The Craft: A Witch's Book of Shadows [Paperback]

The bad news? I feel as though Morrison is torn between 2 worlds. By practice, she is a traditional Wiccan but she has written a book that is neither traditional or modern, neither solitaire nor geared for a group. She tries to stay middle road. There are some traditional practices (like the 5 fold kiss) that have been modified, other traditional practices have been omitted.

The book is to the point, so much so that it lacks the history of the craft - not surprising, considering most books today forget that chapter. It also lacks explaining why, not just how - again not surprising, most books today don't.

But, most importantly, it does not contain a lot of new age crystal and chakra power found in other books today. I feel this is a good start for anyone interested in learning about what wicca is REALLY about.

I wish to commend Ms. Morrison on the following sections of "The Craft".

"The Craft" is one of the best Wiccan books I have read dealing with the ethics of magick. (I wish more magick books dealt with the ethics of magick)

Page 3-4: "The Craft is accepting, generous, and loving. It's gentle, unobtrusive and supportive. It's an ethical way of life
that, once embraced, brings immeasurable joy and wonder to everyday living. Simply Put, the Craft is a serious religion."

Page 4: "Magic on the other hand, is defined as the change of any condition by ritual means. It's nothing more than a simple manner of channeling focused energy toward a specific goal. In fact Christians do it all the time. They pray for something and they get it. Whether God answers their prayers or not is anybody's guess" (I wish to thank Ms. Morrison for having the courage to put this in print, and taking magick out if the supernatural arena.)

Page 7-8 lists a fairly complete version of the Wiccan Rede.

Ms. Morrison Suggesting that people use what they have as substitutions. Here is one such example.

Page 61 "If you can't find dried chamomile, don't fret. Just pick up a box of Celestial Blends Sleepy-Time Tea at the supermarket. It's made of chamomile and will work just as well."

(Scott Cunningham (another Wiccan author) in one of his books relates the story of using a butter knife to cast a circle after forgeting his athame. The power is in you. Not in powerful spells or that you use expensive tools. If the Wiccan path resonates with you. Start where you are.)

Throughout the book Ms. Morrison cautions people about various herbs that are dangerous. ( I am very glad to see that. Just because herbs are natural; doesn't mean they are always safe. A little digitalis from the herb Foxglove can save a heart patient's life. Too much would be fatal.)

Page 97: "This tool isn't something we purchase. It isn't something we cull from a tree or create of our own accord. Yet it holds unsurpassed magical power -- magical power so advanced that nothing else comes close. This tool, of course is the human brain." (Well put, and I could not agree more! I will only add that meditation and visualization exercizes will enhance your mental focus.)

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I do question the following sections in the book.

1. Why does Ms. Morrison place the spells in the text of the book? (In my opinion a separate section of spells would make it easier for people to find what they are looking for.)

2. Why are there 13 complete Esbat rituals in the book? (One Esbat ritual with a seperate chart of colored altar cloths, candle colors. flowers, etc used on the altar would have been sufficient.)

3. Why does Ms. Morrison list a chart of dream symbols on pages 179-184? (Everyone's dream symbology is individual to them based on their previous life experiences. If two people dream of dogs, the dream interpretation may be radicaly different; especialy if one person always perceived dogs as loyal companions, and the other person had been attacked by a dog.)

4. Pages 189-191 about stones.

a. Green Agate. (Is this the Green Moss Agate?)

b. Blue Agate (Is this the Blue Lace Agate?)

c. Apache Tears. (This stone is also called Obsidian by lapidaries.)

d. Adventurine. (This stone is also called Green Quartz by lapidaries.)

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I perceive three weak areas in the book.

1. teaching the readers how to raise and direct power. Magick is like a bank. You can only get out what you put in.

2. Ms. Morrison uses word pictures to describe altar layouts. Many people are visual and need illustrations.

3. I don't recall Ms. Morrison encouraging readers to keep a book of shadows or creating their own spells.

Personaly; I would suggest that you add "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham to your library to fill in the weak areas of this book.

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I was disappointed to read on page 77 of "The Craft"; Ms. Morrison suggests using three drops of your blood in the consecration of your athame.

In my opinion; blood rites have no business in Wicca; ecause the rede stresses harming none (including yourself).

(...)

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)