Witcha

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I love this book - Rated
Nathanial doesn't do a 'how to', and that's great because we have them coming out of our ears. and actually having someone tell you 'how to' isn't the point. It is however, a wonderful reference source and one of the most amusing and well written books I have in my collection. If I'm stuck for ideas or approach, I'll always go and check the same few books, and Witcha is the first.

As somebody already said, this is an 'even handed' book. He's no fluffy whitelighter, and that's as it should be.

Interesting personal account - Rated
This is an unusal book in the sense that it is a personal account of a witch from a heriditary background. It is still ecclectic in nature however with this family having developed their own practices, using ideas from Eastern and Western religion and spirituality and in that sense is not quite as "cunning" as I expected. Although the author distances himself from Wicca, there are certainly elements of Wicca within his writing and practices and so for me, what not at all the Traditional book what I was expecting.

Cunning indeed... - Rated
In this book Mr. Harris probably says more in fewer words than many books on witchcraft say in 10,000. Coming from an informed background of hereditary witchcraft, as many claim to do but do not, the knowledge it contains in formiddable. This, coupled with the beautiful artwork, and photographs from exhibits of the Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle, Cornwall, make the book as an object a wonder to behold. In my view the most important witchcraft publication of the twenty first century, so far.

fresh and inspiring - Rated
Harris' book is the published form of a personal grimoire, compiled over a long time. As such, it is dense in information and has a fresh and immediate style - it's as enjoyable to dip into as to read in longer sittings.

There is an even mix of practical methods, history and lore, and the structure is fairly loose and easy going. The author never presents himself as authoritative, but rather more as a fellow magician, a friend who is sharing the things he has learned and/or discovered. There are many spells and rituals in the book, which the author has in the main successfully undertaken himself.

Harris is clearly widely read and has personal experience of a variety of magick traditions, but above all certainly understands what it is all _really_ about.

To be honest, Witcha is perhaps the best book I have ever read on the subject of witchcraft (and certainly the one I have enjoyed the most), and perhaps the only one I have read which treats 'black magic', or the left hand path, equitably, sensibly and from a more enlightened perspective.

If you're a newcomer to witchcraft, or perhaps a Christian or Muslim keen to learn about the 'opposition', you'll find the book chock-full of things you want to know, presented in a straightforward and accessible manner.
If you're and old hand, you'll find much to agree with, and will enjoy Harris' style; free of the pomp and wordiness often found in esoteric texts.

Highly recommended.

Wticha - Rated
Witcha is an important book for anyone interested in understanding the reality of witchcraft in the practical sense. As today's market is awash with how to books, which are written by practitioners whom have little or no practical experience of 'living' the craft within ones own ethical boundaries and/or the 'real' world.

The book gives a general overview of the ideas and practicalities of all aspects of the craft, giving many secrets, which are usually kept from new practitioners for all the wrong reasons. The author also gives extracts from personal diaries and accounts of experiences he has had over the years, which gives perspective and something to judge personal experimentation to.

Whilst I consider this generally a beginners book; one that I would 'insist' be brought in conjunction with any other book on the craft for sake of balance, I personally found plenty of insights which have opened up avenues of exploration, so do not dismiss it as 'only' a beginners book.