These two new titles from Llewellyn focus on witchcraft, or Wicca, a cluster of religious rituals and beliefs deriving from ancient European polytheisms or paganisms. The author of seven books on witchcraft, Grimassi is a practicing Italian witch (a strega) who has researched the history and theory of witchcraft back to antiquity, with a view to recovering and preserving teachings and lore. As a result, her book is primarily a historical study of various European witchcraft traditions. Even when considering magickal techniques for the focusing of natural power or discussing methods of psychic development, the author takes pains to cover their historical development. While Grimassi's book will appeal more to scholars of religion, Penczak's book will appeal to believers and interested casual readers. An active witch and teacher of modern neo-Paganism, Penczak teaches classes (mainly in New England) on witchcraft and various other New Age practices such as reiki, shamanic journeying, and past-life regression. His book aims at using Wiccan techniques (generally termed "Magick") to aid in personal growth. Accordingly, after a brief history and some basic theory of Wiccan spirituality comprising four chapters, there follow 13 lesson-chapters on techniques of spiritual growth, each followed by appropriate exercises. A minor criticism: some of the material discussed, while probably hermetic or occult in origin, is not ordinarily considered Wiccan but pertains to other religious traditions. Astral travel, for instance, is more often a feature of Shamanism, while chakras are a part of yoga. Both books provide a useful introduction to modern witchcraft and are recommended for both academic and public libraries, particularly those with substantial religion collections.
James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

My Top 10 Reasons I like this Book, October 3, 2003

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.