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Positive Magic: A Toolkit for the Modern Witch
“A rare gem. One of the only magical self-help books that is beautiful, moral, and wise. Marion’s methods of working have greatly influenced my life.” —Margot Adler, author of Drawing Down the Moon
“Written by one of America’s Witch elders, this revised and expanded edition of this beloved classic can enrich the spiritual practice of longtime practitioners as well as those beginning their explorations of magical realms.” —Selena Fox, High Priestess, Circle Sanctuary, Psychotherapist & Shamanic Healer
“Well written and fascinating, Positive Magic is a book you must read and keep by your side. Weinstein explains what you need to know and does it in a way that keeps you all the way through. An intelligent approach to using magic in your life.” —Merlin Stone, author of When God Was a Woman and Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood
Here is a new edition of one of the best-loved introductions to magic that is still used in metaphysical classes around the world. The author makes ancient magic techniques accessible, offering them as practical tools for daily life. Addressing the needs of today’s readers—beginners and adepts alike—the author provides well-researched historical background on astrology, witchcraft, tarot, and the I Ching as well as channeling, spirit contact, and the connections between quantum physics and traditional magic.
“Written by one of America’s Witch elders, this revised and expanded edition of this beloved classic can enrich the spiritual practice of longtime practitioners as well as those beginning their explorations of magical realms.” —Selena Fox, High Priestess, Circle Sanctuary, Psychotherapist & Shamanic Healer
“Well written and fascinating, Positive Magic is a book you must read and keep by your side. Weinstein explains what you need to know and does it in a way that keeps you all the way through. An intelligent approach to using magic in your life.” —Merlin Stone, author of When God Was a Woman and Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood
Here is a new edition of one of the best-loved introductions to magic that is still used in metaphysical classes around the world. The author makes ancient magic techniques accessible, offering them as practical tools for daily life. Addressing the needs of today’s readers—beginners and adepts alike—the author provides well-researched historical background on astrology, witchcraft, tarot, and the I Ching as well as channeling, spirit contact, and the connections between quantum physics and traditional magic.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 18, 2022
As a lot of other reviews have said, this book is very outdated, and there is a lot you should take with a grain of salt, so I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone just starting out. However, I did enjoy a lot of the author's philosophy and outlook on magic, even if we have different views on some things (I'm not exactly against hexxing, for example). Worth the read if you're interested in the more philosophical side of your craft, but if you're just looking for a manual of how to perform magic I would look elsewhere.
August 28, 2026
There are certain books in modern Witchcraft that are worth reading not simply for what they teach, but because you can see their fingerprints on so much of what came afterward. Positive Magic is one of those books.
Marion Weinstein was thinking seriously about the relationship between magic, personal responsibility, ethics, language, intention, and everyday life at a time when there was considerably less material available on these subjects. What I appreciate most about her approach is that magic isn't presented as a collection of tricks or spells to get things. It's presented as a way of engaging consciously with your life. Her work with Words of Power is particularly valuable in this regard, emphasizing how deliberately formulated language can help direct magical intention.
There's a surprising amount covered here: Witchcraft, magical ethics, astrology, Tarot, the I Ching, spirit contact, self-transformation, and other metaphysical subjects. Inevitably, some of it reflects the period in which Weinstein originally developed these teachings, and there are ideas I would approach differently today. But I don't think a book needs to agree with me on every point for me to recognize its value, especially when reading an important voice from an earlier generation of modern Witchcraft.
What ultimately makes Positive Magic worthwhile to me is Weinstein's underlying conviction that magical practice should actually change the way we live. Magic requires awareness, responsibility, and participation rather than simply wishing for circumstances to change around us. That's a message that hasn't become any less relevant.
This is part practical guide, part magical philosophy, and part historical artifact from an important period in the development of contemporary Witchcraft. I'm glad this edition has kept Marion Weinstein's work available to new generations of practitioners. There is real wisdom here, and anyone interested in understanding some of the roots of modern magical thought would benefit from spending time with it.
Marion Weinstein was thinking seriously about the relationship between magic, personal responsibility, ethics, language, intention, and everyday life at a time when there was considerably less material available on these subjects. What I appreciate most about her approach is that magic isn't presented as a collection of tricks or spells to get things. It's presented as a way of engaging consciously with your life. Her work with Words of Power is particularly valuable in this regard, emphasizing how deliberately formulated language can help direct magical intention.
There's a surprising amount covered here: Witchcraft, magical ethics, astrology, Tarot, the I Ching, spirit contact, self-transformation, and other metaphysical subjects. Inevitably, some of it reflects the period in which Weinstein originally developed these teachings, and there are ideas I would approach differently today. But I don't think a book needs to agree with me on every point for me to recognize its value, especially when reading an important voice from an earlier generation of modern Witchcraft.
What ultimately makes Positive Magic worthwhile to me is Weinstein's underlying conviction that magical practice should actually change the way we live. Magic requires awareness, responsibility, and participation rather than simply wishing for circumstances to change around us. That's a message that hasn't become any less relevant.
This is part practical guide, part magical philosophy, and part historical artifact from an important period in the development of contemporary Witchcraft. I'm glad this edition has kept Marion Weinstein's work available to new generations of practitioners. There is real wisdom here, and anyone interested in understanding some of the roots of modern magical thought would benefit from spending time with it.
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February 18, 20252025 Divine Feminine Reads
I have a project going this year to read around about what I'm stuck calling the divine feminine until I come up with a more accurate term for my interests. I'm not rating these books unless I'm somewhere around the target audience, which I don't think I am here. But an un-surprising amount of writing about women's connection with the sacred (that doesn't lean into holy card unreality) runs through the clump of folks who consider themselves pagan, Wiccan, and/or witches.
Anyway, Positive Magic reads like pretty anodyne self-help, but the history of The Burning Times and folk religion is interesting, if not 100% accurate. (Not that I know what's accurate, but I know what historiography is.) I also liked the author's repeated admonition that it's always wrong to manipulate people, through magic or otherwise (e.g., pour those love potions down the sink).
I have a project going this year to read around about what I'm stuck calling the divine feminine until I come up with a more accurate term for my interests. I'm not rating these books unless I'm somewhere around the target audience, which I don't think I am here. But an un-surprising amount of writing about women's connection with the sacred (that doesn't lean into holy card unreality) runs through the clump of folks who consider themselves pagan, Wiccan, and/or witches.
Anyway, Positive Magic reads like pretty anodyne self-help, but the history of The Burning Times and folk religion is interesting, if not 100% accurate. (Not that I know what's accurate, but I know what historiography is.) I also liked the author's repeated admonition that it's always wrong to manipulate people, through magic or otherwise (e.g., pour those love potions down the sink).
May 6, 2020
Quite dated at this point, especially in some of the language. It felt quite textbooky and super repetitive at points. I just got this out from the library and am glad I did not purchase. Its a decent overview of everything "witchy." But I'm sure there are better, more modern books out there at this point.
December 9, 2021
I was surprised at the number of negative reviews on this book before I read it - even more surprised after. I think readers need to keep in mind that this book was originally written in 1978 so some ideas have changed. Did I agree with everything in it? No, I didn't but overall, I loved the author's warmth and outlook on the craft. This is a resource I'm glad I have on my bookshelf.
August 13, 2026
Unverified history presented as fact. 90% of this book is pseudoscience. But if you are interested in the topics, Weinstein at least tries to be ethical and good in her teachings. It also has excellent grammar.
April 11, 2020
A bit preachy, and kind of outdated. I sound up skimming through most of it.
June 25, 2021
There is so much bull shit and sketchy stuff in this book. I couldn't even finish it.
October 14, 2023
thoroughly enjoyed this! it was so interesting to learn how different philosophies are really so resonant/unified- and unsurprising to me :) also good for ‘spooky season’.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews