The Science of the Craft: Modern Realities in the Ancient Art of Witchcraft

by William H. Keith Jr.

Advances in science have taken us farther and farther from the intangibles our ancestors used to define and understand their world- the presence of spirits, the healing touch, the “sight,” spells, rituals, and prayer. Science has attempted to draw a careful line between what can be proven and what cannot, and to divorce itself from any relationship to magic or faith.

But a revolution is at hand, one that is transforming our perception of science and of the way the universe works. William H. Keith, a science writer and a practicing witch, explains how a fresh look at quantum physics supports phenomena that have long been ignored or ridiculed by classical science. With a simple shift in focus, magic can be understood in scientific terms, without losing any of its inherent sense of wonder.

In engaging and frank prose, Keith argues that magic is governed by laws similar to any other scientific discipline—laws that can be applied to everyday life. Incorporating exercises that will help readers develop their own magic skills, The Science of the Craft is a stimulating and provocative read for anyone interested in Reiki, energy work, spirit channeling, shamanism, ESP, and Wicca—and a fascinating gateway for all those open to exploring the possibilities of psychic phenomena.

Genres: Science, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Magic, Paganism, Wicca, Magick

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Bill Keith was raised in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, and served in the Navy as a corpsman for many years. In addition to writing fiction and non-fiction works, he is an award-winning illustrator/artist.

He has also published under the psuedonyms:
Ian Douglas (SF series: Heritage, Legacy, Inheritance, Star Carrier, Andromedan Dark)
H. Jay Riker (SEALS:The Warrior Breed series)
Keith Douglass (Carrier and Seal Team 7 series)
Bill Keith
Keith William Andrews (Freedom's Rangers series)
Robert Cain (Cybernarc series)

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. The writing style is somewhere between casual and academic, which makes it quite easy to read most of the time. While--as a few reviews have already pointed out--it is from the perspective of a witch (making biased in that direction) and is quite speculative at times, the author is honest and upfront about these things. For a book that is about such big, abstract concepts of quantum physics and reality, I find it to be a surprisingly concise and evidence-supported.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book was thought provoking. As a book club read it encouraged a lot of discussion which was really nice. I felt that it was written from a Wiccan perspective but was inclusive of other thoughts and ideas.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses the laws of quantum physics to explain the way that prayer, visualization and magic work. The author explains things in a way that does not require the reader to be a rocket scientist and had a wonderful sense of humor. My only caution is that sometimes metaphysical people use quantum to explain metaphysics and they end up comparing apple and oranges to make a point. It was still a wonderful book that I enjoyed and will read again.

[Maria Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing of this book is wonderfully casual, but sadly so is the science within it. Up until about page 125 it was entertaining and thought provoking, and then the author put forward his own hypothesis as though it were fact and sent most of the facts scattering. Several debunked experiments were also spoken of as facts meant to further his points and sadly made the book feel very wanton from a standpoint of building up the debate of magic and science working hand in hand. A bold attempt.

[Jenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came from my friend's library, one I hauled more than a thousand miles from Minnesota to New Orleans in a rental Uhaul. She asked me to take the library so that it wouldn't be burned in a large pile after her death from ALS. I compiled, of course.
Many of the books I waded through and found various homes depending on topic. The library was varied: cookbooks, gardening, herbology, mythology, history, gemology, occult, brain science, nutrition... A few of the books I saved to read. I finally got around to reading this one, all the way through. I'd started and stopped a few times.
It is interesting. Written by someone with a solid background in science who worked for years as a medical technician and who is also trained in metaphysical topics. It's thoughtful.
And I learned things I didn't know or didn't know by that name like:
Zero Point Field: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-po...
And what the author William Keith called the Quantum Sea. See Link to someone else using the same term: https://galileospendulum.org/2012/09/...
After laying down the way he thinks about Quantum mechanics, the author goes on to describe the way that these concepts could offer a way to look at "magic" and how will might be able to influnce material reality by interacting with the Quantum Sea.
My friend always challenged me to look at things hard and differently. Her library is still doing that.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to read this one, I could only read a little chunk then I would have to walk away - it gave me that much to think about! Even if you aren't into Wicca the explanation of Quantum Physics will blow your mind, and have you questioning what reality is and how it works. If you are interested in Magick, it is a great look at the mechanics behind it and how they relate to what modern science is discovering... I will likely be reading this one again, because I am sure there were things I missed the first time around!

[Greyer Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Early chapters could have been simpified more for the science clueless, namely me. Luckily I was reading with a bookclub, who would give me links or explanations. I did like the further chapters, the linking of magick to science..

[Sedat Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

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