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Saturday 24 June 2006

The Malleus Maleficarum Or The Witch Hammer

The Malleus Maleficarum Or The Witch Hammer Cover

Book: The Malleus Maleficarum Or The Witch Hammer by Heinrich Kramer

The Malleus Maleficarum (The Witch Hammer), first published in 1486, is arguably one of the most infamous books ever written, due primarily to its position and regard during the Middle Ages. It served as a guidebook for
Inquisitors during the Inquisition, and was designed to aid them in the identification, prosecution, and dispatching of Witches. It set forth, as well, many of the modern misconceptions and fears concerning witches and the
influence of witchcraft. The questions, definitions, and accusations it set forth in regard to witches, which were reinforced by its use during the Inquisition, came to be widely regarded as irrefutable truth. Those beliefs are held
even today by a majority of Christians in regard to practitioners of the modern “revived” religion of Witchcraft, or Wicca. And while the Malleus itself is largely unknown in modern times, its effects have proved long lasting.

At the time of the writing of The Malleus Maleficarum, there were many voices within the Christian community (scholars and theologians) who doubted the existence of witches and largely regarded such belief as mere superstition. The authors of the Malleus addressed those voices in no uncertain terms, stating: “Whether the Belief that there are such Beings as Witches is so Essential a Part of the Catholic Faith that Obstinacy to maintain the Opposite Opinion manifestly savours of Heresy.” The immediate, and lasting, popularity of the Malleus essentially silenced those voices. It made very real the threat of one being branded a heretic, simply by virtue of one's questioning of the existence of witches and, thus, the validity of the Inquisition. It set into the general Christian consciousness, for all time, a belief in the existence of witches as a real and valid threat to the Christian world. It is a belief which is held to this day.

Download Heinrich Kramer's eBook: The Malleus Maleficarum Or The Witch Hammer

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Pyotr Demianovich Ouspenskii - The Symbolism Of The Tarot
Anonymous - The Laws For Witches
Montague Summers - Malleus Maleficarum
Heinrich Kramer - The Malleus Maleficarum Or The Witch Hammer

Friday 23 June 2006

The Well Read Witch

The Well Read Witch Cover

Book: The Well Read Witch by Carl Mccolman

Here's help for anyone with a sincere interest in wiccan ways find the best books to read. With reviews of over four hundred books, this will be an essential handbook for anyone interested in reading about the magical world of Witchcraft-as well as related topics of interest to any Wiccan practitioner.

Informative introductory chapters provide a basic overview of Wiccan spirituality, as well as a thoughtful look at the role of the written word in this originally oral tradition. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced wiccan books are included, as are general books on paganism, magic, and Celtic spirituality. The author reviews books related to topics such as herbalism, mythology, environmentalism, psychic development, spiritual healing, and raising a family in the Wiccan tradition. All in all, the books highlighted make up a lifetime's worth of reading, for both beginning and seasoned Witches, as well as anyone else with an interest in nature spirituality.

Carl McColman has attempted to assemble a basic list of books which belong in the magickal library of every Wiccan or other modern witch. While he has included some books that I would have left out, and he has left out books that I would have included, on the whole, I would say that he has succeeded in his aim. I had always considered my personal magickal library to be fairly complete (absent those hard-to-locate or out-of-print books currently on my 'want' list,) but McColman's book suggested a number of other works I had not previously thought I needed to have on my shelves.

The book is divided into a number of sections and chapters. The initial section is introudctory: in it McColman discusses why he assembled the book, and how he perceives the importance of books to modern magickal practice. He also includes a chapter on how to read and think critically: a skill which these days seems to receive all too little emphasis in the Craft community. The meat of the book are the 31 chapters wherein McColman makes recommendations about specific books. The books he recommends are listed by title and by the author's name, and each listing is acompnied by one or two paragraphs explaining why McColman thinks the book important. The initial chapters cover introductory, intermediate, and advanced works on Wicca and paganism. These are then followed by chapters on a wide range of more specific topics. The last two chapters include a chapter on how to locate out-of-print books, and a chapter about useful Wiccan and pagan sites on the World-Wide Web. (In all honesty, it should be noted here that your reviewer is the High Priest of a coven whose Web site is listed in the book. Your reviewer discovered this fact only AFTER he had purchased the book.) The book ends with a complete listing of all of the books recommended, ordered alphabetically by author with full bibliographical information, and an index.

On the whole, I would recommend McColman's book as a good starting point for anyone seeking to assemble a serious magickal library.

Buy Carl Mccolman's book: The Well Read Witch

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Alfred Elton Van Vogt - The Witch
Anonymous - The Laws For Witches
Carl Mccolman - The Well Read Witch

Wednesday 21 June 2006

Spirited Taking Paganism Beyond The Circle

Spirited Taking Paganism Beyond The Circle Cover

Book: Spirited Taking Paganism Beyond The Circle by Gede Parma

Spirited is unlike any other Pagan or Wiccan book that I have read. I started reading with the mindset that it was going to be just like any other Pagan philosophy book. But I was wrong. Gede Parma writes Spirited with the intention that young Pagans (although I recommend this book for Pagans of all ages) can carry their spirituality wherever they go, and they should do so with pride. Packed with helpful hints and ideas, I recommend Spirited to any Pagan, young or old, advanced or beginning in their spiritual journey. This book is worth reading, keeping, and passing on.

Everyone has their own opinion and mine on this one is that it's fantastic! I'm a 21-year-old who tends to get bored with "text-book" like material. This wasn't like that at all. It kept my attention. I like how Gede put in Stories From other people. I may not be a teen anymore, but I still liked the book anyway.

Refreshingly real and practical, Spirited gets straight to the heart of Pagan living and Pagan spirituality today. Featuring real-life stories and first-hand experiences from the author and other young Pagans who've actually been there, this book gives you insight into the philosophy and spirituality of current Pagan rituals and practices. You'll get crucial advice on Witchcraft, spellcraft ethics, modern magic spells, coven and solitary work, magic theory and practice, dealing with Discrimination and negativity, and incorporating your spiritual beliefs into all the important areas of your life: Love,Sexuality,Family,Friends,School,Work.

Gede Parma (Australia) has been an active member of his local Pagan Community for years. He is an initiated priest of the WildWood Tradition of Witchcraft, a healer and seer, and a keen student of natural health and medicine. He is the descendant of diviners and spiritual healers and is of Balinese-Celtic heritage.

Buy Gede Parma's book: Spirited Taking Paganism Beyond The Circle

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Rabbi Michael Laitman - Attaining The Worlds Beyond
Peter Henry Emerson - Welsh Fairy Tales And Other Stories
Shri Gurudev Mahendranath - Notes On Pagan India
Anonymous - Satanic Pagan Calendars
Richard Roy - 13 Questions On Paganism And Wicca

Monday 5 June 2006

Wicca In History

Wicca In History Cover
Wiccans have been persecuted throughout the ages, as well as thousands of innocent people. The Salem Witch Trials were arguably the most well-known trials concerning witchcraft. So many innocent people died due to fear of the unknown. And why the dreadful fear of witchery? Power. People are afraid of someone having power over their lives. Yet witchcraft is not a religion based on power, nor does it try to seize control over or turn other people.

Witches and accused witches were persecuted for hundreds of years, until, in 1951, the law in England was rewritten because of a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald B. Gardner. While employed as a civil servant, he decided to declare his religious preference – Witchcraft. He demonstrated a ritual to the Parliament and explained the nature of his worship so they would realise that his religion was not about demons, destruction and sacrifice. Wicca was portrayed in its nature: the peaceful worship of the Goddess and the Horned God, equality in all living things. The Parliament declared Witchcraft a legal religion. In 1953, Gerald B. Gardner petitioned his right to coven, and that right was also declared legal.

Books in PDF format to read:

Anonymous - Witchcraft Dictionary
Gerald Gardner - Witchcraft Today

Tags: witchcraft guide magic religious community ran issue blessed lughnassadh gendered alter ritual witchcraft outline possibly odest world

Thursday 1 June 2006

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You Will Ever Need For Love Happiness And Prosperity

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You Will Ever Need For Love Happiness And Prosperity Cover

Book: The Only Wiccan Spell Book You Will Ever Need For Love Happiness And Prosperity by Marian Singer

The fundamentals of spellcraft-all in one volume! While it's extensive in knowledge and theory and is actually rather good, it wouldn't hurt to check out other spell books and read up on other seasoned witches' and wizrads' theories. Even with that said, I love this book.

It's always a great reference for White Magick, Crystal Magick, and Astroligical charts. In a while I'll have worn the cover with opening it constantly to my favorite pages. It's also very good for the fast-paced witch to have -- you can slip it in your pocket or purse while you're out shopping for supplies or what-not and open it as a reference. (Don't attempt this if you're wearing a trench coat and sun glasses, the bail isn't worth it).

Also, if you're a beginner in Magick, this is a book I highly recogmend. The spellwork is simple and the supplies for them few. These aren't elaborate or complicated spells and most can be done at anytime. There are also spells for children and some for relationships and even money.

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You'll Ever Need, by noted Wiccan authorities Marian Singer and Trish MacGregor, is your perfect primer to understanding the basics of Wiccan philosophy and ideology. Starting with a brief rundown of Witchcraft tools and symbols, this handy reference helps you create spells for virtually every aspect of your life:

# Business
# Creativity
# Health
# Love
# Personal power
# Prosperity, luck, and abundance
# Travel

I really like this book. I begun reading last week and I'm really interested in the topic. I think this is a great book for anyone wanting to know about white magic and how it works. Filled with myriad examples, simple instructions, and recipes that incorporate easy-to-find ingredients, The Only Wiccan Spell Book You'll Ever Need will have you creating your own magick in no time. Marian Singer really enjoys it almost as much as I do being a green witch. She said it is great for those who are new to the craft as well as to those who have been practicing it their entire life. I often see her reading this book when I go to visit her, infact she has opened it so much that the cover is wore out!

Marian Singer, author of Magick for the Wild Woman and the bestselling Everything(r) Wicca and Witchcraft Book, is an expert on Wicca, Witchcraft, and goddess traditions. Initially self-taught, she later received initiation into the Strega tradition of Italy. She frequently gives lectures and workshops around the country and has appeared on several television shows, such as Sightings and The Debra Duncan Show. A resident of Western New York, Ms. Singer regularly contributes to popular sites.

Find Marian Singer's book in amazon.com:
The Only Wiccan Spell Book You Will Ever Need For Love Happiness And Prosperity

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