The Real Witches Book of Spells and Rituals

by Kate West

This tantilizing collection of spells and rituals introduces readers to the art of using magic to find healing, work, and relationships, while also providing an interesting overview of Craft and a guide to incorporating it into family and relationships. Original.

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

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2003

About the author

The author of over a dozen books, Kate West (United Kingdom), has become the U.K.'s most successful author on Witchcraft. She is the recipient of a Lifetime Contribution to Witchcraft award and has been recognized as the most popular factual writer on Witchcraft by Children of Artemis, the fastest growing Witchcraft organization in the U.K. and Europe. Formerly the Vice President of the Pagan Federation, West remains active in the Wiccan community, speaking at international Witchfests and contributing to magazines. She is High Priestess of the Hearth of Hecate and lives in North Norfolk.

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it amusing when people give Pagan authors bad reviews. Take what you can from their work and leave the rest. Make it your own. Kate West presents information that perhaps can be gathered from other sources...but come to think of it...that can be said of almost any other author about any other topic! I thought her writing style was good. I thought the information was presented well. I've never regretted adding her work to my magickal collection. When you are a student of witchcraft, regardless which particular path you choose to follow...the onus is on you to read and research from a variety of sources. Not all things will appeal to you, nor should they. Not all practices will resonate with you, not all writers will speak to you etc. That being said, I'd caution against writing off Kate West. I think she's done a fair job at presenting the public with valuable information.

[Victoria Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find this book very basic and far too 'organised'. Any good book on Witchcraft will advise on how to make your own spiritual path, but I almost feel that this book is trying to set you on the path... to buy more Kate West books.

As a 'beginner' to the craft, you may find some useful information in here, but it's nothing you can't get from a bit of internet research and creating your own Book of Shadows as you do so, which would ultimately end up far more informative and personal to you, which is the whole point of the craft. If you want to become Wiccan, however, you might enjoy this book, because it is more of an organised religion with set paths and ways of doing things (I'm not criticising this at all, I just prefer to choose my own path and write my own rituals).

I also thought it was aimed at a teenage market - fantastic for teens going through that 'phase' of trying everything and settling for witchcraft because they enjoy being different and controversial then try something different two weeks later, but not so good for adults who are fully decided on taking this path.

Overall I read the book because I just want to suck up as much knowledge on the subject as I can, and I'd recommend it to a young person considering this path, but if you're older, wiser and know for sure that this is the path you want to take then there are much more mature books out there, with more information, that would be better to read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives a very explicit framework for doing rituals that I do not find useful, but I can definitely see it appealing to some. Overall, still encourages creativity in the craft while providing a framework that might be useful for beginners.

[Victoria Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find this book very basic and far too 'organised'. Any good book on Witchcraft will advise on how to make your own spiritual path, but I almost feel that this book is trying to set you on the path... to buy more Kate West books.

As a 'beginner' to the craft, you may find some useful information in here, but it's nothing you can't get from a bit of internet research and creating your own Book of Shadows as you do so, which would ultimately end up far more informative and personal to you, which is the whole point of the craft. If you want to become Wiccan, however, you might enjoy this book, because it is more of an organised religion with set paths and ways of doing things (I'm not criticising this at all, I just prefer to choose my own path and write my own rituals).

I also thought it was aimed at a teenage market - fantastic for teens going through that 'phase' of trying everything and settling for witchcraft because they enjoy being different and controversial then try something different two weeks later, but not so good for adults who are fully decided on taking this path.

Overall I read the book because I just want to suck up as much knowledge on the subject as I can, and I'd recommend it to a young person considering this path, but if you're older, wiser and know for sure that this is the path you want to take then there are much more mature books out there, with more information, that would be better to read.

[Tasneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Kate West is one of the best pagan writers in terms of traditional rituals out there. I love her English sensibility that is so restrained and unfanciful.

[Penelope · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't particularly useful, to be honest. You can find all the information, plus much more, in many other sources. Not one of her best books.

[Christian Donato]

i think its real!!!!]

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great information in here and is a good companion to The Real Witches' Handbook. My one complaint is that there will be a large section in the back that doesn't pertain to solitary witches.

[Bokz Magalang]

hi