Witchcraft: Theory and Practice

by Ly de Angeles

Are you ready to open yourself to the divine powers in order to bring beauty into your life, happiness to your heart, and strength to your will? Then you'll want to get Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles. With more than three decades of experience she has learned how to bring the teachings alive, combining modern with ancient, so you can better understand the true potential and depth of Witchcraft. Within the pages of this book you will find the secrets and techniques to become a Witch. These can be divided into three philosophical disciplines, spiritual beliefs, and practical techniques. Each part gets a focus in this book. In the first section, you   In the second section you   And in the final section, you' This really just barely covers some of the information you will find revealed in these pages. Written in a style that is clear and concise, this book will add to your knowledge of Witchcraft. Whether you are new to the Craft or have been practicing for some time, Theory and Practice will impart wisdom that will fascinate and entice. You will be using this book for many years to come.

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

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Lore Angeles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrote it. Figure it's okay. Blatant self-interest here . . .

[Gaijinmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to Witchcraft. It was practical and understandable. I have been around the Pagan block a few times and I don't necessarily agree with everything the author says but she'd probably agree that I'm free to make up my own mind. There is enough sensible advice here that I wish I'd found this book when I was getting started in the Craft, back when dinosaurs walked the earth and people were just starting to let their mullets grow out....
If I were talking to a newbie Pagan I'd recommend this, among others, but one does not become a Witch by reading books. It's important to get information but one also must take it with a small Siberian salt mine and trust one's own judgment. To me it's about actually doing; living the path, not just thinking about it.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book I bought on witchcraft. I hope it's still relevant and enjoyable to read.

Edit: Wiccan, most definitely, but relevant to those who aren't. One of the few Wiccan books that understands the need for cursing/hexing when needed. Rare find.

I am going to quote one of my favorite parts, from the section "never to walk in anyone's shadow" under a heading called "fear":

"[...]'fix it or forget it!' If you can't fix it, then let it go. [...] fear is your ally. It is your instinct to survive. Worry is useless thing; it achieves nothing. Resolution is the key to distress."

[Eishexe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good meditation techniques, spellcraft and Tarot correspondences. The author really has a way with words, she writes beautifully. However, she's also a bit of a snob: Do things the way her coven does or you're wrong.

[Graeme Strachan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is waffle. Absolute, dreadful warbling guff from the bowels of the deepest bin.

It takes a smattering of ideas from various self-help and meditation books, throws in some terrible poetry and a swathe of mystical twaddle and is solely aimed at gothy teenage girls who want to get into Wicca and will buy ANYTHING.

What's funnier is how the author repeatedly gets stuck in mini-rants about Abrahamic religions, and how she detests them while preaching the virtues of every other hippy dippy belief system.

AVOID THIS CACK!

[Constantin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars at best!

Here is why:

I would suggest this book ONLY for absolute beginners, and even then, just go get and introduction to the "ideas" about witchcraft, occult etc.

The theory in the book is ok (ish), simply mentions things though without going to any further details (be thankful for this). as....>

The practical stuff that the author mentions are so wiccan-y and so "my way is the only right way" that at least I was glad they did not get entangled with the theoretical part.

Also, half the book is filled either by pages of the Author's other books as references (bad advertising I say) or the Author's poetry etc. Therefore as you read it you get a feeling that the entire book is basically the following...

"Look how great I am,
I got so much knowledge about stuff,
I know so many things that I have to include a page about everything.
Oh, also I know my technique is perfect,
so my way is the only way duuuh.
And by the way, here are the other books I wrote,
go buy them !!!
Am I not very talented?
Beautiful poetry, I know right?! "

Soooo, yeah...

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book a few years ago and was disappointed. The author has very set ideas about how things should be done and seems to think her way is the only correct one.

There are some sections that could be very interesting to people and she does cover quite a few different topics, but the fact the author is so unlikable puts me off. One of the other reviewers said "she's a bit of a snob", and I don't disagree!

[Misty]

started reading... not for the spiritual sampler... maybe I'll finish one day... big Props to Ly de Angeles though... I know from experience that she's for reals and I would trust her knowledge in such matters...

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very preachy. Not as supportive of solitary practice as it says it is, as at the end the author admits that this is basically a training course to join her coven. Not really what I was looking for, although some of it was interesting to read about, at least.

[Daniel Mauricio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my first book of/about witchcraft but it's my favorite and points to other books to help out and further knowledge of the practice. A must read!!!

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and the little magical rituals .. love bringing the magick back into my life

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and it s author changed my life. It s my small bible for practicing of witchcraft.

[Sonja Bertram · Rating 4 out of 5]

No nonsense guide to Witchraft. One of my first books along with Fiona Hornes books. Its a great book especially for the southern hemisphere focus.

[Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

As for "witchcraft" books go, Ly de Angeles is the way to go if you're into that sort of thing. I enjoyed this book a great deal several years back when I read it for the first time.

[Ldy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a solitary practitioner, it is always wise to read and reread books to keep yourself as intuitive as one can. This is an excellent book to keep on the shelf and use to do just that.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The meditation stuff was great but she incorporates her own poetry into many chapters, which I hate instinctually. It's pretty comprehensive though.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a first book on the craft. It is certainly something that I will keep in my library.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very preachy. I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known it was specifically for Wiccans practicing witchcraft. I'll likely still go back and use it for reference when it comes to rituals or concepts I'm unfamiliar with, it seems ok for that at least. I'd also like to mention that if you're going to use 2-3 semicolons in one sentence, reprase the sentence so it's 2 or 3 sentences. Semicolon abuse is a real thing in this book and it makes it so hard to follow. Not to mention all of the flowery language and metaphorical speech. Beginners need cut and dry. Straight forward explanations for understanding. Leave the metaphors for more advanced practitioners with the understanding to deeply reflect on said metaphors. It's also really cringey how she continuously quotes her own books. Quoting yourself isn't a reputable source. If I can't quote a paper I wrote for History 101 in my History 200 class, you shouldn't be quoting yourself.

[Alexis Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for those who aren't completely new to the Craft, but who feel that they are missing an element of something in their practice. Something hasn't quite clicked with you, and yet you still believe that this is the path for you.

Some of the tips may seem redundant, and the author has expressed some regret in the use of 'must' and her expression of 'goddess,' but this book stands the test of time, in my opinion. There are many excellent exercises in this book to help someone grow, and this book helps solidify your foundational practice.

[Christina Hannan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who’s just starting out in witchcraft and considering becoming Wiccan down the line, this book was really useful.

It went into detail about what sort of tools were needed and what they needed to be made of as well as details of how circles are cast and how some spells are performed. I’m glad I picked this up as one of my first few books on the subject; it’s proven to be a valuable source of information.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, really enjoyed this book. Informative and interesting. A brilliant read.

[Erth · Rating 3 out of 5]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in Abraxas bookshop in Byron Bay looking for a book on self-hypnosis, instead of a self-help book in order to improve my self-esteem. All very self-oriented. I saw the cover of 'Witchcraft' and was intrigued. My grandma always said 'bow three times to the moon', I thought that was funny, seeing as she was always off to whichever church would take her. Thankfully I found this book. It was completely by chance...or was it? Anyway, I can honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt, this book changed my life, and has many times saved me, largely from myself, yet also from the subterfuge of this "civilised" modern world.

[Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got my first copy about ten years ago, lost it and bought another copy. de Angeles presents her curriculum in a no nonsense manner, she is unpretentious and authoritative at the same time, burning with passion. I respond very well to this sort of instruction. First book I bought after distancing myself from Wiccan practice that actually presented basic witchcraft in ways that can be adapted to suit the practitioner's needs, especially valuable when one practices alone. I will always have a copy in my personal library.

[DDog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was almost a waste of my time because it didn't have much that I hadn't already gotten from other books and it has almost nothing to do with my own path. But it doesn't outright suck, so it may resonate a lot better with people who are actually looking for what it is giving, so judge for yourself.

There was a math fail that threw me off, although it could be an editor fail instead. A Möbius strip has one side, that's the point.

[Once Upon a Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I wanted to read one that wasn't by a "big named" author. I was a little disappointed because it seemed like a lot of regurgitated information from the more popular books (by Buckland and Cunningham) just worded and presented differently. On the plus side, it was a good take on 'witchcraft' without a heavy dose of 'wicca'. Downside- author is very 'my way is the right way'.
My recommendation, there are other better books out there for your money.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting.

[Lisa M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wrote a nice long review but computer deleted it, so boo.

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the majority of it seems sound, i don't recommend this book for anyone under 18. I say this because I read it as a teen and was scared. *Buyer/reader beware*

[Autumn Earthsong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 3rd time thru this book and it's an in-depth study not for the faint hearted! After being part of a book club that studied it.. It had a huge impact on my Path. Great great book!