Advanced Witchcraft: Exploring Deeper Levels of Spiritual Skills and Masterful Magic

by Patricia J. Telesco

Continued training that goes beyond an introduction to Wicca, this valuable text provides a deeper magickal understanding and numerous activities, from amulets to trancework, that will give readers a higher level of magickal awareness, insight, and responsibility.

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

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Patricia "Trish" Telesco is a professional author with more than 50 metaphysical titles on the market.

Trish considers herself a kitchen witch whose love of folkore (and a bit of Strega) flavor every spell and ritual. Her strongest beliefs lie in following personal vision, being tolerant of other traditions, making life an act of worship, and being the magic!

Trish travels minimally twice per month to give lectures and workshops around the country. She has appeared on several television segments and maintains a strong, visible presence in the public through journals like Circle Network News, and on the internet.

Her current pet projects include supporting pagan land funds and coordinating spiritually oriented tours to Europe.

Telesco began her Wiccan education and initiation on her own, but later received initiation into the Strega tradition of Italy. She is a trustee for the Universal Federation of Pagans, a member of the Authors Guild, a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism and a professional member of the Wiccan-Pagan Press Alliance.

In March 2012 her husband, Paul Telesco, was diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem. Since that time, Telesco has been focused on raising awareness and fund-raising

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I think people should realize that Wicca is a mystery religion, it is not a revealed religion. Everything about the Western culture is geared towards revealed religion, and, even for the pagan with a secular background, it is a very hard jump to make. People want books to GIVE it to them. It doesn't come from a book though - books are great to get you started,and the ONE good thing about this book is it does point you to some excellent books you should read. But the real shift that takes you into advanced Wicca, that has to come from within.

Aha! Eureka! Shazaam! That's where it is.

However, all the books she suggests are fairly modern. I've advanced my own practice the most by going back to the OLD books - Agippa, Blatvasky,Bardon, Crowley.

I would have liked to see this book expand on the mythology and symbolism that magickal practice uses. She does discuss the pentacle and the circle, but I did not feel that her explanations were particularly deep. I found the same when she discussed the tarot - very superficial. I personally did not understand why an adept should be able to meditate for 20 minutes? That's an assumption in my opinion. Everyone may be different, but when I could meditate for 20 minutes I didn't feel any particular change in my consciousness. It was actually when I found myself needing to set an alarm clock that I started making progress. Of course it all helped. Meditation is very important. I didn't like the time limit there. In several places there are assumed goals - assuming the reader has went down the path of Wicca for this or that, when in fact, none of those may have applied.

One thing I did like about the book is that she did touch on several concepts that could be explored by those looking to extend their magickal practice. Of course each such thing - IE elementals - could have books written on them by themselves, but at least they were touched on. Vocabulary is important to any endeavor, and this book might extend that for some.

The advice to live a magickal life is stellar advice, which is why I gave this one a 2. I would have liked to have seen more practices to put people in touch with a more animistic viewpoint, which for myself and others I know was VITAL in the pivotal mindset that takes hold before the Aha!s begin. IE nurturing plants, such as growing a magickal plant such as the mandrake BY the old prescribed methods. It is a very hard thing to do, but quite transformative.

So, from my perspective, this might be Wicca 102, but it is not really advanced.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

i expected more out of this book with a title being "advanced wicca". it had the same basic skills in it as a beginners book. she writes in more of "my options" than a "do this not that" way. i just felt as it she did a quick run through of a few main things with out really going in to in depth on the details. its not a total loss if you are just starting out or want to just read on the subject, although i could point out much better books for that. one thing i did love however in this book is how she call her corners and the saying that are quoted from different people though out the chapters.

[Nina Braden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2000, p

[Cody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry, it wasn’t advanced enough. It had its good points, but I was just hoping for more.

[Julie Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes a Wiccan perspective beyond 101 and into practical, applicable, deep explorations of the Craft. You can find an emphasis on self-guided spiritual paths, with a primary focus on running/working in a group practice and how to be a part of a community, with lots of focus on attitude, not action. It gives example rituals and teaches the power of symbolism. There is quite a lot of emphasis on the symbolic quest--the labyrinth, the maze--that sort of disinterested me, though; it felt sort of somber, though I guess there is certainly a place for that. I like Telesco's accessible writing style.

[Awenydd Orchantra Faeryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 Stars

I took many notes during this reading, and really resonated with some teachings and even simple re-wordings. I am very grateful to have read it, and look forward to integrating what I've learned it even more!

[Crystal Vassil · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of very few books that are beyond the 'basic'.

[Swankivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prowled through this book for little bits for my BoS.