they make an excellent set. In fact, if you're of a mind to give two books that'll take someone from knowing nothing to being a 101 Newbie in the Craft, then these would be the ones you'd want to consider giving them.
Rating:
Summary: The latest work from a real spiritual teacher
Review: I'm not a pagan, and I don't aspire to be, but I read all of Christopher Penczak's books. Why? Because he poses the questions for which I turn to the faith of my family and forebearers, which is Christian. Christopher Penczak is that rare religious writer who is firmly grounded in his own practice but who trusts his readers to find their own spiritual paths, equally empowering all his readers who approach his books with open hearts and minds.
If I did aspire to learn witchcraft, I can't imagine a clearer or better organized guide. Penczak avoids "witch wars" over non-essential points but makes clear what is essential to the practice of his craft. And to the extent magick is "caught" rather than "taught," this book conveys attitudes of self-sufficiency, respect for others, and love that are rare in books on faith of any sort.
If you are a witch, I think you will value this book. And if you are not, it's hard to imagine a more reader friendly guide to magickal practice.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner primer or expert's reference
Review: I've been studying and practicing witchcraft for many years now and I wish I had this book when I started. It's got everything you need to get going with circles and spells all in one place in an easy to read format. Christopher's excellent command of language is surprizing for this genre. His encouraging tone really gets to the heart of the reader and of the Craft. A 'must read' for all Witches.
Rating:
Summary: THE best book ever
Review: The Outer temple of witchcraft is THE best book on Witchcraft you can ever purchase. This book deserves more thant the typical 5 stars. Yes it is that good. THe author Chris goes into detail in various subjects.Like in his previous book The inner temple of witchcraft. The outer temple of witchcraft is a one year and a day course. Christopher starts things off by telling the reader how he felt about sacred space when he was a beginner. Then he moves on to teaching the reader about the Goddess and God, the elements, the tools of the craft, divination,,the witches circle,the science of spellcraft,and the art of spellcraft.
This book is an absolute must for the novice and the experienced alike.
No mater what your experience you will find something new and useful in the 37 exercises,50 figures,and 423 pages this awesome book contains.
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