Product Description

The second volume of more spells, charms, incantations, amulets, talismans, and divination techniques for modern witches. The first volume sold over 500,000 copies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #992700 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 246 pages

Amazon.com Review
An informal guide to the practice of casual white magic, focusing on the concentration of emotion as a power source. The book has a personal feel to it, as if Morrison is sharing secrets among friends, and includes perhaps a few too many anecdotes while promising some impressive results.

Customer Reviews

Dated, but fascinating.
I would first like to address the negative points of this book. It, along with her other titles in the Modern Witch's series deals with expensive, difficult, obtuse highly stylized magic. It would be far easier to just buy a few herbs, light a few candles, and raise the Power for a spell than to perform even half of the spells outlined in Lyddon-Morrison's books.

Secondly, these books (the first in the series even more so) is an unequivocal product of its time. Lyddon-Morrison fires off gauche, sexist comments in rapid succession, along with nasty spells for abortions, and plenty of references to marijuana, mushrooms, and other psychotropic substances. This book was first published during the push for Women's Lib, prior to Roe vs. Wade. Lyddon-Morrison's views on abortion and other matters (not the least of which include Women's empowerment through Witchcraft!) were considered quite progressive at the time.

Lyddon-Morrison is not a Wiccan. In her third book in this series she states very clearly that she does not identify as a Wiccan, and actually finds us as some of the rudest most dogmatic people she has ever had the displeasure to meet. After reading some of these reviews, I can understand why.

As to the presence to "Black Magic" in this book, I can only say that I concur with those reviewers pointing out the need for more balance among Witches.

Finally, the spells in this series are obtuse for a reason. Many are traditional spells collected by the author from Renaissance-Era French Grimores, Romani folk beliefs, and English folk charms. Lyddon-Morrison has arranged these traditional spells in a format that was useful for the "modern Witch" of the time. Those Witches interested in folk magic and tradition would do well to investigate this series, particularly the third book which covers many folk charms native to Hawaii.

Lyddon-Morrison is a self-trained, self-proclaimed Witch. I don't pretend to agree with her views in many cases (which I could say for many Wiccan authors, as well) but her Modern Witch's series remains an interesting artifact of American Witchcraft as it existed prior to the rise of Llewellyn publishing and the media circus surrounding Wicca.

I'VE HEARD ENOUGH!
As a Pagan who is not Wiccan, it bothers me that many in the Wicca community are taking the same self-righteous attitude as Christians usually do against us. I can understand our hypersensitivity--we don't want to bring back the Burning Times, literally or figuratively--but why can't Wiccans accept that Wicca is NOT the only form of witchcraft? Why must every book about magick be an indoctrination into the principles of Wicca? That's like every book on church architecture preaching about Christ. Magick and witchcraft are much older and more varied than just Wicca, and we as Pagans have to get over our fear that if all our books aren't about "white light" and karmic retribution that the Christians will throw us in the fire. While I consider moral integrity important, some people scream about the Rede the same way Christians scream about hellfire and damnation. Let people read whatever they want and welcome a diversity of witchcraft and Pagan belief.

Not all that Is Witchcraft is Wicca!
First and foremost the author of the book ever mentiones Wicca or that she is Wiccan. Only the words Witch and Witchcraft are used. \
Second, The spells presented hear are the traditional spells used in Brujeria, Voodooists, Espiritismo, Curanderismo, and Hecherismo, or Witchcraft. It seems sadly that books as this should have a label, like those found on cds. -- "Witch's Advisory, No one under 18 or Wiccan Without a True Brujos Consent." -- These spells are the traditional spells used by many Witches, not Wiccans. If you are Wiccan do not read, if you are interested in true folk magick, spell crafting and Witchcraft as done by Brujos, then this might be a small but good window into the secret kitchen, altar and working room of a Bruja/o, Witch.

With all respects towards Wiccans, one must understand that throught the world this is what Witchcraft in. In Countries such as Mexico, Puerto Rico and all through out the world, many people go to Brujos or Hechiseros seeking revenge for a wrong doing. The Brujo will always warn. "Becareful what one asks for." But the `trabajo" the magickal working is done.

One should read this book with an open mind, as "so called Witch" one should have the proper understandings of both Black and White magick. I am sure your mind would change, or you would run back to this book. If lets say, and "God and Los Santos forbid" your mother was abused, your daughter was rapped, or you where cursed to ruins by a more powerful Witch who knew these knowledges.

The Profession and Craft of a True Witch must completely understand the workings behind both Black and White Magick. This book reveals these things.

Although I do not personally use Black Magick to harm anyone, I must say I have had clients come to me, who have been "Enbrujado" Bewitched or Cursed. So I must understand what was in the mind of the dark magician, what where his/her procedure. These things can be found out in books like these.

Lastly this is traditional Witchcraft with the good and the bad. This is not Fluffy, all is Happy, all is good, Wicca. And it never states it is.