The Wiccan Handbook: A Modern Guide to the Symbols, Spells and Rituals of Witchcraft

by Susan Bowes

Hidden within all of us is a special set of powers. Learning the tools of wicca and witchcraft unlocks those powers and opens the door on to a new world. This essential handbook is filled with everything you need to know in order to live in harmony with yourself and the natural world. It features detailed information on the most important elements of a modern-day wiccan way of life, including how to celebrate all the sabbats of the year, casting a sacred circle, writing and casting spells, essential everyday tools, and interpreting and understanding the four elements and their correspondences. You will also find advice on using the healing properties of herbs, trees, crystals, colours, numbers and astrological energies to empower and enhance your work. The Wiccan Handbook is an indispensable guide to embracing wicca and witchcraft in our modern world, bringing more meaning and significance to your everyday life. Contents Introduction Part 1: The Story of Witchcraft The Early Times Modern Witchcraft Part 2: Getting Started The Tools of the Trade Part 3: Practicing Witchcraft Magical Charms and Symbols The Witch's Calendar Casting a Sacred Circle The Witch's Way to Draw in Love Creating Abundance Creating Miracles

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Wicca

144 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Gilly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite the title, this book doesn't have much to do with witchcraft and certainly isn't "modern"! First published in 2003, this 2021 edition is full of spelling and grammatical errors, inconsistencies, contradictions, negligent and dangerous suggestions, political incorrectness and chauvinism. The author - who never once claims that she herself is a witch - bitterly denounces the patriarchy yet repeatedly uses "man" instead of "humans". She insists that all witches (always female) are "white witches". She slams Christianity yet includes frequent references to Jesus and God, biblical and other religious quotes, Christian symbolism and the use of "b.c." and "a.d.". Other quotes are fillers unrelated to her text, and a lot of space is given to the etymology of words and not much else. After sweeping, unsupported statements, the book further degenerates into a weird sort of self-help treatise. The final section declares "Disasters can be Positive!" About the only positive thing I can say about this book is that it has an attractive cover and some pretty photographs.

[A. Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is a pretty book but has little to do with Wicca. This book only contains contents on witchcraft which is not the same thing. The witchcraft content is not well correlated with the author touching on random topics that have little to do with one another not to mention her barely explaining the use or application of most. As well as that there seems to be some misinformation as her contents is not consistent with what is known about witchcraft and her sources are unclear making me wonder how much of this is just the authors imagination.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the categories in a reading challenge I am participating in is "A book about a belief I do not hold". When I saw this book on Wiccan symbols, spells and rituals I knew that this was the book that would fit that perfectly. And I was so right.
I found it fascinating to learn about the different practices of witchcraft. There's a lot of commonalities in all religion, numberolgy, magic, and the universe. I found myself agreeing with opening up yourself to the universe, to ask the universe for things, and where focus goes energy flows. I also agree that there are many positive uses for the plants and herbs that surround us.
While not ready to give up my Christian beliefs, I enjoyed reading and learning from this book.

Content:
Clean in language, violence, etc.

Favorite quotes:
pg 30- You unwittingly create magic every day just through your thoughts. Magic is created simply by focusing thought- that is the secret. Thought is the most powerful tool available to us. If your life does not feed and nurture you, change your thought patterns and your life will automatically become brighter and lighter. Magic-making is a delightful way of learning to take control of what you draw into your life and indeed, what you banish from it. It is worth taking time to think about this before you begin to work with magic because it will change your life, often in the most unusual ways, and you need to be ready to let go of the old in order to let the new in.
pg 113- Once you understand how your soul needs to express itself, you can begin to grasp the changes you need to make in order to create a more joyous life. Once you are in control of your life, the Universe will automatically throw abundance and prosperity at you. If you're a round peg working in a square hole, get out and find a round hole. You will never find joy from making money doing something you loathe. Everyone needs to work to pay the mortgage, feed the kids, pay for a vacation, but true abundance is about quality of life. We must learn to listen to our heart when it tells us that what we are doing does not serve us. Once we hear, the door swings open and life will become abundant and fulfilling. So open that door.
pg 121- So generally you're happy with your lot, but you'd still love to have just that little extra to buy a new car, or to splash out on that longed-for vacation. Magic can help with this too. It's simply a matter of logging your particular need with the Universe. If you don't ask, how can the Universe provide?

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on my 2025 magical mystery tour of esoteric subjects: Jungian dream interpretation, mediumship, trauma and now witchcraft. In 10 years time, I'm going to look back at the Goodreads visual of this year in books and be like, "Whaaaaaaa?". Anyway, this was an interesting general overview of all things Wiccan but I'm not sure about the veracity of much of it, with no references or source materials cited. The incantations are a bit hokey — I think you'd do better to come up with your own meaningful affirmations — and some of the advice given is just bizarre: "feed your partner beans" or get them to "carry acorns in their pockets" to cure sexual problems. The one thing I did do was set up a little manifesting circle with some crystals, a candle and a copy of a position description for a job I'm applying for. For me, magic is close attunement to the world and each other, good vibrations and positive thinking. No matter what your disposition or belief system, we could all do with a lot more of that.

[Maven Witch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a Wiccan, but I enjoy reading different perspectives. This book unfortunately has extremely little to do with Wicca, and was a much more New Age-based witchcraft. Not bad in itself, but a misleading title. I enjoyed the rituals and the advice at the end, but most of the book is short explanations on things you may want to incorporate into witchcraft, such as runes or astrology, which you could find better information on in any other book. Three stars is probably generous but I did enjoy the authors writing style, and many sentences stood out to me.

[S.C. Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book.

For me personally, I already have a few books with the same information. So, it didn't offer me anything new. However, It's a good choice for anyone who doesn't already have a collection of related books.

[Shahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute.
I like the photos.
Good beginner book. Lots of good info.

[Tabbetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are completely unfamiliar with the Craft, this is an interesting and concise introduction. A bit boring if you are looking for new insight, but great for beginners.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t very detailed for a beginner. It had about the Sabbats, crystals and history which is useful however I think putting a spell in a book is dangerous especially a love spell.

[Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

With a constant insistence that witches and only be female this book is as historically incorrect as it is bigoted, terf garbage not worth the paper it's printed on

[Aimee Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic but a good refresher book if your curious about Wiccan practices. Good for beginners.

[Abiegail Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a beginner I often found myself confused throughout this book, the beginning I found quite interesting but as the book went on I was just lost.

[Lauren Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for halloween vibes, it was interesting

[Jacob Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy handbook, good for novices and has some useful information that is helpful to revisit.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very direct and informative pocket handbook, but I wouldn't call it Wiccan so much as a book on witchcraft itself; it doesn't reference Wicca besides things like the threefold law - which works for me, because I'm not Wiccan, just an avid reader on things like paganism and the craft.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, feel prepped to draw in the abundance and fully morph into my Wiccan form … just need to buy some green candles

[Natasha Jane Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really insightful teachings, and history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.