Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
- ISBN13: 9781567187823
- Condition: USED – LIKE NEW
- Notes:
Are you ready to open yourself to the divine powers in order to bring beauty into your life, happiness to your heart, and strength to your will? Then you’ll want to get Witchcraft: Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. With more than three decades of experience she has learned how to bring the teachings alive, combining modern with ancient, so you can better understand the true potential and depth of Witchcraft.
Within the pages of this book you will find the secrets and techniques
Rating: 
(out of 48 reviews)
List Price: $ 14.95
Price: $ 6.49
Review by J. French for Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
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Witchcraft: Theory and Practice is actually an expanded version of a book the author wrote as a primer over a decade ago. That book was one of the first that I read on the Path and I am glad to see that it has been expanded. The author stresses the seriousnes of comitting oneself to the Old Religion in a way that makes you understand that this is not a game. There is an entire section devoted to self exploration, including a Book of Elements to help you find an order in those sometimes chaotic personality traits. The work serves as a caveat that the first step taken on the Path is one you can never take back. The first section of the book focuses on fundamentals: self exploration, meditation and visualisation skills, and basic grounding in the thought process of an occultist and Witch. Section two is ritual and religious instruction, and the third part is a collection of unique spells. Kabbalah informs much of the work, although I’m certain many Kabbalists would object to the author’s interpretation. There is a series of guided journeys designed to open up understanding of the Spheres for the reader. Finally, the most impressive aspect of this book is its poetic nature. Angeles clearly has the soul of a poet in her, which is far more important, in my opinion, than endless lists of tools and correspondences. Her language drips with imagery, and takes the reader into the realm of the Witch the way few books do. This is a brilliant work. Truly a book one would save if they had to pick their prized possesions on the way out of a burning building.
Review by for Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
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After having been a witch for 7+ years and going through the usual gammit of Wicca 101 books, all of which have great information and give one a foundation in the craft, I found this book actually made a valid attempt beyond the basics. I haven’t seen the level of work from Llewellyn authors before. Usually they follow a set formula which leaves much to be desired in the form of oh… letting the reader think for themselves. I was surprised!Though Ly’s work is obviously an extension of wiccan belief (i.e. the constant reference to the goddess and god, the attention to the sabbats and esbats, not all ceremonial witchs follow either belief or practices), it covers topics of such things as direct energy manipulation, what subconscious and consious thoughts (realized or not) can do to a spell, the general forms of initiation and why they should be undertaken (as solitary or coven oriented), Then goes on to explain some aspects of the Qabbalah (this gets obscure because without an indepth knowledge of hermetic or golden dawn traditions I highly doubt this would make much sense with the brief gleaning given here, and Ly rightly says so on page 123). From section three of part two, onward is where the book becomes interesting and goes beyond some of the basic ideas of what any basic witch (worth their magick cauldron and salt) should know. Entered into here are topics such as energy manipulation, psychic vampirism and attack, warding, seals, astral projection, hauntings, dreaming, familiars, and something less talked about the three degrees of initiation. It’s the degrees of initiation I find interesting as there seems very little derivation from what I have heard from the community and what is written here through the years. It is obvious from the work she is coming from a definite coven/group work background, but this does NOT make the meaning of the work difficult to understand nor does she talk down to or insult the intelligence of the reader, and this by far is the best aspect of this book. She has gone to covering topics which are readily applicable but rarely talked about between witches in the community and in the craft. She makes you have to think for yourself, and DOESN’T just give you a list of spells to do verbatim. This is unique to llewellyn and a real first. I would recommend this book to anyone who has had several years in the craft and does not consider themselves wiccan, but has incorporated some ceremonial magickal practices to their ritual/belief retinue. The only reason I gave it four stars is that in places it does get a little fluffy, but then she redeems herself later on (IMO only in a few choice spots), otherwise it was a good quick and easy read.
Review by J. Smith for Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
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So many new age books on witchcraft and the wiccan beliefs somehow lose something along the path to completion. Not so with this work, it is at once complex and simple. This book will provoke thoughts from both those new, and old to this way of life. If you are just starting out, be ready, this book will demand you THINK, give you some very important tools, but more important, guide you so that YOU learn to use them. If you are one old in knowledge – read with an open mind and remember the night that you rode to the sea, danced under the moon, embraced the flames, or whatever that moment was for you. This is a book I think few who study this way (and aren’t we all perpetually “studying” our chosen way?), will not expand from. I found it touching me in ways most only wish to.
Review by for Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
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I’ve never been a fan of Llwellyn’s on witchcraft, but I have to give kudos for this one. The first few sections show you what it takes mentally and physically to be a witch. You need to be level headed and in control of your life and she WILL tell you that if you can’t handle your own feelings, then you best get out of Witchcraft. Great exercises in balancing the mind and its possibilities. I only give it three stars because I don’t think you should include such powerful spellwork (as contained in the book) until you have a year or more experience. De Angeles has content that some teachers wouldn’t want their students practicing until MUCH later. If you are an advanced witch, however, I think you’ll get something out of it.
Review by Ziah for Witchcraft: Theory and Practice
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This is a beautifully written book,full of rich poetry & a treasure trove of information that is useful for anyone intrested in the craft.
Ly has a wonderful gift for delivering information without any kind of sugar coating,egotism,or bull s**t that is so commonly found in witchcraft/wicca books these days! She gets right to the point with no beating about the bush…she writes more in the style of how books about witchcraft were written before it became “cool” , “trendy” or “fun for teens” & so on….
If you are a beginner reading this book,I would say most definitely go ahead,you will learn a lot about the beauty & simplicity of the craft…however,some of the spells may be too advanced for immediate practice (Ly talks about shapeshifting as if it were the easiest thing in the world!)…..rather,learn what becomes clear to you on the first read,then continue your research however else you choose to & come back to the book whenever you feel drawn to it.(I find that happens a lot!) As you become more advanced in your skills,the spells will become easier to understand.
I highly recommend adding this wonderfully inspiring & empowering book to any collection,or indeed to begin your studies with what I believe to be one of the most straightforward & beautifully written books on witchcraft available today.