Raven GrimassiReseñas

Enjoyed the book, it isn't the path i walk but i always like reading about other path to compare and see the similarities and differences in the paths. A couple of spots i wish he would have added more diagrams of certain things.

Pretty extensively researched history on witchcraft with some passive aggressive jabs at historians (into it). The first half of the book gave me a few things to ponder on re: chilling in the forest and my personal favourite, are UFOs just a contemporary interpretation of what Faeries were to generations past? (THAT'S A FUN QUESTION).

The second part of the book was just reading some dudes grimoire and that certainly is not my thing.

The main book for my oracle deck. This one was insightful and wonderful. I'm definitely loving delving into the inner mysteries and looking at how each was represented in the images.

The second main book for my oracle deck. This one was insightful and wonderful. I'm definitely loving delving into the inner mysteries and looking at how each was represented in the images.

The Italian history and stories are interesting. Unfortunately, Grimassi uses almost no archaeological/scholarly evidence, mashes together witchcraft (a practice) & Wicca (a religion), and his thesis seeks to refute a claim I've never heard (that witchcraft started only with Wicca). The book also repeats sections word for word in different chapters. His passion for his Italian heritage shines, but his scholarship lacks authority.½

This book is awful.

I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. I'm willing to believe that he just doesn't see the logical fallacies he's presenting as facts, and that he just doesn't actually know how to do good historical research, nor how to compile good research into a sensible book.

Frankly, the pseudoacademic nonsense in this book would get a high-school student in trouble.

Raven clearly wants to prove that his 'tradition' of Italian Witchcraft is an unbroken line back to ancient times. But the historical research he cites doesn't support the idea, for all that he insists it does. I'd have had more respect for him citing channeled knowledge, then torturing the historical record into giving false support.

I tried to read this, more than once. I tried. I hoped that, among the chaff, there might be some information worth having. I can't find it by about 1/2 way through the book. I give up. I can find much better ways to use my time.

I want to give this a 2.5, but I will give it a 3, because for most other "Craftspeople" this book will be useful.

This book contained an abundance of information that is good for a practicing "craftsperson"..... But it is not what I needed or wanted.

Personally, I just wasn't moved by the book.... I was looking for something more, but can't really explain it... I was looking for an explanation, an "Aha!" piece of information.

This is a good book, none-the-less for a beginner or intermediate student of the "Craft"....

Though I am not much of a fan of Grimassi's other works, this one is worth picking up if you are interested in the topic of Familiars. It provides a basis in historical knowledge (though understandably filtered through the viewpoint of the author) and an excellent jumping off point for the practitioner to create their own rituals for work in this fascinating and rewarding area of the Witch's art.

A very nicely written book on the spirituality part of witchcraft and Wicca rather than just the practices of witchcraft. Raven Grimassi’s book goes over the basic and yet in-depth principles of Wicca and witchcraft without being just another witchcraft 101 book.½

As I am reading this, I am wondering more and more about the indended audience for this book. Is it for people who are suspicious of witchcraft and are against it? Unlikely they will pick this book up. Is it for just starting witches or simply people who are curious? Quite possibly, although I would not recommend it as a guidebook. Is it for already practicing witches? Judging by the title, it should be, but it doesn't seem that way. It seems that the book was conceived with a more philosophical goal in mind, i.e. possibly to explore theological dimensions or answer questions like 'why we do what we do'. However, it just seems like an attempt to provide a summary or an overview of tens and hundreds of traditions floating around and maybe to serve as a vague guide for someone just starting out. There are bits and pieces of this or that tradition, and as a whole, this book just seems rather purposeless. To me, it does not read as a discussion of spirituality should. My opinion might change as I continue reading it, but so far I have been disappointed.

What I really liked about this book is that it gave you a nice overview of the Beltane Sabbat with stories, crafts, history, correspondences, spells, and more. What it did not do was bog you down with way more correspondences than necessary. Sometimes to much information just puts you to sleep. This one kept me interested and looking forward to Beltane.

Grimassi explores the tenets of modern Wicca in the context of a mystery religion—one defined my a direct knowledge of deity. The book justifies recreating Wiccan practices based on “genetic memory” in the absence of a written or oral history. Although completely lacking in documentation, the book includes a bibliography; however, none of the cited words were published earlier than 1963, and most were published in the last decade. This does not lend much credence to a work about a religion that is older than Christianity.

A nice collection of stories, activities, and recipes for Beltane. I'd like to get the rest of the books for all the Sabbats.½

One of the few books on Wiccan theology. This is well-written and presented. Understanding the tennents of faith is a vital part of knowing yourself and your religion, and this book is a great next step.

Understanding the theology and reasoning behind Wicca is often overlooked in books on the faith. This and "Wiccan Mysteries" do an excellent job explaining the thinkings of the faith. A great next step in understanding Wicca.

It was really good! Just wish there was a bit more information as a whole of rites and rituals. But I understand that this could be quite challenging given the subject matter. I do highly recommend this one though.

GBIP