True Magick: 2nd Edition

This book about magic(k) feels like it comes from a loving mother who has a strong dose of common sense, ability to laugh at herself, and who will take care to remind her children not to go out in the cold without a sweater on. Generally one feels affectionately taken care of, though sometimes, one may feel like taking the author to task when feeling condenscended towards and treated too much like a child, instances of which I will elaborate upon below.Amber K covers not only the basics of magic, but also wants to make sure you eat well, take care of your physical body and deal with your addictions and your "yes, but" excuses for your habit of inertia. Shell get us off to a good, well-rounded start. One can count on AMber K for her marvelously rich sense of humor. I like the anecdote she gives here from comedian Steven Wright to illustrate the interconnection of all things in the world: "In my house there's this light switch that doesn't do anything. Every so often I would flick it on and off just to check. YEsterday, I got a call from a woman in Germany. She said, 'Cut it out.' " She also has many other bits of common sense, such as "If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else."The book, like much of Wicca, may strike many of us as a bit too much on the New-Agey and hygienic side. Those feeling more linked with the more chthonic, or indeed more artistic, arcane or folkish aspects of Witchcraft may protest Amber's advice to keep working areas clean (actually she uses the word hygienic at least once) and instead try to cultivate dirtiness in at least ONE place in our lives.I am also puzzled by what seems, very early on with page xix, to be a dismissal of folk magic: "a great deal of folk magic is based on recipes handed down from traditional folklore and performed without understanding or preparation." Considering the intensity of my interest in forms of Folk Magic, I find this comment unsatisfying, as well as seeming over-generalized. The chapter on Ethics seems well-intentioned but feels shallow and preachy. Amber states that "this book is about magick in general, not just Wiccan magick. HOwever, the same principles apply to all magickal practice, and the primary guideline is most concisely summed up in...the Wiccan Rede."I find this generalizing gloss unacceptable. It simply IS NOT TRUE that "all magickal practices" are summed up by ethical guidelines such as the Wiccan Rede. In fact, quite the opposite is more the case. The most cursory of studies into the history of magic will find no evidence of anything like the ethical prescriptions of the Wiccan Rede in ancient times, or in the early modern era. Folk magicians simply were not afflicted by the sort of Protestant scruples many Wiccans now tie themselves into knots with, under the threat of karmic damnation multiplied three times.See, for instance, the "Greek Magical Papyri in Translation", or "Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the ancient World" by Gager, the Goetia or LEsser Key of Solomon, The Norwegian "Black Book of Elverum", "Balkan Traditional Witchcraft" by Radomir Rustic, or peruse "The Visions of Isobel Gowdie" to read of studies of dark shamanism among the Yanomamo tribes of the Amazon, or the shamanic murders of the mazzeri in Corsica. The use of curses directly overtly intended either to harm or manipulate others is so much a part of magic in history that I doubt one could find a shamanistic or folk magical tradition without it. In her recent study of the 1662 Scottish Witch trial confessions of Isobel Gowdie, scholar Emma Wilby is unfazed by the squeamishness of other scholars with respect to malefic magic, and goes boldly where they've feared to tread, speculating that Isobel may well have been a practitioner of malefic magic, which would have been quite in keeping with the Scottish proclivity for cursing and revenge. Even so recently as the early 20th century with Aleister Crowley, the primary "rede" he presented was "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" a statement which rather obviously contains no ethics to it.And in modern times, show me a work on traditional VooDoo or HooDoo which does not contain curses, sometimes intended to kill. See Denise Alvarado's books on the use of VooDoo Dolls with plentiful spells to harm others. Ethically mature people do not need rules, redes or laws to understand or practice our own ethics: though perhaps we can well use these things as starting places from whence to contemplate, and then depart for more mysterious shores. Ideally, we rather so avidly and profoundly pursue the dictim "know thyself" that we come to know the inner ethical law found deep within, rather than merely following rules in some rede. Not having a rede does not mean we have no ethics: rather it may imply we have an ethics so complex and difficult to articulate, that it bears resemblance to our Mystery Tradition itself.I also find quite unpalatable this advice Amber gives: "Accustom yourself to the idea that nearly everything in your life --every event, relationship, thought and material object-- is there because you chose it." Certainly it behooves us all to deeply investigate our part in things, and the corners of the shadows of our own psyche,and we can all certainly attempt to "let everything that happens to you be your teacher", but it is just offensive to suggest, for instance, that a victim of a crime had this happen to her because she "chose" it!! Such comments reflect a doltish aspect of New Agey Wicca that we can CHOOSE to do without. Also, visualizing glowing balls of energy, something suggested in this book which gives a feel of the style of it, never cut it for me.Beyond these areas of my concern, where I believe more depth of exploration is needed, I enjoyed this book and found it to reflect an optimistic, creative, humor-filled, common-sensical approach to magic(k) which would be a good guidebook for young people or people new to magic(k). I also heartily recommend attending Amber K's workshops to experience her in person, as she is highly engaging, and very open-hearted. She inspires joy and wonder in the world.

This book is so thoughtful, down to earth and well written. I was actually seeking a book on Magick and while the subject is not new to me, the exercises brought a depth that I didn't expect and I gained a better perspective in some areas. This is also one of the best self-help books I've ever seen; it's too bad that some people who could really benefit from the self-development aspects of the book will be put off by the subject of Magick and Witchcraft, even if they are at least open to nature. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand magick or simply wants to growth and become a better rounded and whole human being. Well done Amber K. and thank you.

Was recommended this book by a friend of mine. It's a good starting point on the year and a day path to spiritual enlightenment through the Wicca religion can say I honestly feel this book will help those like me who are trying to find there faith outside of the Abrahamic belief systems or any other faith system for that matter and want a more nature base religious experience.I find the Spirituality of this religion more coincides with my own personal beliefs as I have always had a deep connection to nature.I would recommend it to anyone as a good study guide if your interested in Wicca even Christians who want to know what Wicca is about.It help clear up allot of the religious misconception of the Wicca religion and there spiritual beliefs.

This book was recommended to me when I began my studying and practice of the magick and Wiccan faith, and it was the perfect place to begin. While so many bookstore's have a mind-boggling number of books dealing with magick, it's difficult to tell what's helpful and what's not. Amber K's book is down to earth, easy to connect with, and certainly isn't full of nonsense or fluff. It deals with the realities of using magick, and encourages readers to be active in their responsibilities and their growth. It also has many helpful suggestions about continued reading, many exercises that are both challenging and encouraging, and also some tips on locating like minded people either online or through word-of-mouth. I recommend this for beginners and as a refresher for those who've been magick users for a while!

I started reading this book when I borrowed it from the library. I decided to buy my own copy because it seemed like what I was looking for (and pages were ripped out for some reason, so I was missing out on a lot of juicy stuff, haha!). It definitely seems like a great book for beginners. I like that it is pretty detailed and provides resources for you to do further research and investigation.

This is a updated version of Amber K's original "True Magick". I had the pleasure to meet her at PSG 2013 last June! She is a delight to talk to and to brainstorm with. This newest book is also a pleasure to read, follow and study with. It also a good beginner book to give to someone as well !

If you want to really understand what Wiccans, Witches, and Pagans are and are not this is the book for you. If you are looking to understand the positive, respectful ritual practice and learn the true about magick this is an excellent book to start with. I have shared this book with friends and relatives and then had discussions so they understand and no longer have a negative view of my spiritual path. say Thank you to Amber K.

Amazing place to start when exploring the Craft. Well written and covers a lot of info. A true staple in any witch's library.

Personally, I did not enjoy this book at all. It is written totally from a Wiccan perspective with little leeway for other Neo-pagan (or any other) traditions - I felt this should have been clearly marked on the book somewhere. Whilst it would be a good book for someone newly interested in esoterica and all those candle burning type things ... It does contain some interesting sections on attempting to bring together high level physics with these arts, some preachy ethical questionnaires etc, it would be better more aptly titled.

This is a must have in my opinion for any witch. Not just for beginners. Full of great detail. Spot on.

LOVE THIS BOOK! So informative and interesting. Really excited to finish this

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