Earth Magic: A Dianic Book of Shadows: A Guide for Witches

by Marion Weinstein

A companion book to POSITIVE MAGIC, it offers and in-depth study of Witchcraft (Wicca), serving as a workbook of magical techniques.

Genres: Wicca, Witchcraft, Occult, Spirituality, Magic, Paganism, Nonfiction

101 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Lori Schiele · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author wrote a clear and concise "Wicca 101" guidebook (although she refers to herself as a "witch", not a "Wiccan"). However, I'm only halfway through the book and I find that most of her suggestions, explanations and sample rituals not only don't "jive" with my own beliefs and way of thinking, but also go completely against the majority of similar "Wicca 101" books I have read.
A few examples:
-- Her statement that "Witchcraft is a reconstructionalist religion." (I have never heard of witchcraft, itself, to be considered a "religion" before.)
-- Her ritual candle arrangement of five candles: God, Goddess, Work, Earth and Water, with an explanation that "Fire and Air are included in each of all five" and don't need to be acknowledged with their own candle.
-- Her description of The Cone of Power, as well as how it is created and what it is used for.
-- Her statement concerning the importance of celebrating the Equinoxes and Solstices "exactly on the astrological moment of the changeover from one astrological sign to the next".
-- Her assurance that, for Drawing Down the Moon, if the timing of the Full Moon "doesn't work with your schedule" that "before going to sleep, simply instruct your subconscious mind to do the work at the right moment". (I actually had to read that part twice to believe I read it correctly!)
-- Her comment to essentially ignore the correspondences written in other books about gemstones and incense and use your own intuition instead. (I believe intuition should play a strong role in your choice and usage of incense and gemstones, but I also believe that the correspondences found in other books -- many of which agree with each other -- are often very helpful as a starting point.)

I may be overly nitpicking, but the examples I have mentioned I have *never* read in any other book before (and I have read A LOT of them.) And, although I perfectly understand that variations among covens, traditions and individual practitioners is common and completely acceptable, I just couldn't find myself comfortable with most of her comments and suggestions. Perhaps others feel differently, and that is their opinion, just as this is mine.
Blessings. )O(

[Anthony Fasolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of two of the very first books I read on Wicca. This along with Marion Weinstein's other book "Positive Magic". Both not only were in alignment to my basic sense of ethics but helped to concretize and deepen them as well.

I know this type of thinking can be rather abrasive to those who are more drawn to the darker side of life believing that they are treading the middle ground or living more in balance with the laws of nature, but then so? I've always found it interesting that those who make such declarations to that effect tending towards enshrouding themselves in an aura of fear laden ominous mystique; a bell chiming coyly in the dark but not wanting to admit it prefers it there either to itself or publicly.

If one wants to walk the center path, or walk in harmony with the balance of nature, then do so. To what end does it serve to appear and behave obviously out of balance? Where is the harmony in that? Usually the outside reflects what is on the inside, does it not?

There is no such thing as a middle of anything anyway. The middle falls wherever two extremes of a spectrum happen to lie, and those points can lie anywhere seldom remaining static for long.

When one extreme of a spectrum begins to pull more strongly than it's opposite, it pulls the entire spectrum along with it's opposite in it's direction thus moving that center along with it. Politics certainly works this way and one's magical intentions can result in the same thing. So, what may be considered a positive act today can prove to result horrifically at some point in the future and vice versa. I'm sure that Hitler's parents were overflowing with wondrous feelings of love and joy upon his birth. Who knew what horrific events that wonderful event would lead to decades later. There is much to be said about the Taoist notion of Yin and Yang.

So we do what we can and what we must hopefully with the highest of intentions and in accordance with what we know, believe, and the tools we have at our disposal in the moment. That is all we can ever hope to to do in this world.

[Emily Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very first book I ever read on wicca. This book has a very special place in my heaert.

[🌿Monica🌙 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good information in it, but for an eclectic it’s a bit much for me.

[Mandi See · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books you read time and time again.

[Vicent Howie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the wording Marion uses-simple, ALL inclusive, very open to the reader and encourages the "find what works for you".

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised how accessible and easy to read this book is. As someone who's mainly just investigating witchcraft, I could understand what was going on more and more as the book progressed. At first I was a little skeptical, because the attitude seemed almost identitcal to Christianity, but I found I could ignore that once it got into casting spells and whatnot. I liked that the spells seemed to make sense--I've read a few books that basically just call for chanting and walking around a circle of candles until you nearly fall down dizzy, but these were much more logical-sounding, like writing a lost item on a piece of paper, tying it with string, and pulling it towards you while visualizing drawing the lost object back. What really grabbed my interest, however, was the part on affinity manifestations. I won't really go into detail. but I've had multiple experiences with accidental affinity manifestations, and it felt good to kind of see it on paper and go 'ohh ok so this is real that did happen ok.' If I ever were to become a witchn that'd definitely be my style more than casting spells, drawing pentagrams, and calling on ancient, halfway-forgotten gods. Anyway, all in all it was a good read. For whatever my opinion counts (considering I'm not Wiccan and didn't test any spells or anything) I'd definitely recommend it to people looking for some further reading into witchcraft.

[Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly, highly recommend this book for any Witch, or anyone curious about REAL Witchcraft. I would recommend reading her other book, Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help first, though.

[Jewels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this volume contains some advanced work for a practitioner, the beginning is more of a primer for the person who is just learning about this sort of thing. The instructions are clear and conscise, as well as the explanations of the ideas and work that go into the lessons she is imparting. On the whole, this is a good book for beginners.

[Dannie Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if this is the same book or not, but I have one called, Earth Magic, a dianic book of shadows. The one I have is copyright 1980. If it is the same book, it is what started me on the path of Wicca .

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was an interesting read most of which i already knew. it is a god book for somebody who has been practicing for at least six to 12 months. i would recommend the book to be read but not as a first or second read when studying the craft.

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a few nice practical tips for ritual design, especially for focusing on goddess based ritual.
Definitely somewhere between wicca and witchcraft, but she does have a new edition out. Not sure if she's changed any of the language in it.

[Dirtymotherproductions cumor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book on paganism, although very basic, It has a special place in my heart. This is a Dianic book for both men and wimmin.

[Friday Gladheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. Leaning towards Dianic Wicca this book helps round out your Witchcraft learning and provides some wonderful ideas.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the Dianic book of shadows, which I think is this one in another form? Really useful book if so.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read especially for people who have been practicing but are still in there beginning phase of the craft