The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development

Ancient-Modern philosophy Definition of reality Instant Magick Chakras & auras Astral travel dreams & spirit guides Healing: body mind & spirit 17 Chapters Self-Test Bibliography Index 338 Pages I read their Almanac Sabbats Book & Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Luv'em!

[...] When buying books, most of us look for new material, some thing missing from other books. We look for information on magick, deities, and spells on a deeper level but, we are always left some what empty handed. We look for something fresh and something deeper. We seek for a book that aids us in a deeper soul search. Well, searching within is exactly what this book is about, hence the tile, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft. Unlike most beginner books on Witchcraft, this book does not focus on spells, tools, or celebrating the wheel of the year (Sabbats). It is all to often that student of the Craft go straight to traditional spellwork without understanding how or why it works. The author insists that students who have not experienced energy or psychic powers, the "foundation stones or magick", will have a less profound experience in ritual. Instead this book focuses on the journey within, psychic development, meditation, and magick. The book starts out with four introductory chapters that gives basic definitions of the word "witch", such as the healer and walker between worlds. It describes Witchcraft as an art, science, and spirituality and describes the ancient history and modern traditions of Witchcraft. The rest of the book is divided into 13 lessons along with exercises, meditations, and homework to go along with "a year and a day" study course. Lesson topics include meditation, ancient philosophy, magickal theory, protection, astral projection, light, energy anatomy (chakras, auras, etc.), spirit guides, and healing. In my opinion, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is an extraordinary text. Christopher Penczak's eclectic approach and personal experience makes this book a pleasure to read. When reading a book on Witchcraft, what's better than one written by an experienced minister and practitioner of the Craft. 5 out of 5 magick wands!

No long intro here, just my reasons for loving this book.1. A book that finally teaches people that psychic development is the bases of ALL "magick." I quote my own teacher here "The moment someone learns and realizes that thought creates they become a magick user."2. Though I am not into wicca, or rather wasn't, this book helped me to become interested becuase 3. it had an absolutely wonderful historical, well researched, section on witchcraft and4. it present numerous wicca traditions/paths. Though not a lot was said about them (around a paragraph each), the author makes it very clear that he is an Eclectic "witch" and that if people want to choose one of the other paths they are welcomed to. They just have to do a little extra research on them. His course does start the beginning foundations for being involved in most any of them.5. His writing is clear, clever, intelligent, and at times funny. It's very rare that I read a text book type of book and can say those things.6. He provides an overview of the Calendar that most Pagans go by without getting into it in a heavy way. This will allow newbies to absorb and understand it and start to ask questions about it, which is the mark of good teaching.7. He does NOT throw ritual magick at you. Based on my understanding it is rare that most covens allows a newbie to practice magick when they first join because of the consequences that could happen when someone does so without knowing what they are doing. Here he teaches how to do "mind magick" or rather what I learned of as psychic development techniques. Even so, it is much safer then some of the more advanced ritualized magical aspects and it's also much easier to understand. 8. There is a self test at the end of the book so you can measure how well you are doing as you go along.9. The book is meant to act as a traditional year and a day study course that most adapts who are being initiated into covens go through. His second book (Coming in 2004) most likely will do the same for the 2nd degree.10. Topics Covered include: History of Wicca, Wicca Paths, The Magickal Mind, Meditation, The Magick of Science, The Science of Magick, The Art of Defense, The Power of Light, Energy Anatomy, Journey Work, Spirit Work, The Inner Temple, Healing, and Initiation. There are 34 exercises that support the lessons and a companion CD (buy separately) which contains over half of those exercises done via guided visualization and lead by the author.oh and one more11. He does not bash any of the wicca traditions or indeed any other religion. He realizes that he has no need to stoop to such low tactics. Indeed, if anything he will help those people of other religions who have a simi open mind to understand more about the wicca religion.

For me, this book filled in a lot of gaps in all the other Wicca/magic 101 books. Those books would say "meditate on...", "raise power", "visualize your intent" without actually telling you HOW to do any of those things. Perhaps I'm just stupid, but none of those things are natural to me. Then I found "The Inner Temple of Witchcraft" and my questions got answered. This book makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who can't figure out what it really is to "visualize your intent" right off the bat. It eases you into a meditative practice, visualization, affirmations, healing, chakra work, etc. He presents the skills as progressive lessons so the format is easy to follow. All the other magic 101 books say that magical skill comes with practice, but once again, this book is much more useful. Instead of just saying that you should practice, Penczak actually lists homework at the end of each lesson. Personally, this was exactly the beginner book I needed, one that sets up a solid foundation before rushing right into spells and Sabbat rituals.

Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak is a book on the inner workings and psychic developments of a witch. This book covers a wide variety of topics for a first degree witch to develop their psychic abilities through meditations and exercises. As a High Priest, I have already done this work, and still continue to do the work. As a teacher of the craft, I find this book to be valuable as it is a resent publication on the topic. Most books that I have on my book self cover the topics of ritual, basic structure, mythology, and all the other topics. Though Christopher covers a few craft topics, he concentrates mostly on the self development of a witch. Most books don't cover this topic in depth, which makes this book an excellent textbook for the student. Many of the topics that Christopher covers are what witches have been doing for centuries, way before the "New Agers" came along. As a matter of fact, the New Agers are basically doing witchcraft. They don't identify it as witchcraft, but in reality that is what witchcraft is. Some of the topics come from the Asian areas, others from our Western knowledge. But let's remember, Witchcraft is the label we Westerners put. The philosophies of other areas of the world are closely related and thus is generally the SAME thing. So the "New Agers" who have published books, created classes and seminars are covering what Christopher includes in this book, ancient traditions of the craft. I also like that he covers the science of magick. In our modern times, we have forgotten the fact that magick is not only an art, but a science. Science is basically something that witches have been doing since the beginning of time. The chapters he includes on the science of magick are excellent lessons regarding how magick works. This book is more than a reference item on the bookshelf. It is a good resource for the craft teacher and their students. It is easy to read and understand. As an ordained High Priest of the Covenant of Aradia, a hereditary witch, and one who has studied Wicca for 12 years, I HIGHLY recommend this book to the new craft student, High Priests and Priestesses, and craft teachers. The book can be used cover to cover, or it can be used separately chapter by chapter. Be creative in your teaching while using this book. It is well worth the time and effort to use this book in our teachings.Alfred Surenyan, High Priest Elder of the Coven of the Mystical Triad

As a relative newcomer to this Path, I found The Inner Temple of Witchcraft to be an incredible resource and a relief from all those books that tell you that you MUST do something so-and-so's way. Mr. Penczak introduces a not-so-revolutionary concept here: You use what works for YOU. If that means borrowing from the Native Americans, the Buddhists or the New Agers, so be it. There is no "pure" tradition of witchcraft. Finally, an author who admits that!This book takes you through the spiritual search for your own place of power within. That's something missing in a lot of Witchcraft cookbooks today. The entire point of Mr. Penczak's book is to teach witches to build the Inner Temple as a necessary foundation for their outer workings. People may not want to admit this but Wicca is a SPIRITUAL path. How can you partner with the Divine if you haven't met Her?This book was written for those interested in a balanced and eclectic practice who may not have access to formal training. His writing reads as if he is speaking directly to you. With its year-and-a-day format, I think it's an appropriate substitute for the first level training that many of us want and few of us can find.