Practical Solitary Magic

I think that I can add to those that had reviewed this book, one person said that it wasn't for beginners or someone of youth because it was an advanced book, while two others blatently said it was a great place to begin. I think the first review that I mentioned said that it was not a book to begin with because this book is not strictly wiccan, and does not go into any religious background. Thus said this book is as advertised a beginning to magick using mostly the four realm division of Fire/Spirit/Salamander, Air/Mental/slyphs, Water/emotion/undines, Earth/physical/gnomes... in this sense she simplifies activating (I am using a simplistic aproach) the inner child/unconsiousness through exercises and use of elementals. This book is written excellently because it gives not only a simple and uncomplicated and throughly understandable place to begin with out pressure, she also writes it in a way for only spiritual growth of the reader and also writes this with deep moral considerations without beating you over the head constantly of dogma. If you are looking at understanding yourself better while becoming aquanted with elementals this would this book is a great place to begin, but it is somewhat limited in scope. This book is written so it does not rehash or go into any religion so it would be a perfect book for the dedicated of a earth religion as an "intermediate book" if you don't already understand the elemental realm then it would still be perfect since I have not found any other book to relate the elements so wonderfully close to a personal level. I could rant on and on... so I will leave off to also say that this book has a "quiz" or "questionaire" so that you can find the element you are most affinitied to. This to me was more fun then a deep personal exersize and I think should be taken as much.. but if it helps just the better. Blessed be. Now buy this book, since I have bought three over the last three years

This is one of my favorite and one of the most instructive books on magic that I've read in a long time. After years of reading many, many of the more "new age" centered books out there, they all start to become the same and offer little that is new or inspirational. It becomes more and more difficult to find something educational. Which is why I've found this book so refreshing.This is a book on how to practice magic - not about religion. Many other books make this same claim, while they are just the opposite. So if you want religion, don't read this. Nor do I feel this is a good book for beginners (especially those just looking into Wicca, though all of this would depend on the person). Although this is written in a step by step manner and focuses on many basics, I really feel many beginners would be lacking in enough self-knowledge (when it comes to magic) to adequately digest what is presented here. Plus the instructions here are to help one create one's own rituals and spells, instead of laying out specific spells themselves. And, as another reviewer here mentioned, it would help to already have a grounding in the pantheon and/or tradition of your choice before starting here.Nevertheless, as a relatively experienced witch, I'm so glad I found this book. I look forward to putting it into use, as I feel it will dramatically advance my skills. Also, Nancy Watson really makes me want go out and research many more sources, in new directions other than where I was going, and gets me excited again about performing magic. And I think that is the ultimate point of this book.

This book is fantastic. Instead of just handing you some pre-written spells and rambling on about 80 different goddesses, Ms. Watson explains HOW magic works and WHY she recommends her particular methods. Watson explains the use of symbolism, elements, and magical application in an easy-to understand-manner. She doesn't put on airs (her name is Nancy, not Lady MoonRaven Skydreamer, or whatever), nor does she get bogged down in religiosity (though her book allows you to use your chosen deities). Get this book, especially if popular Wiccan books cause you to raise a skeptical eyebrow.

This is *the* book that got me started in magic. I had long been interested, but had never found a book that presented magic in a way that I could believe in. Watson does so. Her method is to use an architectural metaphor for magic, dividing it into Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical planes; Spiritual magic deals with gods, Mental with thoughts, Emotional with feelings, and Physical with physically acting out ritual. One may work on one or many levels at once. One of the best things about this book is that Watson fills it to the brim with autobiography. One gets far more about reading how a person discovered and used a technique in their life than from reading about the technique in the abstract. Though Watson works out of a vaguely Golden Dawn-ish tradition, she is quite eclectic and encourages her readers to be. She makes the point that magic can be extremely simple -- nothing but writing down one's goal -- or extremely complex, and that a student of the occult should find for themselves what rituals, symbols, and gods they can work comfortably with. Once again: an excellent work; I recommend it highly. Read it and it will give you a context for all the rest of the reading on magic you do. P.S. Watson spells it correctly: "Magic," not "Magick."

I found this book easy to read, understand, and use for practice. It is well written and gives easy guidence especially for those just beginning to explore magic. It is not limiting to one group or practice. This is a good feature for those who define their god or goddess slightly different from any other they have read or heard or seen. The author encourages the user to develop their own skills beyond mimicing those of others. She starts simply and leaves lots of room for expansion into complex spells and rituals. This book will especially touch those who are more logical and practical and doubt the powers of the universe. I have had a whole new world of happiness, power, and possibilities open up to me after completing this text. Harming none do thy will. Good Luck.