The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: A wonderful and well researched book to be kept nearby (with the rest of Grimassi's works) and read over & over. Over the last 20 years or so modern Wicca has gotten so far away from what it was originally that it is hardly recognisable. There are even people in the community who think it was invented in the 20th century, (and what they are doing probably was) but the roots of Witchcraft and the Lunar Goddess stretch back to neolithic times. R.G. takes us back to the roots and the real traditions, away from parking space angels and self-appointed authorities who tell you to put your scrying tools in the sun, to the true building blocks that will enable you to call yourself "Witch" with confidence. Tools, magic, history - it's all here, including ways to make protections and the like that are venerable and traditional - yet I've not seen them elsewhere! A book of substance and meaning - Raven has created yet another treasure, a flower blooming amid the muck of what passes for "Witchcraft" books nowadays.

Rating:
Summary: A must have book!
Review: A wonderful book from beginning to end. In the introduction Mr. Grimassi states that one of the reasons he chose to write this book was that "Many young people in the Craft community now have never heard of many things that were once the basic elements of practicing Witchcraft." Sad but true. This book has helped me fill in the gaps in my magickal training and has explained in deeper detail why I was trained to do certain things in certain ways. I am going to make it required reading for all my initiates. Thank you Mr. Grimassi!

Rating:
Summary: Great History on the Craft of the Wise...
Review: I am so glad Raven wrote this book and addresses the errors in Mr.Hutton's book (Triumph of the Moon),maybe Ms. Curott(WitchCraft) should read this book too! Raven gives facts & references about the history of Witchcraft and proves from his historical references that the Craft & Witches has been around for centuries and not just something Garner & Valiente made up.Every Witch that does not have access to a High Priestess or Coven should read this book to learn why they are doing what & why the tools of the Craft are so important, and the tenets etc.In the past,probably starting with S.Cunningham,the books on Wicca have said to do "this or that" or "use this and that" but if "this or that" does not feel right or you don't want to "use this or that" to discard it! In this book you'll read that tenets ,ways of thinking and basic elements of the Craft are there & used for a reason & to dicard them is throwing out well-worn paths our ancestors of the Craft have used for centuries.They are there for a reason!! This book gives the mentality a Witch should have,inner mechanism etc. I haven't finished the book yet but I know I'll go back & re-read it as soon as I am done.It has that much information in it!! Every Witch should have this book in their library along with "Wiccan Mysteries" and you'll have all the books that you will ever need.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: In THE WITCHES' CRAFT, Raven Grimassi, a hereditary Italian witch continues to inform those who care to know about the ways of witches, Wicca, and pagans. At the time CRAFT was published, Grimassi was directing Elder of the Arician Tradition. CRAFT describes the resurgence of the `Old Ways' of Witchcraft into the modern world. Had they completely disappeared? Grimassi thinks not as he was taught a hereditary path, but whether or not you have access to hereditary material, you can find and use the well worn path of Wicca until you find your own path of heart.

For those who might find the notion of Wicca or witchcraft off-putting, Grimassi raises an important point..who determines what is religion? "Mainstream" religions with numerous members can claim a secure status no matter how "wacky" their ideas might seem to the non-religious or members of competing religions. However, Wicca, the oldest of all religions is viewed by some sceptics as a recent incarnation, a fabrication, or something worse. Grimassi says no other religion is held to the standards of "purity" imposed on Wicca. And what is Wicca..nothing less than the religion of our paleolithic fore-parents who were not arrogant know-it-all moderns. Our ancient parents understood that humans must be at-one with the natural world which is a mystical place. They also understood that the path of heart illuminates this truth and provides the individual with the reason for living.

Grimassi's description of the differences between the "well-worn path" taught by various religious traditions (including Wicca) and the journey of the individual as s/he follows the trajectory of her own soul-path agrees with the teaching of Joseph Campbell who wrote and spoke of the "hero's journey." Grimassi says you choose a religious tradition to get you started on the 'well worn path', however, to truly progress you must extend yourself and follow the path the hero blazed. This path is frightening as each of us believes a monster awaits us at the end of the inward exploration of our own existence. Campbell suggests and Grimassi agrees that rather than a monster, at the end of the journey the aloneness you experience will be dissolved and you will be one with the world. This at-one-ment can only be reached on the individual soul-path.

Although the CRAFT is for intermediate students (parts of it may frighten the novice), I've believe Grimassi's latest book should be included among standard Wicca classics including Starhawk's SPIRAL DANCE and inspirational works by Cunningham, Valiente, and others. Grimassi does not discuss alternative Wiccan traditions in great detail in this book (see Margo Adler's DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - yes, she is the NPR reporter - and Starhawk's book to acquire this detail), however he does share information about his personal variant - `Italian witchcraft' - which he detailed in his earlier book of the same name. (Grimassi uses the term "witch" or strega - the Anglo Saxon Wicce the male version of Wicca sounds similar to the word witch and is probably the source of the English term.)

Rating:
Summary: The 'well-worn' path and the journey of the soul.....
Review: In THE WITCHES' CRAFT, Raven Grimassi, a hereditary Italian witch continues to inform those who care to know about the ways of witches, Wicca, and pagans. At the time CRAFT was published, Grimassi was directing Elder of the Arician Tradition. CRAFT describes the resurgence of the 'Old Ways' of Witchcraft into the modern world. Had they completely disappeared? Grimassi thinks not as he was taught a hereditary path, but whether or not you have access to hereditary material, you can find and use the well worn path of Wicca until you find your own path of heart.

For those who might find the notion of Wicca or witchcraft off-putting, Grimassi raises an important point..who determines what is religion? "Mainstream" religions with numerous members can claim a secure status no matter how "wacky" their ideas might seem to the non-religious or members of competing religions. However, Wicca, the oldest of all religions is viewed by some sceptics as a recent incarnation, a fabrication, or something worse. Grimassi says no other religion is held to the standards of "purity" imposed on Wicca. And what is Wicca..nothing less than the religion of our paleolithic fore-parents who were not arrogant know-it-all moderns. Our ancient parents understood that humans must be at-one with the natural world which is a mystical place. They also understood that the path of heart illuminates this truth and provides the individual with the reason for living.

Grimassi's description of the differences between the "well-worn path" taught by various religious traditions (including Wicca) and the journey of the individual as s/he follows the trajectory of her own soul-path agrees with the teaching of Joseph Campbell who wrote and spoke of the "hero's journey." Grimassi says you choose a religious tradition to get you started on the 'well worn path', however, to truly progress you must extend yourself and follow the path the hero blazed. This path is frightening as each of us believes a monster awaits us at the end of the inward exploration of our own existence. Campbell suggests and Grimassi agrees that rather than a monster, at the end of the journey the aloneness you experience will be dissolved and you will be one with the world. This at-one-ment can only be reached on the individual soul-path.

Although the CRAFT is for intermediate students (parts of it may frighten the novice), I've believe Grimassi's latest book should be included among standard Wicca classics including Starhawk's SPIRAL DANCE and inspirational works by Cunningham, Valiente, and others. Grimassi does not discuss alternative Wiccan traditions in great detail in this book (see Margo Adler's DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - yes, she is the NPR reporter - and Starhawk's book to acquire this detail), however he does share information about his personal variant - 'Italian witchcraft' - which he detailed in his earlier book of the same name. (Grimassi uses the term "witch" or strega - the Anglo Saxon Wicce the male version of Wicca sounds similar to the word witch and is probably the source of the English term.)

Rating:
Summary: Book Full of Goodies
Review: Raven Grimassi presents us with his basic book on the history, mystery and spiritual path of WitchCraft.

We are guided through the disciplines necessary to improve our skills. We review how magic was approached in the past and how we approach it today. Mr. Grimassi's work is substantiated by research and extensive personal experience.

He explores the aspects of Witchcraft in various traditions. He discusses the roots in various ancient paths and follows the evolution to modern day practices. Discussion on Deity, tools and the magical arts are exact and detailed. Working with energy, developing psychic awareness and the use of herbs, stones and trees are covered.

While this book would be a good place to begin your exploration of Witchcraft, Mr. Grimassi includes techniques for those who wish to further their knowledge base and expand their understanding and personal power within the craft.

There are some wonderful photos of both artwork and tools which do not seem to be attributed as I could find. The back of the book also includes some correspondence Mr. Grimassi had with Doreen Valiente, along with some photos of the actual correspondence. It is an interesting discussion about Leland's Aradia and probably worth purchasing the book for this alone. However, Mr. Grimassi hints at other books he is considering publishing that will contain more of his correspondences with Doreen.

Also included is a timeline for Goddess literature in Witchcraft, a list of correspondences, a suggested further reading list and the book is indexed, making it an easy reference guide.

A nice handbook of material with a bonus of some material by and about Doreen Valiente, nicely presented and interesting to read.

Rating:
Summary: A Jewel
Review: This is a meticulously researched book which attempts to preserve the authentic history and practices of Witchcraft from Ancient Times to the present. Much of Wiican Lore which has been forgotten, misplaced, or discarded is uncovered as Blessed Jewels in this Fantastic Work. World REnowned Wiccan Expert Raven Grimassi presents many aspects of Witchcraft never shared with the general public before.You will learn all the vital essential nutrients of the art of Witchcraft, as well as how to strengthen your magical power through self-discipline, patience and perseverance. Griamassi's personal correspondence with Doreen Valiente is also included in this Blessed Work.BLESSED BE.

Rating:
Summary: A Jewel
Review: This is a meticulously researched book which attempts to preserve the authentic history and practices of Witchcraft from Ancient Times to the present. Much of Wiican Lore which has been forgotten, misplaced, or discarded is uncovered as Blessed Jewels in this Fantastic Work. World REnowned Wiccan Expert Raven Grimassi presents many aspects of Witchcraft never shared with the general public before.You will learn all the vital essential nutrients of the art of Witchcraft, as well as how to strengthen your magical power through self-discipline, patience and perseverance. Griamassi's personal correspondence with Doreen Valiente is also included in this Blessed Work.BLESSED BE.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional Witch? Wiccan? Raven Grimassi Can't Decide..
Review: This is the ONLY book that Raven Grimassi has written that I actually like. His history in this book is a tad better than in "The Wiccan Mysteries" (in which he kept with the "Wicca is ancient" theory), but in this book he kind of keeps the same tone, only he is now replacing "Wiccan" with "Witch". I don't know if Raven Grimassi can decide if he is a Wiccan, Traditional Witch, Strega or whatever. I think he goes with whatever sounds plausable at the time.

He tries to refute Ronald Hutton's work, "Triumph of the Moon" be pointing out witches in antiquity, but he doesn't tie it together very well. I think he is confused about whether or not Wicca, no, wait, Stregheria, no.. wait, Witchcraft! is an ancient religion from the stone age or a modern practice based on ancient beliefs.

Now, I did say I liked this book, so, I will point out it does have some interesting tidbits of information that are not at all in print in the usual modern Llewellyn "Wicca lite" books, and this book does, indeed, go a bit deeper than most. So, in that respect I would recommend this book over, say, "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" or "The Craft". This book outshines them by leaps and bounds.

The Witches Craft does need to be read with "Triumph of the Moon", otherwise you won't get a lot of what he is referring to. The practices are pretty general, but he does assume that the reader knows Wiccan/new age/pagan basics, so, this wouldn't be for the complete beginner.