Wicca Craft: The Modern Witches Book of Herbs, Magick and Dreams

by Gerina Dunwich

Best known for her books on Wicca and various occult subjects, Gerina Dunwich here traces the origins of Wicca, a positive, nature-based religion that preaches brotherly love and harmony with and respect for all life forms—beliefs very similar to Native American spirituality. This indispensable and accessible guide reveals the traditions, tools, and symbols of Wicca craft and offers step-by-step methods for performing Wicca rituals. 

A respected spokesperson for the Wiccan/Pagan community, Dunwich has been a guest on numerous radio talk shows throughout the United States and Canada. She has lectured and presented workshops at festivals and gatherings across the country, such as the CraftWise Pagan Gathering (Waterbury, Connecticut), the Real Witches' Ball (Columbus, Ohio), and Panpipes' Pagan Day Festival (West Hollywood, California).

Genres: Wicca, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Paganism, Reference, Spirituality, Religion

195 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Gerina Dunwich is a professional astrologer, occult historian, and New Age author, best known for her books on Wicca and various occult subjects. She is also involved in paranormal research and is the founder of the Paranormal Animal Research Group, which investigates cases of alleged hauntings by animal spirits.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the first introductory Wicca books that I read as a teenager.
It consists mostly of the usual tables of correspondence found in reference books, concerning colors, incense, herbs and the like. Gerina walks the reader very briefly through the basics of Wiccan practice, giving an overview of altars, tools, handfastings, Esbats and the Sabbats. She includes a few bare bones rituals to accompany the celebrations and holy days, but neglects to provide any information about why the rituals are important, or the symbolism of the actions contained therein. This does newcomers a great disservice, because not understanding the why behind the how results in a ritual practice that is hollow.
The section on wort cunning is surprisingly extensive for such a short volume, but is only enough to whet a reader's appetite for a more in-depth textual resource. Also interesting are the short chapters concerning "Tree Magic", "Dream Magic" and "Talismans". She's one of the few authors I've come across who writes about the use of word squares as talismans. Dunwich tends to draw from a wide range of sources for her spellcraft, which is more in the vein of Paul Huson than Scott Cunningham, in that it isn't whitewashed, and frequently contains spells that would border on unethical for most Wiccan practitioners.
Overall, this guide has more in common with an aperitif than the main course: It never does more than skim the surface of the numerous subjects it touches on, and that lack of deeper material will have the reader putting it aside in search of more satisfying fare.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read on Wicca many years ago in German. I just recently acquired it again in English. It does have a special place in my heart or else it would probably only get 3 stars. It definitely is not a beginners book. The information is just too minimal. Not enough is explained further and all the correspondence lists won't help a newcomer if there is no info what to do with them. I do like the liturgy and rituals and the chapter on trees was very interesting as well as the recipes. If you have read an introductory book on Wicca before this, it sure is a great addition to your library. I find her writing and information in general quite different from most authors. Of course I also had enough parts I did not agree with, but I love reading different opinions and ways of practicing. Still a special place in my heart.

[Ellwood Francis Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very strange book. Was not a fan. The author clearly had a chip on her shoulder & tried to present paganism as superior to Christianity but then dropped bombs like "the druids would hide a needle in a cake & whoever got the needle would be sacrificed in the Beltane fire" & that flying oil was made with infant's fat without any sources or explanation whatsoever. I mean yes human sacrifice was practiced across a lot of cultures, but the way everything was presented just really rubbed me the wrong way. Did have some good recipes though.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for beginners. If you know nothing about Wicca this book would give you some of the basics. If you are already more experienced and/or have read other “Wicca 101” books you’re probably not gonna learn much from this. Overall as an introduction for Wicca it was pretty good but nothing outstanding.

[Laurie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh!!! My very first Wicca book. Got it right after finishing Mists Of Avalon
Had no idea that my ordering such a controversial book would set off so many alarms in the young man who was taking my order. He actually tried to pursued me that wouldn't I like a very readable version of the bible instead. I thanked him but said I would go with the original order

[Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good basic overview for a beginner or someone wanting to learn the basics of Wicca.

[Eishexe · Rating 3 out of 5]

As another reviewer said: Wicca 101. The most interesting things in this book are the ESAU square and the recipe for the cake. I love that cake.
This was the second book on Wicca I read, and it confused the hell out of me. Good thing I had Phyllis Currott's Witch-Crafting on hand...
What ticks me off the most about this book is the lack of information on ritual. How can you write a beginning book in witchcraft and not have any information about rituals? Argh!

[David]

A fairly shallow take on the "wicca 101" text. There really isn't anything to glean from this book, especially if you've read more than any 2 other books on the subject. It feels like another hurriedly slapped together money making vehicle. Makes me wish I'd thrown something like this together before the market was flooded.

[Maria Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad break down - clearly for the beginner and the layman who is seeking to learn a lot at once. I would have loved to see more breakdowns, but she gave excellent cautions and wonderful lists for quick reference. :)

[Amanda Makepeace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book I read ages ago. Might have been one of the first.

[REYN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very informative and easy on the eyes. This is one of the books that turned me on to the craft. It's perfect for beginners or the curious reader.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty basic book. It was alright for what it is.

[Kitty]

Saw this pretty little book at a discount book shop and got it right away once I noticed the huge lists for quick reference. A simple read of fundamentals.

[Ash Reads Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this because I found it at a church sale and thought it was objectively funny. I don't know why I read it.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way she writes and explains things. I also liked the little things she added such as oil recipes and chants. will be looking for more of her work.