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The Living Temple of Witchcraft: The Descent of the Goddess
Venture deeper into the mysteries of witchcraft and discover within yourself new levels of wisdom, love, power, and responsibility. In the fifth installment of the award-winning Temple of Witchcraft series, popular author Christopher Penczak explores the Descent of the Goddess. In the myth of Inanna, the Goddess journeys through seven gates to attain entrance to the Underworld and learn its secrets. In this unique book on witchcraft, you will parallel this descent by journeying through each of the seven chakras, symbolically evolving from survival to a state of divinity. Each lesson has meditations based on the teachings of this journey, as well as an advanced discussion of a key facet of magick or witchcraft often overlooked by intermediate The Living Temple of Witchcraft, Volume The Descent of the Goddess is for solitaries, eclectics, and non-traditional witches who are ready to integrate the mysteries and magick into their ministry and share their gifts with the world.
408 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
32 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Penczak
97 books435 followersChristopher Penczak is a Witch, teacher, writer and healing practitioner. His practice draws upon the foundation of both modern and traditional Witchcraft blended with the wisdom of mystical traditions from across the globe as a practitioner and teacher of shamanism, tarot, Reiki healing, herbalism, astrology and Qabalah. He is the founder of the Temple of Witchcraft tradition and system of magickal training based upon the material of his books and classes. He is an ordained minister primarily serving the New Hampshire and Massachusetts pagan and metaphysical communities through public rituals, private counsel and teaching, though he travels extensively teaching throughout the United States.
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on May 10, 1973, Christopher was raised in an Italian/Polish family while living in Salem, NH. After twelve years of Catholic school and becoming an avowed agnostic, he initially pursued an interest in chemistry, stemming from a childhood fascination with alchemy and herbalism. As a youth, he had an out of body experience, passing out in a fourth grade science class, but observing the whole scene in spirit, from above the room. While in high school, he was visited by an apparition of his recently deceased great aunt. These two experiences made him question his dedication to science and pursue a study of the mystical and occult, as well as his artistic pursuits. He attended the University of Massachusetts as a vocal major, earning a Bachelor of Music Performance/Music Business in 1995 and set his sights on becoming a full time performer. While studying classical voice, he founded a band called Doctor Soulshine that fused mystical imagery and shamanic concepts to traditional heavy rock music.
While in college, a long time friend and teacher introduced Christopher to the principles of witchcraft, meditation, tarot and spell work. At first he was skeptical, but his experience with a healing spell at a full Moon ritual was enough to convince him that there was truth to these ideas and he sought to understand more. He took classes with Laurie Cabot, in her Cabot Tradition with an emphasis on Witchcraft As A Science. He was fascinated with the science and philosophy of her teaching, grounding witchcraft in sound thinking and personal experience. A psychic healing experience left him with a sense of empowerment and spiritual connection. After this initial training, he studied with an assortment of witches, shamans, yogis, psychic readers and healers in the New England area, developing an eclectic path of personal witchcraft. He later focused on the healing arts, completing training as a Reiki Master (Teacher) in the Usui-Tibetan and Shamballa traditions and certification as a flower essence consultant and herbalist.
After graduation from college, Christopher began work at the A&R department of Fort Apache, a recording studio and record label in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He soon found himself leading meditations and ritual groups for friends seeking to know more about the Craft. During his time in the Boston area, Christopher experimented with the ideas he later wrote about in his book City Magick: Urban Rituals, Spells and Shamanism. The initial ritual group formed the nucleus of the first Temple of Witchcraft series.
Although having no real interest in teaching formally, Christopher received a message during a meditation in 1998 to start teaching more and begin writing. Thinking it was his imagination, Christopher ignored it, saying to himself and the universe, “I’m too busy with my music career. If you want me to teach, give me the time.” The next week he was laid off from his job and had plenty of time. Although with a booming economy and many job opportunities, Christopher had no luck finding a position in the music industry, or a more traditional office job. When he posted a few flyers about meditation and witchcraft classes at a local shop, the response was immediate and he began teaching cla
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on May 10, 1973, Christopher was raised in an Italian/Polish family while living in Salem, NH. After twelve years of Catholic school and becoming an avowed agnostic, he initially pursued an interest in chemistry, stemming from a childhood fascination with alchemy and herbalism. As a youth, he had an out of body experience, passing out in a fourth grade science class, but observing the whole scene in spirit, from above the room. While in high school, he was visited by an apparition of his recently deceased great aunt. These two experiences made him question his dedication to science and pursue a study of the mystical and occult, as well as his artistic pursuits. He attended the University of Massachusetts as a vocal major, earning a Bachelor of Music Performance/Music Business in 1995 and set his sights on becoming a full time performer. While studying classical voice, he founded a band called Doctor Soulshine that fused mystical imagery and shamanic concepts to traditional heavy rock music.
While in college, a long time friend and teacher introduced Christopher to the principles of witchcraft, meditation, tarot and spell work. At first he was skeptical, but his experience with a healing spell at a full Moon ritual was enough to convince him that there was truth to these ideas and he sought to understand more. He took classes with Laurie Cabot, in her Cabot Tradition with an emphasis on Witchcraft As A Science. He was fascinated with the science and philosophy of her teaching, grounding witchcraft in sound thinking and personal experience. A psychic healing experience left him with a sense of empowerment and spiritual connection. After this initial training, he studied with an assortment of witches, shamans, yogis, psychic readers and healers in the New England area, developing an eclectic path of personal witchcraft. He later focused on the healing arts, completing training as a Reiki Master (Teacher) in the Usui-Tibetan and Shamballa traditions and certification as a flower essence consultant and herbalist.
After graduation from college, Christopher began work at the A&R department of Fort Apache, a recording studio and record label in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He soon found himself leading meditations and ritual groups for friends seeking to know more about the Craft. During his time in the Boston area, Christopher experimented with the ideas he later wrote about in his book City Magick: Urban Rituals, Spells and Shamanism. The initial ritual group formed the nucleus of the first Temple of Witchcraft series.
Although having no real interest in teaching formally, Christopher received a message during a meditation in 1998 to start teaching more and begin writing. Thinking it was his imagination, Christopher ignored it, saying to himself and the universe, “I’m too busy with my music career. If you want me to teach, give me the time.” The next week he was laid off from his job and had plenty of time. Although with a booming economy and many job opportunities, Christopher had no luck finding a position in the music industry, or a more traditional office job. When he posted a few flyers about meditation and witchcraft classes at a local shop, the response was immediate and he began teaching cla
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 19, 2010
This is the 5th book in the temple of witchcraft series and is the second to last. I’ve had this signed copy for nearly a year now, but wanted to make sure I worked though the magickal material in the one before this (Temple of High Witchcraft) which took a ton of time (High Magick can be so long-winded *cough*). Anyways
The layout of this book is based on the journey that that Goddess as Inanna (or Persephone) take as she travels through the gateways of the Underworld to learn the mysteries of life and death. In the journey, she must give something of herself to each of the gatekeepers in order to pass. For the book layout, Penczak relates each of these gates to a chakra going from buttom-up (i.e., the first gate is related to the root chakra). I found this an interesting correlation and one that has a strikingly high amount of similarities (as far as correspondences go).
Each chapter’s gate/chakra focuses on the theme that has a light and dark aspect that one must explore before being allowed to “pass”. As an example with the first gate/root chakra, the central themes are origin and survival. The meaning of these ideas is contemplated and you’re challenged to review how this energy is of a help and a hindrance. For me, I find that the root chakra helps me develop resiliency and go with the punches that life sometimes throws. It reminds me that I am imbued by a divine right to survive. On the “darker” side, it also keeps me attached to worldly things and can keep my soul from ascending to a state of unity with the divine. It’s the fire that fuels the hearth flames of the higher chakras. It urges me to think “what, like Inanna, must I give of myself to learn of the mysteries”?
The worldly overall lesson of the book is the first of two volumes that prepares the Witch for Priesthood and what that means. Whether it’s being a personal priest, or a priest of many. Each of the lessons are designed to aid you in an understanding of what it means to uphold the sacred mysteries of the Goddess and to bridge the gap between idea and practice. It faces realist challenges in this work like being a firm leader with a strong heart, and how one can learn from everyone they teach.
In conclusion, this is one of my top favorite Penczak books now (second to Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft). It really falls in line with my desire to become more of a leader and to take on more responsibility for the benefit of both myself and my community. In terms of recommending this to others…I would say to please work through the material for the whole of this series before starting this one. The foundational work of that tradition is very important to master before doing the type of work this one entails. However, I think anyone exploring a leadership/priesthood role would benefit of skimming through the practical advice given, especially the chapters on counseling.
The layout of this book is based on the journey that that Goddess as Inanna (or Persephone) take as she travels through the gateways of the Underworld to learn the mysteries of life and death. In the journey, she must give something of herself to each of the gatekeepers in order to pass. For the book layout, Penczak relates each of these gates to a chakra going from buttom-up (i.e., the first gate is related to the root chakra). I found this an interesting correlation and one that has a strikingly high amount of similarities (as far as correspondences go).
Each chapter’s gate/chakra focuses on the theme that has a light and dark aspect that one must explore before being allowed to “pass”. As an example with the first gate/root chakra, the central themes are origin and survival. The meaning of these ideas is contemplated and you’re challenged to review how this energy is of a help and a hindrance. For me, I find that the root chakra helps me develop resiliency and go with the punches that life sometimes throws. It reminds me that I am imbued by a divine right to survive. On the “darker” side, it also keeps me attached to worldly things and can keep my soul from ascending to a state of unity with the divine. It’s the fire that fuels the hearth flames of the higher chakras. It urges me to think “what, like Inanna, must I give of myself to learn of the mysteries”?
The worldly overall lesson of the book is the first of two volumes that prepares the Witch for Priesthood and what that means. Whether it’s being a personal priest, or a priest of many. Each of the lessons are designed to aid you in an understanding of what it means to uphold the sacred mysteries of the Goddess and to bridge the gap between idea and practice. It faces realist challenges in this work like being a firm leader with a strong heart, and how one can learn from everyone they teach.
In conclusion, this is one of my top favorite Penczak books now (second to Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft). It really falls in line with my desire to become more of a leader and to take on more responsibility for the benefit of both myself and my community. In terms of recommending this to others…I would say to please work through the material for the whole of this series before starting this one. The foundational work of that tradition is very important to master before doing the type of work this one entails. However, I think anyone exploring a leadership/priesthood role would benefit of skimming through the practical advice given, especially the chapters on counseling.
June 29, 2023
Very informative. While I didn't learn that much new information, the exercises and meditations included are most helpful for me at my stage of the path. This book is intended to be read in sequence with the others in the series, but it is not difficult to follow and understand. After reading this I plan to read the entire series.
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October 17, 2019A very conversational writing style that makes you feel like you’re working together as you develop your self. The exercises were interesting and enjoyable steps that added to the reading.
April 2, 2009
Good..
June 11, 2012
I am really enjoying this. Penczak is quickly becoming a favorite of my "go to" pagan authors
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews