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Initiation into Witchcraft
Walk the Path of Magic!
This is a book about the religion of Witchcraft. It honors the old Gods, the ancient mysteries, and the secrets of magic. It will immerse you into the magical arts of Witchcraft and will dispel many of the false myths that persist about Witches. It is an enchanted window into what Witches practice and what we believe.
Initiation into Witchcraft is an exploration of the timeless traditions, essential ethics, and the awe-inspiring power of our Craft as well as providing basic practices that will help you to embrace the deeper ways of the Witch. It is a signpost for those seeking the path that begins the journey of initiation into Witchcraft. It is also a primer of occult techniques and rituals to prepare you for that journey.
Witchcraft is a survival of the ancient mysteries. It is a force of significant power--and initiation is the key that unlocks that power. Initiation transcends culture. It transcends religion. It takes a community to manifest to priesthood and it takes initiation to become a priest ... and a Witch.
Witchcraft is personal empowerment magnified through a relationship with the old gods. Through it, you can direct the course of your life and find a path to your most powerful self.
"...will enlighten many people in their own traditions as to how initiation changes your entire world."
-- Laurie Cabot
Founder and High Priestess of the Cabot-Kent Hermetic Temple, author of Power of the Witch and more
"...a unique and worthy contribution to the literature of the Craft of the Wise."
-- Phyllis Curott
Founder of Tradition of Ara, attorney, host of The Witch Within online course, author of four bestselling books
"Highly recommended for anyone looking to join a traditional coven or simply seeking to take their practice to a deeper and higher place."
-- Jason Mankey
High Priest, Initiate, author of Transformative Witchcraft and more
"...should be added to the recommended reading list for all seeking insights into initiatory traditions of Witchcraft today."
-- Sorita d'Este
Author of Circle for Hekate and Visions of the Cailleach
"...a brilliant new book on traditional Witchcraft that details our history and rituals in a concise manner."
-- Lady Rhea
Author of The Enchanted Candle and The Enchanted Formulary, co-founder of the Minoan Sisterhood
"...will surely reignite modern seekers towards the greatest spell before the gods--our initiation into witchcraft."
-- Witchdoctor Utu
Founder of Dragon Ritual Drummers, author of Conjuring Harriet 'Mama Moses' Tubman
"...a valuable book not only for seekers, but also coven students, new group leaders, and the curious."
-- Thorn Mooney
Initiate, Gardnerian High Priestess, author of Traditional A Seeker's Guide
"...birthed out of the heart of a priest and a witch and it is abundantly evident once the reader opens the pages."
-- Hoodoo Sen Moise
Author of Working A Guide to Hoodoo Folk Magic, rootworker, Houngan
"This is the Craft of the true and sincere dedicant, before whom unfolds the path of occult knowledge and power that burns bright at the heart of the witch's art."
-- Gemma Gary
Initiate, folk-magician and author of Traditional A Cornish Book of Ways and more
This is a book about the religion of Witchcraft. It honors the old Gods, the ancient mysteries, and the secrets of magic. It will immerse you into the magical arts of Witchcraft and will dispel many of the false myths that persist about Witches. It is an enchanted window into what Witches practice and what we believe.
Initiation into Witchcraft is an exploration of the timeless traditions, essential ethics, and the awe-inspiring power of our Craft as well as providing basic practices that will help you to embrace the deeper ways of the Witch. It is a signpost for those seeking the path that begins the journey of initiation into Witchcraft. It is also a primer of occult techniques and rituals to prepare you for that journey.
Witchcraft is a survival of the ancient mysteries. It is a force of significant power--and initiation is the key that unlocks that power. Initiation transcends culture. It transcends religion. It takes a community to manifest to priesthood and it takes initiation to become a priest ... and a Witch.
Witchcraft is personal empowerment magnified through a relationship with the old gods. Through it, you can direct the course of your life and find a path to your most powerful self.
"...will enlighten many people in their own traditions as to how initiation changes your entire world."
-- Laurie Cabot
Founder and High Priestess of the Cabot-Kent Hermetic Temple, author of Power of the Witch and more
"...a unique and worthy contribution to the literature of the Craft of the Wise."
-- Phyllis Curott
Founder of Tradition of Ara, attorney, host of The Witch Within online course, author of four bestselling books
"Highly recommended for anyone looking to join a traditional coven or simply seeking to take their practice to a deeper and higher place."
-- Jason Mankey
High Priest, Initiate, author of Transformative Witchcraft and more
"...should be added to the recommended reading list for all seeking insights into initiatory traditions of Witchcraft today."
-- Sorita d'Este
Author of Circle for Hekate and Visions of the Cailleach
"...a brilliant new book on traditional Witchcraft that details our history and rituals in a concise manner."
-- Lady Rhea
Author of The Enchanted Candle and The Enchanted Formulary, co-founder of the Minoan Sisterhood
"...will surely reignite modern seekers towards the greatest spell before the gods--our initiation into witchcraft."
-- Witchdoctor Utu
Founder of Dragon Ritual Drummers, author of Conjuring Harriet 'Mama Moses' Tubman
"...a valuable book not only for seekers, but also coven students, new group leaders, and the curious."
-- Thorn Mooney
Initiate, Gardnerian High Priestess, author of Traditional A Seeker's Guide
"...birthed out of the heart of a priest and a witch and it is abundantly evident once the reader opens the pages."
-- Hoodoo Sen Moise
Author of Working A Guide to Hoodoo Folk Magic, rootworker, Houngan
"This is the Craft of the true and sincere dedicant, before whom unfolds the path of occult knowledge and power that burns bright at the heart of the witch's art."
-- Gemma Gary
Initiate, folk-magician and author of Traditional A Cornish Book of Ways and more
- GenresWitchcraft
340 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2019
19 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 3, 2019
I like to tag books on the occult by university level numbers, and acknowledge they aren't all for the same "major". For instance, Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance" is a 101 level for the Social Justice Magic major. Austin Shippey's "Praesidium" is a 100 level in the Ritual Magic major because it deals with the protections you need to know before commencing the course of study.
"Initiation Into Witchcraft" is a 101 for Traditional British Witchcraft, and a reference book for the rest of, well, your career. The title is a little misleading, because the book itself doesn't provide any initiatory experience--and indeed, this might be Mr. Cain having a bit of fun with the reader because the whole point of the book is that *initiation is mandatory*. Is this gatekeeping? Yes, because Witchcraft is a priesthood, and becoming a priest always involves training and ceremonies. Catholicism, for instance, requires first ordination as a deacon and then as a priest. Witchcraft is as real a religion as Catholicism, so it is reasonable that it require the same.
And what a religion it is! Mr. Cain makes a comprehensive study of the origins of the religion, from Stone Age cave paintings to Roman cults, to late medieval witch trials, to Maxine Sanders in the 21st century. It's certainly not an unbroken tradition, as some like to claim, but it's always there in the subconscious, brought to light periodically because it cannot be kept in the shadows. It's too real.
After making his case for Witchcraft in history, and why initiation to it is essential, Mr. Cain explains the Goddess and God, the Sabbats, and presents basic spells. I think it is significant that he does not begin with the Goddess and God and Sabbats, which many 100-level books on witchcraft do. His emphasis is on the "whys" before going into the "whats".
It's also quite well written; I read the whole thing in in one day in my home in San Diego, since the weather outside was decidedly New Orleans. Which, given where Mr. Cain lives and works, was appropriate.
(Full disclosure: I am an acquaintance of the author's although I purchased the book myself.)
"Initiation Into Witchcraft" is a 101 for Traditional British Witchcraft, and a reference book for the rest of, well, your career. The title is a little misleading, because the book itself doesn't provide any initiatory experience--and indeed, this might be Mr. Cain having a bit of fun with the reader because the whole point of the book is that *initiation is mandatory*. Is this gatekeeping? Yes, because Witchcraft is a priesthood, and becoming a priest always involves training and ceremonies. Catholicism, for instance, requires first ordination as a deacon and then as a priest. Witchcraft is as real a religion as Catholicism, so it is reasonable that it require the same.
And what a religion it is! Mr. Cain makes a comprehensive study of the origins of the religion, from Stone Age cave paintings to Roman cults, to late medieval witch trials, to Maxine Sanders in the 21st century. It's certainly not an unbroken tradition, as some like to claim, but it's always there in the subconscious, brought to light periodically because it cannot be kept in the shadows. It's too real.
After making his case for Witchcraft in history, and why initiation to it is essential, Mr. Cain explains the Goddess and God, the Sabbats, and presents basic spells. I think it is significant that he does not begin with the Goddess and God and Sabbats, which many 100-level books on witchcraft do. His emphasis is on the "whys" before going into the "whats".
It's also quite well written; I read the whole thing in in one day in my home in San Diego, since the weather outside was decidedly New Orleans. Which, given where Mr. Cain lives and works, was appropriate.
(Full disclosure: I am an acquaintance of the author's although I purchased the book myself.)
February 26, 2020
Wonderful book whose time has come....
Well researched, excellent citing of sources.
Helpful suggested reading list for those who want to continue on this path.
Well researched, excellent citing of sources.
Helpful suggested reading list for those who want to continue on this path.
January 20, 2022
Written by a high priest of Alexandrian Wicca its purpose is to introduce the reader to the world of British Traditional Wicca (BTW). The introduction is written by the legendary Maxine Sanders. The author is practicing Witchcraft from an early age and he holds strong opinions on Wicca/Witchcraft, going against the New Age current and those writers and publishers who promote consistently either a watered version of Witchcraft or the satanic version, the so-called Traditional Witchcraft.
The book is suitable for beginners, although it is dense of information and it should be read 2-3 times to grasp the ideas and the teachings of Mr. Cain. The prism of the book is Gardnerian and Alexandrian Witchcraft, but it is documented with the research of other authors, of magical and archaeological interest. He links modern Witchcraft with ancient practices and theological beliefs. The writer has done a good job presenting the subjects he wants and he supports most of them, in a way that doesn't make the reading boring. On the contrary, the book flows fast and you want to keep reading until the next chapter. For the intermediate practitioner, this book is invigorating and will inspire him with new roads and ideas.
The subject of initiation into Witchcraft is something clear for Mr. Cain. He doesn't accept the self-initiation idea or any initiation outside an initiatory tradition. This is expected from his prism. He shows that initiation is serious work for him and the first thing we read in the book is that initiation is compared with a college degree. That's Laurie Cabot's opinion and the reader should have that in mind because that is the prism from BTW.
Moving to the structure of the book, it is very well organized, it answers questions that every beginner has, it gives a broad view of Witchcraft from ancient cultures till today's BTW, it contains information about covens, ancient cults, ancient Gods and Goddesses relative to Wicca's theology, basic information on tools and in the end there is a small grimoire to cover the curiosity of a beginner and give ideas to the practitioners of Wicca. In the end, there is a good section of suggested bibliography on Witchcraft, Occultism, and Ceremonial Magick and books written by initiates of BTW.
The book is suitable for beginners, although it is dense of information and it should be read 2-3 times to grasp the ideas and the teachings of Mr. Cain. The prism of the book is Gardnerian and Alexandrian Witchcraft, but it is documented with the research of other authors, of magical and archaeological interest. He links modern Witchcraft with ancient practices and theological beliefs. The writer has done a good job presenting the subjects he wants and he supports most of them, in a way that doesn't make the reading boring. On the contrary, the book flows fast and you want to keep reading until the next chapter. For the intermediate practitioner, this book is invigorating and will inspire him with new roads and ideas.
The subject of initiation into Witchcraft is something clear for Mr. Cain. He doesn't accept the self-initiation idea or any initiation outside an initiatory tradition. This is expected from his prism. He shows that initiation is serious work for him and the first thing we read in the book is that initiation is compared with a college degree. That's Laurie Cabot's opinion and the reader should have that in mind because that is the prism from BTW.
Moving to the structure of the book, it is very well organized, it answers questions that every beginner has, it gives a broad view of Witchcraft from ancient cultures till today's BTW, it contains information about covens, ancient cults, ancient Gods and Goddesses relative to Wicca's theology, basic information on tools and in the end there is a small grimoire to cover the curiosity of a beginner and give ideas to the practitioners of Wicca. In the end, there is a good section of suggested bibliography on Witchcraft, Occultism, and Ceremonial Magick and books written by initiates of BTW.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews