Reviews

CRONE'S BOOK OF MAGICKAL WORDS
By Valerie Worth
Review by Susan Davis
Barnes and Noble: The Crone's Book of Words
or Amazon: The Crone's Book of Words

I am delighted to see this book on the shelves again. It was originally titled "The Crones Book Of Words" and was one of the first magickal volumes I ever read. This book is a wonderful collection of spells, incantations, charms, potions and other simple magickal workings that address many of our most dearly held wishes and concerns. There is no attempt made to sway you to a particular style of applying the information, but there IS an emphasis on the often overlooked value of the written and spoken words as a source of power and self-control. I enjoyed re-reading many of the chants and rhymes that she has listed. This is as much of a magickal cookbook as any I have seen, very simple and forthright and inviting you to change, delete and add to her words all of the flourishes that you need to shape your own Magicks. Also, like all good wordsmiths, she does not play favorites there is something for every practitioner to find of value and you are always free to flip the page past anything that just does not fit your personal path. This is quite simply a delightful reference book. It is one that I will gladly return to again and again when I need an inspiration or just the right set of words to shape my purpose to.

MAKING YOUR OWN MAGICKAL TOOLS
by Chic and Sandra Cicero
Review by Susan Davis

This is a clearly written book that smoothly combines history, mysticism and project plans. The instructions for tool-making are easy to understand, follow and execute. Most require only basic skills and woodworking equipment, and each project includes a detailed materials list. This volume gives the reader a comprehensive tour of both the history and the symbolism of The Golden Dawn belief system. You are walked through each area, level and rank of this tradition as if you have spent a lifetime here. You view the construction and sacred markings of each temple, the tools and devices of each position held in that temple and the hows and whys of each magickal tool along with the plans for its construction and decoration. By the time I had completed reading this book, I found myself with a new respect and understanding of the basics of The Golden Dawn belief system. I was also left with my mind spinning from all of the ideas generated by their tool-making projects and ways that I could adapt their methods to serve my own needs.

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