Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting

by Judika Illes

Pure Magic is a practical crash course for anyone who's ever envied TV witches. Or women who always seem to get the job, apartment, or date they want. Or people who can make their dreams come true. Judika Illes has written a spellcasting primer in down-to-earth language. "I consciously set out to write a book that would be different from any other on the market," Illes writes. "This book is jargon free. It contains information usually handed down from teacher to student. It focuses on the practical aspects of spellcasting in a clear and nonjudgmental way. . . . No specialized metaphysical training is required." What is required is that we become aware of the natural rhythms, energies, powers, and patterns of Earth and her diverse inhabitants. Pure Magic offers a plethora of individual spells, plus concrete advice on how and where to practice magic, to rightly use words of power, and to cleanse, protect, and enhance your magic self. Work your way through it's easy-to-follow, step-by-step plan, and all will become clear. Learn to listen to Mother Earth, focus on your magical allies, gather the simple equipment Illes outlines, and follow the straightforward instructions, and you will soon be constructing your own spells and experiencing magic in your everyday life. Pure Magic is a book that beginners will follow rigorously and advanced spellcasters will refer to again and again for guidance and inspiration.



* Magic 101: this book is a complete course in real magic--how and why it works.

* Pure Magic is a perennial, from an author with a great track who knows what she's talking about.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Occult, Magick, Magic, Spirituality, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Born in New York City, my metaphysical career began early: My first encounter with tarot cards at age six was also my first experience of love at first sight! That passion still burns true. Although I do practice other forms of divination, tarot remains the foundation of my practice.

A lifelong pursuit of metaphysical wisdom followed and continues: astrology, mythology, Kabbalah, the Egyptian mysteries as well as spiritual, magical and healing traditions from all over Earth but particularly Africa and Asia.

I've also been a blues and free-form rock and roll disc jockey, a corporate travel consultant specializing in the Caribbean, a skin-care and cosmetics consultant, and a teacher of mythology and multicultural studies. I wrote and edited the Ancient Beauty Secrets section for the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism's monthly online magazine, which integrated modern aromatherapy with ancient methods of body care and decoration.

True love's arrows pierced my heart yet again when I first encountered a vial of essential oil. (Essential oil of frankincense, to be exact, still a favorite.) Essential oils are not true oils but potent plant extracts. Modern aromatherapy, with its roots stretching back to ancient China, Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Middle East, is the manipulation of essential oils for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Essential oils are perhaps the purest, most potent expression of a plant's power and play a profound role in rituals, potions and spells. Many are powerful aphrodisiacs and may be used to enhance health, beauty and peace of mind.

Following over a decade of independent study, I earned a certificate in therapeutic aromatherapy. I served on the faculty of the Australasian College of Herbal Studies as an aromatherapy tutor, teaching the certification program.

My special passion for almost fifteen years has been magical and traditional approaches to fertility. Originally stimulated by own reproductive challenges, I was frustrated by the medical options offered to me. I went searching for other avenues, gentle Earth and female-friendly solutions and found them: a vast repository of women's wisdom. Two children and many years later, I still search and research, impressed and empowered by thousands of years of women's inventiveness, endurance, defiance and humor.

Reviews

[Erik Akre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine book for those interested in the lore and powers of plants. Her magic is much less about psychic power and much more about ingredients: concoctions and potions and oils and incenses, all made from the plants she loves, respects, and reveres so much. She is a "magical herbalist," if ever there was one, although not limited by the term.

The book contains a lot of incidental lore from varied cultures, which ends up being a lot of fun, if perhaps inappropriately eclectic. There is Voudoun, Hoodoo, and Yoruba--mythology, lore, and practice, and more. There is also a smattering of Native American, Greek, and Norse information and magic. It lends a kind of "anything goes" air to the work; perhaps you will find that attractive. Illes writes what she knows, in any case. It's pretty clear where her expertise lies, and she (appropriately) leans on it.

The introductory passages (well-written general information and theory) are fascinating. Unfortunately, they make the following litany of spells and ingredients lists a bit of a let-down. I'd love to find a book of pure text--no "spells"--with her thoughts, knowledge, and theories.

For the less skeptical, this book could be an excellent and exciting read, with lots of practical use. I don't know how truly "Wicca" it is, but then who cares? And does it matter? And does it even try to be?

[Dana Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lovely read! I was thrilled to receive a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When I was a little girl, I would find myself endlessly searching the television for movies like Bednobs and Broomsticks, or shows like Bewitched. Those are the moments that plucked at my imagination and made my heart race. Was magic something real? In my writer brain and in my childhood imaginings, I so wanted it to be true.

Pure Magic rests in the place that magic is part of the web of everyday life. That is the charm in this book. Take a journey with Judika Illes as she teaches you about magic from the bottom up. I found this book to be a very good introductory course in all things magical, from the most simple to some a little more challenging.

This book is full of sound research and will give hours of reading pleasure!

Highly recommended as an addition to any magical library, either for reference or practical knowledge.

[Andrea Bibiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introduction to practical magic, it's entertaining, easy to follow and Wicca-less, with inspiration on assorted magical traditions and a youthful outlook. I'm looking forward to read more in-depth works from this author.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, lots of fluff however and a few instances of appropriation. Not sure if I'll use any of the spells or washes but I'm going to keep the book for a while.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opens up a whole new world of the seen and the unseen. Could possibly set a magical tone to your every day existence.

[Nikki Ashendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to me at exactly the right time. I really enjoyed it. I recommend it to all my brothers and sisters. Learn to commune with Gaia and feel her energies!

[Abe · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: Eds, weight spells, appropriation, mild racism via one spell that emulates a stereotype, gross body things, grief.

Rating: 2/10

Pros: Does mention when certain plants are poisonous! Some interesting small tidbits like divers carrying pearls to protect from sharks! A ton of recipes for bath salts, cleansing spells, protections, etc. 5 full pages of a Bibliography.

Cons: Appropriates Hawaiian, multiple sources of Hoodoo, Haitian and New Orleans Vodun, Brujeria, Indigenous Peoples (North American, Central American), AND Hindu practices and deities.

Advocates for summoning and working with lwa, in particular she seems to have an affinity for Papa Legba and Baron Samedhi. The latter of which she says anyone can make an alter to in order to help with grief. Also advocates for working with the Yoruba.

The author also makes some claims like even just witnessing a car wreck can break your personal protections???

Also states you must follow the wiccan rede and the rule of three. Like…a quarter of the stuff in this book comes from the opposite kind of practices than Wicca.

Makes some…interesting medical claims, and not in a historical context, in a ‘you can do this right now’ way. Also makes some claims that seem outrageous and may trigger some people who are battling|| EDs||. Such as just by being a witch and doing work you WILL eat more or suffer weight gain issues.

She also has a massive collection of weight loss spells, love spells, obsession spells, and some spellwork that seems to border on racist viewpoints, such as a slightly different version of the ‘never eat spaghetti from your girlfriend’ tale.

One spell in particular that caught my eye which included uh…putting something you shouldn’t inside you and leaving it there for 7 whole days. Doing so WILL give you an infection and the item will ROT inside your body. Just don’t do this please.

The author also has a bundle of fertility spells, which is just fine, but then also has some birth control spells and the author doesn’t seem to acknowledge that proper medication may be needed for both of those things.

Conclusion: Just don't. There's some good in this book yes, and her other work might not be that bad but this one? This is a hot mess of a book and I don't recommend it in any way, shape, or form.

[anh thư · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to magical practice with some helpful tips and a lot of emphasis on safety. I really enjoyed reading through the many spells included at the end. "Better sx but only if you come back home" was the best thing I read (though I cannot imagine anyone actually trying this.)

The reason I didn't give this five stars: I remember thinking there were an awful lot of bath spells (not convenient if you don't enjoy baths or live in a country where bathtubs are uncommon). There were also times when I wished the author would've gone deeper with the information, rather than only mentioning something in passing but I suppose a balance was needed for an introductory book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this is an excellent book if looking for a general overview of pagan practices and witchcraft. If just beginning to wet your toes on the subject, check it out for sure. It goes over just about every topic there is, spirit animals, altars, various dieities and what they are most helpful for. The last third of the book is all spells for just about every topic you could want a spell for. While not everything in the book rings true to me, there is A LOT of great info here. But, that is the beauty of witchcraft is it not? That you can take what has meaning for you and leave the rest.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice place to start to get the general ideas of the basics and meanings of each bit and piece of magical practices. Though only giving a handful of examples for each area, it is well-written and acts as a nice springboard for diving into whatever you would like for research.

I appreciate that they offer a feel for how each element jives with a person. The reasoning makes sense and there's plenty of historical and cultural examples of how tools are used in magic as well.

It's a good piece to keep around for the basics and common ideas.

[Anthony Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoke to me more than I'd admit, but also yeah...

I think magic in this form is really just meditation or prayer with extra steps. Alan Watts used to say that everything is Meditation or Worship if done right. Washing dishes that feed your family with love and attention. Magic is like that. And there's a lot of value in that. I'm not knocking it. I just question what's going on if you're not also talking to God?

I appreciated it for the recommendations of oils and herbs tho. Honestly.

[Ana Neel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the information. Did a alright job with trying to incorporate other cultures beside euor-witchcraft. Though I feel like it could have had more and the some notes. Thought this is just a beginners book.

[Laura]

This book was not for me (and seemed kind of appropriating in parts of what I did read, which I don't appreciate), I didn't get very far into it, but I want to record that so I don't accidentally try to read it again down the road.

[theghostfactory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read much Judika Illes, but from what I have her books focus on appealing to a variety of deities from all points of history and cultures. If deity worship isn’t your path, a lot of these spells aren’t helpful.

[QueenDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful book of beginners Magic with an abundance of spells that's easily understood and could be used for beginners in witchcraft

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the spells are interesting and some elements beyond them are too. The organization of the book left a lot to be desired in my opinion and it felt a bit too bare bones.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely found some inspiration in these pages and ways of explaining concepts that will help me to further my own practice.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just as title says, spellcasting and rootworking (Hodoo or Santeria, can't say).

Probably good, but no use for me: requires a lot of odd supplies, for the tasks I don't need. There are easier ways, with less supplies, for wider range of tasks, solved at completely different level. I have a feeling that this one is more related to youthful skin and beauty (beauty and pregnancy, botanical baths and washes), small changes here and there, involving too strong supernatural forces than I would agree to, than to problem solving and changing circumstances without creating even more problems; forgive my ignorance and no disrespect meant.

Let take a look inside:
Supplies and magical allies, realistic expectations of magic, spells: aura cleansing, protection, magical exercises, divination, spells for beauty, love, aphrodisiac ones, marriage, fertility (including creative), antifertility, pregnancy protection, protection of children, money magic (see Feng Shui books too, in my opinion), healing body and soul, death an funerals, including altar to the first buried on cemetery. Glossary, resource guide.

Introduction is very educative, just to get idea what is going on in the world we know so little about.

[Lilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the author of the best-selling Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells (and the Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft), Judika Illes offers a plethora of spells for everyday life, complete advice on how and where to practice magic, to rightly use words of power, and to cleanse, protect, and enhance your magic self.

This is a comprehensive and practical course for anyone who’s ever wanted to hone their spellcasting skills. This book is not bogged down with fancy words or jargon and most of the information supplied is the kind that is normally passed down from teacher to student. This is a great book for both beginners and advanced spellcasters, and goes hand-in-hand with her Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells.

[Paige Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This took me fooooorrevvahhhhrrr to get through. I read this because at some point I had checked out her Spirits book at a library once and enjoyed it.

Honestly this was a bit dull and I did not always agree with everything but I look at it sort of like a maths textbook that sits on my shelf that I might reference once in a purple moon to remind myself how to work out the Pythagorean theorem.

TA

[Missy]

So far, very cool... It's basically herbalism with...intention and candles. V. neat.

[Tara]

I expect nothing less than wonderful from Judika Illes. I love her style and believe this will be just as fabulous as her other books.

[katherine ✡︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an odd mixture of Santeria and other magical forms... I wasn't expecting that at all. Still, it has some nice material in it.