Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens: A Review
Here’s the book – pretty, huh?
http://my-bittersweet-magick.net
Posted: January 14, 2011, SortOfPsychic.WordPress.com
I really liked this book, and will recommend it to anyone who wants to get the basics on nature magic – both teens and adults. (I really hope preteens aren’t learning witchcraft, just because… they’re a little young. Sorry.) But let’s get into specifics. Why do I like this book?
First, it’s not written specifically for teens. The writing style isn’t patronizing, or directed at a ‘young/irresponsible/immature’ audience. Neither is the material toned down, or for teen-only problems. Beginners of any age can read this book and come away with useful information.
Second, it’s specifically on natural magic. That’s a plus for me, miss nature oriented. However, if you’re not as much into the natural world, you can skip this. Of course, in that case you’re probably not pursuing the Wiccan path, which is very nature heavy.
Third, it’s written as a standalone book. There are extensive beginning sections on the rules of magic – the law of three, Wiccan Rede, etc. Someone who’s never read a book on magic before will understand some of the ethics behind it. At the same time, people who have learned the basics can still find specific nature magic information later on.
Fourth, there are lots of spells to try, but the author also advises you to try your own. If you’re in a fix, you can check the index and find a useful spell, which is a good thing.
Fifth – nature magic includes the latent powers of stones, colors, feathers, plants, and more. A lot of these – not too much to be overwhelming, but still enough to be helpful – are laid out in the book. A chart with all of these organized by effect, which would be helpful, is not included. However, I used Excel to make one myself. I’ll even try to post it later, if possible.
Overall, this was a really helpful book, and inspired me to run off to my local craft store and stock up on a few candles, in the hopes of trying some spells. Time will tell if the spells in the book actually work, but as the author has been a Wiccan for seventeen years, I’d say there’s a good chance they will.
Posted by sortofpsychic on January 15, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Excuse me, but I’m rather wondering why you’ve posted my post on your blog?
Posted by Ed Mortimer on January 15, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I re-posted your book review (with the links back to your blog) because I think it is an interesting topic for discussion from an environmental sustainability standpoint. In short, I liked your review.
Posted by sortofpsychic on January 16, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Um… ok, but I’d prefer if you asked my permission first before reposting a post.
Posted by Ed Mortimer on January 16, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I will remove the post if you so desire. Re-posting with proper attribution and a link-back is a major, accepted way information gets around the Web. I looked on your site for a copyright statement that would contradict this, but did not find one. Since the post in question was a book review on a public blog I assumed you would enjoy a wider audience. I did not mean to offend.
I think your review was well written, lacking only some details on the focus of the nature magick discussed. It also highlights a certain attitude essential in any discussion of environmental sustainability (aka human ecology), that of an appreciation and a respect for nature, as well as the understanding humans are a part of nature. Witchcraft, at its traditional base, is a way for humans to interact sustainably within their ecosystem. Therefore, the fact that a book of witchcraft for teens can be published and discussed openly in an environmental, cultural and philosophic way, without hysterics, would be a major accomplishment in attitude for this society.
That is why I re-posted your book review. However, as I said, I will take it down if it disturbs you in any way.
Posted by sortofpsychic on January 17, 2011 at 3:38 am
Nah, it’s ok. I was just a little surprised to see it word for word on another site. If it’s just to show people it, I’m fine.