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Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch: Mastering the Five Arts of Old World Witchery
Learn to Stand with Feet Rooted in Shadow and Hands Stretched to the Stars"In your hands is Raven Grimassi's most personal and powerful work to date. In it he shares profound Craft teachings that will transform your relationship with magick, and your work as a Witch. I wish I’d had access to this treasure earlier on my path."—Christopher Penczak, co-founder of theTemple of Witchcraft and author of the Plant Spirit FamiliarFor the first time in more than a decade, Grimassi introduces readers to a new system of witchcraft, one that draws upon the old ways and the old days. Rich with spells, rituals, and detailed illustrations of plant spirits, Grimassi dares readers to take the path that leads deep into the darkened woods—to traverse upon the Thorned Path.Meet the entities that dwell within the organic memory of the earth, the devas, the deities, the magical life force that lies within the wooded glen. Learn to work with these spirits, and use their wisdom to transform your life and your practice.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
About the author
Raven Grimassi
47 books113 followersRaven Grimassi was an American author of over 20 books, and a scholar of paganism with over 40 years of research and study in the genre of Wicca, Stregheria, witchcraft and neo-paganism.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2014
I listened to the audio version on Audible. Wow, this is the first written review here, yet people have rated it? I chose the Audible version and it comes with a short pdf with some sigils etc on this.
This is an intriguing book, as I wasn't sure how to write it. In terms of modern paganism, Raven's has certainly taken the wheel and turned the rudder in a different direction. For me personally it's welcome because this is matching my path. But there will be pagans who are unhappy (of course).
Raven goes a long way to help introduce animism back to Western witches. He goes into depth about communicating with plant spirits.
A criticism I have is I felt the book was written very authoritatively, but let's face it, this is his Gnosis, and can't be proven. Perhaps if it was written with that slant, it would then be perfect to me. It came across as a little too much "This is how it is!". But I suspect this is only the writing style, or maybe this is how the audio comes across!!
This book will become essential reading for Trad type witches int he future. I suspect Raven is going to be doing classes based on this book. (I might just sign up!).
I think, if you are going to practice the rituals, you need a physical book or kindle version. There are a lot of rituals at the end, that would need to be practiced and it's better to have a physical copy.
I recommend for serious witches.
This is an intriguing book, as I wasn't sure how to write it. In terms of modern paganism, Raven's has certainly taken the wheel and turned the rudder in a different direction. For me personally it's welcome because this is matching my path. But there will be pagans who are unhappy (of course).
Raven goes a long way to help introduce animism back to Western witches. He goes into depth about communicating with plant spirits.
A criticism I have is I felt the book was written very authoritatively, but let's face it, this is his Gnosis, and can't be proven. Perhaps if it was written with that slant, it would then be perfect to me. It came across as a little too much "This is how it is!". But I suspect this is only the writing style, or maybe this is how the audio comes across!!
This book will become essential reading for Trad type witches int he future. I suspect Raven is going to be doing classes based on this book. (I might just sign up!).
I think, if you are going to practice the rituals, you need a physical book or kindle version. There are a lot of rituals at the end, that would need to be practiced and it's better to have a physical copy.
I recommend for serious witches.
September 15, 2016
Hypocritical
self important
drivel
w_nk.
Seriously, the entire text is poorly constructed fantasy thinly and ineffectually disguised with references to other superior, legitimate or just older texts.
Grimassi has constructed a fantasy with no internal consistency and proclaims himself an authority without self reflection or critique. To provide an example, he moves swiftly from advising one does not name deities to prevent cultural confines impacting the witch (who presumably is blessed to dwell in a context devoid of culture) to, a mere few pages later name dropping Hecate.
Dude.
That's a name.
...and then he starts to make them up.
A modern witch can Google, the wise witch will. Googling the first unfamiliar name dropped will find the ancient star deity (who in the entire human world found Grimassi the only one they would deign to speak to) is actually a misspelled grasshopper.
You'd get better spiritual awakening from napping in a field, lulled to sleep by grasshoppers... but I don't think that's what Mr Inconsistent means.
self important
drivel
w_nk.
Seriously, the entire text is poorly constructed fantasy thinly and ineffectually disguised with references to other superior, legitimate or just older texts.
Grimassi has constructed a fantasy with no internal consistency and proclaims himself an authority without self reflection or critique. To provide an example, he moves swiftly from advising one does not name deities to prevent cultural confines impacting the witch (who presumably is blessed to dwell in a context devoid of culture) to, a mere few pages later name dropping Hecate.
Dude.
That's a name.
...and then he starts to make them up.
A modern witch can Google, the wise witch will. Googling the first unfamiliar name dropped will find the ancient star deity (who in the entire human world found Grimassi the only one they would deign to speak to) is actually a misspelled grasshopper.
You'd get better spiritual awakening from napping in a field, lulled to sleep by grasshoppers... but I don't think that's what Mr Inconsistent means.
November 6, 2024
DNF. Sorry, Raven, I can't get down with you calling something that came to you in meditation Old World Witchery.
I feel bait and switched. The back cover says "...draws upon the old ways and the old days," not, "Raven Grimassi made a bunch of shit up and talks in circles to connect it with dodgy at best witch craft history."
I'm glad you found your path, Fam, but there's zero reason for your words to resonate with or help me. It sounds like it was a magic system created for a fantasy novel.
I feel bait and switched. The back cover says "...draws upon the old ways and the old days," not, "Raven Grimassi made a bunch of shit up and talks in circles to connect it with dodgy at best witch craft history."
I'm glad you found your path, Fam, but there's zero reason for your words to resonate with or help me. It sounds like it was a magic system created for a fantasy novel.
July 6, 2024
DNF around 67%. I really tried to get into this book, but I just can’t connect with anything in the author’s UPG. It’s just too weird and cumbersome for me.
April 22, 2026
Okay so greenwood magic/the Rose and Thorn Path is cool! Lots to highlight, lots dog eared, lots to return to. A book quickly thrown into the rotation of books to really inform my own practices and understanding of the craft
September 4, 2014
As a longtime fan of Raven Grimassi's work, particularly the companion to this one, Old World Witchcraft, I had very high expectations for the Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch, and I'm pleased to say that it does not disappoint. I find this to be his most comprehensive, workable book to date and if it leaves the reader wanting for anything at all, it is for more of the author's words.
Raven doesn't claim to present ancient traditions, but states quite plainly that what he does present is "ever ancient, ever new". The Grimoire offers those who are seeking a more deeply-rooted practice just that. The Rose and Thorn Path is described in great detail and methods for connecting to and working with Plant Spirits are explained thoroughly, giving practitioners real working information to put to actual use. More than simply ideas and theory, the Grimoire offers a viable, functional method for combining modern living with Old World practices. So, while the titles, mythos, and rites presented in the book are modern, the spirit and soul running through them all are very much as primordial as the deepest, wildest places on Earth.
Raven doesn't claim to present ancient traditions, but states quite plainly that what he does present is "ever ancient, ever new". The Grimoire offers those who are seeking a more deeply-rooted practice just that. The Rose and Thorn Path is described in great detail and methods for connecting to and working with Plant Spirits are explained thoroughly, giving practitioners real working information to put to actual use. More than simply ideas and theory, the Grimoire offers a viable, functional method for combining modern living with Old World practices. So, while the titles, mythos, and rites presented in the book are modern, the spirit and soul running through them all are very much as primordial as the deepest, wildest places on Earth.
March 16, 2015
This book had some interesting concepts. Unfortunately, it suffered for its insistence that it is absolutely not Wicca, despite matching up with it precisely. Personally, I think that could easily have been left up to the reader, since they will decide what they will do, anyway with a brief statement that the author does not practice that way. Taking away the Wicca 101 information that was rebranded as Thorn-Blooded witchcraft, this could have made a very interesting almanac article of about 10 pages, with some illustrations. Unfortunately, it went on for quite a long time, and was filled with contradictory information, like the idea that he wouldn't use names for deities, since it limits them to those cultural concepts, and instead use titles, and then proceed to give a bunch of mysterious names for plant spirits. What I took away from this was a nugget of interesting cosmological theory, as well as a new way of relating to plants, and I pretty much discarded the rest.
July 11, 2015
This book is a beautifully written grimoire. Its approach is inspirational, and with some creativity I feel that parts of it can be dissected and applied to a variety of practices outside the author's own tradition. Though I did not agree with every view or approach taken, I loved the poetry and the emphasis on connection to something greater and ancient flowing through the ground below us and plants around us. I will likely read it again for more inspiration in the future, and borrow some of its language for my own rites.
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March 19, 2022Not what I expected and not for me. Almost exclusively UPG and very ceremonial in approach. Interesting from an "academic" perspective and intriguing wrt drawing ideas for fiction, buttttt not for me at all and definitely not in line with my practice... Absolutely admit to having skimmed most of it the second I realised what it was!
March 26, 2018
Should have known if the author's name is Raven or a derivative of that, then this was going to be a treatise. I got through the first chapter and my stomach turned. Plant blood and human blood as sacrifices? Really? Done.
November 9, 2021
Perhaps this book could help one form a practice, or form rituals if one had no other templates to follow, but I skimmed through the sabbat rituals at the end because they were simply too flowery, no pun intended.
March 7, 2022
An Extra Ordinary Book!
An Extra ordinary book, from the beginning to the end.... took me to another realms. I enjoyed reading this book a lot; and I will be reading it again and again.... I surely recommend reading it if you want to be on another level in your magick work.
An Extra ordinary book, from the beginning to the end.... took me to another realms. I enjoyed reading this book a lot; and I will be reading it again and again.... I surely recommend reading it if you want to be on another level in your magick work.
September 14, 2017
The best book on the craft I have read.
I keep this as reference close to my altar for inspiration.
I keep this as reference close to my altar for inspiration.
August 23, 2019
It started out with such promise but kept repeating its self with out really teaching you anything wich is a shame grimassi has many other great books this is not one of them
October 11, 2021
WTF did I just read?
May 3, 2021
For people that want to drink chlorophyl and pour their blood on rose bushes.
I think there are so many better witchcraft books, that unless you want to follow this very specific path you should just read something else.
I think there are so many better witchcraft books, that unless you want to follow this very specific path you should just read something else.
May 27, 2016
I definitely think this was better than Old World Witchcraft in a lot of ways. The author gives more background on how he developed the tradition, which makes a whole lot more sense than the previous book which didn't discuss context much. There's a lot of unique and useful information regarding magical techniques here as well as explorations of interesting occult concepts. I enjoyed this practical approach to Grimassi's tradition a lot more than the theory-heavy predecessor.
That said, this book isn't perfect, and the system he describes isn't for everyone. Some parts tend to be inconsistent, and there is plenty of information that could have used explanation and context. It's hard to pinpoint one example since the book is densely packed with information, but I found myself asking "why?" a lot with no immediate answer.
As far as personal taste goes, again, Grimassi's approach is complicated and wordy -- decidedly more ceremonial than I prefer, with a lot of seemingly gratuitous tools (in my opinion). He also insists that witchcraft has always been religious in nature, which I disagree with. But there are still plenty of things here I'll be borrowing for my own practice, even if I don't want to adopt the tradition in its entirety.
Overall, the system the author has created feels witchy and pretty and is rife with symbolism, even if that symbolism isn't always 100% clear. If you're looking for a fresh approach to religious witchcraft and are prepared to overhaul your practices, this book would be a good option.
That said, this book isn't perfect, and the system he describes isn't for everyone. Some parts tend to be inconsistent, and there is plenty of information that could have used explanation and context. It's hard to pinpoint one example since the book is densely packed with information, but I found myself asking "why?" a lot with no immediate answer.
As far as personal taste goes, again, Grimassi's approach is complicated and wordy -- decidedly more ceremonial than I prefer, with a lot of seemingly gratuitous tools (in my opinion). He also insists that witchcraft has always been religious in nature, which I disagree with. But there are still plenty of things here I'll be borrowing for my own practice, even if I don't want to adopt the tradition in its entirety.
Overall, the system the author has created feels witchy and pretty and is rife with symbolism, even if that symbolism isn't always 100% clear. If you're looking for a fresh approach to religious witchcraft and are prepared to overhaul your practices, this book would be a good option.
November 25, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! It's four stars because sometimes reading the rituals - while pretty - was a bit boring. It's not a manual per say, but it has that sort of element to it. It's a very poetic tradition that Grimassi has created. I really resonated with the notion of separating the Thorn-Blooded path from any pantheon. While it does still have a Celtic-ish back drop (Grimassi's take on the Wheel of the Year) it's not necessarily intending to be part of that Celtic tradition (for lack of a better word). The focus on YOUR environment is the key thing in this book. So while yes there is sort of a European/North American environment focus, its important to remember that is because that is where he is writing from.
I can see how this book might become slightly dated in respect to the use of polarity and the working of magick and witchcraft, because I think society - and the way we view energy and the world is making more room for notions of black/white and male/female, but I think what is also important about this book is it does ask you to think and experience, so that will also encompass the idea that various elements will move out of that polarity where this book builds the tradition on.
This is a really great book on witchcraft, and one that for me I'll keep around, as it's sort of the tip of the iceberg as to where I want to go in my own path. This book is easy to understand, but I'd probably not suggest this as a starter book on witchcraft.
I can see how this book might become slightly dated in respect to the use of polarity and the working of magick and witchcraft, because I think society - and the way we view energy and the world is making more room for notions of black/white and male/female, but I think what is also important about this book is it does ask you to think and experience, so that will also encompass the idea that various elements will move out of that polarity where this book builds the tradition on.
This is a really great book on witchcraft, and one that for me I'll keep around, as it's sort of the tip of the iceberg as to where I want to go in my own path. This book is easy to understand, but I'd probably not suggest this as a starter book on witchcraft.
March 3, 2020
Fabulous resource for anyone interested in old world herbology and celestial connection to Nature. Extreme wly informative! Took out of library and had to own it! I will use it as a guide for many years to come!
October 31, 2014
I received this book through First Reads - Thanks!!!
I am relatively new to witchcraft, paganism, and the like. I have been drawn to alternative spiritual beliefs and practices, from both curiosity and some kind of internal calling. I enjoy reading and learning about all kinds of belief systems and practices beyond the main ones that surround me on a daily basis (Christianity, Judaism, and the like). I found this book extremely readable and easy to follow and understand. I felt like the author took his time to explain what led him to his spiritual calling and how he feels about it. This helped to put me in the right frame of mind to read this book and see how it can apply to others as well as myself.
I am so glad that I received this book and I would recommend it to anyone searching for more information on Thorn-Blooded Witchcraft or simply a curiosity of other beliefs.
I am relatively new to witchcraft, paganism, and the like. I have been drawn to alternative spiritual beliefs and practices, from both curiosity and some kind of internal calling. I enjoy reading and learning about all kinds of belief systems and practices beyond the main ones that surround me on a daily basis (Christianity, Judaism, and the like). I found this book extremely readable and easy to follow and understand. I felt like the author took his time to explain what led him to his spiritual calling and how he feels about it. This helped to put me in the right frame of mind to read this book and see how it can apply to others as well as myself.
I am so glad that I received this book and I would recommend it to anyone searching for more information on Thorn-Blooded Witchcraft or simply a curiosity of other beliefs.
February 17, 2015
this is an interesting read for anyone looking to become more adept at the practice of alternative lifestyle faith practices. It does not entail offend nor create the curdling imagery so often sworn to be at the heart of all herb witchery. It is full of light and beauty and centering one self in the path of herbal and plant based wisdom.
May 9, 2015
Informative
January 4, 2025
I don't usually read Grimoires, but I liked reading about Raven Grimassi's ideas.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews