The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows - Softcover

Morrison, Dorothy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567184464 ISBN 13: 9781567184464

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, 2001

Synopsis

Celebrate the changing of the seasons and the beauty and power of the Moon, the Stars, and the Sun. Written by a Witch who has spent many years teaching the Craft of Wicca to newcomers, this introductory guide presents everything you need to know for successful witchery, including:

• An essential set of instructions and guidelines for beginning the practice of the Ancient arts
• An overview of Wiccan beliefs, laws, rules, and principles
• Directions for creating and using basic tools of the Craft―athame, wand, cup, pentacle, cauldron, broom, black mirror, and meditation
• Easy-to-follow instructions for altar setup, circle-casting, building power, Deity invocation, and more
• An assortment of miscellaneous spells, chants, and invocations for a variety of purposes

Walk the path of the Witch-live in harmony and balance, and discover the sacred within the natural world with The Craft.

About this title

About the Author

Dorothy Morrison (Louisiana) is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess of the Georgian Tradition, and she has been an avid practitioner of the Craft for more than fifty years. She founded the Coven of the Crystal Garden in 1986, and she spent many years teaching Wicca to students both in the United States and in Australia.

Dorothy's work has been published in many journals and magazines, including Circle Network News, SageWoman, and Crone Chronicles. She is the author of the acclaimed Everyday Magic, Everyday Moon Magic, Everyday Sun Magic, and Yule.

Reviews

Wiccan expert Morrison (Everyday Magic; Yule: A Celebration of Light & Warmth) begins by asserting that "the Craft is not for everyone." Indeed, many adherents of Christianity and other "mainstream" religions would agree that the Craft, or Wicca, is not for them. Morrison, however, deftly exposes some common ground. For example, "Magic... [is] a simple matter of channeling focused energy toward a specific goal. In fact, Christians do it all the time. They pray for something and they get it." With a few more notes of apologia, she quickly proceeds to explain the seriousness of Wicca as a religion and outlines its basic philosophy of "And it harm none, do what you will." Morrison has written a solid, valuable primer, covering not only the more familiar territories of goddesses, gods, elements and the seasonal calendar, but also the construction, consecration and use of wands, cups, athames (black-handled, double-edged blades) and other ritual tools. Stones, herbs, flowers, trees, scents and colors are also addressed in this excellent source book, aimed for the novice to this "continuation of an old Pagan religion" that is closely aligned with nature. Morrison provides exercises and chants in simple rhyme to enhance the practice of the path that she calls "accepting, generous, and loving... an ethical way of life that, once embraced, brings immeasurable joy and wonder to everyday living." (June) Forecast: Although she doesn't have Silver Ravenwolf's trademark humor or recognizable name, Morrison is becoming a witch to watch in the fast-growing market of Wiccan books. Llewellyn is aiming this for "female newcomers, 18-25," and will promote the book with a five-city tour and national print advertising. Morrison's The Craft Companion: A Witch's Journal will be released in July.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

In the following excerpt, author Dorothy Morrison sheds light on the Moon/Goddess connection.

Because its energy is feminine in quality, the Goddess is often symbolized by the phases of the Moon. Each phase vibrates differently and corresponds to a specific Goddess personality, as well as to a variety of magical purposes.

Waxing Moon/Light Maiden: When the Moon grows from light to full, we use its energies for anything that requires increase, growth, or enhancement. It's a good time to work magic involving inspiration, new love and friendships, financial prosperity, healing, increasing physical stamina, and garden planting.

Full Moon/Mother: The Moon's energy is at its most potent when it reaches this stage. And while we can use it to boost any effort, it's of real benefit to especially complicated workings or difficult situations.

Waning Moon/Dark Maiden: When the Moon shrinks from full to dark, we use its vibration for anything that we want to diminish or eliminate. This energy works well for efforts that involve dieting, breaking bad habits, and eliminating stress or depression.

Dark Moon/Crone: Some practitioners use this phase to rest, regenerate, and regroup. Others use its energies for psychic work, divination, and delving into past life memories.

Edition details

• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1567184464
• ISBN 13: 9781567184464
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240