Book Review: Pagan Portals-Fairy Witchcraft

Book Review: Pagan Portals: Fairy Witchcraft by Morgan Daimler ISBN 978-1782793434

Published by Moon Books ©2014 www.moon-books.net; book $9.95; ebook $3.99

This is a very short book- 83 pages from the introduction to the conclusion. The book is written from the author’s perspective on the subject and her personal experiences within this tradition. It offers information on the lore, traditions and magic of fairy witchcraft. This would be a good book for a new practioner, but not necessarily for an adept.

 

Ms. Daimler covers the basics including beliefs, tools used, basic practices: how to get started, prayers invocations, holidays, correspondences, etc. There are also a few things not really relative to only fairy witchcraft such as Four Thieves Vinegar and Witch Balls.

 

The author clearly believes in her path and seems to “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk”. She offers many of her own personal experiences with the fey. She also has a very decent bibliography for further reference and research.

 

I think this would be a good basic introduction for someone brand new to this path as a Fairy 101 book. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Gray Witches Grimoire

 

Book Review: Gray Witches Grimoire by Amythyst Raine ISBN 1780992734

Published by Moon Books ©2014 www.moon-books.net; book $19.95; ebook $11.99

Overall, I was a little let down by this book. There is very little on the actual path of the Gray Witch in it, only a few pages. I would have liked to have read more. Although the pages are few, I was very engaged in what the author had to say on this subject.

 

The preface of the book explains what the author’s concept of a gray witch is- not light, not dark, but in between (as you might have guessedJ). She also covers what she thinks is the most important of the witches ladder- to keep silent and the power this rung carries in doing so. Ms. Raine also goes into her views of what the principles, beliefs and code of ethics are for a gray witch. The book also covers many basic tenets such as the triangle of manifestation, the witches pyramid and the use of the heptagram.

 

A lot of the book covers different correspondences she uses (which are the same most pagans/witch may use, including myself). She does offer many spells, which certainly would fall under the category of “gray”.This book may not be for those who only profess love and light. Whether or not the author’s spells cross any lines is up to each practioner and what they believe to be as truth.

 

Ms. Raine does not offer a bibliography. She does state at the very beginning of the book that all the information is from her own grimoire and what has learned on her path as a gray witch. The books is written in a very easy to read format. If want an good book for correspondences and spells, this may be a good book for you, but as stated before, the actual information on the path of the gray witch is very limited. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Deep Heart of Witchcraft

 

 

Book Review: Deep Heart of Witchcraft-The Core of Magical Practice by David Salisbury

Moon Books Publishing ©2013 www.moon-books.net ISBN R00F1YZ0ZG book $22.95; ebook $13.99

 

LOVE this book! A must have for any practioner’s library: novice or adept. This book is about transforming how you practice your spirituality in today’s world. It pushes the reader to learn (and keep learning) but also to practice your craft, EVERY SINGLE Day, not just on holidays! I was very excited when I started with this book.

 

 Mr. Salisbury starts off by explaining how to read and use his book. He has written exercises for you to do, journaling prompts, meditations and rituals. The first four chapters cover the elements in great detail! He explains each element and also gives exercises on how to work with and connect with each element. He goes beyond a basic correspondence listing. The next few chapters cover spirit, the gods, ritual and the wheel of the year. Again, the author goes beyond just the basic information. The last chapter shows you how to put all this knowledge together to successfully practice your personal craft.

 

There is also a very nice bibliography for further reading/research.

 

Overall, this book offers a better understanding of the basics of witchcraft and takes the reader to next level. Although I might not consider this a 101 book, it is written in a way that anyone, novice or adept, can understand and absorb the information given. It certainly does go “deep”within the heart of witchcraft. J

 

Go out and buy this book today!! Five out of five stars. It will certainly find a home in my library!

Book Review: Pagan Portals-Hedge Riding by Harmonia Saille

Book Review- Pagan Portals-Hedge Riding by Harmonia Saille, Moon Books Publishing, ©2012

ISBN 9781780993485; Book form $9.95; ebook form $3.99        www.moon-books.net

Overall, I found this book informative and easy to understand. Harmonia Saille writes in a way that anyone can understand the concepts she presents, including newbie witches and pagans.  She starts off stating this is a starter guide and has basic information. She goes on to state that further reading, research and practice are needed to become adept at hedge riding.

 

Hedge riding is a practice that is basically about altered states of consciousness and how to use this state for traveling within realms. She writes “When we hedge ride, we cross the hedge, which is the veil between the worlds and we become the bridge or link between the two.”  

 

Within this book, the author explains the different components on how to hedge ride and ends the book with how to bring it all together on how the process would actually work. The author also offers different methods on how to achieve altered states in preparation for any journey.  The book also stressed the importance of having experience in meditation, visualization or other path-working methods. If you are not adept at the time you read the book, make sure to learn these techniques before attempting to hedge ride! Some exercises are included to help gain experience in this area.

 

The author also writes about different tools that can be used for protection, guidance and preparing for your ride. She also tells the reader how to work through different realms, animal guides and spirit guides and how each of these might offer help or insight into your ride. Personal experiences of the author are also included to help illustrate this process.

 

This book was rather short, but it is packed with information that can be used by a novice or adept practioner. It offers do’s and don’ts and is easy to understand on any level of experience or knowledge.

 

I would highly recommend this book for any practioner looking to experience hedge riding and other states of altered consciousness. Four out of five stars!