Phyllis Curott

One of the Intro books I'd recommend if anyone was to ask. Curott encourages you on nearly every page to *do*, rather than read, which I love and completely agree with. Go witch, witches! We also have a very similar idea about what the spiritual path is for: to connect with the Divine. Curott's definition of a witch is one I gel with.

A bit gender essentialist to my eyes now, I'd love to see a rewritten version of this slightly updated. Overall still a book I refer to and enjoy.

If you followed the roller coaster of my many status updates, you're probably just as confused as I am about such a high final rating. (Definitely check out my status updates and favorite quotes for more details about particular ideas.)

I don't agree with or even like a lot of things in this book. But I didn't read this book. I *studied* it. I *grappled* with it. I haven't done this much mental work on a book since college, maybe not even then, and I'm exhausted.

The conversations about show more sexuality, desire, repression, culture, self-esteem, self-respect, love, relationships, spirituality--each one of those words/ideas were explored in so many directions. Often in mind-blowing ways. Like Curott's Book of Shadows, this book exposes layers of hypocrisy and repression and BS we've internalized so much we don't even see them. It opened up ideas and ways of being I've never considered but would absolutely improve my life.

I have a zillion notes and things to think hard about for a long, long time. So while many things annoyed or angered or frustrated me, I feel changed as a result of this book, in a positive way. show less

My 2019 re-read of this book is probably properly 4 stars, but I first read this book in high school and the impact it had on me then bumps it up to 5 stars. I still find Curott's descriptions and journey beautiful to follow. Obviously I can't relate personally to many of her magickal experiences, her initiation process made me uncomfortable, and I'm still not sure of my own thoughts on divinity having binary masculine/feminine aspects. However, there's no doubt throughout the book of the show more impact Curott's experiences have on her life. She struggles with many questions but comes to conclusions that make sense. I especially like the way she lifts the veil on the absolute bullshit patriarchal society we're currently entrenched in. show less

Synopsis: This book gives a history of spell craft, as well as how to properly cast spells. There are also spells available in recipe format.
Review: Lots of interesting information, as well as the ethics of casting spells. The author recommends that a new practitioner practice with provided spells before making up his/her own.