Phyllis CurottReseñas

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.

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 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.

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 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.

This is the best book on witchcraft for beginners that I have ever read. It is not a simple spellbook, but goes into the emotion and spirituality behind the magic.

This is the best book on witchcraft for beginners that I have ever read. It is not a simple spellbook, but goes into the emotion and spirituality behind the magic.

Excellent intro book that doesn't read like a how-to manual. It's her personal story... a journey from a place of thinking witches cavorted with Satan to a place of High Priestess. Fascinating read.

A little fluffy at points, but a good book nonetheless...

In Book of Shadows, the memoirist recounts her experiences as she encounters a group of Witches and becomes an initiate into their coven. This occurs in New York City sometime in the late 1970’s. She considers herself a rational, analytical person and at first has some difficulty merging her new discoveries with her scientific, factual background. This is helpful for the reader, as she explains how history , sociology, and quantum physics play a role in backing up what she is learning. At the same time, she is also trying to build a career in entertainment law and has to contend with a repulsive, smarmy boss in the days before sexual harassment was even a thing. She explores using her new power to improve her situation at work. These vignettes about her actual life were much more interesting, to me, than the historical and scientific background she relates, and often goes into a rant or tangent about right in the middle of an anecdote. She’s to be commended for relating the factual, informative parts to her life, but at times it seemed to almost devolve into a lecture or sermon for the benefit of the reader, rather than naturally flowing with the story. Other times, though, she gave the information as it was imparted to her, either in dialogue or recounting what she learned from a text, which came off as more cohesive and beneficial to the narrative.
The information contained was very helpful, and realistic. The author quickly disabuses the casual reader of the notion that witchcraft is about casting spells and hexes, and explains that the goal is to live more intentionally with the earth and harness its power to improve yourself and your situation, as well as to help and heal others. Although some rituals are described, there are a lot of details left out. This is not a manual –at all. It is a peek into one woman’s journey to enlightenment. She is lucky that she sort of stumbled into these women who were willing to work with her and teach her, and it seems like she almost doesn’t appreciate this. It is much more difficult to gain these skills and insights when working on your own, learning mainly from books.
Recommended for those curious about witchcraft, and fans of memoirs in general.

An unusual book but still a nice read. Instead of being another book on what Wicca is, this book is more of autobiography written in basically a story format. The book goes through the journey of the author finding out about Wicca all the way through her initiation. One downside to the book is that throughout the book the dialogue continues to suggest historical events and lineages which have either been proven untrue or over simplified. The idea that Wicca is truly an old religion which is a survival of pre-Christianity has basically been proven false. Similar factual errors can be found here and there in a few places. Outside of that, this book is still an interesting read. I’ve read books on Wicca before and a few recounts of the story of how a person came into their path, but never have I seen anything like this.½

In a world where there are many 'How to do' wiccan books. It was refreshing to read about Phyllis Curcott's own journey.

il mio prino libro sulla Dea! Lo consiglio a tutti quelli che vogliono saperne di più.

I resisted buying this one for a long time. But I'm glad I did. I read it in January, before Valentine's day in preparation for an Imbolc ritual that was going to be about the deities of love. This book was one that I just didn't want to put down. It is a story, but it is an informative story. You are learning while you are enjoying yourself and that is the best kind of book, IMHO. There are a few spells in the back of the book, but don't let that stop you, I think the publisher probably insisted. ;)

An enjoyable look into her personal spiritual journey.½

I highly recommend this book to beginners.

Interesting account of encounter with the Goddess and Ms Curott's interaction with a group/coven in New York. Mildly biased in favour of the Covenant of the Goddess and more than a little Goddess centric (I likes my balance) but interesting the the ways she had to come to terms within herself about the religious change.

ACHTERKANT:

Een spirituele reis door de wereld der witte heksen

Het Boek der Schaduwen is het waar gebeurde verhaal van de initiatie van een moderne vrouw in een ervaringswereld die de westerse wereld sedert lang vergeten is.

Het Boek der Schaduwen biedt een blik op een oeroude spirituele traditie, gericht op de magie van het leven: wicca. De lezer wordt ingewijd in de verborgen wijsheid van deze mondelinge overlevering en krijgt hulpmiddelen voor spiritueel ontwaken en zelf-transformatie.

Het Boek der Schaduwen gaat in op vele technieken van de Craft of the Wise, waaronder meditatie, trancetoestanden, rituelen, gebeden, spreuken, uittreding, symbolisme en dromen. Wie deze vaardigheden beheerst, leidt een avontuurlijk leven in een wereld vol magie.